2011 vs 2012 Dilemma

I'll put my 2 cents out for ya...

Toyota Sunnyvale should have a limited # of 2011 Threes with nav, and the price to buyer should be about $24,488. The Two's are in paper at $21,488, that means plain Three at $22,488. Toyota sunnyvale is straight up, no haggle pricing. I purchased on 11/16 there and my salesman David Garske (super cool btw) mentioned there is only one more load of '11 Pri's coming. Pretty sure about that's what I heard.

So, with '11 Three/nav, you get the .. touchscreen / nav, backup camera, USB, but only one door smart key, but it has the upgraded JBL audio that has an amp under front passenger's seat.

2012 gets the new fascia, DRLs, and three gets the new touchscreen / nav / USB / backup camera and Entune capability and 3 door smart key. However the audio system seems downgraded to 6 speakers and I'm quite sure there is no seperate amp. So, the sound will be weaker. I heard the Prius v Three audio and it's weaker than JBL in mine. Of course possible to upgrade that with some legwork.

2012 Three pricing ... guess time. I'll betchya it's real close to $26,500 on the sticker and the reason I say that is the Prius v Three is just a tad over $28k sticker, so can't get too close with the regular Prius. They might discount $500 or $1k, but who knows right now. It's all supply and demand. I'm still guessing the '12s will come in December where they might deal the last 11 three nav about $24k while the 2012 three would go for more like $26k or whatever one can negotiate

Just guessin' but it's fun to guess.

 

I just bought my Prius 4, with the solar roof option pkg. My previous car was no longer working so waiting for the 2012's to get here was not an option for me.

I got a new car which I hope was discounted one never really knows, I got mine for invoice price, and the low interest deal going on until 11/30 in my area (good enough?, maybe) still a very expensive car.

I have never purchased a new car and as a female I feel they like to take advantage of that a bit on the sales deals.

I think after reading about the 2012, and the current features my 2011 has I would still choose the 2011. Price deals are out there for 2011 you may end up with a car with features, or colors you did not want as the stock decreases. The main feature I wanted was the solar roof and in my area (midwest) very few were local mine came from 300mi away.

No matter what you get make sure your happy with it, as all of them loose value the minute you drive off the lot, we all know this. So just make sure you get all your features, if not make sure you can add them later if you know how. Im going to drive mine until it will no longer drive just like my last two cars.

 

This is my quandry, too. I want the 4 with nav. Since the nav package (the rear camera is a must have for me) will be standard on the 4's in '12, I'll be interested in seeing how it impacts the price. I don't care about the audio one way or another as long as my mp3 player will plug into the system (I listen to audio books, not music). The 4 ('12) also is supposed to have power, 8 way adjustable seats, so that throws another variable into the mix.

I am in the enviable position of being able to get whatever I want with this car, so I will probably wait for the 2012's. I finally found a dealer who is willing to be straight with me. He says they are expecting to be able to spec their first order sometime in December with delivery toward the middle of January, and he is going to call me when we can do that. AT that point, I'll have a better idea of cost and availability. I'll post back here when I get specifics. Soon I hope.

Sharol in Kansas

 

I does not matter if you are a man or a woman. You never get the deal you deserve, you get the deal you negotiate.

My wife negotiated the deal on our car and considering the market conditions at the time, we are both very happy with the car and the deal.

Keith

 

Very True. I do just wish it was easier. This was my first car purchase, without a spouse or my dad helping. Also my first new car purchase. Sales people are experts in reading people, I am not. I just have to hope I did ok, either way I'm stuck with it, but I do love my car!

I did go to a dealer 5 miles from my house and decided they were not being fair to me, not sure why, female? Dressed wrong? Drove a crappy car to the lot? Any of the above or more factors I'm not aware of, but anyway I got my car from someone else. I would have paid a lot more to purcase a car from them, so I guess I did better by walking away from the first dealer.

If my old car was working I would have been able to hold out for some of the better prices sure to come when the 2012's are out.

 

I think the deals on the remaining 2011 Prius are really good in a lot of locations right now. You still have to have your guard up, but the 2012's are coming and they want to get rid of the 2011's...good deals can be found IF you can find what you want...

