Hi everyone, I test drove a 2006 Prius (NL Package) yesterday at Kings Toyota in Cincinnati. I was extremely impressed with the car and am interested in buying one. However, the salesman told me some interesting stories about the car, so I'd like your help in verifying some of the information I was given. I was looking for the base model ($21,725 MSRP), but the salesman told me Toyota never builds those. He said I might be able to get an HE Package, but certainly nothing more basic than that. If I needed something particular, the car would have to be built for me. No price negotiation. He simply offered the car at MSRP and said the Prius is a rare car because the government in imposing limits on how many cars Toyota may produce (due to a decrease in tax revenue from gas purchases). So ... any thoughts about these statements? Any other myths or pitches I should be aware of? Thanks for your time and consideration. - Ben
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BenR @ Jul 2 2006, 09:20 AM) [snapback]280076[/snapback]</div> Sounds like you're dealing with a very low volume dealer. Toyota does make the #1 packages, although depending on your region, the numbers will vary. Also you really don't "order" a car - it goes by the dealer's allocation from the factory and you pick from what they get. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BenR @ Jul 2 2006, 09:20 AM) [snapback]280076[/snapback]</div> A half-truth here. At most dealers, MSRP is the best you will do, so that's true. (Some may try to mark up - avoid these.) The government does not limit how many cars can be made. He was probably talking about the tax credit. There is lots of discussion about the tax credit, but I'll sum it up here: you have to take delivery before September 30, 2006 if you want the full ($3150) tax credit. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BenR @ Jul 2 2006, 09:20 AM) [snapback]280076[/snapback]</div> Yes, probably. If indeed this dealer did say everything as you've posted it here, I'd suggest that you look around, even outside your city and possibly outside your state. You will find what you want, if you look hard enough. Good luck!
I'd say you're dealing with a dirty dealer. At least in my opinion. Prius aren't rare, most are sold b/c of the waiting list factor, and if you look around (even out of state) you can usually find some that are unsold sitting on the lot, but not for long. I paid MSRP at the End of July last year, knowing full well If I shopped around I could have probably gotten a discount. bare bones Prius exists, but you don't want that. You really do want one with the side airbags in it. The IHSTA has done a study with and without the side airbags, without them the crash rating is a two-with penetration into the vehicles cabin... with them I think its a four or a five. Toyota is overseas. So whatever they're saying about us imposing on the number the cars that they make is BS. There is however a cap on the number of cars that are eligible for the tax credit. Other myths include: if it runs out of gas it has to be returned to the dealer for service.... not true, you just need 5 gallons of gas and to start/prime the car a couple of times, and people have had no problems. Dealers are grossly misinformed about the prius. They don't know what kind of a car it is. Read around in here and it becomes more and more obvious they don't know what they are selling most times.
I'll second what's been posted so far. You need to shop around. As Parrot_lady said you may not want a "bare bones" Prius. The extra air bags may be safer and they will save you money on insurance, check it out with your insurance agent. Also the smart key system (SKS) is something most of us really seem to like. Where ever you buy it you will most likely end up paying MSRP, just don't pay any more than that. At the risk of telling you what you may already know, don't buy a maintenance contract or extended warranty from a dealer. you can buy an extended warranty (the same Toyota one) here much cheaper, and you have 3 years to decide if you want it or not. My opinion is that maintenance contracts are just a dealer rip off. Use the search function on this site for things like "extended warranty" maintenance or service contract etc.
Airbags? Absolutely! I was not in the market for a new car until I was T-boned by a drunk driver last month. I had just parked, and was about to get out of the car when I was hit. The side air curtain deployed, I walked away with just a few aches. Unfortunataly, my car was totaled. Since I now need a new car, I decided that I would hold out and get a Prius. I have contacted several dealers in central Texas, and I am waiting for their next allocation round to see if I get a good color and package match. Most dealers are asking MSRP. I thought I had a deal in the bag with San Marcos Toyota last week, and was on my way to draw up a contract, but I got popped with $1500 over invoice at the last minute, and promptly ended the call. There was a recent post about a Rivserside Toytoa in Oklahoma with cars at $500 under invoice. I called a couple of days after the post, and they still had several in stock (wow)! Unfortunately, none matched my color/package combo preferences. There *are* cars are out there, and you can get something within a week or two, or perhaps in stock, if you are flexible. As far as the dealers, I have heard many distortions (perhaps misunderstandings) of the facts. Research is your best friend. Finally, if you want a maintenance contract, shop the credit unions for discounted deals. Also, keep your money in the bank until your current warranty is about to expire. You don't want to pay finance charges on something you won't be using right away. (BTW, I am currently holding out for Silver Pine Mica or Magnetic Grey with package 3 or 4, without port options)
