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What is the lowest price you can buy a Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jma030201, Feb 18, 2006.

  1. jma030201

    jma030201 New Member

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    Hello folks ... just wondering what would the lowest price for a Prius be? I am asking because when I test drove a Prius yesterday, lo and behold, one of the salesman in that dealership was an ex-boyfriend that I broke up with 9 years ago! (and no, he is not mad at me at all!) He offered me help with getting my Prius but we did not have a lot of time to talk to each other and he wanted to go out sometime (as friends ... we are both married now). What can I ask him about the Prius' price? Do salesmen have any discount if they themselves bought the car? How much is a salesman's commission for each sale? He said he will not take any commission for my Prius and speak to the manager at the dealership (who he said is his close friend) if there is anything he can help me with my purchase.

    At this point, I am not even after the carpool stickers nor the tax credit anymore. I just want my Prius!!!!!!! I drove my friend's 2004 Prus last night when we went out to watch a movie and I was in heaven.

    I guess this is a question for anyone with knowledge regarding car salesmen's commission.

    I appreciate any feedback you can give.

    Lord bless!
     
  2. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    no employee discount on high demand, low supply cars. this includes prius, highlander hybrid, and all scion models. i was PO'd to hear this, to say the least. we could have gotten a pair of camrys fully loaded for the price of our prius. arg.

    whether the salesman takes his commission cut or not, the dealer will still be making money. chances are they're not going to take the money they would have given the sales dude and drop it off your sticker price. it's largely the dealership's decision, not the sales guy.
     
  3. Rancid13

    Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius

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    You can check out actual invoice and MSRP prices for the various packages that are available for the Prius here.

    Just select the package options and Edmunds will price everything for you. That way you'll know if the salesperson is charging you over MSRP or not. At MSRP is common for the Prius, I'd be very envious if you were able to get below that. But at least this way, you can at least see what the dealer is making based on invoice costs.

    :)
     
  4. jma030201

    jma030201 New Member

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    are you a toyota salesman? If so, can you put yourself in front of the wait list for the Prius to get your car earlier? I was asking because I wonder if my "friend" can somehow give me priority so I can get my car sooner .... *sigh* been dreaming of the Prius for a while.

    Thanks!
     
  5. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    DH is a tech at the dealer. we had to wait like everyone else.

    edited to add: our sales guy waited 4 months for his special edition scion xb too... employees have to wait, unless of course you're dealing with an unethical business.
     
  6. jma030201

    jma030201 New Member

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    Hi!

    Actually, the other salesman has already offered me $250 off for being a Costco member and $400 off for being a newly grad. That is roughly $650 off MSRP. I just need to give a $500 refundable deposit to get on the wait list. I did not leave the deposit yesterday because the salesman said their system is down and could not give me a receipt right away and had to mail it to me. Told him I'd come back monday to make a deposit. B) I guess I would just ask my "friend" to put me on the wait list and ask him if he can somehow get a car ahead of the others. I know thats mean but I am desperate!!! :unsure: It's ok if he can't put me ahead of the list but I will surely get the car from him. (Here's hoping that I can get it for invoice... AT LEAST!) :rolleyes:

    Will keep you posted on what it will be. ;)

    Thanks!

    Lord bless! :lol:
     
  7. Rancid13

    Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius

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    Wow, that's awesome! Good for you on getting that deal! :D Keeping fingers crossed for you to get the car...I waited a total of 5.5 months from the time I ordered mine and just got the car last week and love it to death! Was worth the wait and then some.
     
  8. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    the grad discount works only if you finance with toyota. watch out for their finance rates, we got jacked. have a few interest rate quotes available or they'll charge you 8% or more. i have an excellent credit rating and they still jacked me.

    also, the $400 off works as a cash down payment, most states will still tax you on that amount.

    also watch out for the doc fee. dealers in big cities regularly charge 399 or more, which negates any money you'd save with that grad rebate or costco discount.

    invoice?? uh... i SERIOUSLY doubt that. even dealer employee discount is 100 over invoice. but if you get it... i will be seriously impressed.
     
  9. Jack Kelly

    Jack Kelly New Member

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    The key issue for which you haven't given us enough information is the option package you want to buy.

    Prius prices range from a "zero" package for $22,300 to just over $30K for a loaded one. A discount of $650 would probably "feel different" at those two extremes.

    The biggest discount anyone here has reported yet on an '06 is $750 (I think, or was it $1K?) I got $300 off MSRP. A few have paid $500 under. One dealer in N CA gives a discount scaled to the option package you would purchase.
     
  10. jma030201

    jma030201 New Member

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    Hello,

    I am ordering a Black 06 with package #3. My salesman knows that before mentioning the "possible" discounts.

    Thanks!
     
  11. jma030201

    jma030201 New Member

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    WOW! $100 over invoice is ok with me as well! :D
     
  12. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    then they won't give you the $400. that's part of the deal.

    from the TFS website:
    **Toyota Financial Services College Graduate Finance Program is available on approved credit to qualified customers financing the purchase of new untitled Toyota models through participating Toyota dealers and Toyota Financial Services. Some restrictions apply. Program may not be available in all states. First payment may be deferred for ninety-days; finance charges accrue from contract date. Deferred payment not available in Pennsylvania.

    http://www.toyotafinancial.com/finance/college_grads.html

    but... there is no employee discount on the prius.
     
  13. jma030201

    jma030201 New Member

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    Ok ok ok!!! :blink: I just want my prius! :wacko: *obsession kicking in* :wub:

    Thanks!
     
  14. RunninDover

    RunninDover New Member

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    I paid MSRP. It actually made the whole deal easier -- all done over the ph one and via e-mail. Dealer added $95 for filing title -- that was it.
     
  15. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    :lol:

    don't worry, your car is out there somewhere waiting for you :D
     
  16. husve

    husve New Member

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    I got 650$ off MSRP and 400$ coupon on toyota financial loan with 5.92%
    rate. And I had my car in three days.
     
  17. jma030201

    jma030201 New Member

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    I got a call from my "friend" and said that he can get me the Prius at cost .... hmmmmm ... is that the same as invoice price? I am hoping I can get some free mats from him too (is that pushing it too far? B) )

    Anyways, I still go on the wait list, I have not asked him about "cutting in line" :p
    Meeting with him for lunch tomorrow to discuss more.
     
  18. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    well damn. if you can get it for cost, go for it. that is UN HEARD OF. seriously.

    i haven't heard of anyone, dealership employee or otherwise, that has gotten a prius for invoice.

    does his sales manager know of this deal? or is he the sales manager? that's the only person we can think of that could pull that kind of stunt.

    anyway, congrats. :)
     
  19. clipper

    clipper New Member

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    I got about 500 knocked off of my prius, and another dealer was going to do the same.
     
  20. EricGo

    EricGo New Member

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    If taking the Toyota loan is beneficial, just remember that most friendly neighborhood credit unions allow 'refinancing' of the car within 12 months of sale. My CU penfed.org (open to anybody with a $15 or so contribution to a friends of the military support org) offers 5.49% for 60 months.

    You should read the small print of the Toyota loan to make sure there are no early payment penalties, but I'd be amazed if present.