Whaaaaaa Whoooooo!

Whaaaaaa Whoooooo!!!!

Hey all!

Just got my 2008 Package 2 yesterday and got 45mpg coming back on the 112 mile trip (almost entirely interstate) from the dealership. My previous car, Volvo S60 got about 24mpg. Man, I am going to save lots of cash on my 200+ mile commute three times a week.

I live in a cold climate and about 4 miles down a dirt road in the middle of really hilly but beautiful woods. My neighbor has a Prius and has had no issues getting up our steep road in the snow and ice. I'll keep you posted on that and I have a long steep and unpaved driveway.

For anyone looking to buy I learned alot in the process:

1.) This site is awesome for practical information and advice. Ask bout the packages and this cars capabilities. Thank you to all!!

2.) There is a wide range of prices between dealerships! My first dealership was willing to knock off about $500 off the $24,300 sticker and the last (5 dealers later) came in at $21,314!!!! That was about $800 below invoice!!!

3.) Use the internet. Edmunds.com gave me the best advice on how to buy a car and some very specific information on what the dealer is paying for the car (Invoice) and what the average actual selling price is for my area (I think Edmonds calls it TMV). Make sure you read the long but very informative story from the journalist they hired undercover to go and become a car salesman and write about the dealers strategies to add profit into the sale.

4.) Focus on the price, price price. Don't think about the extended contracts, financing or anything when negotiating. Don't fall for the "What are you looking to pay per month?" line from the sales person. Don't feel pressured to buy from the person who gave you the test drive. DON"T BUY IT THAT DAY NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!

5.) Email the dealerships within a reasonable distance (I went with 100 miles which is a drive but I saved so much money). I simple wrote, "Buying a 2008 Package 2 Prius this week. Have financing lined up (only partially true). Any color except black or white." You will be amazed how quickly the prices can come down.

Finally one dealersip sent me an email with the above price. Now I had it in writing on email so there wouldn't be any confusion as to what they said. I went back to the local guy who gave me the test drive and said if he could come with in $200 dollars I would buy from him since he gave me my first ride. The local dealer told me there was no way I could get it for that price the dealership was losing money. I told them they had to understand the I had to try if I coud save $2500 over their price.

I went in expecting the deal to be to good to be true. But it wasn't, there was no haggling, no upselling everything went smooth. I asked how they could do it. They said they were a top 10 dealership so they got special deals and had to keep a high volume of cars moving out of their relatively small lot. The internet salesman (yes, it's actually a position at this dealer) makes only $50 per car, flat rate but he gets big monthly bonuses if he his a certain volume. He was great, took time to show me the car inside and out and I felt great.

Again, thank you to all of you who had such great avide and support.

 

Hey all!

Just got my 2008 Package 2 yesterday and got 45mpg coming back on the 112 mile trip (almost entirely interstate) from the dealership. My previous car, Volvo S60 got about 24mpg. Man, I am going to save lots of cash on my 200+ mile commute three times a week.

I live in a cold climate and about 4 miles down a dirt road in the middle of really hilly but beautiful woods. My neighbor has a Prius and has had no issues getting up our steep road in the snow and ice. I'll keep you posted on that and I have a long steep and unpaved driveway.

For anyone looking to buy I learned alot in the process:

1.) This site is awesome for practical information and advice. Ask about the packages and this cars capabilities. Thank you to all!!

2.) There is a wide range of prices between dealerships! My first dealership was willing to knock off about $500 off the $24,300 sticker and the last (5 dealers later) came in at $21,314!!!! That was about $800 below invoice!!!

3.) Use the internet. Edmunds.com gave me the best advice on how to buy a car and some very specific information on what the dealer is paying for the car (Invoice) and what the average actual selling price is for my area (I think Edmonds calls it TMV). Make sure you read the long but very informative story from the journalist they hired undercover to go and become a car salesman and write about the dealer's strategies to add profit into the sale.

4.) Focus on the price, price price. Don't think about the extended contracts, financing or anything when negotiating. Don't fall for the "What are you looking to pay per month?" line from the sales person. Don't feel pressured to buy from the person who gave you the test drive. DON"T BUY IT THAT DAY NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!

5.) Email the dealerships within a reasonable distance (I went with 100 miles which is a drive but I saved so much money). I simple wrote, "Buying a 2008 Package 2 Prius this week. Have financing lined up (only partially true). Any color except black or white." You will be amazed how quickly the prices can come down.

Finally one dealersip sent me an email with the above price. Now I had it in writing on email so there wouldn't be any confusion as to what they said. I went back to the local guy who gave me the test drive and said if he could come with in $200 dollars I would buy from him since he gave me my first ride. The local dealer told me there was no way I could get it for that price the other dealership was losing money. I told them they had to understand tate I had to try if I coud save $2500 over their price.

I went in expecting the deal to be to good to be true. But it wasn't, there was no haggling, no upselling everything went smooth. I asked how they could do it. They said they were a top 10 dealership so they got special deals and had to keep a high volume of cars moving out of their relatively small lot. The internet salesman (yes, it's actually a position at this dealer) makes only $50 per car, flat rate but he gets big monthly bonuses if he hits a certain volume. He was great, took time to show me the car inside and out and I felt great.

Again, thank you to all of you who had such great avide and support.

 

Wellesely Toyota in Wellesely Mass (outside of Boston on 95). There was a Keene dealership and a Nashua NH dealership also. Greefield Mass was very nice but couldn't get below 23,000. Do a search on Vehix.com. This will give you an idea of what dealers in a specific radius have cars. Then search the web for their specific web sites. Most of thos sites have a "contact us" section. email them looking for a quote. Many will quote you a sticker price but some will start to give you invoice amounts. Then just start to ask the others if they can beat it.