Need info on Arizona pricing?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(arniesalsared @ May 10 2006, 12:30 PM) [snapback]253008[/snapback]</div>

I got mine 2 months ago at Scott Toyota for only $500 over MSRP. I was also getting a Corolla using the Sam's Club discount so ended up going through the Internet/Fleet department, not sure if that made a difference.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(arniesalsared @ May 10 2006, 12:30 PM) [snapback]253008[/snapback]</div>

Avondale Toyota is selling them at straight MSRP with no unusual fees or ads, and has some coming in soon. I just bought one. The fellow I dealt with is Terry, and I have been very pleased witht he experience.

 

Hello Everyone,

I also live in the Phoenix are and am interested in purchasing a Prius in
the near future. Let me be honest, I'm not wanting to buy a Prius simply
because it's a Hybrid. I'm a techie guy and recently had a chance to
rent a Prius during business trip in LA. I didn't know what to expect, but
after a week behind the wheel, I truly was wowed by the technology
and driveability of this car. I simply fell in love with the car & it
was hard to say goodbye at the end of my trip. In any case
I'd like to ask you folks for your advice.

My plan is to purchase this car in late Nov early Dec this year. My thinking
is this would probably be a good time to do this. Typically the end of
Thanksgiving and prior to Christmas is a really slow time for car dealers.
Even though the Prius is in very high demand, I could use this slow time
to my advantage. Perhaps I could get a 2007 at 2006 prices? I plan to
pay cash and will not finance. I am also not in any huge hurry and am
willing to wait for the car if I need to do a factory order.

I understand that there's a ~ $3k tax break from Uncle Sam that may
go away by this time, but again, that's not a big deal to me. Other than
that, is there any reason you folks think I should try to buy sooner than
later? I appreciate your insight and advice. Thanks in advance for your
responses,

Take care,

igo2xs@Phoenix

 

igo2xs, I am fairly new to the Prius game--ordered mine on April 13--but I don't think that the holiday season would have much of an effect on Prius sales. As it is, the vast majority of Prii that come out of Toyota in Japan have been preordered. It is possible to find some on lots in major metro areas but not in most areas of the country. I see that you are in Phoenix and I don't believe that I've seen any posts from Phoenix-area owners who were able to buy straight off the lot. Also, I've only heard of a very few people who were able to haggle with their dealers in order to pay anything under MSRP. Most dealers can demand MSRP because of the high demand.

It doesn't sound as if you need to get a new car ASAP and you also don't seem to care about the tax credit (which, I admit, is odd to me but I'm an accountant!) So I would just say that the best reasons to get the Prius sooner rather than later would be to get to enjoy the car sooner and maybe even cut your gasoline costs this summer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ohgreys @ May 14 2006, 11:16 AM) [snapback]255254[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for your reply... So you're feeling is the demand for this car is so high and
will most likely continue to expand, that the price is probably going to remain close
to msrp or higher? I was considering this. I have to be honest with myself and
you in saying buying a Prius is not a "must have". My wife and I have two newer
model cars that are relatively fuel efficient (28-36 mpg). We actually both hate automatics
and our cars have manual transmissions. Similar to the PT Cruiser craze a few years
back, I am wondering if the high demand for Pruii will eventually taper off and prices
will stabilize? I guess I'm trying to talk myself into not jumping on the Prius band-wagon
and be patient? The tax credit is certainly a reason to buy this year I will admit. I imagine
due to the high demand, Toyota is likely to increase the msrp for this car next year.
Is there any indication they have plans to increase volume of manufacturing due to
demand? In any case, I thank you for your thoughts. Have you already taken delivery
of your car?

Take care,

igo2xs

 

I could be wrong but I think that the demand for Prii has been higher than the supply since it came to the US in 2001. The wait time has certain gone down--from 9 months to anywhere between 8 weeks and 4 months depending on where you get it. I ordered on April 13 and was told that it would take "probably 3 months but as long as 4, as short as 2" to get mine in. I've even changed my request from a #7 silver pine mica to a #3, #4, #5, #6, or #7 silver pine mica, seaside pearl, super white, metallic gray, or barcelona red and it doesn't look like my wait will be shorter.

As for increasing production, I've read a few threads here on Priuschat that it has actually decreased in order to ramp up production of the new Camry hybrid.

We hesitated before ordering the Prius because the car we will be trading in is a 2003. It's not terribly old but the mileage isn't all that great (only 23mpg on average) so we decided to bite the bullet.

Hope this has helped a bit. BTW, what is the yellow vehicle in your avatar?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ohgreys @ May 15 2006, 06:06 AM) [snapback]255598[/snapback]</div>

You know I am interested in getting a #7 White Prius, but it sounds like this is an option
package that's hard to find? I also like silver pine as a color. You mentioned your wait
time hasn't changed even though you were willing to settle for a car with different color
and package. Are you planning to get a car with #7 package in the end? Based on
the features that are important to me, I would not be willing to settle for anything other
a #7 package, but I could be flexible on the color. My thinking is, if I'm going to be
spending ~$30k for a car, it's important to get exactly what you want, despite the
high demand for this car. Perhaps when I finally put some $ to get myself on the
wait list this might change.

Could it be possible that folks that are considering a Prius at this time might actually
be willing to wait for a Camry hybrid? If this happens, the demand for the Prius
would stabalize a bit more? I think the Prius is the perfect size for myself
and my wife however. Again, I'm trying to rationalize waiting to buy

About my avatar pic. The yello car pictured is one that I saw on a recent trip
to Germany. I thought it was pretty funny, especially how small it was.
Attached is a front & back picture so you can see it in more detail. It's a 3-wheeler.
Perfect to scoot around downtown Frankfurt!

[attachmentid=3460]

[attachmentid=3461]

In any case, I thank you for all the details about your Prius buying
experience. You're really helping me put this whole thing into
perspective! Good luck and I hope you get your car sooner than later,

Take care,

igo2xs