Go test drive the cars now.
Then negotiate your best price, now - but all just for practice.

Buying a new car isn't something we do everyday.
Selling new cars IS something dealers do everyday.
So buyers are at at disadvantage when it comes to comfort level negotiating for price.
Get some practice in; just walk out before you sign the papers.

Don't buy in a big city, buy in a rural area.
I live in Los Angeles and they are getting thousands over sticker because of high demand.
I bought 300 miles away in Bishop California for $1000 under sticker.

Price in Sept/Aug will depend of gas prices.
Even oil future traders on Wall Street don't know what's going to happen in the world that far out.

In 2004 I test drove the Prius and Civic hybrids, and bought the civic.
Here is what I didn't like about the Prius.
The visibility out the back window is blocked by the air dam.
The styling SCREAMS hybrid and LOOK AT ME!
I'm more of a low-key kind of guy who would rather blend in like the Honda styling.
The fit finish and feel of the Honda interior felt better quality to me.
I didn't like the display in the middle of the PRius's dash board - very odd.
The Prius display has lots of soft-keys so you have to press a bunch of buttons on the display to get down to the button you want.
Makers love this because it is cheaper to make - fewer parts.
Oh the Honda there is a physical button for everything - this is faster simpler and safer while driving.

Last month I bought a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid- my second Honda hybrid.
That is the best testimony for Honda hybrids.

My 04 is for sale now.

Need fewer troops to support.
Drive a hybrid.
Best tank 71.65 MPG.

Before this car I spent two years learning hypermiling on my 2004 HCH1.