Freaking Ridiculous

Well, I agree with all the post that think you did the right thing. I wouldn't pay that much over MSRP. Over, maybe, but not by that much. And I would only consider paying it if it actually got me something (less of a wait, extras...etc)

What I would suggest is 1) Calling other dealers within a days drive - If you could drive 3-4 hours to get one, why not? 2) Contact this dealer again and discuss at least paying MSRP - Also go by and see if they have sold the car yet - maybe noone else will go over either.

Forget that it's an 05. It's nearly the same as the 06, so I think that's not really an issue. And it's not as if it's been sitting around for 10 months - all the cars show their manufactured date, so an 05 could be manufactured within a few months of the 06. And regardless of what fuel prices are, many people have seen the light and realize prices could jump up again, so I don't see demand dying down anytime soon - In fact, it's likely to just continue to grow, especially with the better tax break in 06.

 

I understand there are people who have the money to pay over MSRP on this site. In fact, IF it had been sitting right in front of me, exactly the package and color I wanted, and the guy had said, $500 over and you can have it right now, I might have bought it. But here's the thing...

1. MSRP isn't MSRP "plus anything we can get from the government that was intended for the consumer". Ask the dealer why they're charging a premium to take the governments tax incxentive out of your pocket, and then write a letter to Toyota about it, but don't buy there. The purpose of having multiple dealerships is competition.....

2. In the age of the internet and www.Edmunds.com, I can't imagine paying more for MSRP for any car. Sometimes I can get lower (invoice), especially at the end of the model year, but for the Hybrid Cars, I'd expect to pay MSRP.

3. It's the end of '05 people, MSRP for the '05's... run your '05 on Edmunds, print out the information, pick 3 local dealers on the site to get a quote from, and go see whoever offers it at MSRP. Edmunds even tells you what people are paying in "your area", so you can call the dealer on it if he says he's getting a premium..

The important thing is, go in holding all the cards, expect to pay a deposit to get on a list, and expect to wait, but EXPECT to pay MSRP....

 

BMcGraw

'04 6S9 BC; 17" Arelli Assassyn chrome wheels; steering wheel, seat, dash covers; front end mask; mudflaps; side moulding; wood dash trim; fumoto oil valve; fog-DRL conversion; Hella style dual LOUD horns; window tint; brake light pulser; stiffening plate; BLUE undercar neon & in-car CCFL lighting; Brian's AeroDam



Have you posted any pictures of your Prius? I would love to see some interior and exterior.

 

I paid MSRP 3 weeks ago Serra Toyota in Farmington Hills Mich. They took a $500 deposit over the phone which was refundable as they had one arriving within 2 weeks of our phone call. As promised the car arrived at a California dock and 8 days later I picked it up. The only time I saw the dealer was the day I picked it up. I was disappointed with the trade of my 01 Venture Van but that is really my fault for being so impatient!

 

I was pleased that after several posts, people started saying that the choice to pay MSRP, over MSRP, or under MSRP is a choice. I worry about those who called it gouging or implied it was morally wrong or whatnot.

Unlike gasoline, foodstuff, electricity, etc, this is just a car. t is not a critical item. So, this is America, a free country where the marketplace works relatively well. You don't like a dealers price? Go somewhere else. If any of you came up with a product or were the seller of a product, you would try to get as much as possible for it.

However, if any of you invented a product that would save lives directly (like a new medication) or was required for quality of life, I would hope you would only sell it for what it cost you to make it plus enough for a reasonable quality of life yourself. If I found the cure for cancer, I would rather GIVE it away than let anyone who had cancer go without.

 

I totally agree with many of the posters here, who think the pricing issue is a simple matter of supply and demand. If I were in business I would sell my product for as much as I could at every transaction, PERIOD. It just makes good business sense.

Back in the 1980's when the Pontiac Fiero first came out, the dealers were getting price premiums on them because they were very popular. Then when they started having fires, the dealers couldn't give them away. Supply and demand.

The recent dip in fuel prices is being associated with a decrease in demand, therefore the prices are coming down (in my region atleast)

I have said this before but it may be part of the "Lost Posts". I live in Northern VA and went to Lustine Toyota in Woodbridge, VA in August and they had maybe 5 or 6 Prii to choose from. I chose Silver because I didn't care for the Tan interior color. Any way, I got more than a fair price for my trade and I paid somewhere between 500-1000 less than sticker for the new car, got wheel locks and pinstriping thrown into the deal as well.

Of course that was pre-three ($3.00/gallon) I doubt I would be in the same bargaining position at the same dealer tomoroow if I go there.

 

A lot of dealers here in southern California still think it's perfectly okay to charge anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 over MSRP for a Prius. In fact, I've told those dealerships that there was no way I'd pay more than MSRP for a car and they all (very arrogantly) basically laughed at me and said I'd be hard-pressed to find any dealerships selling a Prius w/o a markup over MSRP.

But I had the last laugh and found a dealership right by my house that sells them for MSRP (actually a tiny bit under if you go through Costco). Eat that, other cocky Toyota dealerships!

 

Exactly, supply and demand. Those three Priuses on that dealers lot won't be there in two weeks, that's for sure. I live in Minneapolis and there is a 6 to 9 month wait at any of the dealers here, at MSRP prices. I'm willing to travel to get one sooner, so I've been calling around and will be getting an 06 in January at MSRP. Talked to several dealers who were added a 'market premium' to the price, as much as $2,500. Certainly no deals below MSRP.

 

I found my '05 Pkg 6 at CarMax with 10,000 miles in August for $23,998. Checked Kelly Blue Book today, and now with 16,000 miles it's worth just over $26,000. Am I complaining that supply and demand has driven the price up? Nope. The dealers get the same deal. Ain't this free enterprise stuff great?

 

Hello, Maybe consider buying your Toyota Prius in Las Vegas. Bought my 2005 at
Findlay Toyota in Henderson (Las Vegas) Nevada in June 2005, Paid actual invoice
less 200 dollars for a window tint or toward registration, my choice. Enjoy the city for a great vacation and drive your new Prius back home.

 

That was my original plan as they were going to be able to get me a #5 package (can't get that in So Cal). When they said they couldn't I got a #6 in So Cal. It would've been MSRP in Henderson (and was when I bought it in So Cal).