Test Driving a Prime

Guess I'm lucky. Quite a few Prime's were available to test drive in the Portland, OR. area. I can tell you that in my opinion the Prime drives better than my 2010 Prius. I'm loving the new car.

 

Any dealer that is worth their weight in gold and reputable will absolutely allow you to test drive the car of your choice. I would call up local dealerships and sign up for a test drive over the phone.

 

I was fortunate to drive the only one the local dealer had for a day and ended up buying it on the spot even though I didn't get to drive it in EV mode! Don't regret buying for one second! The best car I have ever owned!!!

#1 in Easley,SC

 

But when you do drive it, Make sure you are able to drive it in EV POWER MODE, that shows the true quickness of the Prime for merging onto freeways etc.

 

If you weren't in Washington, I'd let you drive mine haha.

 

Mr. kleyn, don't the dealers have any Primes at dealership that you can drive?
I was able to see several at dealers in my area and then asked to drive the one that I was planning on buying. The saleslady was eager to let me drive it, even off the lot, but I let her demo it first before taking the wheel. Since it was early evening, I got to see the Christmas display which really was overwhelming!!
I told her, this is too much to absorb, as she took me through a few of the million screens!! The drive was so smooth and quiet and it was love at first sight, even though I knew I had a lot of homework ahead!

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There was one Prime in Decatur when I wanted a test drive. Before I could get back the next day, it was sold. But even driving it without an EV charge, I knew it was superior to our 2010 Prius:

• dynamic cruise control worked
• gas fuel efficiency > than our 2010 Prius that I drove over

My next Prius Prime drive was from the Rhode Island dealer to the hotel, I'd already bought the car. That night, to Twin Rivers Casino and the next day, 1200 miles home to Huntsville. NEVER LOOKED BACK!

Look, there may be a 'clued' PriusChat member in the Washington State area who might offer a test drive. If you'll fly to Huntsville AL, Nashville, or Birmingham, I'll be happy to drive over and give you a proper test drive. But Washington state is a bit of a reach. BTW, there is an eclipse coming in August.

Bob Wilson

 

It is not that difficult to find a dealer with a Prius Prime on the lot. I just searched Car Gurus for Primes in your area. Here is what is available now: Toyota of Lake City - 1; Michael's Toyota of Bellevue - 3; Magic Toyota - 2; Doxon Toyota of Auburn -1; Rodland of Everett -1; Titus-Will of Tacoma -1; Toyota of Puyallup -1; and Heartland Toyota of Bremerton -1. It also lists the list price of each, so it is obvious that some are Plus, some are Premium and some are Advanced. I bought mine at Toyota of Renton in March. Noticed it on their website, sent them an email to verify they still had it, went over the next day, test drove it and drove it home that night.

 

Just go to the Toyota web site and search the inventory for Primes. It'll list them by dealer. Pick one and call 'em up.

Is inventory the problem up in Washington?

 

it's the timeline. eventually, there will be enough for a test drive. in the meantime, patience and perseverance.

 

I live in Louisiana and theres only one dealer in that state that has only one prime. Although i do work at a toyota dealer so i will be ordering one here. Just havent test drove one yet

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Ha, test drive a Prime. Most of us could not even see one before we jumped in.

 

The only ones here are already sold. No test drives. A guy ordered one and while they were waiting on him to come back in town I was able to sit in it with it running for almost an hour. For me it was just as good as a drive. I'd already drove the 2017 touring version which gives the same ride to see the difference in it and my 2010.

 

i test drove one, but they wouldn't let me do an extended drive. so, i'm keeping my pip until i can put the prime through its paces. no hurry, no worry. discounts keep getting bigger.

 

They should reach their biggest discounts just before 2018's come out.
Who knows what pricing and specs will be like on those... Timing is everything!

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Ive heard the employee discounts on prime's and ch-r's are huge. I have yet to find out, only my third week working here but i love it.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

YOU MEAN........YUUUUUGE!

 

Are you selling the puppies, i.e., are you in Toyota sales??! If so it should be very interesting, with the end of current model year approaching rapidly, while supplies of the Prime being pretty limited. The strange part of the equation are the over-the-top discounts on Primes sold in the Northeast. I'm just hoping the upcoming gasoline price increases arrive soon to make hybrids, plug-ins, and EV's more valuable!! With gas prices over $4.00/gal, I saw a notable decrease in traffic, which some may argue could also have been the result of the stagnant economy. In any case higher gasoline prices means less Land Barges, Lumber Wagons, and Stupid Useless Vehicles get sold!!

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I just work in the quick lube shop. I haven't seen any 4th gen prii in the shop yet. And i haven't seen any primes in Louisiana at all.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.