Good Things Come to Those That Wait...

We can thank Honda and VW as well.

 

Well sure, which item doesn't decrease in price over time?

If you don't mind waiting for six months to a year then you'll probably get a better deal, it's the same with any new technology. But you only quoted bits from the previous post which agreed with your view, and ignored the risks of waiting times and weak supply relative to demand (like Japan's 70,000 pre-orders) and the fact that the advertising and media push hasn't even begun yet.

If you wanna take the (probably low) risk of waiting times, or if you don't need a new car right now, then go ahead and wait, no one's putting a gun to anyone's head forcing them to buy a 2010 now!

 

Maybe Toyota was caught off guard by Japanese demand or it may be just marketing spin.
When new cars are launched, it's common for initial production to be slow as they don't want to go full speed when testing out all new production. When you combine that with more interest in brand new redesigned cars and pent up demand from people who delayed buying last year so they can see the new model, shortages at launch are very common.
Because of the economy, Toyota may have even produced smaller numbers than they normally would.
They do have the capability to greatly increase production over time. They have added manufacturing capacity for the Prius over the years and all the need to do is add shifts if warranted.
The odds are there will be many more Prius cars to purchase at dealers in 6 months than you can find today.

 

I've bought quite a few cars over the years, and always shopped several dealers for the best price. Regardless of the car - old or new model, foreign or domestic, good economy or bad - there were always dealers trying to get away with adding on extra profit to gouge an unsuspecting buyer. It has nothing to do with economics and more to do with taking advantage of buyers who for whatever reason can't bring themselves to shop around.

If you're determined to hold off on buying, that's fine, but don't expect miracles. Certainly don't come back in 6 months and buy the car from your local "smiling jack" at inflated prices just because he's still trying to gouge buyers as always. The way to get the best deal is to buy the car when you need it, and shop around for the best price.

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

MSRP is an already inflated price that ensures a "Stealership" a hefty profit. By paying this price you lost money out of your pocket and the power to control the market. Don't be fooled into thinking MSRP is a fair price, it's not. This price goes up several times every year no matter what shape the economy is in. How is that fair?

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

Fair? Nobody is forcing you to buy a car at MSRP. The market sets the price. Demand currently meets or exceeds the scarce supply of Gen IIIs.

As this board proves, some people are willing to pay MSRP or more to have their car now, and the dealers will take it while they can. Nothing unfair about that. (If dealers are colluding to fix prices, thereby interfering with conventional market forces, that is unfair and, in fact, illegal.)

You and I may think it's foolish to buy a car at MSRP, but it's not unfair to charge it.

Fortunately, MSRP won't last much longer. There are already several Gen IIIs in my area sitting unsold at MSRP (and no extra fees). I have heard similar reports in other areas. And, the economy is not getting better any time soon. In fact, I think things are going to get quite a bit worse once the "sugar high" of printing all this money wears off. Could be an even better buyer's market this fall (if you've still got the income to afford a new car by then).

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

MSRP is equivalent to paying retail. There is nothing wrong with people willing to pay MSRP (or higher) for something they want now. Many did so with the Gen II when gas prices were at all-time highs. Some just want the latest and greatest as soon as they can get their hands on it. Some do it with fashion or electronic equipment or appliances. Others never pay retail and always seek out a good deal. Different strokes...

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

Exactly and consumers ARE the market. If people would stop paying MSRP (and markups) then the Stealerships would lower the prices to make sales. Stealerships don't lose money on any sale (no matter what they say) because of manufacture holdback kickbacks.

I am amazed that in the age of the Internet that consumers still pay to much for a vehicle and get taken by Stealerships.

How many people know you don't have to buy a vehicle from your local Stealership but that you can buy from out of state and save money. Back in 2003 I bought a vehicle out state and saved a lot of money, even after paying to have it shipped to my house in an enlosed carrier. My local Stealership couldn't match the deal I got, so I spent my money out of state. All it needed when it arrived was a smog check and to pay my states sales tax, which took maybe an hour of my time. It was the smoothest car buying experience I have ever done. No high pressure Stealership sales people tactics. I just spent some of my time to use the Internet to locate a Stealership that had what I wanted at a lower price than I could get in my city. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

Yes, it's true that you don't have to pay MSRP and normally I don't, but the 2010 Prius is a hot item right now and until the initial feeding frenzy wears off people that want or need one now will pay full sticker for the car. I needed a car 2-3 weeks ago. So for me paying MSRP is not a big deal.
As far as buying from a local dealership, it can have it's pluses as well. Sure if your local/nearby dealer is a jerk then you can shop elsewhere. But buying local in my case gets me a free loaner car on all service visits. So if I am having an oil change and have to run some errands in an area I don't live I can get them done. If I have to have something more extensive done I can have a loaner car for the day/week whatever. For me that makes the deal work. The MINI dealer who is 100 miles away from me won't do this unless the car is an overnight and even then they don't want to do it.
You can buy from out of State and sometimes it makes sense. I've certainly done it and saved $2,700 when I bought my wifes 2009 Honda Fit Sport Auto from out of state. The local dealer wouldn't budge. They were not happy when I drove it in to get it serviced because they didn't get the crazy high money. But the wouldn't do a deal and they have a great service dept.
So buy where you are comfortable, but charging MSRP doesn't make a dealership bad not on a hot off the line car. Charging OVER MSRP now that's a different story.
Eventually the cars will drop from MSRP and there will be deals to be had, unless gas goes to $3.50 a gallon or higher.

