Hello All, This is my first post to the forum. I would like a 2014 Nautical Blue Prius Five (not V) with dark grey interior and the Advanced Technology Package. This car is nowhere to be found. My local dealer has explained to me that Toyota does not do special orders for Toyota cars made in Japan (like the Prius). He explains that all they do is 'preference' cars for a certain dealership. According to him, 'preferencing' means that when a car of the color/options that I want is made, that car is destined for the dealership I'm working with. That being said, preferencing a car does not motivate Toyota to make that particular color combination, it just means that when and if that car is ever made, it will be sent to my dealership (assuming no one is ahead of me in line). Six weeks ago, I preferenced a Nautical Blue Prius and was told that I should expect it in 6-8 weeks. Today, the dealership called me and told me that Toyota has not made ANY cars in the last month and half that meet my criteria, and that there's no guarantee that they ever will. He added that since they haven't made any in the past month and a half, it's likely that they won't make that color/option combination any time soon. I tell this long story because it all uses different language than I hear from another local Toyota dealership, and different language than I hear from the chat expert on Toyota's website. They both talk about special ordering a car, and that while I can't break apart an options package and get, say, DRCC without LKA, I can certainly special order an options package in a certain color. They give me a longer timeframe (8-12 weeks), but tell me I will definitely get the car I want. Now, I'm trying to decide if I give in and just get another color Prius, or do I continue to wait for a car that may never arrive, or do I bag the deal with dealership A and start the process over with dealership B who says they can special order me a Prius? Are they just trying to get my business? Does anyone have any experience they could share about ordering a Prius in a specific color? Is anyone familiar with the difference between 'special ordering' and 'preferencing'? Does anyone know if my car will ever arrive if I wait long enough? I welcome any experience those who have gone through this process would like to share. Aaron
Have you tried Build & Price your Prius on the website Toyota Cars, Trucks, SUVs & Hybrids | Toyota Official Site. then below it will list what model 5's will be available / I am in GA so mine came in thru Jacksonville Florida Port so I think the dealers can grab what models they need at the ports cause that is how i got mine / it listed a available date for the silver i wanted / they did the window tinting at the Port as well
forgot to mention you need to use your zip code on Build &Price on toyotausa.com that is how it shows available inventory for your area / I saw about 5 model 5's coming into Florida Port / not sure what area you are in
i pre ordered my pip from the factory in november of 2011 and recieved it in april 2012. i was able to pick the base model, colour and floor mats. everything worked perfectly, but the dealer had no clue and had to do a lot of research to figure it out. all the best!
