Prius C Trade-in for Plug-in

Most of your questions have been answered in the Plug-in section of the forum.

 

$16k trade-in offer on a car that cost $19k brand new is a great offer. Grab it and run. You're probably not going to get more than that at a dealership, and frankly I can't imagine scoring much more than that with a private sale.

 

make sure you get a bottom line number on the plug in before you talk trade in. there are some decent incentives on the plug in that they might keep if offering a good trade in price. are you near dianne at carson? she's a straight shooter. all the best!

 

You'll save about $1,000 in sales tax with the trade in. So, that $16k is really $17k (in private sale and buying PiP separately).

 

...check out PiP incentives sticky...believe CA you get $1500 from state

 

Remember the current Toyota 0% and 1500 offer ends 11/5/2012. Who knows what the next offer will bring??

 

I don't think this applies in California.

 

Correct, in CA trading in does NOT save on sales tax per What Fees Should You Pay? - Edmunds.com.

Since I grew up in CA, I had never even heard of such a practice until I was in the market for a car in WA, where it can save.

If OP wants top dollar, it's best to try to privately sell or to try bringing it to several dealers. You can try selling used cars to dealers directly. I did that w/my Z to a Nissan dealer (and got a surprisingly good offer).

My friend did that w/her old Accord to a Honda dealer after I suggested she do it. She got an amount that was acceptable to her and ~2x what the Toyota dealer where she was buying her Prius was offering.

 

Not in California, you pay sales tax on the full sales price, don't get to deduct the trade in value (oh it's great to live in California!)

 

Regarding carpool sticker, your dealer will give you your license plate # before you can send the application to DMV about getting the carpool lane stickers. No temporary stickers issued. The license plate# takes ~1.5 weeks. I haven't got my stickers as of today. I bought mine during the last weekend of October.

By the way, if you would like the carpool lane stickers so badly, why not buying a LEAF? The PIP CA HOV stickers only last for 2 years until Jan 1 2015. Eligible Vehicles - Single Occupant Carpool Lane Use Stickers
I would guess that the white sticker will be extended beyond 1/1/2015..

 

I have heard terrible stories about Civic Natural Gas (mainly due to limited availability of the gas).. Search online before you buy.

 

I recall someone on a previous post "leased" the PIP and got no tax credits unless the dealer gave it to you at the Point of Sale as a pass through.

 

Right. Leasing PIP will not be eligible for the tax credits.

 

The sales tax is based on the net price less the trade in. The Dealer can explain.

 

Just my opinion the PIP provides bettrer options that the CNG Civic Natural Gas in driving range. If the moment strikes you to drive to Vegas or SF or PHX the PIP can deliver, the CNG cannot or will be a close call.