im ready to purchase my first Prius Prime Hybrid, 2020, I’ve done research and today did a test drive. Any recommendations on best pricing?
welcome! email as many dealers as you are willing to drive to. negotiate everything online and don't go in until they tell you how much to bring a check for. or use a car buying service like costco and etc. all the best!
Agreed. I contacted about 6 dealers and only two would actually work with me on pricing that way. I ended up buying mine from one of those two. Can’t wait to see pictures after you buy! Buying a Prius Prime is one of best decisions I ever made.
"Any recommendations on best pricing?" Often it isn't just about the price. It's about the chiseling of all the overpriced, unneeded stuff they add on. When you're with the so-called finance manager remember that he gets paid on pure commission. He needs to sell you stuff you don't want. The Prime I bought had a 2nd sticker with $795 list of useless stuff. It was exactly the car we wanted, when we wanted it, with no others anywhere in the region. I spent 2 hours alternating between, "I won't pay that," and, "Nothing extra." Time is your friend (the only friend you have in a dealership.) Take all the time you want convincing them that (a) you're a serious buyer, (b) you're not going to pay any more than you absolutely need to pay. There are lots of car buying videos on youtube. Spend some time letting insiders show you the tricks of their trade designed to get your head spinning so you spend more than you need to spend.
Remember to buy depending on the overall price of the car. Take in consideration if you need to do a loan or straight cash. Some might give you a great price on the front end (price of the car) but really hit you hard on the back end (apr, alarm, etc). Also ask for a VIN number when you haggle. The bait and switch is real. I got switched on my twice (added options, added miles, etc) and was pushing me to get a 2019. Definitely don't talk to only one dealer. Keep logs, so do emails and text messages. Costco broker or going straight to the internet fleet manager is your best bet to cut the Bs. I got my 2020 XLE last month for $28,787 (with all weather mats and trunk, rear bumper sticker protector, door edge protectors). Now with the new rebate, you can def can go lower! Good luck!
Advice: Wait until 2021 - THEN buy online. Sell your old car first. Do not take ANYTHING into the dealership except for your driver's license and a pre-approval from a Credit Union, and do not buy ANYTHING but a car. No warranty. No fancy dealer options. No concierge dealer service. No dealer financing. No Gap. No 'doc' fees. Negotiate an out-the-door price and stick with that price. The last time I bought a car I gave Moe-the-Finance guy a chance to beat the credit union's rate (my credit score is >800) by a quarter point, and you know what??? Moe did! I let him finance the loan only to get the brownie points with the dealership - but other than that it was a straight-up deal, back in 2012, and NOT at a Toyota dealership! Since the OP shopped over the weekend, and has been sunning silent since then, I suspect that we'll get a new-owner report soon! Good Luck!
