Don't need Prius until winter - How long do I have to wait to buy at MSRP?

I can't tell you where to buy one in NYC for MSRP, all I can say is use google and start calling every toyota dealership in the city, then neighboring cities until you find one.

I was just put on a list here for a Silver Pine Mica package 2 for $500 under MSRP so there are still honest dealers out there. I was a little disgusted when some of the dealers I was calling told me they were charging $3000-5000 over MSRP.

For anyone in the Phoenix, Az area we are on the list at Avondale Toyota, if you'd like to give us a reference PM me (I don't know that it will do any good but it can't hurt).

 

I would start looking now..i ordered my prisus and it took 7 weeks to come in...when i picked it up they said the wait has tripled...its 2 weeks old now and just want to report that i LOVE it...our first road trip we got 48mpg,,,in town i am getting 50...after leaving my expedition in the garage i am smiling every day...i bought my car at sticker price here in pennsylvania and the dealer said they got notice to start selling above...good luck

 

Some dealers here are saying an order placed now will have delivery around January.

 

I ordered one on Monday for $500 under MSRP.

Boch Toyota, North Attleboro, MA. Not sure if that is too far for you? SOme folks will go a long distance for a Pri!

I heard the MSRP will be raised, by Toyota, due to the demand. So waiting could be a gamble in several ways. Who has a crystal ball, right?

 

I think Freedom has a good point. If I were Toyota I would significantly raise the MSRP on the 2009 models since the demand is so large. I am also not sure how much they are going to be able to increase the supply, since I think the limitation is their traction battery manufacturing capabily.

 

You can wait as long as you want, but there will come a time that you no longer can stand paying so much for gasoline and get less mpg than a Prius. I just ordered a Package 6 silver from our local dealer and it will arrive in 2 weeks time. The downside...you already know...it is $1000.00 over invoice. Nevertheless, my aunt is still willing to pay this amount of money. As suggested, start looking now for all you know the current price may not be too bad after all. Good Luck.

 

You made the right decision, I am also on a waiting list and have been told I'm probably 4 months out right now. It's not even been a week yet and I can't wait...

The good thing about the waiting list is more time to research your purchase before you're locked in. Even though I'm antsy about my long wait I've really enjoyed the low pressure experience I've gotten with the car purchase. On previous car purchases after I get away from he stress of the dealership I usually have at least a small regret, like over paying for the warranty or gap insurance. I know most people would do research on stuff like that before hand... I guess I'm a procrastinator.

 

Or in my case, the "bad" thing (tongue in cheek) is that you have time to do your research on here. I've got a list of almost $2,000 of mods I want to add as soon as I get it!

 

hello Balkan-- I'm in Manhattan. Would you mind telling me which dealer you got on the list of? Thanks.

 

@Balkan: I'd say you made a good choice, especially if you're able to cancel your position if you change your mind.

In any case, I know Toyota raised the price of the '08s by a couple hundred compared to the '07. Between the demand for this car, the rising gas prices (=higher demand,) and the falling dollar value (=worse exchange rate to Yen and the car is built in Japan) I'd be surprised if Toyota doesn't significantly raise the price of the '09s.

 

I live in Wichita, KS and had to go to Kansas City to get a Prius. I ordered one over the phone with a dealer up there and paid a $500 deposit the first of May. I gave them 3 color choices and package choices. There were 17 people on the waiting list when I got on it. Two and a half weeks later they called and one of their allocations was available if I wanted. It was package 5 which wasn't my first choice but it was one of my color choices so I wasn't going to turn it down. It took another 2 weeks to arrive in Kansas City.
When I picked it up 2 weeks ago, there were 94 people on the waiting list. The dealer said it would be at least January before some of them got a Prius because even though they are the largest Toyota dealer in the area, they don't get very many allocations each month.
I paid MSRP but got a $2000 discount for Package 5. I am very glad I was able to get one and am a very happy Prius owner
Timing was the important thing with me getting one and that I wasn't as picky about color or package options.

 

start making payments to your car fund now if ya can. will save you a bundle in interest over the life of the loan, could very well save you the $600 over msrp. (if you're financing, that is.)

 

I just got on a waiting list yesterday. The dealer said they're telling folks to expect an 11 month wait just so people don't get their hopes up. I basically signed up to take anything except the standard or package 1.

The cool-but-interesting thing: It says on the sales agreement that they'll charge me MSRP exactly. IE, there's no chance I'll pay more. So I'm happy, and prepared to be patient.

Just curious: Did folks here trade in their previous cars or sell them privately? I know selling would net more money, just don't know if I'm up for the hassle. The good thing I'm trading in a Protege5 so it's not like I'm trading in a Ford Expedition or something.

 

It seems that every dealer always says that they are either the biggest Prius dealer in the area, the "best" dealer in the area, or the cheapest dealer in the area. Perhaps "the area" is 1 square block?

Basically, you can't trust them if they're trying to sell you a car. This actually goes double for any comments of where you are on "the list" and how long your wait time is. We've heard too many stories of people (gleefully) saying that they managed to bypass "the list" by being lucky enough to call at the right time. I'm not saying that every dealer does this or even most dealers do this, but I've heard too many cases of this happening for it to just be a one-in-a-million thing.

I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just trying to say that calling around is definitely worth it and, if you have time, you should definitely consider going further afield. Some people have had better luck with more rural dealers. At least consider NJ, CT, and upstate NY dealers.