Hybrid
Vehicle Shopping: Camry hybrid v Prius hybrid
Friday, June 27, 2008
A
better buy right now?
So, I've been helping a friend of mine, Carlos, shop for a
Toyota
Prius, which I first covered in $3000.00
Prius markup: Screw the Customer. Since that time
we've gone to and called dozens of Toyota dealerships in
Southern California, and we've found that many dealerships
have increased their markups, read $10,000
extra for a Toyota Prius.
Still, we have found a couple of dealerships that were not
adding ANY markups to their Prius hybrids, nor were they
accepting deposits. It was simply first come first serve
at MSRP. Most dealers, however, are requiring refundable
deposits to be put on their lists, and some are even
requiring non-refundable deposits. Unfortunately, wait
times can run several months.
As we've shopped, Carlos has become interested in the
Camry hybrid - mostly because he really needs a car, wants
a hybrid, and the Camry hybrid is available. Still, when
we first started shopping, one dealer was willing to sell
Carlos a Camry hybrid for almost $2000.00 below MSRP. As
of Tuesday, however, most dealers had placed a $3000 -
$4000 dealer markup on the Camry hybrid.
Just as with the Prius, fortunately, some dealers are not
adding ANY markups to the Camry hybrid (actually its still
a lot easier to find a Camry hybrid at MSRP compared to
the Prius), but they don't last more than a day or two on
lots. Thus, on Tuesday, Carlos picked up a Camry hybrid at
MSRP.
Based on this demand trend, it seems that the Camry hybrid
will soon become just as impossible to find as the Prius.
Now, could be the last best chance to find either a Prius
or a Camry hybrid, but finding one without a dealer markup
or dealer add-ons won't be easy.
Our best deals were found at smaller dealerships, outside
of major SoCal cities, particularly at family-owned
dealerships that have been around a long time.
If you're desperate for a Toyota Prius, or a Camry hybrid,
shop around - ALOT - and be willing to walk away. Most
dealers have scarified referral business, repeat consumers
- customer service - to squeeze every bit of extra money
they can from hybrid consumers. If you can wait, wait
until 2009, when Toyota will significantly increase
battery production and hybrid output.
And, when it does turn around, remember those dealers with
the biggest markups, and remember that their business
model has nothing to do with taking care of consumers.
|
