Yes, I noticed. In fact, I got a letter from my dealer saying they wanted to buy my 2009. If it wasn't my only car and it didn't have an Enginer PHEV, I might consider trying to cut a futures contract deal with them, where I sell them my 2009 in an even swap for a 2010 to be delivered in 6mos-1year (subject to certain features/mileage/conidition restrictions). My brother just bought a 2005 Prius with over 100k miles. I bought my 2007 Prius with 12k miles about a year ago. I still paid more, but not that much.... -->Adam
Went to Keyes Toyota in Van Nuys, Ca. They wanted almost $29,000 for a II. When he gave me the price I said, "No I said a II not a III" He said that was the II and was $4,000 over sticker because they were the only ones that had the car. I walked out. I was hoping to buy my Prius this weekend as my registration for my old car expires on the 31st. I would rather not have to pay registration fees- etc. So I may just sell my old car to my mechanic and go without a car for a month or 2 til these prices come back down to earth.
Gouging only applies to necessities, not luxury goods...in other words, after an earthquake, home depot triples their prices is gouging, as people NEED to rebuild their homes. It generally applies to commodities...which the Prius is not! However, there are many other automobiles available for MSRP or less other than a Prius...people are free to buy those. People, in this country at least, tend to use gouging whenever anything is priced higher than they want to pay...ie concert tickets.
'market rate' is what you can get for it. so, how can that be gouging? i'm not sure 'price gouging' is a defineable term. it may be in the mind of the beholder.
