Hi there- I'm just beginning to think about buying a Prius--and I don't know anything about the package/pricing options. Can someone give me a rough breakdown? What's the least I can expect to pay? The most? I'm in Seattle. Thanks!
You can go to the Build A Toyota site and see what options are available. By entering your ZIP code you'll know what's available in your area. Unfortunately, I don't think it's been updated for 2006 yet. As for price, it depends on whether the dealer is selling at MSRP, your options, paying over time vs paying the full amount then, sales tax etc. Say between $20,000 to $30,000.
Expect to pay MSRP Don't pay over MSRP unless you're comfortable doing that. Some people do but you should be able to get one at List. The red 2006 Prius Info link at the top of the page has the pricing. Add the package to the base price for the total for any given package. Only one package allowed. Your region may not offer all packages.
It's interesting how the dealers try to charge for the car. A dealer in Lake City (Seattle) wanted $2000 over MSRP if ordered, $3000 over MSRP if on the lot. He said you'd have to go to Idaho to do better. OK, so I called a dealer in Coeur D'Alene. They had 3 2005 Prii on the lot and would consider less than MSRP. Idaho is land of the pickup, I suppose (sorry if you are from Idaho -- not intended as insult!). The 3 on the lot had too many options for my pocketbook. As a compromise I tried Everett. After some haggling they agreed to MSRP. Shop around, and suggest go out of town.
Don't forget to think about the extended warranty and pre-paid maintenance plan. The two will bump up your base considerably depending on what kind of haggling you can do. Do your research before you visit the dealership, so you are not forced into making a quick decision when you are tired and hungry!
So far, I've contacted 3 dealership in the Seattle/Puget Sound area, and they have all quoted MSRP(Renton, Puyallup, Seattle). I went to Michael's in Bellevue and they wanted $29,000 for a 05 with 4,000 miles on it.(package #6). They said they are charging minimum $2,500 over MSRP to order one. Kirkland Toyota wanted $500+ for their add-on package(door edge guard, paint strip...etc). I live on the Eastside, but probably won't buy from an Eastside dealer.
How about Kirkland? I spoke to a Michael Young there who seems very motivated to get peope to put down there $500 deposit. He promised me a car at MSRP with NO extra charges (because that dealership usually makes you pay $529 for some services and a few little extras). Of course, I'd have to go on the wait list like everyone else. I also like Dennis at Burien Toyota and am on the wait list at Toyota of Seatte (no deposit). Burien charges 1,000 deposit and Toyota of Seattle doesn't charge a deposit. Both say they'll sell for MSRP. Both claim they don't slip in any obligatory add-ons. There is also a broker in Vancouver, WA -- www.nationalautolocators.com who I learned of here at Priuschat. He's worth checking out. Says he'll get you a car for $500 below MSRP. He charges a $250 fee. There's a thread out there with more info. on him. Good luck (to all of us wanting a 2006 sometime in the not-to-distant-future).
I have been given quotes of $100 below MSRP and MSRP so far. I would STRONGLY recommend NOT even considering anything over MSRP! There is plenty of profit for them already and everyone who wants a PRIUS WILL get one as long as you are willing to wait. Hope this helps!
If you want to run some numbers for comparison, check out the 2006 Model Year Prius Calculator, Excel Spreadsheet and the 2005 Model Year Prius Calculator, Excel Spreadsheet. B)
Does anyone have information on a 2006 Prius price increase??? I had a dealer tell me that Toyota just raised the base price to $22,305 from $21,725 and the Shipping (destination charge) to $580 from $540. IS THIS TRUE!!??!! :angry:
Partially. The destination charges are correct. The 2005 base price is $21275. The 2006 base price is $21725, not $22305. (Sounds like he made a math error because the difference is $580 which is the new destination charge.) Per my previous post: If you want to run some numbers for comparison, check out the 2006 Model Year Prius Calculator, Excel Spreadsheet and the 2005 Model Year Prius Calculator, Excel Spreadsheet. B) This information is in the Prius calculators.
I also live on the Eastside but I ended up contacting Burien Toyota (to get on the list, they wanted a $1000 deposit - fully refundable) and Toyota of Puyallup ($500 deposit but they just wrote down my cc number and that was basically it). Both places sell at MSRP but the dealership in Puyallup said most people are waiting until 2006 in order to take advantage of the tax incentive. Over the weekend, they have tried to sell me an 05 pkg 4 and an 05 pkg 5. I turned them both down because the pkg 4 was black and I don't want the pkg 5.
Approx, how long do I have to wait if want the delivery of the prius after Jan/1/2006? Assuming I book with one of the dealers in WA state?