Test drove Level 3 with ATP and turned down deal

Saturday morning, I visited the local Toyota dealer to get a ROM (Rough Order of Magnitude) cost for the Level 3 with TSS-P. The first sales critter could't find one but he got the one I'd been working with. I pointed out I am really interested in a Level Two ECO with automatic braking. However, I would look at a Level Three with TSSP. I was about to walk out when the 'sales manager' came over and said,'Why we have on right here.'

Now they were not going to give me a ROM until a test drive. So after inspecting the window sticker where there was $1,200 of 'port charges' (SouthEast Toyota thieves.) Listed price $33,000 but they might have one they can ship in. We confirmed the windows were not tinted at the Port:

Me, "I am 66 years old and no cataracts."

"We can tint them for you!" the sales manager happily said.

"NO, I want to see at night and tinted windows would kill the deal."​

So we're off for the test drive after resetting the A and B trip meters. The first disappointment, the moon roof. I really don't want one but there it was. So we drove to a test area in a business park. Casual conversation until we reached my regular test loop. There I explained we are going to do one test loop followed by five for the count.

The first problem is cruse control only goes down to 28 mph with the radar on. We were not able to turn it off to see if goes to 23 mph. But 28 mph was close enough. After getting things settled, I reset the A tripmeter and we did five more loops at 28 mph. One good thing, it doesn't kick you out of cruise control when the speed dips under 28 mph.

During the loops, the salesman was suitably impressed with the mileage. I explained the low and high points of the loop and how every loop brings down the peak and valley MPG numbers towards the true MPG at 28 mph. At the end, we had 99.1 MPG which disappointed me. I was expecting 110-120 MPG. So we headed back to the dealer.

The automatic following cruise control is nice but I was a little surprised at the 'abrupt' stop at a light. I hadn't seen that non-linear braking since our 2003 … or I've learned Prius braking. <grins>

We got back to the dealership and they took $5k off. Nice but I explained I am really after a Level Two with TSSP. Their offer ends Monday but I'm not interested because of the performance which they explained as due to the higher weight of the moon roof.

Bob Wilson

 

I told them it was a fair price but it isn't the Prius I want. The 2017 Prius will be coming with TSSP in a year and that will be the car I want. But one good thing came out of it.

I'm going to put our 170k mile, 2003 for sale. Time to clean it out; install the inverter coolant pump; add the 12V solar tickle charger, and; last tune-up. I'll put it up for private sale to family and if no one is interested, I'll give it to our house keeper. It is time she have a car that won't pick her pocket at the gas pump.

Bob Wilson

 

We have a winner!

Bob Wilson

Thanks but I already figured out that problem. So right now, it comes down to:

• i3-Rex (used) - good city car with the ability to reach Nashville and return on a day trip.
• 2017 Level 2 ECO - with TSS-P (pedestrian)

So the way I see it, prices on used i3-Rex are going my way. A year from now, I should be able to find them in the $25-30k range, easily. I've already found one for $30k and easily in buy-and-pickup range. There will be more as time is on my side.

The competition is the 2017 Level 2 ECO with TSS-P. It should be available in about 8-12 months and I plan to be alive in that time range (God is doubled on the floor laughing his nice person off … the angels are getting worried.)

I'm starting to simplify my life for low, operational cost systems and reducing the 'inventory'. One wild-card is to do a major home improvement but that is for another time and place. Regardless, the 2003 is being offered to my 'Facebook' family and friends. If no one shows any interest, I'll offer it to my housekeeper and her family. Still no interest, at estimated value of $2,000, I can 'take a loss.'

At 66, I don't have enough time remaining to buy something that pisses me off every morning. So the clock is ticking.

Bob Wilson

 

No rush on the 2010. If I pull the trigger on a used i3-Rex, the 2010 stays a little longer until I add the two, 5 gal extended range extender tanks carried on the tow bar.

Bob Wilson

 

I share the sentiment about SE Toyota but this was Toyota's fault.

Someone thought that Level 2 without TSS-P would succeed. I would volunteer one word for their 2016 review: OPPS.

Bob Wilson