Interesting fact recently released by Toyota is that 80% of "C"s purchased are either 2's or 3's that are chosen. Since I chose the "C" #3, I seem to be with that 80%. The conclusion that comes to me is that people seem to not want too little and not too much in accessories--thus the choice of 2 or 3.
Makes sense, the 1's price brings em in the door, the 4 doesn't really offer that much over the 3 for most customers.
to some extent this is a chicken and egg thing. toyota decides which mix of cars to build. people are choosing to buy configurations that are "built", not necessarily off the lot, but ones that are in the system and that were chosen to be built by toyota. everything i've read says toyota doesn't do special orders, so especially early on here while they're still selling their initial production of "their choice" of distribution of cars, this metric seems like they're drinking the bathwater. what about all the people who couldn't get the car they wanted right away and settled for 1 or 4. or even 2 or 3 for that matter if they wanteed 1 or 4. a strangly japanese, toyota thing, to build 80% of the c's as 2 or 3, then say, look, we predicted it exactly right, 80& of the people want 2 or 3's. (i'm considering that dealers appear to be selling out whatever comes in fast, which seems to be the case around here, but not for dianne w at carson toyota, who has quite a few c's available in inventory for quite some time) i think we all know of some changes we'd make in the 4 trim to make it more appealing to us. over time, toyota will clearly be looking at the preferences that are placed by dealers and customers to see what the unmet demand is, and possibly shift production in that direction. they just had to start somewhere. thanks for the note mary, good discussion topic.
A slightly bogus "stat" since that is what Toyota is making and shipping. I would likely have gotten a Prius C/4 vs. the Prius3/3 if the dealer had one on the lot. All were C/2's or C/3's. So more a case of people buying what Toyota is making.
Agreed! When I went to the local dealership, they only had two C's - Three with Sunroof package and Four with 16" Alloy package. Originally I was looking for C3 but I didn't really want sunroof in my car and I didn't want to wait 60+ days for the car I want, and since the dealer offered me a discount (I've got my C4 for the price of C3 with sunroof package + free tinting) I was sold for C4 and I am happy ever since.
I originally wanted a C3 with Sunroof but there was no availability locally to me (only C2 & C4) so I settled on a C2. It actually came closer to my budget anyway so financially I'm happier with the 2, and I think the sunroof dream will quickly fade when my C2 finally arrives and I get behind the wheel Truth be told, if they had a C3 with sunroof in the color I wanted sitting on the dealer lot waiting for me to test drive, I would have spent more and got the 3 I originally wanted.
I agree with this. Especially right now, that when The Prius c is so "new" and popular. Most of the stories are people walking onto the lot and making purchase decisions based on what is available. Chicken or Egg? Makes sense that Toyota would speculate the "Middle Road" would be the most popular...and build and ship more...2,3's... But I also think right now...a lot of people are simply buying what they are finding available. Which of course, is a majority of 2's and 3's... The Prius c, has made a triumphant entry into The Prius family. But when the smoke clears it will be the "entry level" Prius. Which means I would expect 2,3's to be the most popular configurations.
Well at my dealership they have a black 1 and a habanero 3, im waiting for a white 3 with a sunroof which i dont want but if i want that color and dont want to wait longer then 2 weeks i will settle, which im kinda looking forward to the sunroof now haha. But i didnt want a 1 because of no center console and i went for a 3 because the gps on an iPhone sucks.
I am sure you will love GPS on your PC! By the way slight change of original subject, but since we have some conversation about GPS I have a question which is on my mind for a while. This is my first inbuilt GPS and I am kinda curious, when the time will come to update the maps is it going to cost me something at dealership or it is going to be for free?
Because my last two Toyotas were not 100% what I wanted, I am waiting for my new C. I am not compromising and buying what is built this time. That's the plan, even though I am so excited to have a C. ;-)
Not surprised. It comes with a lot of features that people want and at a price that most people think is reasonable (I mean, the Two comes in at under $20k plus taxes, right?). It's also probably why Toyota Canada decided to have a well equipped based model. Ours starts at Cdn$20,950 for what is essentially a Prius c Two in the US Except that you can order what you want if you're willing to wait. Here in Canada, you can order any car you want (within the packages and options that are specified in the brochure of course) if there isn't one with the options and colour you want within the same province (though I have heard them shipping it across provinces if need be but not very often as it's expensive and probably crosses "jurisdictions" set out by Toyota regional offices, just a guess). Our last 3 Toyotas were factory-ordered (most likely because we bought them at launch).
I wanted the 2 but the sales manager begged me to take their 1 at a great price, since I'd supposedly have to wait 2-3mo for my color in a 2. Hardest thing is not having cruise control, an arm rest, or 6 way adjustable seats. The sales guy said he knew a company that could install cruise control, and then told me they were still working on it. I got a great deal, but I just did a road trip 1800miles roundtrip from cali to Washington and I told myself on the first leg up, next time I'm renting! I'm thinking of trading in, even though I've already bought an aftermarket alarm, and sharkfin. I also wish these cars had a dead pedal to rest my left foot. That and wheel well covers so I don't see all those ugly seams. And a quieter ride lol.- I really thought my car had an air leak till I drove another C in pkg 3.
I'm planning on having my C for a long time and from past experience I know it is usually easier and cheaper to have the factory install all the equipment for me on the assembly line. That is why I went for a C4.
