How to deal with Toyota dealerships?

Yes, dealership basically looks at monthly allocation in their area. They asked me what I wanted and then would let me know when they had a Prius close to my specifications. The website makes it look like you can build what you want but the cars are being allocated with arbitrary packages, floor mats etc.

 

Slightly off subject - but man its tacky to charge for floor mats. The front one's should flat out be free, even all four. Talk about nickel and diming buyers.

Question - when contacting dealers regarding pre-order purchase of Toyota do you suggest doing over internet (email), by phone or in person at dealership? Other than test driving and signing final papers (at end game) can you do all other correspondence via emails? Its just nice to have a written record of what you're asking for being it upgrades, price, paint cooler, etc., via email. Plus I hate driving to dealership unless absolutely necessary. But I'm jumping the gun as many here since -

Toyota has not come out with prices for Prime line
You can't test drive the plug-in
There have been no test drive reviews on the Prime plug-in
We don't even know the date Toyota will start selling hatchback

And I'm in the "camp" that all vehicle lines in 2023 are going to be a slower sell due to many factors. Higher interest rates are not car manufacturers and dealers friend, so "don't bite at high dealer mark up" as car stock piles start to pile up.

 

all my vehicles have been internet purchases with no problems. they give you the car spec so you know exactly what you're getting, and also the amount of the check to bring, so you know exacly what you're paying.
that being said, with the limited availability that is likely to come with gen 5 for awhile, it might be a bit more sticky

 

Yes. And no, I think not.

Don't limit yourself to the immediate area.
Find out how far the local dealers "region" goes and go farther away than that with your shopping.

Or tell them what you want and just wait.
It won't be the end of the world if you don't get your dream car this year.

 

The allocation story is real, at least for now. That's how a number of automakers are doing it.

I've never paid a deposit without getting the vehicle's VIN on the receipt, meaning it was already built and either in transit or at another dealer's lot, to be exchanged. This may have changed in the last year or two so keep your eyes open.

 

I’m being told once the allocated car is on its way I’ll be required to put down $1000 refundable deposit. A dealer emails me a copy of the vehicle specs including vin number.
I’m working with this dealership in person because it’s nearby. I thought in the past if you worked through online sales, you sometimes got a better deal but not in this current climate.

 

I have always went with a 'car buying service' like Costco..so I don't have to deal with dealerships.

However, it has been quite a while since we have purchased a new vehicle ( 2013 was the last time! )...so I'm not sure how well the Costco service works these days given the ridiculous state of the market. Anyone have recent experience?

 

Not with Costco.

Bought our last cars online through Edmunds New Car Buying service in 2019 and 2020.

I do not know if they still offer the service - Much preferred the internet car buying service to the Dealer experience. I felt I got a better deal and was able to easily shop multiple dealers. Most importantly I avoided all the Dealership nonsense.

Am interested in Car Broker Services where you tell the Broker the Make, Model and Price you want to pay for a new vehicle, and they shop your choice nationwide to get the best deal. Once they have secured the choice of deals, they then contact you and present you with the options - you make your choice, and they have the car delivered to you.

I may never use an actual Dealership again to purchase a vehicle.

 

Me either. I want to deal with stealerships as little as possible.

Just remembered we have also used TrueCar in the distant past...not sure if they are still a valid option though.

 

If it is "refundable", what's the point ?
They are just screwing with you.
If you don't take it, they probably can sell it the next day.

 

Was at the dealer a few months ago, before the 2023 Prius revival. At that time the service writer said the Deal gets what it gets and the customer has to pick from what is on the lot…even then guessing few new cars to pick from I would guess.
Maybe it will depend on how ‘hot’ the new Prius is to those looking for a new ride else as a Prius upgrade.


They project gas prices to rise to $4+ later on though don’t know if that will drive customers to a Prius. Too me, it just seems making the height of the Prius lower is not a change to be put under the Win comment, Nore is sitting lower in the car, nor less visibility out the back window. I thought the only saving grace is the Primes 38mils on battery only. Well that plus mor hp across both.

 

Toyota wanted to make the 2023 Prius and Prime look more like a sport car. And they achieved that in spades. But in reality - it might look like a sports car but it doesn't perform like a sports car. It performs like a above average sedan with very good gas mileage. I'm going to hold my powder until I sit in the Prime and test drive it. I'm at an age I don't want bend in half just to sit in the front seat of a car, so hopefully the new 2023 model has reasonable access/egress for front seats. I also want decent viewing access when backing up via rearview mirror and not necessarily a camera shot.

 

Of course they could sell it the next day. The point is they don’t want to reserve it for me unless I’m serious about it. Some dealerships are requiring deposit just to be put on waiting list which seems a bit extreme. Back when you could put an order in for a Prius wasn’t a deposit required? Obviously people who aren’t serious don’t usually go through the trouble of putting down a deposit.

 

I agree with your concerns. I’m really hoping it’s comfortable otherwise I don’t know what I’m going to do.I was thinking I could start looking for a 2020-2022 Prius as a backup once people start buying 2023 model but I can’t deal with the lower ground clearance on Gen 4.

The 2023 Prime supposedly has the same style seating and height. Service manager reminded me that “sport style” seating is generally the style or shape of the seat but doesn’t necessarily mean low seating like in a typical sports car. I guess we will find out soon.

 

Perception of would makes a car sporty sure has changed over the years. The 2L Prius acceleration is approaching that of '70s muscle cars, and not the base engine models. More importantly, to me, is that it likely handles better.

As oppose to Toyota's Mirai interest list that included people living thousands of miles away from a hydrogen station and my dog.

 

Hey, at least they decisively break the old 70s muscle car joke "It'll pass anything but a gas pump"

 

“… I could start looking for a 2020-2022 Prius as a backup once people start buying 2023 model but I can’t deal with the lower ground clearance on Gen 4….”
Ok, I have not tracked Prius model year changes. Old age, have to keep looking at my Profile to confirm I owned prior a 2016 IV, which I really enjoyed. Looks, ride (a bit firm but doable). Not much power going up GA/NC hills/mountain passes though.
At any rate, based on your post it seems they lowered the 2020-2022 model line. If so how much might not think vs the 2016 model (honestly I don’t know what Gens each model year represent even).
thanks

 

I was focusing on 2020-2022 because I’m looking for newer model. I know the 2022 has lower ground clearance than 2023 so I assumed (which I shouldn’t) that all of Gen 4 has the same ground clearance.

 

Agree. And the way the pricing is working out, I think many will have a hard time with the 2023 Prius vs. the hybrid camry, etc...

I'm also interested in the 2023 Prime. A PHEV Prius model is about the only 'differentiator' the Prius has vs. a hybrid Camry.