Questions before buying Prius v

I would certainly wait to see the differences. They may improve the seats or at least the options. Pricing would be better on 12 models assuming you timed it right.

 

This seems like a very reasonable price. I recently bought a Prius V 2 at invoice and your price is better than mine was. That does not necessarily take into account extras, delivery, tax, etc. Nevertheless, for a 3 model w/the leather (not real leather) seats. I toyed with waiting for the 2013 models also, but figured at this time of year, prices would be best, and I think your offer reflects that. I did the Consumer Reports truth in pricing thing. It takes about 5-10 minutes online, costs $15 and I got 3 dealers competing for my business. It was EZ. I never left the front of my computer to get the best price. I test drove one at the closest dealer, liked what I experienced, but saved more than $600 by doing it this way. So far I am very happy. I ride a bike a lot, but I've had the car for 4 weeks and have yet to buy gas. 2012 models this time of year will be less expensive than 2013...they want to clear the lots for the new ones.

 

not a bad price, my wife got a v 2 for 25617 plus tax and tag. color was really important to her. she got magnetic grey with dark grey interior. the dealer wanted to pushed her on the light grey interior with the offer of free seat covers. needless to say when we were about to walk out he made a call and assured us we would have the car in a few days.

 

I was able to find a Prius V Three with already installed Eco-Leather seats - not the same as the Softex Seats which is just vinyl. The front seat face/top/side bolsters/headrest has real leather while the underside and back are vinyl and the rear seats have only have leather inserts in the middle sections. I understand it was installed at the port instead of by the factory or the dealer, which is common for many of toyota's options. Check around all the dealers in the area to see if they have any Three's with leather. I had to check every dealer in my area to find 1 car in the color combination I wanted in a three with leather, but there were plenty of other cars in different color combinations with leather.

 

Many feel (including Consumer Reports) feel that extended warranties are a waste of money, esp. on reliable cars. Anyhow, if you still want it, check to see if Discounted Toyota Prius Extended Warranty /Service Contracts | PriusChat is still valid and is that price for your v wagon.

 

i second that !

 

Before you prepurchase a maintenance package, do the following:

1. Determine that the dealer really is the best and preferred option for you for the maintenance involved;
2. Determine which maintenance items you truly need and will have done, regardless of the cost;
3. Add up the costs of those services, as they are regularly offered, including discounts normally offered or received;
4. Compare that sum to the cost of the prepaid plan and consider the value/opportunity costs of setting aside all of that money up front.

I bought one once, and I can't imagine buying one again. I didn't have trouble with the dealer, but I overpurchased services. I also didn't receive enough of a discount to justify spending that money up front.

 

Just to clarify things in my mind: from what I've read on this forum, Toyota doesn't do major changes to the Prius models every year. For example, I read that the "version 1" Prius Liftback model was the same car from 2000 - 2003.

I also thought I read here that there are no changes expected for the 2013 Prius v, since it was only introduced this year, and that there "probably" won't be changes to it for another 2-3 years. Hence there would be no real reason to wait until next year to get a "v."

Did I read this wrong?

 

We are looking to purchase a Prius V package 5 with ATP package. Anyone out there have some idea of best price on these for 2012? We can travel anywhere in US to pick up. Thanks!

 

Nope, there may be changes in available paint colors.

 

"Best price" depends on local demand where you buy, your negotiating skills and maybe having a prior relationship to the dealership from which you buy. I had assumed that the Prius v Five with ATP has not been in short supply since my wife bought one early last month (August 2012) in her preferred color (Blizzard Pearl white) for substantially less than dealer invoice and got about $1,000 in dealer installed accessories for "free".

It was a pleasant, business-like, haggle-free transaction that I mainly watched while my wife made the deal. It might have helped a bit that my wife is a numbers oriented CPA and that I retired from the company that insured that particular Toyota dealership.

 

Thanks for your note. We have decided on a Prius V package 5, no ATP. One local dealership gave me an offer for the standard 5 package on the V for $30,000. This was right at dealer invoice, maybe $500 less. So you are saying substantially less..so are you talking $5,000 less? Any information would be greatly appreciated, I am trying to get to a baseline on what to go for in the lowest price. Thanks.

 

The deal my wife made was also for about $500 below invoice or around $1, 500 below if you count the already installed accessories thrown in at no charge.

 

I ended up with a V2 - magnetic grey with dark interior - mud guards, cargo net, and floor mats - out the door at 26300... tax, title included... it's about invoice - but i did have to wait about 6 weeks as they were disapperaing off the lot as soon as they rolled off the truck - this was mid-July... I "orderd" it 1st week of June.

I based my decision on price and need. I did't need nav, as my droid smartphone with google maps was much more accurate compared to the v with outdated maps... and google doesn't currently charge for updates. I also have a 10" tablet I may rig up if I need a bigger nav screen - plus, I only travel for vacation, everything else - within an hour is what I consider local commuting. if it's a new doctor or something i may map the address, otherwise, i just drive.

and the entunes - well, my phone basically has those apps too - and i don't really need voice activation - my phone has it, but i don't use it - i had a BT ear piece - which is now not needed unless I drive my old car.

Things I wish it had at the lower end - were the foglamps - heated seats (even if they were cloth) ... or the power seat option. Factory dark windows would be nice ...

radar cruise would be sweet - don't need park assist or lane keep assist... and dont need a poly roof (my bald head appreciates the shade.)

so for me - i saved about 700-1000 bucks over the v3 ... and the v5 with or without the atp package was simply over budget.

i'm a 1st time foreign car owner - as i grew up having a GM Mechanic as a father... so we always bought GM since he knew all the ins and outs and had access to all the special tools, etc.

now he works for an auto auction - still a mechanic - but brand loyalty isn't as important.

I went from a 2000 Blazer that was cresting 200k miles ... at 20mpg... to this v2 which is 1.5" longer wheelbase - and 1.5" shorter body than my blazer... and i'm getting on average 47.3 mpg with it. the catch for me - was i needed the same cargo space behind rear seat - and i needed better gas mileage since i commute about 100 miles a day ... an hour each way to work- at about 45 miles each way... it does that. period.

I'm still getting used to having manual seats, but once you find the sweet spot you never change it anyway even with electric. and i still have auto climate...

the only real disadvantage is - no 4x4, no towing, and it's a little louder than i'm used to. they could of put in a bat of cotton sound deadener in the headliner to help with wind noise... but it's cost and weight savings.

like it so far... and you will likely enjoy yours too.

 

Welcome to the fold!

I absolutely wouldn't buy my v3 without heated seats. The dealer installed them for $150.