Guide to picking up a Prius?

5988 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Frederic Berger, Jan 10, 2006

marvster

Discussion Starter · Jan 7, 2006

Hi All,

Everyone here has been so helpful on what to buy, I thought I might also ask for advice on picking up my 2006 Prius -- should be here within a few weeks.

I'm not a born negotiator, so every time I pick up a new car I always end up getting flustered by the additional fees, warranties, etc. and wondering whether I'm getting ripped off. It'd be great to go in fully armed!

First, some stats: It'll be a silver/gray package #3, San Francisco Bay Area, quoted price is $23,801, and I'll be paying cash.

Second, a few questions:

1) Beyond paying tax, what additional charges/stuff will they try to sell me?

2) Is any of the additional stuff worth it? (I know extended warranties are more of a subjective, personal thing, but any opinions are great.)

3) Factory floormats or third-party?

4) Any additional fees I may be able to talk the dealer out of? Any that I shouldn't bother trying to talk them out of?

I'm not trying to screw anyone here, and I believe in dealers making a decent profit. But I figure I'm paying full MSRP for a car so it can't hurt to try and keep expenses beyond that reasonable.

Thanks very much for any advice!

Cheers,

Marv

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C.Rickey Hirose

· #2 · Jan 7, 2006

Hello Marv, it took you from October to middle of January to finally receive your Prius ! just buy what you want to buy, or nothing at all
but the Prius plus doc fees, tire fees,tax and license. The other stuff such as warrantee, pre-paid maintanance etc you can buy if needed at any time .

Congrats in finally getting your 06 Prius.

marvster

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 7, 2006

Thanks, C. Actually -- just to give credit where credit is due -- the dealer did reserve a Prius for me that I could have picked up in early December. I just wanted to wait until 2006 for the tax credit.

There's a tire fee? What's that?

Thanks,

Marv

JDavies

· #4 · Jan 7, 2006

"Beyond paying tax, what additional charges/stuff will they try to sell me?"
**********************************************************
Not a bad question Marv.
I have a 04 full-package so I'm not sure what a 2006 Package #3 includes. They have changed every year.
Potential $$ add-ons are:
1. Extended 100,000 mi. warranty: Between $800 and $1800 depending on the dealer. Probably a good buy under $1000 but that's a matter of choice. YOU HAVE 3 YEARS TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. There's no hurry.
2. Floor Mats: After market (3rd party) mats are usually cheaper unless the dealer makes you a deal.
3. Cargo nets: Look like ladies hair nets and keep stuff from moving around the cargo area. Probably a waste.
4. Paint Finish protectorant: called "TOYOGUARD. Don't buy it.
5. Rust proofing undercoat. Don't buy it.
6. Documentary fees: Should not run over $100. Some have paid over $500. Mine were $45. This pays their office for typing up your paper work and filing with DMV. It's a fertile area for a rip off.
** Can anyone think of anything else..?

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Spike

· #5 · Jan 7, 2006

marvster said:
Hi All,

I thought I might also ask for advice on picking up my 2006 Prius

Marv

Lift with your legs :lol:

marvster

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 7, 2006

6. Documentary fees: Should not run over $100. Some have paid over $500. Mine were $45. This pays their office for typing up your paper work and filing with DMV. It's a fertile area for a rip off.

I assume this is different than the "Delivery, Processing, and Handling Fee" listed on the Toyota site at $580, right?

Thanks VERY much for the rundown. Incredibly helpful.

Lift with your legs

Thanks, Spike. Will do. ;-)

Marv

Asian Brad

· #7 · Jan 7, 2006

I'm on the verge of picking one up as well, so I don't have any past experience to lend, just research I've done in preparation. If you're confused about a "tire fee" your state may not have it. I've never seen that in my state (Georgia).
The stuff I've made sure to avoid is the Toyoguard Protection Package (rustproofing, VIN etching, undercoating, fabric protectant, etc) and the floormats. I've found much better floormats for cheaper ($219 dealer vs ~$80 online). See this thread
http://priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... 7ac06769dd

As for the Toyoguard, you can get most of that for much cheaper than the ~$600 they want to charge. Again, this may be regional. The Southeast region applies the Toyoguard at port, so you have to get them to request it specifically for your vehicle ahead of time. Of course, you could always get them to give it to you but not charge you. Whatever the case, you can pick up some cheap fabric protectant and paint sealant at the store and apply it yourself. VIN Etching is recommended theft-deterrent. Here is a thread
http://priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... 7ac06769dd

Let us know how it goes!

