Hi! I live in northern California, and I have been waiting for my Prius since November! I got another phone call letting me know that my Seaside Blue 2006 prius didn't make the allocation again. I was number 5 on the list, and they only got four. The sales representative has told me that because of the new 2006 hybrid camrys, the allocation for the Prius is behind. This is what they told me a month ago also. Has anyone else been told this? I have no problem waiting for my car except that I want an HOV sticker because of my commute. I feel like I won't be getting a HOV sticker because of these delays. The sales rep said that I shouldn't worry because every dealership is experiencing this. It is frustrating.
No, every other dealer is not experiencing it. The jury is still out on whether production was cut back to share parts with the Camry. It was a hot rumor for a few days, and helped to be spread even by the Sales Mgr. for Fremont Toyota. But others tried to discredit it. What DID happen was that Toyota leased a pier (or more) in Benicia, establishing a third beachhead on the left coast. Some dealers around here have told customers that THAT caused a specific, measurable delay of no more than one month in certain cars getting dropped off at certain places (very muddy). And yes, when what has happened to you started happening to me, I shifted into hyperdrive, timing out the rest of my life and calling 51 dealers in 5 states in 3 days. And I found a car, took an Amtrak 200 miles and bought it the next day. Do what you will with all that. Where are you? (You can PM me if you don't want to post it). What package do you want? How far will you travel to get one? I may be able to point you somewhere, as I still have all my notes. Yeah, the specific cars from 3 weeks ago would probably be gone, but I have phone numbers, names and I know who sells at MSRP---and a few who will shave off a little.
I agree with the suggestion to broaden your search. In my local area (SoCal) I was getting all kinds of different stories from the option wasnt available to there was no way of ever knowing what was coming in on an allocation. I went ahead and cast my net all the out to San Franciso and found a dealer who said, tell me what you want and I can get it in 3-4 weeks. Two weeks later I had my car. Exact color, exact options at MSRP. Bottom line is that all dealers would like to try and accomodate your need so don't feel locked into any delay or fear tactics.
That's not been my experience. I put myself on the list at Piercey Toyota at the end of 11/05. I put myself on a list a Sunnyvale Toyota on 12/3/05. The latter explained to me that they get whatever Toyota sends them and that if I give them more color and package choices I have a better chance of getting one sooner. But, he told me, expect to wait till March 06 but also said that he'd basically rather underpromise and possibly overdeliver. I gave him 3 choices: silver, pearl, and white, all package #7. Fast forward, I got call from Sunnyvale Toyota ~1/6/06 saying "hey, we got one coming in, it's white [my 3rd choice]. Want it?" WOAH! After ~24 hours of hesitation, I said yes. I picked up the car on 1/14/06. I suggest you widen your search and package and/or color choices. Too bad I took back my deposit from Piercey instead of offering the spot up for sale/free. I'm kicking myself because I forgot about that.
Toyota of Selma still has 2 white '06's on the lot. Not sure what package. They will probably be getting more soon as well since they usually never go below two. When I bought mine there were 7 to choose from. IF you do call ask for Scott Fahrney and tell him Brandon sent you. I promise he will take care of you... just depends on if you feel like going out to selma.
I went to Merced Toyota and had a great experience. I told them exactly what I wanted ( Seaside 06 #8) and they said they would find one for me. In a few hours I got a call on my cell saying the car would arrive in 2 weeks. And sure enough, 2 weeks to the day I went down and picked it up. I don't know how far from Merced you live, but it may be helpful to call them. Ask for Todd Medieros, and say Austin sent you.
I was told the same thing a week or so ago by at least two different dealerships. I've been waiting since December 27th for a Seaside Pearl as well from the Fremont, CA dealership.
One month into my 3-month waiting period I got antsy and started calling dealers around. A week later, I drove off with a Silver Pine Mica amd cancelled my order with the original dealer.
We live in Vancouver, WA, just across the river from Portland, OR. Got our Prius [just the airbag package] off the lot with no waiting from the Toyota dealer in Beaverton, OR, a suburb of Portland. I made up my mind on 2/14, and we took delivery on 2/15...no hassles, no markups, no fooling around - only dealer frou-frou was $99 for useless door-edge guards. Since OR has no sales tax, they will cut you a temp road permit for $20, and then you register the car [and pay applicable sales tax] in your home state. At the time, they had approx 4 others - 2 basic cars, and 2 loaded ones, with no committed buyers. I concur that California buyers need to consider traveling a bit if you want to own the car now. Call or e-mail around, and be flexible about color and equipment, and you can drive yours home very quickly.
