Does such a dealer even exist?

Have you checked out cars.com? This is what I’ve used to find my last 3 vehicles. Pretty good search engine. It pulls up 90 Prime advanced 2018 models in red with black interior. You would just need to look through them to see if the options you want are on them.

 

Meh, plan B's are overrated.
Stick with Plan A, unless it fails.
If you otherwise like this dealership, and have a good relationship with them, then give them the chance to do the work, and get you the vehicle you want.
I would imagine the dealership has better connections and leverage to find and obtain the vehicle you want, see if they can do it first.

I agreed with your decision to pass on accepting the damaged vehicle. But the "cost" of that decision is going to be time and patience.

Unless it's an emergency situation, what's the "worst case" here? Starting from scratch and another 5 week wait?
That doesn't seem that bad to me.
I enjoy the anticipation.
Unless you absolutely need a vehicle ASAP, I'd just stay the course.

 

You were smart not to accept a damaged car as a new car. Good luck on your search. You will love the car.

 

Using buytoyota.com and feeding zip 60007 for Chicago. I see 8 inventory listed for 2018 Prime Advanced in Supersonic Red.
Vehicle Inventory Results | Inventory Search | Chicago.BuyAToyota.com

Unfortunately, out of 8, 5 of them have moonstone interior. so that leaves only 3. Only one of those 3 includes Protection package you are asking, and none has Shifter Applique mentioned, but you can add those options yourself after you have your car, much cheaper than dealer installed.

 

From the same link site, there seems to be plenty of other color choices available (32 vehicles in advanced trim). And if you lower your trim to Premium and Plus, there are 25 additional vehicles in stock. If you are willing to take other colores or trims, you will have better chance to negotiate the price on the in-stock vehicles. If I were you, I would try to get better price on them since dealers are much more likely to come down on price on a car in their inventory than one they have to order new.

 

I wouldn't bend on what you want in your car. You're putting out enough money that you should get what you want. Even if that takes a tad more time or effort on your part or their part. It'll be worth it when you get it.

Something else to look into is getting a car shipped to you. That may put you out another $1000 bucks or so but you could potentially get one from a state(NY/CO) that offers that much or more in flat discounts on one. Some dealers will do over-the-phone agreements and or get a cheap day flight to hash out the signatures at the dealership and then the car shipping company, and you can demand photos of the whole car and undercarriage(they've got lifts) beforehand.

P.S. the Hyper-sonic red is gorgeous! Especially in the sun. I almost wish I had gotten it.

 

Yea, I agree. Hold out for what you desire, otherwise you'll just regret it later. I've been going with my friend's advice since moving from a regular Prius to the PiP. She said I spend so much time in the car, I better get the one I want even if it cost more and be happy driving it - something along those lines. I spent a little more back then and I spent a little more to get the more available Prime Advance in the Metallic Gray instead of Premiums in other colors now. I don't regret it.

The Hypersonic Red is definitely beautiful. I could've bought that in the Premium trim, but I stuck with the Metallic Gray simply because I didn't want to stick out in the sea of cars. There's an anonymity I enjoy with a muted color Prius since there's a bajillion of them around me everyday, although I think the Prime's body styling itself makes it stick out a bit anyways. Still happy, but I guess I could've reconsidered the red. lol

 

Are you a Costco member? If so, you can use their service to locate a dealer with the car options you want in stock. This includes special Costco pricing.
I did not use this for my last purchase because Costco would not let me use my delaer who had the car in stock. Costco's system said they did not have it I paid a little extra to get my preferred salesman.

 

Hunt for this:
2018 Prime Advanced
Hypersonic Red/Black Interior
The rest of the things are add-ons that you can get later. What is the "rear shelf?" Is that the window shade like thing that covers the rear? I'll sell you ours.

Try another dealership, and ask them to use their car locator to find what you want from another dealership if necessary. This also shows what's in the pipeline to be delivered soon, information you can't find elsewhere.

Did you get the VIN on the damaged car? You want to be sure you don't get that one offered to you from a different dealer.

 

That's a good idea, sir. It would be very kind of you to give one of your Toyota's to your son. Only 30,000 miles on that '09 Venza??? That car would definitely enjoy being driven! My '05 Camry went bad because it wasnt driven far enough / often enough. (We gave another Camry to a granddaughter.)

I hope I dont repeat my same mistake with my Prius. Becoming a couch potato. All that expensive "high-tech" just going to waste. Just sitting there. Being retired, I dont drive nearly as much. Now I have fo force myself to take it for a daily drive... as silly as that sounds.

 

Tl,dr.

 

I wouldn't touch that with a 10' pole (or I wouldn't buy that with your money!). You gotta look out for number 1! You didn't mention if they were discounting the car because of the damage?

 

Wow, that sucks. Probably non-discoverable because it was still with the company/manufacturer.