I don't have a trade-in and want to order a Prius exactly how I want it because I can't seem to find what I want on the lots (I'd usually have to compromise color, sunroof, nav, etc). I've never ordered a car before, and was wondering if anyone who has could explain how they went about doing it? Were you able to negotiate a price? Did you pay more than buying one off the lot or above MSRP? How long did you have to wait? I would imagine it would cost more to order a Prius than to buy one off the lot, but I'm okay with that because it's hard to find a blue Prius IV with the solar roof, bisque interior, nav, ipod adapter, remote start, seat heaters, and the illuminated door sill (you can tell I'm picky). I haven't made a phone call to a dealer yet because I feel more comfortable going in when I know what to expect. I've requested quotes from the Toyota website and dealers would tell me they could install a sunroof (which I want done when manuactured, not at a dealer), or could find one from another lot.. Any advice would help. Thanks!
From what I understand, it will take months to actually order a car, if you can even find a dealer that is willing to do that. The dealers will prefer to swap cars with other dealers to try to match what you want. One way that I found to search online is to go to the different dealer's websites in your area and search their inventory. The way to tell whether the car is actually assigned to the dealer versus the region is if the entire VIN is displayed. I did this during C4C to find the exact car that I wanted. I found my car at a dealer 100 miles from me. The local dealer wanted to put me in someting on his lot rather than find what I wanted. They did not even show any interest in trying to find my car at a different dealership. The interesting thing is that the dealership where I found my car is owned by the same corporation and is considered a sister dealership. As for negotiation, I paid full MSRP for mine at the time since they were selling so well during C4C. I got my discount through C4C, so I cannot help you much in the negotiation area.
Check to see when the deadline is for ordering a 2010. My guess is that it's approaching soon. You may end up ordering a 2011.
I have ordered mine. But I live in Europe. I´ve never bought a car from the lot, since the dealer never have something standing, that I like. So I ordered my Prius in January and it arrived this month. So some waiting time is necessary.
For Toyotas in the US, you can't "order" a car like you can with some other manufacturers. The dealer can "preference" a car, which means they communicate to Toyota US the configuration they want, and hopefully they'll get it. Here's a post describing the process: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...nounced-april-10-19-i-believe.html#post825575 Regarding price, all other things being equal, you'll typically get a lower price on a car they can sell today, as opposed to one coming in at a later date.
Unless your list of feathures includes, " Having The Minimum Wage Transport Driver Break-In my New Prius at 75 MPH " make certain that the dealers quoting you on the car have the instruction that a New Prius has less than 5-10 miles on the odometer, and No More, so if they intend to get your Prius from another dealer's inventory, they need to pay to have it put on a car carrier and brought to you. Otherwise think "Ferris Beuhler's Day Off" when they let the valet parking attendants have the keys to the Ferrari. WRITE DOWN everything exactly as you expect on delivery, and include the above warning, and make copies of it for yourself and each of the Toyota Dealers you privlidge by allowing them to quote you a price on the new Prius. Good Luck. . . . . And one more thing, if any slippery salesman tries to tell you how many miles should be on YOUR new Prius, check out the thread here, and tell him to do the same. Saves arguing, and aggravation.
You are looking for a IV Solar. The illuminated door sills & remote engine start are post production options. They are either installed at the port or dealer. The rest is standard or part of the package. The AAA price here is $29569 which is below invoice. Best wishes for finding your car. (If your Region doesn't order your combination you will have to look farther out.)
Just put down a deposit on a Prius IV that USAA found for me. It has everything I wanted and I'm having the additional options installed once the parts come in. $29,529.00 before the $1000 military rebate. Very close! Can't wait to pick it up
Negotiating 101. Why would you walk in to a dealer proposing an order to your requirements???? Make the sales person make a sale. Let him/her tell you what it will take to get your money.
