Buying Advice: Questions

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iMichael.org @ Jan 3 2007, 11:31 AM) [snapback]370229[/snapback]</div>

The bluetooth does work for me with my 700P although I do have to reset the Treo sometimes to have the Prius recognize it. It is a little frustrating because my other motorola phone connects flawlessly.

Look at the posts in treocentral if you have problems. I also got one of those Seidio battery covers with the reset hole so I don't have to keep sliding the cover off and on.

Once connected the sound (incoming and outgoing) is good.

So, the initial connection is a pain, the address book is kludgy, but once you get it connected it works fine. I can dial by voice through my address book, and dial by voice by speaking the numbers (and dial by the keypad if I hit my bypass switch )

I have had so many problems using headsets with the 700P, that the bluetooth has been an unexpected godsend. Good luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iMichael.org @ Jan 3 2007, 11:31 AM) [snapback]370229[/snapback]</div>

Hi Michael -
REALLY good questions to be asking. Also, read the forum regarding how much under MSRP to pay. I paid $1000 under MSRP in Los Angeles. I have opinions about some of the questions you asked:

3. Regarding the navigation -- you get other things with the package (such as bluetooth and voice recognition). You can say "go home" and it will take you home. You can _probably_ have other destinations like that, but I haven't experimented with it. The documentation on the voice recognition is horrible -- best documentation is in this forum, not in the owner's manual. Good things about the navigation: integrated with everything which is really important to me and big screen Bad things: you don't get to mess with the buttons while car is in motion (for most functions). Regarding the tom-tom tradeoff, like I said - I like things to be integrated. Also in some states it is not legal to attach anything to your windshield (California for example).

4. Bluetooth. I'm not a Treo (or palm) person. Having said that, I _demand_ a cell phone that is in some way integrated with a car so that the stereo mutes, I can answer the phone by pressing a button, etc. You can get a bluetooth kit that you can plug into the back of the non-NAV audio unit (I'm pretty sure) that will be plug and play, but you won't have the steering wheel buttons. But it will mute the stereo (I'm pretty sure). I very much like the bluetooth that came with the car, although it will not download my phone book (I have an old bluetooth phone). Depending on your phone, it may or may not: download your phone book, display signal strength, display caller id.

7. Cupholders. I don't drink coffee. Cupholders are for taking small stuffed animals on holidays and providing them with appropriate seating locations. Having said that, I also don't know what a MiGo mug is. But there are lots of cup holders. Two in the front of the center console, one in each front door pocket. HINT: take your MiGo mug to the dealer and see if it fits well.

9. What to look for at test drive -- if at all possible, find a friend who owns a prius and drive it for longer than a test drive. If not, make sure that the seats fit you well (I like them, my partner likes them, and we are both fussy about car seats). I find that the cruise control stalk that ROTATES with the steering column to be annoying because it hits my legs (I'm tall). You may find little things about the car that you love/hate. (YES you can turn off the horrible beeping when you put the car in Reverse).

Unsolicited car advice - figure out what you want before you go and buy one. Offer the dealer who provides the test drive the first option for the best price, and then leave. Go call the largest dealers within a few hundred miles and tell them you can come in today and pay for the car and drive it away and ask for their best price under MSRP. No dealer add-ons allowed. Buy the car over the phone, much less painful that way. Much better deal that way. Oh, and if you want the extended warranty, buy that from Troy (read the forum).

 

FYI: Apparently the Prius is in oversupply at Toyota dealers. My local dealer must have 30 on the lot compared to 5 in Nov. Looks like a good time to buy.

 

What are the chances I might get a good deal on a 2010 Prius right now? Or, should I wait and if so, how long? I'm thinking that because of the recall, dealers will be eager to sell the cars that are not affected by this recall in an effort to generate some revenue.

 

Ask in the Gen III forum and look for people who bought the package you want near you. I saved $1 by doing so back in 07. Compare quotes to get a better price.

It would be interesting to find of the recall has affected prices.

In the DC/Baltimore area it helps to buy at the end of the quarter when large dealerships compete for volume of cars sold.