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

You obviously don't have a high opinion of car dealerships. Low profits are the reason many are now going out of business. The "kickback" has you call it is simply part of the dealer owners profit. If they sell at invoice then the holdback has to pay for the facility, the utilities and the employees salaries. It costs a lot of money to provide a nice showroom and lot for you to come out and test drive and compare cars.

 

The main thing one should remember is this....It is just a mode of transportation. It is in the interest of every manufacturere to give you the impression you have to have it, because it is special. It is just a car. There are a lot more choices coming out now then before. Toyota should mass market the car, build the factory in the US that they originally planned to in Mississippi, and sell all the cars they can. If dealers don't want to have a little bit of something rather then ALL of nothing, they will be very careful pricing themselves out of competition. The 2010 may not be available and priced to sell today, but times a wasting. Their are other manufactureres getting ready to ramp up other choices. Look at the TESLA. It is overpriced today, but you can bet Toyota is watching them. The Chinese are working on electric cars also, and theirs may not even have to be hybrids from what I have seen. Better additional solar "thin skined" solar panel development will add a lot of miles. I have an electris golf car. On one charge, I can get 21 miles with the heavy deep cell batteries I have (six 6 volt). No, it is not a highway car, but if it can do that, why can't car manufacturers do better then they are? If hydrogen priopulsion really is another choice, then time is a wasting. The more cars sold today, the better it will be for Toyota. If the dealers can't get it done, then sell them direct from the factory. If you have to pay a rediculous price, then who needs one? It is just an automobile to get me from home to somewhere else and back.

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

It really is supply and demand ... if everyone waited so that prices went down for everyone, then everyone would be trying to get one when prices go down and prices would go back up. It's a timing thing and a personal preference ... I would like one sooner than later so I'm willing to pay.

There aren't a whole lot of industries where the general public has such easily accessible cost information as in automobiles.

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

Chevy is doing the same thing with the Camaro. It's priced over MSRP at many dealers and most of them really need the business. Everyone knows this is truly a timing issue as Chevy will end up overproducing them and selling them at Invoice in a few months.

 

Re: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait...

You probably can get a good deal on a 2010 Prius if you wait until June of 2011. I have seen a 1,500.00 discount on a 2009 Prius last week. You probably can get a 1,500.00 discount on a 2010 Prius next June which is a good deal.

 

You know what makes me mad?! When I go to a restaurant and they charge me $1.50 for a soda pop!! hello?! That syrup and carbonation cost them like 10 cents!!! I actually had one place refill my pop twice and then charge me $1.50 for each refill! No joke! my $10 lunch was $13 and unexpected. I won't go back there.

Midpack, are you the kind of person who won't see a movie while it is in the theater? Cause if you think paying MSRP for a BRAND NEW AWESOME CAR is too much...what about 1.5 hours of entertainment for $10 or more?!?! Add popcorn and a drink and you are now at $25+ PER PERSON...and who sees a movie alone?! I can't believe those people?! Maybe if we all just stop going to the theaters....

I see your point but like it's been pointed out...my car (95 honda) is on it's last leg, I've been waiting since December, AND my state offers no tax on hybrids through July 31st. I am willing to pay MSRP and be driving my car IN TWO WEEKS!!!
I'm kicking myself though. I paid $12k for my 95 Honda back in 99 and if I'd just waited until last year, I could have gotten one for $3k!! Think of the money I would have saved!!!:nod:

 

MSRP is the price one pays for being an early adopter for ANY kind of new technology. Look at all of those folks that paid a hefty price for plasma and LCD TV's when they first came out.

 

Didn't mean to be "mean" sarcastic. Hope it didn't come out that way?! (I really was upset about charging for refills!! Who does that?!)

Anyway, I have a problem with that sometimes. Just like when people were complaining about the 10s not having 4-door sks and I was like, "I have to open my car with *GASP* a KEY! and then open it and then lift up this locking mechanism to let everyone else in." Like losing 4-door SKS is this HUGE horrible thing!!! That is what keyfob or driver's door SKS is for!!
But then I rented an 09 and I really used it!! ALOT! Guess I get to eat humble pie.

 

Some of us had our last car die 6 months ago and really need a car. I was waiting for the Insight II and Prius III to come out before buying and I am now buying a Prius III. I simply don't have the option to delay any longer.