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Looking to buy first car...used 2008 prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Violet, Mar 27, 2014.

  1. Violet

    Violet New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2014
    21
    10
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I bought the car!! :giggle:

    So originally, I called yesterday asking about the car. The person I spoke to had it in their system but actually couldn't physically find it (it's a really big dealership). I kept calling yesterday about 3 times over the course of the day, and eventually the salesman I worked with today went on a hunt and found it after looking across the dealership for a while before closing time :)

    So I took the road trip with a rented prius c out to the dealership. It was so beautiful (the scenery) out there. When I got there, there were about 2 families who stopped to look at the car as they walked through the dealership. I gave the car a look over and checked all the power options. Even though I've read about them, it still surprised me how tech-y the prius feels. It had a few scratches in the back but nothing major, and I figure I'll probably scratch it myself at some point since it's my first car. Test drive went great as well, I got to test it at low speed and 60 as well, no rattles or anything, very smooth. The salesman was very personable and I didn't feel that overwhelming pressure I did at the very first dealership I went to. I also had a very good overall feelings about the car, not the nagging doubts I had about the last one. We sat down to discuss the deal, the salesman said that it's already priced to sale, but I asked him to if he could do anything, and he knocked 300 off. I tried to negotiate a bit more, but he stood firm on that, which was fine. So it went from 14k to 13.7k.

    I asked about getting it inspected and the dealership was completely fine with that which put me more at ease. I went ahead and bought it but am going to get it inspected this week regardless. I felt better paying for it on the spot though since the service records were so good. And the car came with a 90 day/3000 mile limited warranty.

    He told me earlier that someone else called that morning and was coming in to look at the same vehicle later in the day, which usually I don't believe since I know dealers usually always say that. But I kinda did this time because I got a very honest vibe from the salesman. And ironically, his office phone rang as we were signing paperwork and it was the same person who wanted to look at the same car, but he told him it had been sold already.

    I feel like I just passed a huge milestone and I'm so thankful to all of you who gave advice and helped me along the way. I'm so excited; can't wait to bring her home (in a couple weeks. no time before then to drive back out again)

    Thank you guys!!! Pics included :)
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,482
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    A very elegant vehicle for a first car, and a considerable improvement over the 2008 that you started this thread with. The 90 day/3K dealer warranty takes most of the risk out of the transaction, combined with your planned inspection. Congratulations and good luck with your newly acquired Prius.
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,538
    8,433
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    An excellent purchase from a major Toyota dealership!! The dealership probably has the inspection report on this car, just ask them for a copy of it. I would feel comfortable with all the service records and the inspection report done by this dealership. Looks like a solid purchase and at an extraordinary price for a 2010 IV with Leather and Navigation. Congrats
     
  4. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,104
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Violet,

    You did good in my book. I wish you the best of luck with your new to you car. Something tells me you will find a way to pick it up before the next two weeks ends.

    Best of luck to you and congrats!

    Ron (dorunron)
     
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,873
    3,979
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Congratulations on the purchase of your first car. I think you have done incredibly well and the car looks gorgeous. I do believe I'm a little jealous. Enjoy your car and take care.
     
  6. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    3,159
    989
    0
    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    You did great!!!!!! Awesome vehicle. Welcome the the PriusChat community. IMO, you did everything right.!!! :)
     
    dorunron likes this.
  7. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Violet, congratulations. A IV-NAV is a helluva first car. The cups on the doors & the top of the rear bumper cover are easily scratched. At least keep an old blanket on the deck to throw over the bumper when loading. A rubber strip across the top is a good idea & looks good as well. Protective film is also an option.

    You still have the balance of the factory warranty.
     
    Violet likes this.