Going to buy a new Prius tomorrow

Welcome To PC.
Make sure it has mudflaps....

 

I'll recomend call your dealership first. Prius is on high demand right now, and apparently Toyota is not making a lot. Some dealerships have a list, others has the policy of first come, first serve.
My husband and I went Prius shopping las week, in San Diego, CA. Went to three dealers and all of them were out.
So, we are in a list for the next delivery, apx. in two weeks.

Good luck!

Yolanda

 

If you have the time and Prius are plentiful in your area, send faxes or e-mail to the fleet dealers or internet sales dept at several nearby dealerships and see if a bidding war might arise, but this probably won't work unless you are flexible on color and features. If you must have your color (Which only makes sense when spending a big wad of money) and you are set on your options, you may just have to play poker with the dealer who has what you want.

I don't think there are any other options beyond a PKG 6 you would want to buy through the dealer, unless the dealer has an on-site tire shop that will upgrade the tires and credit you for the ones on the car.

Skip all fabric and paint protection applications. Don't buy the service contract for $3000 you can buy here for $1000. Don't buy the Pre Paid Maintenance for $2000 which includes about $550 worth of services if you pay as you go. Don't buy GAP insurance for over $500. You can add GAP to you regular auto policy for about $30 per year, and cancel it in a few years when there is no gap left. The dealers use all of above to boost their profits after you negotiate a deal. Beware of the Finance Office. The Finance Guy is the highest paid dude on the showroom floor.

For aftermarket items:
If you are not satisfied with the handling becuase you find the car wandering or blown around by winds, upgrade tires and some frame/suspension upgrades are a must. The BT Tech Strut Tower Brace and Stiffening Plate give you a lot for a low entry level price and will do the job for around $500.

Buy genuine Toyota Mudguards from e-Bay for less than $50

Quality Window tinting available everywhere for under $200. Just get some shop recommendations.

Oh, and a Hymotion L5 plug-in hybrid module.

 

Before I physically went to a dealership while shopping for my Prius last November, I made lots of phone calls to dealers and browsed the internet everyday for information. Be in constant contact via email with their internet sales people since those people can save you time and effort driving around looking for the right Prius.

Your list of options looks sufficient and with all that accessories...you probably are looking between a package 4 to 6. I am not a big fan of the 'touring' version...for I am very well pleased with the shape and design of the Prius in general.

Have fun shopping and let us know what you end up getting.

 

See Consumer Reports online or at your friendly neighborhood library (the April issue) for car buying advice. I did all my shopping by phone, email and fax. It saved me money, time and bother. But test drive them if possible. A few people don't like the seats, and some think that the touring option is a must-have.

I avoid installed electronics options, whether factory or after-market. They cost more than hand-helds, and if they break the car is tied up while they get fixed. Don't buy dealer-applied fabric protectors or finish sealants. They're useless junk, pure profit for the dealer.

Don't assume that it needs window tinting. Mine has been able to keep the cabin at 70 degrees through three Dallas summers with only the factory tinting. Drive it for a while and see; you may save some money.

When you pick up the car take a copy of the pick up checklist:
Prius Pick-up Checklist
It was written for the 2004 but most (all?) of the differences between an '04 and later years are invisible with respect to the checklist.

 

Yolanda, which 3 dealers u went to? We got one from Mossy last day of April. Silver pine mica pkg 2. They said they sold nearly 10 Prius that day... they were down to 1 when we left. But Carlbad, Escondido, and Poway all have some, although may be the exact model u are looking for...

 

Welcome to the forum. To be honest, any available options that are available for the Prius is really all up to you and what you want the Prius to come with. To me personally, I find the base model more than enough in terms of luxury amenities. Others might want more. So, you'll get a whole slew of opinions as to what to get and what not to. In any case, good luck with your purchase. Just don't be disappointed if you drive your Prius aggressively.

 

I purchased an '08 Touring Pkg 6 a few weeks ago and the dealer threw in window tint (you want to look at ceramic vs. metalic), door guards and first year preventative maintenance for free.