Howdy all, Im on the "waiting list" for the '08's probably looking at early sept. (or hopefully before it snows) anyhow...here's the question. I was quoted a price (after the new $400 markup) but as far as my trade goes they really couldn't give me a price b/c they weren't sure of my trade-in value 14 weeks from now (how long the waiting list is)...Is this pretty standard???... one part of me believes that I've put my 250 deposit down they can pretty much give me squat for my truck 14 weeks from now b/c they know if I walk away there are x amount of people who will buy the vehicle I turned down.
I got my quote and put down a $2K deposit. No trade so we didn't have to deal with that, but I would imagine they wouldn't write anything up with a trade knowing it will be a couple months until the deal is final. I would think they could give you a value for your trade today though. Unless you have a car or truck that get really bad gas mileage and you keep it in the same condition I wouldn't think the trade value would vary that much in a couple months. Do you know where you are on the waitlist? I'm asking because I've seen many different values for deposits and it seems like dealers with low deposits have larger waitlists. I could be mistaken, but our deposit was $2K. We were quoted with a 4 week wait. After 1 week, our dealer called to verify what we wanted because we're number 5 on the list. 3 of the first 4 have very specific requirements (color, package, touring only) that effectively put us at #2 for the car we want (we're flexible...would prefer a package 6 Spectra Blue). Anyways...sorry about the off topic babble.
I went in on 4/09/08 and "ordered" my Prius, and the dealer said they would give me 25,000 for my trade. The car came in on 5/21/08. When I went to get the car and sign the papers, the salesman said that I was lucky because if I had to wait another week the price for the trade-in would have went to 23,500 because of the SUV market or some such funny business. If I were you I would try to sell my car also when you are waiting for your Prius to come in, might be able to get more out of it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
I bought my '05 back in... well, 05. There were waiting lists then, the ones with the $500 refundable waiting list were VERY long. I waited almost 8 weeks with one (the salesperson kept telling me mine was on the next shippment). I found one dealer that had a $1000 non-refundable waiting list (very short list). I had mine within a week. As for the trade-in on trucks, I don't think any dealer is going to give you a quote for three months out. They think the price is going to drop by then, plus they already have too many trucks.
I was on a list back in September '04 with no deposit and was told I'd have to wait until February '06. I started getting calls from them in January and February '05, but none were what I wanted. I contacted a dealer out of state in April '05 and sent them a $500 deposit, but the day I mailed it they called and said they couldn't get me what I wanted. That same day I went on the Internet and had one reserved for me (no deposit) in about 20 minutes.
I traded my 06 Acura MDX in now and I am renting a car until the Prius comes. The rental car is less than $100 more than the MDX car payment, plus insurance and gas is much cheaper. Even if it takes 6 months. Enterprise has a month-or-more program that pretty affordable. If you have an SUV trade it now, while it's still worth something.
Just checked in today with the dealer, Im last...which is only 7th. I also asked why some deposits seemed to differ and if the size of the waiting list mattered. He said it didn't, that it was almost a dealer by dealer number. Plus its a smaller Toyota dealership and I think that they felt that $1000 was too much for just a deposit
I lucked out - test drove one in Concord, NC on April 28, looked online at the inventory that was scheduled to ship to that dealer, and there was only one(!) set to arrive, it just happened to be the color (red w/bisque interior) I wanted, so I put a deposit on it the next day and it arrived May 10. It is a Touring Edition pkg #5, which is more than I thought I wanted, but now I'm so glad I "splurged" since I do tend to keep my cars for at least 10 years. I am loving it, have had it less than 4 weeks and already have 2,400 miles on it - took it on a couple of road trips right away.
