Need to buy car for first time. Probably a prius. What is a good dealer? Live in NW DC.

[Anonymous]

Thanks in advance for any advice you have as I don't know know too much about car buying.

[Anonymous]

We got our Toyota at Darcars in Silver Spring. We did the email/best out the door/wait a week/etc dance with 3 dealerships and they were by far the most responsive + cheapest.

[Anonymous]

Why a Prius? Which model of it? They have a few models.

Will you do mostly highway or city driving? What's your typical number of miles driven per day or week?

There are no car dealers in DC proper any more, but plenty in Bethesda+Rockville and Tysons.

[Anonymous]

You’ll want to test drive a Prius and comparable models first. Decide what features you want then shop around online. Find the dealership willing to give you the best deal. Don’t take the first price they give you. They will negotiate.

[Anonymous]

Why not a Chevy Volt or better still Nissan Leaf?

[Anonymous]

Still loving my 2005 Prius.
Best thing I ever bought.

[Anonymous]

I don't know much about models of cars and wanted to choose one that is environmentally friendly. This will be mostly city driving. We use care share right now and I would estimate we drive anywhere from 0 to 7 miles a day. So I guess it averages out to about 30 miles a week. I will look at those other models. Concerned about test driving and any contact with the dealer but also want to move forward because we have a child with asthma and part of the reason I want the private car is so that she won't be exposed in car share or on public transport.

[Anonymous]

I got mine at Carmax, slightly used-- it's been a great car, I highly recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know much about models of cars and wanted to choose one that is environmentally friendly. This will be mostly city driving. We use care share right now and I would estimate we drive anywhere from 0 to 7 miles a day. So I guess it averages out to about 30 miles a week. I will look at those other models. Concerned about test driving and any contact with the dealer but also want to move forward because we have a child with asthma and part of the reason I want the private car is so that she won't be exposed in car share or on public transport.

https://www.koonschevybuickgmc.com/new-inventory/index.htm?model=Bolt%20EV

Chevy Bolt. It's all electric, with a 250mile range, so you'd need to charge it up once every 2 months if you drive 30 miles/week. Plenty of charging stations around or charge at home (you can use a regular electrical outlet, it just takes longer).

Prices are as low as high 20's. It's also exempt from DC excise tax and lower registration fees:
https://dmv.dc.gov/page/hybrid-vehicle-excise-tax-exemption

More envronmentally friendliy than a hybrid Prius, and doesn't come with a factory-installed "Coexist" bumper sticker either.

[Anonymous]

There are no good/bad dealers.
Go to Toyota's site, request a quote, and you'll get a bunch from local dealers. Compare, play them off each other, and then buy.