Consider getting a pre-approved loan at your local bank or credit union and then begin your shopping. If the dealer knows you already have a loan approved they might give you a better deal if they think they can get you to opt for their financing at an even better interest rate.

bit...

You were lucky to get one below MSRP. In my situation when I purchased my car last week, I went to the internet dealer and he was selling the cars as quick as they came in. At full MSRP. He had 1 coming in that someone had wanted but could not get financing. It was pkg #3 in driftwood. Not my first choice in color, but it actually looks much nicer than I thought - and he says it won't show dirt. I paid $25,439 - this included the 5 mat set. Another dealer was willing to give me $500 off MSRP if I went up to the option 6 package, which was over $27K. So, maybe the thing is they drop it down a bit if you are willing to get the higher package. BTW, I am in upstate NY. It does depend on where you are too - my friend in Florida has a friend who just bought a prius and she said it was thousands over MSRP. That seems like a lot, but I guess if the demand is up there, people will pay.

hello everybody. i just purchased a 2008 prius with package 5 option. it has other options ( FE, HZ, EF and CF). sticker price was $28683.00 but i got it down to $24500. funny thing is the salesman showed me a paper for the dealer invoice showing they paid $25,000 for the model. before i make my purchase (all my cars) i do intensive research on them on what really the dealership paid for it. consumer reports new car pricing report helps me a lot. the real invoice of the car is $21,335 minus the dealer hold back which is $450 which totals to $20,905 plus the options. invoice for the package 5 is $2,952 but the sticker will say $5,280, and the capet floor mats are sold for $199 but th real invoice is $ 126. so total invoice paid by the dealership was $23,983 and i paid $24,500 which gives them a profit of $517. i can say i had a good deal, the salesman and the finace manager just scrathced their heads and tried to sell me extra stuff like alarm system for $550, extended warranty for $2,200 and pre-paid maintenance for $1,700. as if they haven't noticed that i have done my assignment pretty good, these are so over price. i can get the extended warranty for $750 and the maintenance for $825. never believe the dealership when they tell you they will sell you a car below invoice. do your own research and you can save a lot of money. if i paid the sticker price i should have lost $4,183. just wanna share my experience with my purchase of my prius. by the way i also own a 2008 camry hybrid.

2 weeks ago I purchased a 2008 Prius package #6. Toyota had a $2000 discount on the window sticker and the dealer gave a $2100 discount. The dealer also matched the credit union rate which was 4.25% they said Toyota Credit had a program to match any credit union rate. I left the next day for vacation Maryland to Myrtle Beach NC about 500 miles and averaged 58.2 MPG. Sgt Tip

Bought mine 2 weeks ago for $500 over invoice, got financed at 5.8% Called the fleet/internet guy directly and was in and out of the dealership in an hour. Earnhardt Toyota in Mesa, AZ.

I guess it must all come down to the area and the demand. I also went through the Internet sales guy and he told me that all hybrids were being sold at MSRP and that if I didn't want the next one coming in to dealer that they had someone else who would. My last car from the same dealer was only $300 over invoice via same sales rep, so I did trust what they were saying. Still waiting for delivery. Hope it's soon, I'm anxious!

On a side note:

Welcome to the CLUB!

When you get a chance, check out the FAQ. We try to keep it current with lessons learned to improve performance and handling. GOOD LUCK!

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Waiting list for Prius grows nationally 18-May-08 11:08 am
Demand is back like in 2004-5 & 6.People are getting on the waiting list but this time it won't take a year just months.

This was on the TM stock message board

I'm still waiting for my blue (or red) Prius to show up but I've got a question about pricing and what I should pay. My dealer said that he would sell me a Prius for $500 over invoice.

I think the price I will pay is: invoice price of the car, plus the price of the trim package 6 , plus $500.

Should I try to get a discount on the price of the trim package too or just be content to pay full price for that and any other options I might go for (like body side guards)?

I guess I'm looking at $26,000 to $26,500 for a 2008 Prius with trim package 6.

Thanks,

Eric

Dale, I am in VA near DC. Can you tell me your Dealer name. I would like to buy a Prius but I cannot seem to find one less than MSRP. Thank You
Arun