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2008 Toyota Prius Overview
Price Range:
$21,100 to $23,370
Our Price: Ask Us
As the best-selling hybrid vehicle in America, the Toyota Prius has built a reputation as the car of choice for eco-conscious consumers. With stellar fuel economy, low carbon emissions, and a lower base price than last year’s model, the 2008 Toyota Prius is more enticing and affordable than ever before. The highlight of the Prius is the Hybrid Synergy Drive system, combining a 1.5 liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a 500 volt electric motor to deliver estimated fuel economy ratings of 48 MPG city and 45 MPG highway – currently the highest ratings of any vehicle in the U.S. The electric motor powers the vehicle until it reaches about 12 mph, at which point the gasoline engine engages in a virtually seamless transition. During acceleration, the electric motor provides additional power when needed. When the car is stopped or coasting, the gasoline engine turns off and the battery pack recharges. The base Prius comes with a lower starting price than last year, and as a result has fewer standard amenities. However, it’s still very well-equipped, with standard push button start, keyless entry, AM/FM CD with six speakers, and power mirrors. Touring models add a tuned suspension for better handling and on-road feel, stylish 16” alloy wheels, and high intensity discharge headlamps with integrated fog lamps for superior nighttime illumination. Music lovers can choose an optional AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with nine speakers, MP3 playback, and satellite radio capability. The optional voice-activated DVD navigation system offers detailed maps and directions with an easy-to-use display, while the backup camera offers a view of what’s behind the vehicle to assist with parking. Front, side, and side curtain airbags are standard equipment. Traction control provides sure-footed handling by minimizing wheel spin in slippery conditions or quick takeoffs. The Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force distribution and Brake Assist provide solid stopping power. Considered by many to be the standard bearer for hybrid vehicles, the 2008 Toyota Prius delivers a perfect mix of excellent fuel economy, low-emissions technology, and modern safety innovations.
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Secret 1
Consumer
Incentives |
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Zero percent financing, employee discount, cash back, out-the-door price tags...
Most dealers work hard to offer the public competitive prices. These incentives can grab your attention, but they can also obscure the actual terms you're getting on your purchase.
How can you fully understand incentives to get the lowest possible price on your car?
Get our free quote, and we'll tell you the secret.
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Secret 2
Finance &
Insurance |
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Most state franchise laws prohibit manufacturers from selling cars directly to the public, so the dealer will be your middleman. But in terms of financing and insurance, you can choose a bank or the dealer directly.
How can you determine what's in your best interest?
Get our free quote, and we'll tell you the secret.
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Secret 3
Additional
Costs |
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Destination charges, taxes, license and title fees, advertising fees... When going to a dealership, you must ask for an explanation of any fee you don't understand. But you need to choose your battles wisely. Your local car dealer may have taken a loss or slim profit along the way, and your fighting over something like a doc fee when the deal is nearly wrapped up may be counterproductive.
In any case, there are many fees and charges in the sale process: some inevitable, others questionable. How do you tell them apart?
Get our free quote, and we'll tell you the secret.
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Secret 4
Trade-in
Value |
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If you currently own a car, it probably represents profit. The question is, whose profit will it be?
With few exceptions, you'll get the most money for your used car by selling it privately. That's because dealers pay wholesale prices — not retail prices — for used cars, and they sell them at retail.
Your current car's value can be used to lower the price on your new car. However, most people underestimate their used car's value when going to a dealership. How can you maximize your value?
Get our free quote, and we'll tell you the secret.
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Secret 5
Dealer
Holdback |
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The car manufacturer holds back a fraction of the price of all vehicles the dealership sells. Then, it returns the money to the dealership, usually on a quarterly basis.
Dealer holdback began its life as a safety net that ensured the manufacturers would have a security deposit of sorts if a dealership missed payments, and the dealerships would have money on hand to cover overhead costs when the holdback was returned.
How can you take advantage of dealer holdbacks to get the bottom line price?
Get our free quote, and we'll tell you the secret. |
Secret 6
Dealer
Incentives |
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Unlike consumer incentives, dealer incentives are factory-to-dealer incentives that reduce the dealer's true cost to buy the vehicle from the factory to below invoice.
Manufacturers offer these incentives on a regional basis to generate sales on specific models. These incentives are sometimes referred to as "spiffs," and they can touch off competition among dealers to move slower-selling stock.
For instance, a dealer incentive may kick in when a certain sales target is reached, with each subsequent sale resulting in a higher factory-to-dealer rebate. How can you benefit from that?
Get our free quote, and we'll tell you the secret. |
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