Is paying MSRP or more the ONLY way to get a Prius?

Toyota of Berkeley's web site shows a 2007 (no package specified) MSRP as "$21,275 MSRP"

Update: Forget it! They don't sell that model--whatever it was. The price for a package #2 is actually "$22,200." <_< A good price from what I can tell--but not worth my flying to SFO.

 

One of the options we have in Southern California is purchasing through a credit union. Our First Entertainment Credit Union has a service called AUTOLAND. It's a car purchasing service that works for lots of people. The car is even delivered to the credit union parking lot if needed. An earlier post mentioned CostCo (a bulk retailer) which does pretty much the same thing. You could also check AAA, if you're a member. I've financed through the credit union and each time I have seriously considered purchasing through AUTOLAND. (This is a good service for on-the-lot purchasing, not for custom ordered vehicles). It's something to look into because I've met a number of people who have purchased this way.

Also, an earlier post mentioned www.Cars.com This site can locate new cars on the lot in your area. It's a good tool for new and used vehicles.... providing lots of information before you walk on the lots.

Best of luck- Nda3rdcar

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Aug 26 2007, 05:05 PM) [snapback]502459[/snapback]</div>

I totally agree :angry:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carolbrady @ Aug 21 2007, 12:53 PM) [snapback]499818[/snapback]</div>

I bought my Prius in June. Toyota had just finished an advertising series that said the Prius was now available. As many of you know not too long ago there was a one year wait to get one, at least there was in Minneapolis. Toyota was offering discounts up to $2000 on accesory packages. I was able to get my car in a week but the salesman later told me that the add series put them three months behind again. I checked his computer and every incoming car had SOLD with somebodys name next to it. I checked all five dealers in my area and not one would give a dime off MSRP. I even checked a couple of dealers in Wisconsin with the same result. I guess it depends on where you live. I have heard other parts of the country have more cars available but around Minneapolis-St. Paul its MSRP or no Prius.

 

In Phoenix we have 9 Toyota dealers. I bought a fully loaded 2007 Silver #6 for $100 over invoice ($27,000 + TTL = $30,000 out the door) in March this year, plus got 2.9% financing for 60 months with zero out of pocket. The ad fees the dealer incurs in "their" invoice are around $600-700, therefore the invoice price you see in KBB or Edmunds are accurate but do not account for this cost the dealers pass on to buyers so you must take that into account. I was very happy with my deal. Of the 9 dealers only this one, thru the Sam's Club Auto program, could offer me such a deal. The deal was about $1000 better than any other dealer in Phoenix.

I called the same dealer the other day to see if they still honored the $100 over invoice price via the Sam's Club program and they said that was discontinued. Today they sell for MSRP. I guess I was at the right place at the right time, therefore timing is essential to getting a great deal.

 

Are you a member of Costco? They have a car buying program, and it's well worth it. I paid $500 over invoice for an 08 pius, package #6. We had to wait about a month, but that seemed common in this area (Washington stte) The costco membership cost about $100 a year.

It's an amazing deal. There was no negotiation. We dealt with the fleet manager and he had a price list for the Costco car plan. While we had to go to the dealership that the Costco program specified, it matter to me.

I'd recommend it for ll car purchases. They have vacation packages too! It's crazy what they offer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newsensations @ Aug 30 2007, 08:36 AM) [snapback]504316[/snapback]</div>

That's weird. Our Costco membership is $45 a year.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ Aug 30 2007, 09:50 AM) [snapback]504352[/snapback]</div>

IIRC, there are three types of Costco memberships, Gold Star (personal), Business and Executive. Each one is priced differently.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newsensations @ Aug 30 2007, 11:36 AM) [snapback]504316[/snapback]</div>

also weird is the 08's havent arrived yet according to toyota corporate
please explain


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(UNWIRED @ Aug 29 2007, 01:45 AM) [snapback]503651[/snapback]</div>

$27000 is not $100 over invoice, invoice price for an 08 touring package 6 touring is $25264, what else did you get?

 

I'm up in the Northeast (Boston) and I got a pretty good deal on mine. I believe the sticker was 24,300 and I got it for 21,700. Find a dealer that seems to have plenty on the lot. The dealership I went to had at least 10 on the lot. That combined with the $400 recent grad and 4 year 2.9% financing made for a pretty good deal. Don't let those jerks screw around with you. They wanted to give me 3500 for my 2000 saab 9-3, I told them to go to hell and I sold it for a quick 6000.

You might be better off flying up to an area like here and saving 2 grand. After a flight and hotel you're still going to save a lot.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Aug 30 2007, 06:21 PM) [snapback]504566[/snapback]</div>

I am interested in new prius as well and dealers near where i live (Tennessee) quotes me msrp only - how do i know the costco price if i am not a member? can someone here look up for me the prices for a new prius pkg 4 or pkg 3? either in Nashville, TN or in Tampa, FL (i will be there next week) if i find there is a dealer near me that can offer good deal thru costco then i can get costco membership -

thanks

 

The Costco's prices can ONLY be viewed by the authorized dealers, so even as member's don't get to see their prices. Here's my advice ...

OPTION 1: WANT IT NOW?
Do your homework. This means, getting invoice pricing of your car from KBB, Consumer Reports, Cars Direct or anywhere else they have the information. You will see it that most of them are very close to each other, if not exactly the same. If different, use the lowest invoice price and subtract it from the MSRP. Use the difference of the two and subtract that from the invoice price ... that's what you should roughly pay for a vehicle. If you added options, take the total of just the options and slash by 60%-80% and add it to the price. Then I think you've paid a fairly decent price for a vehicle.

OPTION 2: CAN WAIT 2-3 MONTHS
If you can wait few months—which will be around May from this post's date—then the '11 models will start to roll out of the factory. If there are any '11 models already on the lot, then you're set. Do the same homework as Option 1, but instead don't add the option prices you've added to your vehicle. This means you'll get all of the nick-nacks free.

OPTION 3: WHEN ONE/TWO OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S CAR IS ON THE LOT
This is the best time to buy, because the dealers will do whatever to get them off the lot. Go buck-wild and ask for it all—below invoice, 0% interest @ 60 months, options galore and 1 year of oil changes free.

You're probably wondering do any of these work? Yes, I've used my options 1 and 3...

option 1, I bought a 2003 Honda Civic LX with it. 0.9% interest financing @ $13,900

option 3, I bought a 2008.5 Nissan Titan Crew Cab fully loaded, minus nav and leather (didn't want it) with ARE bed cover painted, Class-C hitch, chrome side-step rails FREE. My total finance was $29K. The invoice price of this vehicle alone is $29,500. So after taxes and doc fees, the financed $29K is weeeellll below invoice price. There was only 2 2008's available and I chose the better one of the two. It wasn't exactly the color I wanted, but I could live with it.

Don't be hesitant to negotiate and get what you want. I've spent 3-4 hours at the dealership to get what I wanted. Better to devote some time than to spend travel costs to try save a buck or two. Spend nothing more at all.

There's a lot more details within each option as every negotiation is different, but I don't want to make this too long too read. Oh wait, I've already done that.

Hope this helps and good luck ... I plan on taking advantage of my first option to get my Prius this Saturday.

UPDATE: I noticed that this thread is few years old ... so my info maybe short-lived and dated to current offers. My apologies for not being aware of the post date.

 

This thread went into hibernation back in 2007. Current deals for Toyota cars (even the Prius) are close to Invoice (not MSRP).

 

I just realized the date it was last posted. Thanks.