I'm willing to travel, looks right now Orlando dealer(s) have best price via USAA's buying service (Zag). I find the model system in place for the Prius confusing. Could someone direct me to which model I should choose? What I would like: Black or Silver exterior, dark interior. Leather Backup camera Bluetooth Don't care too much: Sunroof Navigation Sound system I have an SUV with a KBB trade-in value of roughly $9,000. When negotiating through Zag, should I even mention that at first? Anything else about Zag I should know? I suppose there may be other dealer fees not included.
Factory leather is only offered in the Four & Five. Try building your vehicle at www.toyota.com as not all combinations are available. It is possible that SET (covering FL) does not order plain Fours or Fives as an example. The backup camera is only available with nav. Here you have 3 options: NAV package, Solar package (sunroof), Advanced Tech package. Your choices are: Four (no package), Four NAV, Four Solar Five (no package), Five NAV, Five AT or buy something else & install your own leather & backup camera. You have 2 deals to negotiate. First, the purchase price of the new car. That is resolved since you are using a buying program. Second is the price of your trade. Know the fees & taxes collected by the state. Often enough these are inflated by the dealer. Everything else is a dealer add-on & subject to negotiation. Read through www.carbuyingtips.com.
What's the consensus on the solar sunroof? How bout an aftermarket head unit for a backup camera with or without navi? Took a look at carbuyingtips. Good stuff, there was also a link for carwoo -- which I like the idea of paying a nominal fee and doing nothing. Sort of wish I started with them instead of shooting several zag emails to dealers. Suppose I'd prefer the larger wheels on the V. Then again, the solar sunroof if effective, would be wonderful for the Florida heat.
You could get the Prius 2 and add the aftermarket HU, there are a couple available that look factory. These can include bluetooth and a rearview monitor. Also Gentex makes a rearview mirror that has the autodim function and a rear view monitor. This would be cheaper than a new HU, but you may want to consider the Prius 3 which includes the upgraded stereo and integrated bluetooth. Leather can be added by the dealership to either a 2 or 3, or you can order the Clazzio Leather seatcovers and do it yourself for about $450.00. I have the Clazzio Covers and get many comments about them looking like factory leather. I got the 3 w/Nav only because it was all they had on the lot, and I paid the same price USAA quoted on a 3 without Nav. To me the Solar Roof (while a neat option) was way over priced for what I wanted to spend. I had a loaner with the solar roof while my windows were being tinted last summer, it was still warm in the car when I got in. I was glad I saved my money and didn't get it. Also, the remote A/C, while cool sounding feature, didn't really seem to cool the interior that much, even when allowed to run the full time. Where I park at work was too far from the car for the remote to work until I was outside the Bldg and already walking toward the car. So, for me it would have been very frustrating having paid for a feature that would have had very limited use for me. I have since added the autodim mirror and Clazzio leather seats (total cost about $600 for both), so to the untrained eye, most people think I have a Prius 4, but I saved the $2500 price increase between the 3 and 4!
There are 3 deals the dealership works with: New car price, trade in price, and financing. They can get you in any of those three areas. If they ask you what amount you want to pay per month, and you answer, you are hosed.
It's getting a bit frustrating. I've not been able to locate the vehicle wanted and the first thing a dealer is saying is about supply/demand. I'm sure this is true, but there still has to be some cars out there. One mentioned they may go up to $5,000 over MSRP. I don't believe that. Not sure what I'm gonna do. May do nothing.
Using zip code 32801 AAA does not provide a member price--contact the dealer. Using zip code 08077 the AAA price for a Four Nav is invoice + $700. This is a $200 increase over the last month or so & a $700 increase over the lowest price ever. In the short term prices are only going to increease as production slows & stops while demand remains steady or increases. If all of the gizmos are of little value to you the best course may be to buy the car with the basic stuff you want then go aftermarket to add the rest. Find an upholsterer & choose your leather. Find an electronics place & get a camera. The result from a good shop will look at least as good as or better than the factory job. I'd start by asking at the restoration shop.
