New v owner!

Well after weeks of shopping and thinking and researching, I last night finally purchased a Prius v Five with the AT package.

Using USAA's car buying service I was able to look at Zag/TruCar pricing at various dealers around the southeast; found one in SC for $1000 less than any other Zag price (looked in GA, AL, and FL) and, because it was attached to a Lexus dealer, I got several thousand more for my trade in than offered at three other dealers (and in line with Edmunds.com fair-trade value). Also, for y'all in the SE, South Carolina generally has the lowest dealer fees I've seen.

My online buying experience was generally terrible. I would get a quoted a car price -- IN WRITING via email -- and then two weeks later I would be quoted a higher price for the same exact vehicle IN WRITING; alternatively, I would inquire about an online deal and the price quote would exceed the listed price online (no, it wasn't added dealer fees). This happened at about a half-dozen dealerships here in the Atlanta area. I actually negotiated with some dealers using a man's name thinking the problem was my gender.

It was amazing to me the number of "internet-sales managers" who were unable handle internet sales; I was constantly asked to call or come in. I went with the dealer in SC because of the price, but also because we did everything via email; it was painless.

The drive back from SC to Atlanta was not bad, even though it was late. Three things: (1) DRCC is AMAZING, I didn't have to mess with speed changes at all until I got back near the city, and I didn't take the car out of cruise until I got to the city; (2) thanks to this forum I was able to adjust the dimmer setting to stop the blinding nav screens after dark (I was clueless about why the nav screen was so bright after dark!) ; (3) I love that the car helps teach you how to drive the hybrid (seeing power usage with accelerating and braking).

Oh, it's sky metallic with the dark grey interior. I'm a big girl -- 6'1" and not skinny -- and it fits me beautifully.

Tips and tricks appreciated!

-Reb

 

It does now; the dimmer was set all the way to the top so that it wouldn't change at all, it was just set on bright. Once I went down one notch it automatically adjusts to the changing light.