2006 Toyota Prius

[Utoo]

Anyone have one? Have experience buying one?

With the prospect of $2700 of maintenance repairs looming for the 1992 Toyota Celica with 155,000 miles, a few dings & terribly peeling paint, that I've had since I got my license at 17 (8.5 years ago!), it's time for a new car. I'm pretty much sunk into the new Prius & will probably go to get one next Saturday (though I know there'll be a long wait for it to come). I've heard that Package #3 isn't available in the Central Atlantic Region (I'm in DC), but I'm hoping maybe a local dealer can get one from out of town....:fingerscrossed!:

Anyway, just fishing about for anyone's thoughts.

 

[Carek1230]

Not the Prius but my son (he is 20) and 2 of his friends all have new Toyota Scion's......I forget what the model is, XC, TC, XT? Very cute looking 2 door sporty things tho for around $20k. Great gas mileage, great looking, sporty cars.

Good luck!

 

[southpaw_gil]

I've have a 2002 Prius for over 4 years. I bought when I was driving around 80 miles a day. It is a great car and I get between 45 to 50 miles a gallon. I had a problem with one of the computers about 1 1/2 years ago and the dealer replaced it for free. Otherwise, pretty much take get it serviced every 5,000 miles to keep it running fine. The only downside is you have to take it in to the dealer for the service and it tends to get pricey.

Would I buy another Prius? I don't think so. I hate the way it looks. My wife calls it "cute." I told her guys don't drive cute cars so I call it a high tech car. When I bought it theren't a lot of options - the Prius of the Honda Insight. There are more options now like the Highlander and Ford Escape hybrids. Plus I understand the dealers are tacking on premiums for the car because of the high demand. I don't know if the premium is negotiable. Good luck!

 

[Kristie]

I'm jealous... I want one.
The outside kind of turned me off at first, but I went on a little road trip with some other interferencers a few years ago, and our car was a prius and I ended up loving it. If I could get any new car on the market I'd probably get a Prius.
Second choice, ford focus hatchback.

Unfortunately right now I drive a tan '93 ford escort station wagon. Not the epitome of cool, but it gets good mileage and doesn't give me any problems (knock on wood).

 

[david]

I like my 05 Ford Focus. It's not the coolest car, or anything. But It gets awesome mileage. That's all I care about right now.

 

[Utoo]

Cool. I think the '06 Prius doesn't look too bad--the hatchback is pretty cool. Hopefully we can get it in black, grey or dark blue---I think it's the white, sand, or pearl blue colors that make it look a little more girly.

Was told by a dealer over email that Package #3 has to be specially ordered here in DC because they only get 2,6,7,8. 6 is a bit too pricey for me. So, I'll probably have to wait like 3 months to get the car----I only hope my brakes last that long (20% on front, 30% on back left!). Off for a test-drive and quite possibly a purchase on Saturday. Woo-hoo!

 

[financeguy]

Get another Celica. You know you want to.

 

[Utoo]

^ yeah Actually, I think they've stopped making them here in the states. That puppy's treated me well! My wife's looking forward to 4 doors, though, as we may be adding a little person to the famil in the next few years....

 

[southpaw_gil]

Cool. I think the '06 Prius doesn't look too bad--the hatchback is pretty cool. Hopefully we can get it in black, grey or dark blue---I think it's the white, sand, or pearl blue colors that make it look a little more girly.

Was told by a dealer over email that Package #3 has to be specially ordered here in DC because they only get 2,6,7,8. 6 is a bit too pricey for me. So, I'll probably have to wait like 3 months to get the car----I only hope my brakes last that long (20% on front, 30% on back left!). Off for a test-drive and quite possibly a purchase on Saturday. Woo-hoo!

I have the grey - still doesn't help me.

What is the package #3? When I bought mine there weren't a heck of a lot of options.

I was originally told there was a 6 month wait list when I ordered mine. But I got it 3 months because someone else changed their mind. Because it was almost identical to what I ordered the dealer gave me a call and asked me if I wanted this one. I drove it & bought it.

