Buying Prime but not test driving?

these are only refundable deposits

 

Like everything else, this gets involved.
When you give a down-payment, the dealership will say if it's refundable or not.
That should also be very clear on the contract, and should be shown to you.

But, "in the real world", there are scum dealerships and great dealerships.
Even with a $5K deposit, if the Dealership "drags it's heals" in refunding the money, the only "real" option is for the person to take the dealership to small claims court.
Or, maybe, try to find a low-cost lawyer that will send a nasty letter to the Dealership, and charge you less than $1K for just the quick letter. Forget about using a lawyer in court, the cost would likely start well over $5K.

Like many other automotive related issues, Steve Letho talked about that exact subject.

Fwiw, $500 is more common.
Again, you are not doing a custom order - no such thing with Toyota.
You are asking to get a vehicle that Toyota has already decided to make.

For GM, and Ford, it's possible to do real custom orders.
Previously, that included 100% custom colors (not cheap, but do-able, for an individual).
For those in the know, for some models, they can even order options not publicly published.
For some models, there are various sites, and reports, that will indicate how many models where produced with the exact "x, y, z" options.

Example, SuperBird build info:
Superbird - Data Investigation and Analysis
Superbird - NASCAR Serial Number List - Sorted



Good Luck!

 

Pretty sure an actual VIN is required for sales contract.

A deposit for a reservation on a list, or to hold a car, may or may not be refundable, but in my experience these were around $500.

 

Yes, that's 100% correct!

I just went through the whole process in May 2022.

I forget what my "pre-order" form/paper was called.
There is an official, and proper name, that Toyota gives that paper/form.

My salesperson had to "start anew", when my car's VIN was known, and the car was approved for sale (at the local dock, and after shipping post inspection).

Again, be careful, there are dealerships that do not follow the law.
They keep lawyers, like Steve Letho, busy and wealthy.

Up until this past year, for decades, many Florida Dealerships where infamous for "doing what they wanted to do".
This year, the State cracked down on the scum Dealerships.
Hmm, attention to the issues because of youtube, or the newspaper? Or, maybe higher political ambitions for some Florida politicians? Regardless, for decades, many people in Florida get very screwed by many dishonest dealerships.
So, yes, "Let's be careful out there".

 

i haven't read of anyone signing a purchase order, not even sure toyota allows it