Hello, Love the looks of Prius and grown tired of the $36 to $45 dollars a week in commute gas. I seem a little lost in researching, MSRP and Invoice prices on a Blizzard Pearl Prius V. I have always bought a demo or slightly used in an effort to save the initial hit. I am finding the slightly used Prius does not save as much as other brands. Am I wrong or do you disagree? Two back surgeries have created the desire a V. Yes, I read as many threads on tires and Prius seats and it scares me a bit. I drove one for 45 minutes the other day and didn't seem bad. Also, I wanted the Tech package yet this car does not have it. Please, what do you think? Found a Prius V trade in not demo with 12,000 miles. MSRP was $31,719 and invoice $29,416. I could drive out the door for 26,750.00. Do you feel that is a decent deal with the 11,000 miles on it. Feel so lost on this Prius deal. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated as I so much look forward to getting a new or slightly used Prius. Thank You for allowing me to ask the question!
You're probably not going to save much on a used GEN III. They've only been out for a while, and the used market for these little cars is pretty tight, for obvious reasons. On the other hand, Toyota dealers are offering some pretty good deals on all of their cars---Priuses included. Normally I shy away from "loaded out" vehicles, since the dealer mark-up on options is high, and you'll thusly take a bigger ding in depreciation---but since you have back issues, you're probably going to want a unit with lumbar support (mine doesn't have one.) This is going to further reduce your haggling options. I can report that although I'm no fan of the (base model) seats, I find that they do not bother my back. You may want to see if you can get some stick time in a lesser optioned unit to see if this is true for you as well. If you REALLY HAVE to have a "V", than your only option is going to be to shop dealers. Somebody has one that they want to get rid of....you know....bad economy....recent bad press for 'Yota (mostly false) ...getting close to holidays. Good Luck! EDIT: I think thay can go lower on the used unit you were talking about. Log into kbb.com and see what the trade-in value is (that's about what they paid the guy or gal that traded it in) and see if they'll go up a thou from that. Also...DEMAND a carfax. Usually a dealer makes more on the used car side of the lot than they do on the new car side---the fact that it's an up-optioned car might work in your favor, but I'd still start my negotiations on KBB's TRADE IN value! Good LUCK!
i'd say, get your best price on a new one. i'll bet the used will look too high and you'll go new. all the best!
If you are a member, build & price a car at www.aaa.com. V-ATs are not common. A dealer may have a Prius inventory of 50 but only 2 V-AT. (My dealer has 0. Liberty Toyota has 2 Winter Grey.) You may have to look long & hard. Good luck finding what you want at a good price.
Thank you for your input. I have decided I can do without the advanced tech. Do you think more 2010 models available and a bit cheaper once the 11's are on the lots? You are correct about the price. I have already found a IV with Nav for 22300 and 5000.00 miles (gold Color). It seems odd to look in other parts of the US yet, I find better deals than local in my Texas. I am also including the cost of getting it here also. Thank YOu for your assistance and advice! Michael
You'll need to go far enough to get out of the South East Toyota Region. Apparantly the Gulf States Region isn't much better. The 2011's are already postponed based on the historical schedule. Presuming the historical schedule is being followed the 2010 is out of production so there will be 3-4 months to move inventory. The cars are already under invoice. How much lower do you want or expect it to go? Also, historically demand trends with gas prices. Gas prices are rising & the dollar is falling which tend to increase the price. The best time to buy is when you find the car you want.
LOL.... I have been thinking the same thing... It is getting very difficult to wait. I work as a controller for an oil & gas partnership. Every day I watch see oil close at $87 and the upward movement. Their royalty and working interest checks are getting larger again. Rigs are moving again, boss is happy, and companies are leasing again. I then leave the office and watch my costs going up for the commute. You are correct I notice the prices differ in the regions. I do not want to pay 28,995 for a V with 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Thank you for your input. When you have the desire for one I suddenly see more of them. Thanks, Michael
