Jesus H. Christ, guys...I'm not into the Toyota "moonie" thing by anyone's stretch of their imagination. Simply stating facts...period. I don't give a chit what you drive, want to drive, have driven, or is sitting in your driveway not being driven. And the last thing I'm trying to do is sell anyone on this site a car personally, as that would be geographically impossible, in 99% of the cases. I'm just telling what I know to be true, as I would for HD aftermarket products. The decision is always up to the individual reader.
The FACT of the matter is the AVERAGE working Joe out there is upside down on their vehicle, unless they paid cash (which, by the way is a rare person, if you've lost touch with what's happening with middle America, of which I am one). Well over half the people who trade their car in, for whatever reason, owe more than it's worth, for whatever reason. Those are the facts, from simple observation. I don't encourage, or discourage, people from doing what they WANT to do, and anyone who knows me would also know that I would never take advantage of someone, regardless.
As for a 3% profit for me on commission, I've got news for you buddy...if I was making that off each sale, I wouldn't have my beloved SEUC up for sale right now, so you don't know what the F you're talking about. Have you ever tried to sell 15 cars a month to make a pay plan work for you, so you can pay your house payment and other bills? If you've got money because of the choices in life you've made, more power to you, and I'm glad for you. I'm just a working guy who's struggled for everything I've got, has to be in debt or have nothing at all, and have no regrets for any of my choices in life. I've never been handed a red cent in my life, and don't anticipate that happening, even if somebody dies.
Also, please note, as did BM, that I am comparing apples to apples when it comes to trucks. Many Toyota's are built right here in this country, particularly the trucks, and are giving hard working Americans good paying jobs. They do practice the same manufacturing standards and practices of the Japanese plants...but, that is obviously not a bad thing since Ford, GM, Chrysler and others are sucking hind tits right now. Camry is the best selling car in America right now, and has been for 11 of the past 12 years, and Corolla is the best selling car in the WORLD, with over 30 million sold, with not ONE single recall since it's introduction, some 30 plus years ago. Those are cold hard facts, and ones which other manufacturers would like to achieve, if they have their chit together.
As for a Prius, the price for package 6 is almost 31k, plus taxes. Please refer to Toyota.com and build your own. And I'm also not saying it's "right" to charge over MSRP, but unfortunately, I'm not Mr. Toyota, so have no control over that...I'm just the messenger, so don't shoot me.
I'm also in no shape, form, or fashion suggesting anyone here buy a Toyota, particularly from me. Get whatever you want, from whomever you want, and pay for it however you want, or are able. I'm certainly no advocate of anyone financing negative equity, but I AM a realist, and some people may not have a choice, or if they do, they CHOOSE to do what they want to do at the time, and my job is not to force them into any choice, but merely to point out the benefits of owning the product I'm selling, which is one of the best out there...period. Otherwise, I would not be selling them. That is my personal standard, and the reason I cannot work for any other brand.
My intent was to point out that the product saves fuel, and for some people that is a deciding factor in making a purchase. That is a personal decision, and I'm not in a position to criticize anyone for the choices they make, as I've f'd up more than once in my lifetime.
So give me a f'ing break here...