 

[amerrydeath]

I love my Toyota, I almost bought an Echo and if I'd had the money I would have bought a Prius. Go for it! Great cars.

 

[Utoo]

What is the package #3? When I bought mine there weren't a heck of a lot of options.

Here's the breakdown for the packages:

NW Package #8 $6,890
Includes backup camera, Smart Key system, JBL Premium AM/FM stereo, 6-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 capability, MP3 input jack, Bluetooth, nine speakers, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, Vehicle Skid Control, security alarm, Homelink, HID headlamps, front foglamps, DVD navigation system, leather seats and leather steering wheel.

NL Package #7 $5,730
Includes backup camera, Smart Key system, JBL Premium AM/FM stereo, 6-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 capability, MP3 input jack, Bluetooth, nine speakers, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, Vehicle Skid Control, security alarm, Homelink, HID headlamps, front foglamps and DVD navigation system. NOT AVAILABLE with NW.

HK Package #6 $3,830
Includes backup camera, Smart Key system, JBL Premium AM/FM stereo, 6-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 capability, MP3 input jack, Bluetooth, nine speakers, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, Vehicle Skid Control, security alarm, Homelink, HID headlamps and front foglamps. NOT AVAILABLE with NL, NW.

HI Package #5 $3,205
Includes backup camera, Smart Key system, JBL Premium AM/FM stereo, 6-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 capability, MP3 input jack, Bluetooth, nine speakers, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, Vehicle Skid Control, security alarm and Homelink. NOT AVAILABLE with HK, NL, NW.

HG Package #4 $1,825
Includes backup camera, Smart Key system, AM/FM stereo, CD player, MP3 capability, MP3 input jack, six speakers, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags and Vehicle Skid Control. NOT AVAILABLE with HI, HK, NL, NW.

HF Package #3 $1,475
Includes backup camera, Smart Key system, AM/FM stereo, CD player, MP3 capability, MP3 input jack, six speakers, front side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags. NOT AVAILABLE with HG, HI, HK, NL, NW.

HE Package #2 $825
Includes backup camera, Smart Key system, AM/FM stereo, CD player, MP3 capability, MP3 input jack and six speakers. NOT AVAILABLE with HF, HG, HI, HK, NL, NW.

Y Package #1 $650
Includes front side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags. NOT AVAILABLE with HE, HF, HG, HI, HK, NL, NW.


I want the side airbags, but don't need the 6-disc cd player (why when you have an ipod?) or navigation, bluetooth, etc-----so that puts me at a Package 3. Unfortunately, the DC area only gets Packages 2,6,7,8. I have an offer to get a 6 at $1000 below MSRP and walk away with it this weekend without a wait, but that still puts me $1600 in the hole for extra stuff that I don't need. So instead, I'm trying to set up trades between dealers in other regions and one in my region. I think I'm doing more work than the dealer is for this, but hey---as long as I get it, that's fine with me.

 

[Utoo]

Just an update---

I got it! Woohoo!!!

We actually got a Package 6. We were able to get it for $1200 BELOW MSRP, which is pretty much unheard of for a Prius right now. In fact, it was only $200 more than the lowest-priced Package 3 I could find. To top it off, because we weren't super picky on color, we actually were able to walk away with one that same day instead of having to wait 3-8 months. Woohoo!

Moving from my old car, which had no power ANYTHING, on to this one, which has a billion super-cushy features (including Bluetooth so I can make a phone call just by talking to the steering wheel), it's pretty damn cool. Pretty daggone pumped!

 

[indra]

Congrats! Sounds like you got a great deal.

Let us know how you like it over the next few months.

 

[Utoo]

Congrats! Sounds like you got a great deal.

Let us know how you like it over the next few months.

Will do!

 

[southpaw_gil]

Congratulations! Sounds like you are a monster at the negotiating table! Enjoy the new car.