It's Finally Time to buy a Prius (Help/Assistance Requested)

Moxie,

Since you are well aware of Truecar I wont pull any examples but be sure to use various big cities as a search point in truecar. When I searched out mine I found Atlanta was the lowest prices in the southeast(thanks to Paul). I was able to use the Atlanta numbers here in Florida. Only one dealer would bite but I got my Prius literally right off the boat.

I would not waste a second in a dealer showroom playing the BS games.....I only delt with the "Internet Manager" of a dealer and did all my negotiations over the phone. Once I got the verbal offer I wanted, prior to even heading to the dealer I got e-mail confirmation of my Out the door price illustrating every fee, tax and penny. This way there are no suprises when you get to the finance office.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

Craig

 

A trade muddies the water. Is it a significant sum of money where the sales tax would be reduced when purchasing your Prius? No dealer will give you trade numbers without seeing the vehicle.

Craig

 

Not a bad thought.....Maybe float the idea past your CPA and see if the deduction might make it even more enticing.

Craig

 

I researched what I wanted, prepared an email request for quotation and sent it to multiple dealers throughout North Carolina. I also checked Toyota inventory (new/used) throughout the U.S. I found my best deal on a Prius III in Toledo, OH. The entire deal was completed via email and phone. I gave the dealer a $500 credit card deposit and hitched a ride to the dealer as my sister from Toledo was visiting me at the time. I paid cash; signed the paper work and drove my new Prius home. I got an Ohio title about 3 weeks later which I surrended to NC DMV. This process was the best buying experience EVER! I paid $19K for a Prius III, no options.

My trade was a 1998 Taurus with 200K and excellent condition. I donated the car to Habitat For Humanity in Pinehurst.

Happy Motoring,

Tom

 

I located inventory by zip code. I was able to find pictures, car fax info and lots more at each dealer's website. Once I found a car I liked, I emailed the specific internet manager. This is in addition to the "request for email quote" I sent to multiple dealers. By the way, some dealers did not respond, while others kept responding even after I told them I purchased.

Happy Motoring,

Tom

 

It hasn't been an attractive option ever since the IRS changed the rules. You used to be able to deduct the inflated Kelley Blue Book value and now you can only claim what the organization actually sells the car for. Even if they sell it for $2,000 and your marginal tax rate is 25%, you only save $500 on your tax return. On the other hand, if you trade it in for $2,000 you save the entire $2,000.

 

That's possible. For example, V with no ATP isn't allocated to Southern California but a Southern California dealer can acquire one at the port en route to other regions. They may be getting those 2011s at the port.

 

That is a good deal though. I paid 23000 OTD for my II a year and half ago.

 

I'll chime in with a plug for Springfield Toyota just south of DC. I'll copy a post I made earlier in the month about my IV purchase..might be worth a check but not sure what their inventory is now. Good luck. I love the car and heated / lumbar seats are the way to go:


""I purchased my car this past Thursday Dec. 2 2010.

Car is series IV Blizzard Pearl with Misty Gray leather and Solar Roof pkg. and 5 mats. 7/10 build date. I would have liked the option to get a V with Solar even at the expense of a mpg or two. Sunroof was a must so the IV was my decision.

List was $32,060 including $760 delivery.

Purchase price was $26,901.59 inclusive of Toyota cash back of $1500. Tax, tags and dealer processing fee of $389 was on top of that.

My 'out-the-door' price was $28235.25.

I am very happy with that deal, and delighted with the car. Dealer was Springfield Toyota in Springfield, VA just south of DC. I priced the car through USAA but these people beat USAA by $100+. I gave a local dealer a shot at my business but they were $950 away. Springfield Toyota great to deal with. Gave me a straight up price first time around. I didn't want any add ons, paint protector etc etc and they didn't push me. They gathered I was price driven. Offered an extended warranty for $1750 which I kindly refused.

Love the car...I had rented one last weekend to confirm I wanted the car. I played around with a ScanGauge II in the rental and first thing I did to my new car was use xGauge to change reverse beep to single, and kill the seat belt beeps. 58 mpg on my 80 mile return trip to Richmond""

 

Go to www.aaa.com where you can build a car & get up to 3 quotes for a 2010 or 2011. Around here their price on a 2011 was invoice which is a good bit higher than the same 2010. Unless you want the new color combo available for 2011 and you plan on keeping the car for many years I'd save the cash & get the 2010.

 

" The reason we discussed 2011s is because I mentioned that the 2010s are already 1 yr into depreciation and she said that might be logical but the 2011s are not out yet AND the 2010s they have were delivered just a few weeks ago so they wouldn't count. "

If you are planning to keep the car a decade, I wouldn't worry about the 2010's already being a year into depreciation. By the year 2020 or 2021 the difference in value between a 2010 and 2011 will be negligable to the point of insignificance.

Hey, if the Mayans are right...you should just lease....

But seriously...since there is little difference between the 2010's and 2011's, if you just want the car...I'd go with the best deal on a 2010...you can probably get a much better deal on a new 2010 than you would a upcoming 2011 just because one is labeled a 2010 and the other labeled a 2011...