Purchasing in Austin, TX?

We got ours in state, but I wouldn't recommend the dealer we used. They didn't really know much about the car and we really didn't get much say on the options. On the other hand, we got it in a month.

If you want to find something in state, I would recommend contacting dealers in west Texas. In our case, spending some time on the phone paid off in a shorter wait time. (I'm purposely not naming anyone cause I only know what things looked like two months ago, and things have undoubtedly changed, so I don't want to steer you wrong)

Will Maund tell you what number you are on their list?

 

The problems you are having with Charles Maund is typical. They are a terrible dealer. I have friends who work with GST and Maund is a consistent problem. Not only do their salespeople lie to you, their service department is terrible. Avoid them at all costs.

The other thing that Maund is doing is putting people on their waitlists and then selling any prius' that come in at $3000 over MSRP to whomever will take them - further screwing the people on their list. This is why Champion's list is like 225+ people, cause no one wants to deal with Charles Maund.

 

If and when you figure out where you are moving to this fall another option would be to call dealers all along your route and find out if they will have a Prius available at the time of your move. Get a fresh start on everything including car that way!?!

 

Interesting note about Maund's service department. I'm in the middle of trying to get them to drain some oil out (that the original dealer, NOT MAUND, overfilled). It's been a frustrating experience in which I feel like I'm being portrayed as a paranoid, pain in the rear for thinking it should be below the full mark.

Are the other Austin Toyota service departments any better?

 

I've been told that the dealership in Round Rock (I don't know the name) is the absolute best (from sources at GST). I'd go there if I lived closer, but living South, I think Champion is my best bet. Whatever you do avoid Maund at all costs. Just too many problems with that place. You are right - the service people there talk to you like whatever your problem is it is a hassle for them to deal with. If and when you need to pay for any service, you'll also pay top dollar.

 

If allocation is really based on the 2001-2003 Prius sales, then Champion might be the winner.. I brought mine there and think they had the most sales in the area. I am thinking about using Classic Toyota (rr dealer) for the service of my 2004... Anyone here have any dealing with their service dept?

Later

 

All I know about allocation is that customer satisfaction is factored into the allocation in addition to sales and other factors. From that, I'd guess that Maund is fairly low on the list as I've not ever met anyone who has had a positive review of them. I got mione in Houston so I haven't really dealt with the Austin area dealers that much in the purchasing process..... Sorry I don't have more info for ya.

 

which houston dealer

I live in houston, I"d love any information you have regarding houston dealerships. Such as, How did you choose a houston dealer? Thanks

 

Dynamojon, I'm in Houston too. Brief history: I ordered in August 2003 with Don McGill Toyota. I gave up with them in February, searched the country and found a Prius in CA in March.

How I chose a dealer: I looked up all the Toyota dealers in the Houston area. I emailed them all about the Prius. I visited a few. I went with the one that had the most helpful salesman. For instance, I think it was Sterling McCall that told me there was no chance I could get a Prius in less than 6 months and if any dealer told me otherwise they were lying. Then he kept calling me and telling me how stupid i was for believing another dealer. Well, I ended up getting a Prius in CA about 1 week after I finally got him to stop calling me. Also, I visited the one next to six flags (can't think of the name) and they blew me off, so i went elsewhere.

Of course since I didn't end up buying in Houston b/c Don McGill took too long to get car allocations, I'm probably not much help. Good luck!

 

Re: which houston dealer

My reply may be too late for you, but I also live in the Houston area and I would avoid Champion totally (purchase and service). I bought my 2002 there (it was Jay Marks Toyota then, but the people are the same). They lost my registration. and when my paper plates expired, I practically had to prove to them that I bought the car there. Service has similar problems -- I took my Prius to Star Toyota in League City for a maintenance service under the warranty, but they said that Champion had already serviced it for that interval which was not the case. I even had a later service at Champion at a lower mileage reading! Turns out that Champion had entered someone else's vehicle and used my VIN, so the records for my VIN got changed to the other person. It is still a mess.

Be sure to go to http://www.toyotaconnect.com [web:792effae9a]http://www.toyotaconnect.com[/web:792effae9a] to verify that you are the person listed for your VIN.

I have had Toyotas since 1971 and have dealt with 4 dealers in the Houston area. My opinion: Star Toyota is the best, but they are not great. I also have a Honda Odyssey and although the Honda vehicles are not quite up to Toyota, their dealerships are great, especially the one in Webster.

 

I bought mine (last week) in College Station, TX (I live there also). I would suggest getting on the list on small texas towns and be prepared to pay MSRP and also accept some dealer installed options. There was one available in Allen, TX and one in Grapevine, TX dealerships... Good luck :lol:

 

Went to http://www.toyotaconnect.com typed in the vin number that is on the frame of the drivers door... rechecked vs. num sent with my LSC 40E notice but they do no like the vin I give??? Somewhere Toyota thinks I own this car.. toyotaconnect does not even think this is a valid VIN number :cussing: ???

What next?

later

 

I called around the state on April 31st, looking for cars. I wanted a Red Package 3 with no port options. No one had exactly what I wanted. In fact the only Red one in the state was one at San Antonio Toyota, and they wanted $1000 over MSRP for it. While calling, I had accumulated a long list of dealers telling me that they could order it for me and get it in within 2 to 8 weeks.

As it turned out, I ordered one May 2nd and took deliveery June 4th from Toyota of Killeen. ToK was willling to order exactly what I wanted (no high profit margin port options, thanks), and they delivered it in the timeframe specified.