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JDavies

· #8 · Jan 7, 2006

"I assume this is different than the "Delivery, Processing, and Handling Fee" listed on the Toyota site at $580, right?"
**********************************************************
Not sure if that stuff is part of the MSRP deal or not. I can't seem to find my original window sticker. Maybe someone else knows. If these items are listed on the MSRP window sticker then they are more difficult to talk them out of. Right now, a 2006 Prius Buyer is not in a very good position to do much negotiating.
Toyota (normally) pays the Dealer for "preparing" the car for delivery; Clean up, mechanical check etc.
* BTW: There is a list of specific things that should be checked/done before delivery; Simple stuff like tire pressure..engine oil..coolant..etc. Some more complicated. MAKE SURE you get that list with every thing checked off. Take a fav CD along and make sure the system works.
You're gonna love the Prius... But.. it's just a car.

wayneswhirld

· #9 · Jan 7, 2006

Marvster, here's the oft posted, venerable (and hopefully most current) Prius Pick-up Checklist that JDavies mentions:

http://www.vfaq.net/docs/pickup_checklist.html

C.Rickey Hirose

· #10 · Jan 7, 2006

Marv, All my October-November customers received their cars in "January 1st~January 2nd." Couldn't deliver all of them in "One" day.
I had their cars in mid-December but kept them here for my ordered customers so they can take advantage of the "Tax Credit" issue. Most dealers were selling those "Ordered & Reserved" 06 Prius to anyone that walked in and not holding them for their intended owners.

CA state has the following fees associated to new vehicle purchase: Doc fee $45.00, Tire fee $8.75, Sales Tax % @ your county of residence, in your case 8.25% plus $200 plus odd dollars for DMV 1st year license registration. That's all.. The extended warrantee Prius Hybrid Platinum plan 7/100.000miles can be purchased before reaching 36/36.000 miles. The 4/55.000 miles Toyota's Pre-paid all scheduled service pack has to be purchased at inception. However, Optional.... Nothing else is essential for your Prius. Don't tell your Dealer that I told you. They may call me to harrass me ! Happy Motoring.. I'm also driving my "New" 04 Nav packaged Prius !

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richard schumacher

· #11 · Jan 7, 2006

If you're already waiting for delivery it's too late to negotiate a lot of stuff, but you should still read Consumer Reports car buying advice: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars ... erview.htm

When they have you sitting waiting for the paperwork to be completed and they're trying to sell you more stuff you don't want, just smile and say "no" until they go away.

DanMan32

· #12 · Jan 8, 2006

You have 3 years to purchase extended warranty only if you average less than 12K miles a year. Otherwise, the 36K mile limitation kicks in sooner. People keep forgetting to quote that.

marvster

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 9, 2006

You have 3 years to purchase extended warranty only if you average less than 12K miles a year.

Won't be a problem for me since I work from home (I just sold a '99 Acura with 48,000 miles on it).

Thanks to all for the great advice. It's truly appreciated.

Cheers,

Marv

Frederic Berger

· #14 · Jan 9, 2006

Marvster,

Since you're not a negotiator (I don't like it either) I thought you might like to know that using Costco.com I got $500 off MSRP without having to negotiate. Just sign up on the web (it's free for Costco members) and you'll be put in touch with a local Toyota dealer that is part of their network.
It worked really well for me last week. I did not even have to reserve a car weeks in advance, I found exactly what I liked in stock and had it the next day.

I declined all add-ons, warranty and special coatings alike. The car came with floor mats.

Good luck!

marvster

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 10, 2006

Hi Frederic,

It worked really well for me last week. I did not even have to reserve a car weeks in advance, I found exactly what I liked in stock and had it the next day.

You did this with a Prius? I just tried and got a message at the end of the process that Costco pricing isn't available for the Prius at this time. Maybe it's a regional thing. Where are you?

Thanks,

Marv

Frederic Berger

· #16 · Jan 10, 2006

marv,

It must be a region issue then, I live in Northern Virginia. I had no problem selecting the Prius on Costco.com.

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