Toyota
Prius, hybrid vehicles, hot in Pasadena - A quick shop
Tuesday,
June 05, 2007
Time
to get a deal?
I was running some errands the other day that took me near
a Toyota dealership, so I thought I'd stop in and check
out the selection of hybrid
cars.
I haven't been out shopping hybrids in many months, but I
was shocked by how things have changed. At one time you
couldn't find any hybrids on a Toyota lot. Six months ago
or so, you might find a few on the lot, but selection was
still very limited. Now, the Toyota lot is loaded with
hybrids.
I found the Toyota
Prius in all 6 packages and in multiple colors in many
of those packages. Yes, the majority of the packages
available were Package 6 - the most expensive package, but
Toyota is running a $2000.00 Economic Savings Bonus on
this package.
I also found a number of used Prius hybrids. While I
didn't try to haggle with the salesperson, there has to be
wiggle room here - the price difference between a new and
a used were just too close. Additionally, I forgot to
check if the used Prius hybrid vehicles included HOV
stickers - something I'll definitely check on my return
visit later this week. Obviously, an HOV sticker could
justify the price premium on a used Prius.
Both the Highlander hybrid and the Camry
hybrid were also available in multiple colors, and a
in couple of different packages - though not as many
packages as the Prius. It was either loaded or a base, or
at least it was on this day.
Unfortunately, the Economic Savings Bonus available on the
Highlander
hybrids was much less than on the Prius hybrids. On
the hybrid Camry there was no Bonus.
So, what's the best deal?
I still say the base Prius is a steal. With an MSRP
of $22, 175 and a delivery fee of $620, you can get into
the Prius for less than $22,800 - sticker price. Don't
expect a ton of wiggle room with your salesperson on a
base Prius, especially in Pasadena.
On my visit, the Prius - and I'm not kidding - seemed to
be the hottest car on the lot. Almost every other person
during my visit was checking out the Prius. Even though
Pasadena could be nicknamed, Prius Place, I was still
shocked by the amount of interest in this hybrid.
Anway, the best deal - at least on a Prius - is the loaded
Prius, package 6. With the Savings Bonus, you're looking
at around $27,500.00. Again, this is sticker, but I felt
there was a little more wiggle room with the salesperson
with this vehicle compared to a base.
Nonetheless, a loaded Prius isn't cheap, so the base Prius
might simply be the most cost-effective path for most
Prius buyers, but I do believe you get your money's worth
today on a loaded Prius.
Of course, a loaded Prius is in the same price range as
the Camry hybrid - at least a base model. So, now you have
some decisions to make.
A fully loaded Camry hybrid, with remote start, on the
other hand, is almost $33,000.
The Camry hybrid - base model - might be my next hybrid,
even though I still believe the Prius is more functional
than the Camry hybrid. Inevitably, my long legs feel just
a bit more comfortable in the Camry than in the Prius.
If you need more seating or just more room, then Toyota's
Highlander hybrid is probably your best bet. Unlike the
Camry hybrid, there is a bonus discount available on the
Highlander hybrid, but it is not as generous as it is on
the Prius. Most of the Highlander hybrids I saw were Extra
Value Package 1 Highlanders - which offered a $420.00
discount - resulting in a price of just under $35,000.00.
Sadly, my salesperson left for greener pastures after I
told him I wasn't buying today, so I wasn't able to
ascertain whether there is much wiggle room for sales
negotiations on the Camry hybrid or Highlander hybrid.
Nonetheless, I'm going back to the dealership later this
week as a more serious buyer, so I'll hopefully gain some
more insight into real world, out-the-door, hybrid pricing
as it stands today - at least in 'Prius Place' Pasadena.
posted
by Dahcredyns at
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