How long does a factory order take?

That little bit of AWD won't help much in the snow. Most of the problems in snow driving are with turning and stopping, neither of which is improved by that AWD feature. My 2018 Prime goes fine in the snow here in Nebraska with OEM tires.

For my money, I would get the non-AWD model, and if the snow performance was inadequate get some snow tire mounted on steel wheels or junkyard alloy wheels. Less money than AWD, none of the weight or space compromises, and better overall snow performance.

 

Go to http://www.cars.com and use the advanced search for preference using all miles from your zip. If your Dealership can't (because of Region) or won't get you one, go get it yourself.

 

I spent $125 to fly to California to pick up my 2018 Prime. Local dealers very little stock, no price movement. Saved a lot going elsewhere and driving it home.

 

Very few times in my life have I had to go outside my Region once I built a relationship with my Dealership/s...and that was only because specific year/model production had ended. You can order though. Prius still comes from Japan though so it's best to do that early which means there's a trade off loosing Regional "discounts" later.

 

Most dealers will not order. They will either check what is coming into regional stock or trade with another dealer. Our preferred salesman also handles fleets, so my son was able to get him to special order a Prius v as a fleet of one car.

A few years ago I had a dealer who CLAIMED they were going to order my 2000 Tundra. They ended up trading with another dealer & swapping some parts with another truck. My "new" truck has 500 miles on it at delivery. When I first drove it, my 2WD truck has a non-functional 4WD switch on the dashboard.

 

As it relates here, you are mostly right. If a customer's desired vehicle is not within their Region...or inbound to it's "port"...they will place an order if you make that year/model production cutoff date. If they won't...find another place to spend your money. If it's to late...go buy it where ever it is, because they do not "trade" between Regions for a single retail customer sale. Fleet is always best in Region, unless you know the Boss. I have found http://www.cars.com and a few phone calls are the best tools used outside your Region.

 

But did they let you escape California registration fees? I've heard that California is not as friendly as other states when delivering to buyers that will register in other states.

 

Yes. I had to pay their sales tax but got a one-way transit tag and did not register there.

 

If your home state gives credit for paying CA sales tax, then you'd net just a 1.75% penalty (7.25% CA minus 5.5% NB, possibly needing adjustment for added local taxes.)

I don't believe my state gives such a credit. Many cities here have combined sales tax of 10+%.

 

Sales tax where I live is 7.5%, and the CA tax was 9.25%. Even with the extra tax, the car was a lot less expensive than buying locally. I only wish there was a reciprocal agreement with California so the taxes could be paid in my home state. Plus, I got some family visiting done and a nice road trip out of the deal.

As long as the taxes paid out of state are equal or greater to what would be owed in Nebraska, no Nebraska sales tax is collected.

 

Oh, I didn’t realize that about the front wheel drive xle having the lithium ion. Is that as good as the nickel?

 

The Li-ion battery was only used in the PiP in the US. Most Gen 4 trims except for the lower levels are Li-Ion.
The NiMH battery is an improved version of what was used in previous Prius generations.

Toyota says the Li-Ion battery loses capacity in cold weather.

 

So probably not great in Minneapolis.
I would rather have the nickel, as the gen 3 model has. We have been fairly happy with that, but I am no longer in the market.

 

just as a point of reference, unsure if you are still interested in buying a car. My experience with a toyota dealership in Minnesota was approximately 8 weeks with very little incentive offered from the dealership as far as msrp and interest.

 

Please send photos. What color did you go with?

 

very nice! hope you enjoy it.

 

i just checked my ;local dealer, 6 prius in stock, all awd. i wonder what they're thinking?