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Should I buy a 2012 or 2013 Prius? Fair price?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Humphrey Balboa, Nov 23, 2012.

  1. Humphrey Balboa

    Humphrey Balboa New Member

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    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hi!

    Soooooo close to owning my first PRIUS!:D

    I have been in negotiations with several dealerships for the past few weeks for either of the cars below. Are they fair prices? Every dealership I have been to will not go lower than the numbers below or throw anything else in. I am wondering since I have the end of the year and the end of the month on my side, should there be more wiggle room? I was hoping to at least get a tint, appearance package or protection package thrown in for free, but have yet to convince any of them to do so.

    Also does anything change between the 2012 to the 2013 to justify the additional $1000

    FYI I live in Los Angeles (if that affects fair pricing)

    2012 IV PRIUS - solar roof - blizzard - $29,855
    2013 IV PRIUS - solar roof - blizzard - $30,855

    Thanks!
     
    #1 Humphrey Balboa, Nov 23, 2012
  2. RamesesThe2nd

    RamesesThe2nd 2012 Prius III - Classic Silver Mettalic

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    $1000 is a lot of money. If I were you I would just take the 2012 version. They are identical in every way except the price.
     
    #2 RamesesThe2nd, Nov 24, 2012
  3. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Not a lot of money depending on how long one plans on keeping a car...
     
    #3 ChipL, Nov 25, 2012
  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Does anything change between the 2012 to the 2013 to justify the additional $1000?" Foreign exchange rates. The new MY always has a price bump and is only slightly discounted at best. The leftover inventory will be more heavily discounted and will have some form of incentive on the hood. If you can't get the dealers to go lower then you found the lowest price.

    Maybe the car will be cheaper later. Maybe not. Maybe the car will still be on the lot. Maybe not. When you find the car you want at a fair price buy it.
     
    #4 JimN, Nov 25, 2012
  5. Humphrey Balboa

    Humphrey Balboa New Member

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    Four
    Thanks for all the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. ;) This is my first car buying experience so I have been a little aggro about the whole deal. The advice above is great, I have found the car I want at a price I find fair so I need to just go for it. I need reminders like that, or I could continue to stress over this until the last hour on the last day of year and it's just not worth it! I am going in for the kill on the 2012 tomorrow. The $1000 in my pocket from getting the 2012 over the 2013 can be saved for future repairs, is now my thought, since the 2 cars are the same. If the car is sturdy and lasting as I hope, I won't be selling it for a loooong time, and by then 2012 vs 2013 won't make much of a difference. Also it has been hard to find a blizzard pearl model four without the hodgepodge bisque interior, so I am just going to swoop in on the one tomorrow that is exactly everything I want. I saw her today, she's a true beauty. I am so excited! It's happening......... :)
     
    #5 Humphrey Balboa, Nov 26, 2012
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  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    There's a sign in the dealer's showroom: The car you looked at today and are considering tomorrow is the same car someone else looked at yesterday and is considering today.

    It only takes 1 or 2 minutes for a car to be sold out from under you.

    I don't care how many cars you buy. It's always aggravating.

    It's always good to hear when someone finds exactly what they want on the lot. Here's wishing the two of you many happy years together.
     
    #6 JimN, Nov 26, 2012
  7. Humphrey Balboa

    Humphrey Balboa New Member

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    Four
    Thanks! Here is a picture of her grand debut! I feel good about it, the final dealership I got her from (that had exactly what I wanted on the lot) made it such a pleasant experience, especially compared to all the other dealerships I was trolling closer to my home, night and day difference. They were just so highly professional and straight forward. Plus free car washes for 7 years! Lol.
     

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    #7 Humphrey Balboa, Nov 26, 2012
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  8. RamesesThe2nd

    RamesesThe2nd 2012 Prius III - Classic Silver Mettalic

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    $1000 is a lot of money for a $25,000 car. It is 4% of the overall value. If you are going to keep car long term, what difference does it make if it is 2012 or 2013; 10 years from now it will just be your OLD car.
     
    #8 RamesesThe2nd, Nov 28, 2012
  9. mnml

    mnml Ain't nobody got time for that.

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    Congrats on the new ride. Be sure to register yourself with the Blizzard Brigade!
     
    #9 mnml, Nov 28, 2012
  10. Rainking

    Rainking Member

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    Plug-in Advanced
    You picked the best color! :D
     
    #10 Rainking, Nov 28, 2012
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