I also speculate in the upcoming year, with the Prius v, Standard Model Refresh, Plug in Prius and the Prius c, coming in as the new "entry level", that regular Prius prices will likely increase.

A personal prejudice, is I also like the idea of getting one of the last hybrids without a VPNS...or noisemaker.

On the downside. You buy new today? In just a few short weeks, you are driving a Prius almost instantly 1 model year old, that has pre-refresh styling.

But again? A personal prejudice, I don't find the refresh all that earth shattering. Infact, I think I like the 2011's better.

But it's all up to you. If you can't find the amenities or the extra's you want? If you are afraid you'll regret not waiting for the refresh and getting EXACTLY what you want? Then just wait.

The fact that you didn't save a few bucks? Will probably fade rapidly if you like the vehicle you ultimately end up getting. If you compromise, and find yourself regretting not getting a 2012? Then you'll never be 100% happy with what you will think was a bargain hunting compromise.

So in short? If you can find what you want? At a price you really, really like? Sure 2011's I think are great deals right now.

If you want a 2012, in exact configuration, and with all the latest refresh aspects? Then wait. You'll probably pay a little more, but it should be about getting what YOU want...

 

I was going to wait for the 2012's until I read about the VPNS (noisemaker) and saw the video. Last montyh I bought a 2011 Prius 3 with Nav. , I think the 2011's will be the last truly "quiet" Prius.

Also I got a better price on a 2011 than I believe I could have if I had waited for the 2012's.

I don't think the styling changes in the 2012's are any big deal, this is a minor refresh, not a major change.

However I do kind of wish I had Entune, which is not in the 2011's but I understand is included on the 2012's.

 

Entune on the Three and up, not Two. Free for 3 years, then subscription required.

the '12 Two is nicely equipped to make it more desirable - touchscreen, USB, Bluetooth handsfree. This will help future sales. I'll be glad to see more people go handsfree. Makes me nervous seeing drivers in my rear view mirror with cell phone to ear. Illegal here.

 

In either case, I'd make sure the car has the backup camera. Although delayed, the backup camera has been mandated by the government. I believe the mandate will go through. When it does, trade-ins will take a big hit, when they don't have a backup camera.

 

I am waiting for the 2012. You guys forget the resale value factor. The savings of buying a 2011 is offset when you sell it

 

Just picked up my 2011 model 5 loaded last night. $1,500 discount should make up for the model year, plus the kicker was Zero Interest for 3 years.

 

Imagine it this way ... if someone offered you a 2011 and gave you free gasoline for the first 36,000 miles ... or a 2012 .... which would you take ? Because that's about what a $2500 discount is worth .... maybe more with gas prices falling. And that is not even taking into account any increases that the same model will incur with the next model year. It the price increases $1500 for an equivalent model ... the difference would be $4000.

If you plan on keeping the car ... why worry about trade-in values ?? By the time you trade it in the difference in values will be nowhere near $2500. On the other hand ... if you are the type person who just HAS to have the latest and greatest ... you gotta pay to play. If you're financing .... it will also cost you another 40-50 per month or so .... depending on the terms.

REV

 

And also diminishes more and more the longer you keep it.

REV

 

Based on Toyota's press release for the c (aqua in Japan) they will raise the profit margin on the Prius since the c gives them a new entry level hybrid. The 2012 price increase may be more than a normal year change. They may sell fewer regular Prius' but increase market share with the c.

 

The leather was a big deal for us and with the Bluetooth streaming working so well, Entune wasn't important. I've driven a Corvette for a week with HUD and found it annoying and with $700 off invoice, it was time to buy.

 

If they raise it too much, though, it will put it higher than the V.

 

That's why you buy a leftover 2011 and get the big discounts and finance deals ... and avoid most of the immediate depreciation hit.

IT"S THE SAME CAR ....

REV

 

I have the HUD on my 650i. It took about a week to get use to, but now I can't seem to live without it. Has anybody found out yet the pricing for the non-pip? I'm still on the fence myself. I'm very curious about the electric adjustable drivers seat as well..

 

That's what I'm looking at too. I need the better seat adjustment and the back up camera. I prefer the real leather in the 2011, and I would rather not have the noisemaker, but the seat sounds like a true improvement.