"Demo" Deal?

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by Duke of Prunes, Feb 6, 2014.

  1. Duke of Prunes

    Duke of Prunes Junior Member

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    I've been looking for a Prius for some time and my local dealer has a four liftback without the solar roof for about $24,500 - that's $5K off the sticker price and 0% 60 month financing. The car has almost 5K miles on it. Is this a good deal? It's black - not my first choice of color - should I beware of anything in buying a demo car?

    Thanks
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Out here in CA many people have gotten close to $5000 off sticker prices for NEW Prius. The Prius sales are quite slow, a drop of about 20% in sales compared to 2013. The discounts I'm seeing are about $4000 off sticker and $1000 on the rebates to get to $5000 off. Some less, some more, ball park figure is $5000. Toyota has quite a bit of inventory to unload, thus people getting these great prices. It might be different where you are at but you should see what a new 2013/2014 will cost you. I believe it'll be very close to your demo price and in the color you want.
     
  3. Duke of Prunes

    Duke of Prunes Junior Member

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    There are a few 2013 Four's around with the solar roof in the 28K range with "all incentives & discounts" so that's almost $5K off. Prob is I can't find a new 2013 Four without the roof and I didn't want to go that high.
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You are a bit late in the game for a 2013, usually the ones with many options are left. The stuff I'm reading in CA, the 2014's are selling with similar discounts. Surely you can find a 2014 no solar roof, with a slightly smaller discount for under $28k? Don't limit your search to a 2013.
     
  5. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    If you hate the color and can afford to wait, wait. Keep looking
     
  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I think that's a perfectly good deal.
    But what do you need to be told?
    It's a demo....with 5000 miles on it. Shouldn't be a problem. But it has 5000 miles put on it, by various people, who have all driven it with different skill levels and different agenda's.

    5000 miles is a lot of miles for a demo. I'd be curious exactly as to it's history. Because that's a LOT of test drives for a vehicle only 1 model year old.

    But it's all up to you.
    Assuming the vehicle is in "normal" shape for a vehicle with 5000 miles, it really shouldn't be a long term issue.

    If you don't like the color and/or are nervous about the risk? Then any potential savings aren't worth it. Only you can answer that for yourself.
     
  7. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Hey Duke,
    If you like the car get it. I bought a demo model on my '13 Camry Hybrid with just over 4kmiles on it. The demo doesn't mean a bunch of people drove it or test drove it. What it usually means is one the high performing sales personnel got it issued to them for 6 months or more. The great thing is, on paper, you would be the first owner. On mine, my 3yr 36k b - b warranty started at 4036 miles so 3 yrs or 40,036 miles (so that's kinda nice). I was given 6k off the sticker to take the "demo". I have had no problems nor do I expect to have any. After all, its a Toyota lol.
     
  8. BluetoothEdsel

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    Any specific dealerships you'd suggest pinging for those deals? Best I'm seeing so far is around $4K off sticker in LA on TrueCar. Prices a bit higher than that here in San Diego.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    All dealers offer prices through email. The quote is painless. Email as many dealers as you want until you find your price. Beats driving around town. $4000 discount is about right, plus 1000 rebate, totaling 5000. I read Diane Whitmore at Carson Toyota is great to work with, she's a member here

    SM-N900P ?
     
  10. pmike

    pmike Member

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    $4-5k off is standard and its technically a used car. Mine stickered for $25.9k and got it for $21.6k, $4.3k off: How to buy a car | PriusChat

    I got a quote from Diane but after adding delivery charge from CA to FL I did better "locally".
     
  11. BluetoothEdsel

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    I seem to get high bids when I do the "How to buy a car" style competitive email quote thing. Have so far had better luck pulling up TrueCar prices from LA and then asking San Diego dealers to match it - a few will go that far. But it's still not $5K off sticker.
     
  12. pmike

    pmike Member

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    "We believe that consumers don't expect to pay the absolute lowest price possible for a car," said Larry Dominique, a TrueCar executive. "They do want to get a fair price and make sure that they don't overpay."

    Diane provided her lowest price. It beat all my other prices before shipping cost.
     
  13. BluetoothEdsel

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    That said, I don't think I've ever gotten lower Prius bids than TrueCar prices - with the exception of getting San Diego dealers to beat San Diego TrueCar prices by showing them the LA TrueCar prices. Don't think I've ever gotten dealers in either place to actually beat LA TrueCar prices, (which is why I still find myself puttering around comparing CPO prices, considering other cars, etc.) I think I might have gotten some better-than-TC bids a few weeks ago when I considered buying a different kind of car, though.
     
  14. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    That's an interesting quote. Because as a consumer my expectation might no be that I'm paying the absolute lowest price possible for a car...but I'd sure like to if possible.

    After decades and decades I still marvel sometimes at how much Vehicle Purchase becomes so much a Barter and Negotiate process.

    Lowest price? I'd like it. But why in this day and age we are even talking about or recognizing that modern dealerships often DO manipulate people into overpaying- is disappointing and ridiculous.

    Ideally shouldn't need a car buying service to keep that from happening.