2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msrp

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

I been involved in selling the Prius in southern Virginia since before they first arrived here at the end of 2000. I've seen all the ups and downs and as noted above it's all supply and demand driven. There is no magical reason why the Prius will automatically sell over MSRP.

There are a lot of factors at work here but I agree that the macro ones of credit availability and the overall low demand for high-dollar items will be the main factors pressuring prices downward. To expect a situation like last spring and summer is very very unrealistic.

On the other side availability and the price of fuel can make the new 2010's more attractive and push demand upward. Luckily for Toyota the JY is coming back up to an acceptable level at ~100/$1. If it had gone toward 80/$1 then we'd have seen very very few Prius'. If the price of fuel remains in the $2/gal range thoughout the summer then there won't be as much urgency as last year. If it goes up sharply ( not too likely IMO ) people will move quickly to dump the last of their guzzlers.

With low demand now for new vehicles the trade-in prices of current vehicles is also very low. The ridiculous resale prices of summer 08 are long gone. The Prius is just another car right now at the auctions. The low trade-in values may discourage buyers from swapping up without solid reasons and good equity.

That being said there is always a rollout period where the initial deliveries will be in high demand. How long this last depends on Toyota and how quickly they can - and are willing - to ramp up production. From the NAIAS debut presentation it seems that they want to remain at about an average of 15000 units of sales monthly. If this so then supply should be not much of a problem - as long as the JY/US$ rate remains stable.

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

I've said it before on this website, and I'll say it again ---

In business (and in life) you never get the deal you deserve, you get the deal you negotiate.

If you are willing to pay $ 4k over MSRP, I'm sure that there are plenty of dealers that will accept that deal. (I would if I were selling automobiles.)

Before you sign any contract, take the time to understand the terms of the agreement, and are willing to accept those terms.

(Personally, I've learned that the most effective use of my time is to read and understand the terms and conditions of those documents. Don't let anybody try to rush you into signing documents that you clearly have not read. Usually the terms and conditions are in their favor, not yours... I don't think that our country would be in this screwed-up economic state if people would take the time to understand the consequences of the legal documents they have committed themselves too.....

Keith

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

I was going to purchase my 2010 in 2010 but I may wait until the end of 2010 to see what improvements are made for the 2011 year. I will be buying my new Prius with cold hard cash at whatever time I buy it. And I sure won't be paying over the MSRP...no way. I don't want one bad enough to pay over MSRP--that's a lot of profit built in right there.

Invoice prices are a joke--do people really believe that's the price the dealer actually paid for the car? LOLOL. Incentives, holdbacks, advertising dollars...dealers are incentivized and compensated in a variety of ways from the mfgs. They show you the invoice price willingly...why do you think they do that? Because it's not real. It's a made up number that is supposed to represent what they want you to believe is their bottom line real cost. Nope. It's not. And any dealer who says it is the real/true/bottom line cost is lying.

So paying over MSRP is ridiculous unless you are rolling in dough and a brand new Prius is merely a rounding error (financially-speaking) for you.

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

I'm going to guess that you'll probably end up driving up the road a piece to VA to get your new Prius. SET dealers are notorious for going along with the regional directives that increase prices above the rest of the nation.

But in the end it all depends on supply and demand.

I live in NC too but sell Prius' in VA. Most of the Prius on the OBX are from our store.

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

It wouldn't surprise me if I did go outside my area to get my Prius. I'm also not in any rush so if I wait until late 2010 that's fine.

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

Here is an email I just got from my local Toyota dealer (Jefferson City MO). It is a wide range and has no specifics yet as you can see. See for whatever it is worth.

"March 17, 2009

John,
I got a little unoffical info on the 2010 Prius. The price range should be $23700 to $34800. I didn't get anything on packages for them and we can't order them yet so when I get more info I will let you know.
Jay Wolfe
Riley Toyota-Cadillac-Scion"

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

Being that you can get a 2009 Prius for about $1725 UNDER invoice (not MSRP), you would be quite crazy to pay anything over MSRP!

Just go to CarsDirect.com and subtract $725 from their list price, as that is their fixed cost for the service.

Simple & Easy =)

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

Rumor has it that the 2010 1/2 Prius will have lithium batteries and be a full plug in. Anyone else heard this?

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

you ca get the puris at msrp in garden grove

 

Re: 2010 prius to sell for up to $4k over MSRP, do i buy a 2009 or wait to see if 2010's sell at msr

I just picked up my silver Prius IV with the solar/nav option. It was sitting unsold on a dealer lot just west of Portland, Oregon. I callled and offered $500 below MSRP and they accepted it! No trade, it's now sitting in my driveway next to my 2008 blue ribbon Camry Hybrid. My local dealer insisted that he could not find a Prius with the solar/nav package. I found that calling rural Toyota dealers within 300 miles will frequently find you a car. That's how I bought my first 2007 Camry Hybrid when there was a huge waiting list! They are out there, you just gotta find one. Camelback Toyota in Phoenix has 23 Prii in stock but they are charging well over over MSRP plus add-ons. That is why they have that many unsold cars. Bad dealer.