I figure some of the priuses coming in the pipeline are still c4c cars prebought, but anyone have an idea on how long it will take b4 below msrp starts showing up?
Depends on where you live I suppose. I would guess the prices really drop in late Jan / early Feb -- traditionally a very weak time for retail If you really want one now and are willing to travel for it, send me a PM for a good dealer (I have no skin in the deal, send me a keychain if you luck out )
I'd be incredibly surprised if you weren't able to manage below MSRP a month from now in California. I was able get below MSRP during C4C. I'd just call/email all the fleet managers letting them know that you are ready to purchase a prius for below MSRP, are in no hurry and would like to be notified when that will be possible, and then follow up bi-weekly.
There are already dealers offering the 2010 prius for less than MSRP in California (Bay Area). Granted, not much lower, but lower still. 2010 PRIUS II, III, IV, and V below MSRP
Like Werewolf stated Jan/Feb so just be patient. I'm selling my car(Honda Element) privately so I'm willing to wait awhile and see where prices go.
While I am no stranger to discounting the Prius, as I had done this on occasion the past few months when inventory permitted... I don't see that happening for a while. Not in my region, as allocations are only 1/4th of what they need to be.
Dont know if 21 days after your post qualifies as soon but I got my Pkg II for $625 off the MSRP of $22,950. Its definitely happenning. You just need to walk if the dealer is adamant on MSRP.
Crazyhorse, you got a fantastic deal. I'm guessing that it was one they had laying around and our next allocation was about to be pulled. Most dealers in Chicago have a fairly long waiting list. Sounds like a real application of the "right time, right place" theory. That is the only reason a dealer, especially in Chicagoland, are discounting them. Good purchase, sir, good purchase.
Jabber, I hear this from time to time lately, with cars too scarce, and find out they were so blinded by a large discount on a car that they weren't watching what the trade value was or had no clue what the financing should have been...or the snake oil adds to the car... or even the $599 "doc fees"... any dealer can make you think you have a huge discount and just move the shells around in their shell game. It's not about the price for the car ONLY. There are a lot of components to a deal.
If the customer knows enough to get a discount on the Prius, s/he should know to avoid "doc fees." As far as financing goes, it's easy to refinance. Penfed's been having a 3.99% for 60 months for used cars.
Illinois is mandated to charge a maximum of $151.xx for a doc fee, so that didn't come into play in my thoughts. I HIGHLY suspect they pulled the trade allowance rather than ACV shell game, but he never mentioned a trade. As far as I am aware, no dealer (except small ones that sell very few cars) are discounting Prii right now in the area. My guess would be that some manager bumped their head and dropped the price by a hundred or two, but it was only to earn an extra rather than lose one. With the exception of a few 1223's, I am sold out until at least November, some models with specific equipment until January right now. But, if he did get the discount he reports, he is one of the lucky ones (assuming no trade, cash deal, etc). I agree with you though otherwise...
Ok.. to set the matter straight on the other items: 1. It was a straight cash deal. I paid the entire amount using a personal check with $3K (the max the dealer would take) on a credit card (to get cash back ) 2. There was no trade. I had a 98 Nissan Altima with 129K miles on it that he offered $800 for. I had already appraised it for $1200 at a Carmax 2 exits down the road so I asked him to match that. He refused, I dropped the trade and sold it to the Carmax for $1200 instead. I thought of doing a private sale but I just didnt have the time to work that. 3. I did have to pay the doc fees of $151.xx and since I was registering the car in WI, the dealer did not do any of my paperwork. That was the only area I felt I lost out on since I had to take a couple of hours off and go personally to the DMV to pay my taxes and get my plates. As far as getting a discount on the one odd car sitting around on the lot, that's not accurate. I actually paid a $500 deposit and had to wait for 3+ weeks for the car to come in. I negotiated the $625 by asking the dealer to match $500 off the MSRP which Carmax is giving for all new Priuses anyway and told him I didnt want the floor mats for $200 since I can buy them online for $75. He matched the $75 which brought the total discount to $625 (500 + 125). Dealers who refuse to see reason (and a reasonable offer) do not get my business.
I don't know how and I won't ask but Acton Toyota in MA is getting us the III with mats and cargo mat for 23300 out the door with reg/doc included. See post I started for the details.
