Prius, hybrid vehicles, hot in Pasadena - A quick shop
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.
--Finish: Prius, hybrid vehicles, hot in Pasadena - A quick shop
Labels: Highlander hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota camry hybrid, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:36 AM
1 Comments:
Complete Story
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.
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