Date Ordered:13 October Dealer Ordered From (Incl. City/State):Fowler Toyota, Dallas, TX Timeframe given for delivery: 8 months (approx.) Color: Silver (but open to any color) Option Package: BI (side airbags and SS/SE) Your # on Dealer's Waiting List: way, way down After the bastards at Toyota Grapevine informed me that they would no longer keep a list, they told me that they would now sell the car on a first come-first served basis. To top that off they would be charging a market adjustment as well. I called Fowler Toyota. They didn't require a deposit and were honest about the length of their waiting list. Considering all the horror stories I've heard about other dealers, they seemed to be the best option. Most importantly, I was there as the dealer typed in my order information. They asked if I wanted to order any port options, but didn't pressure me into any. I did tell them I was interested in a cassette player, but other than that I wanted a clean car. Eight months and counting, Esther
Cute cat Esther! If I were you (and I'm not ) I would check a bit further afield. With Toyota bumping up production, you shouldn't have to wait 8 more months.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bruceha_2000\";p=\"45209)</div> I'd love to look around, but TX dealers are notorious for being the most thieving bunch of people (Toyota of Plano, Toyota of Grapevine, Vandergriff Toyota, etc). Most of the posts I've read from other Texans indicate this as well. I will call, but I imagine it'd be hard to find another dealer who's charging MSRP as well. BTW, the cat's name is Patti Smith. She's a rescued kitty who was living with another family, but had to leave because the other nine cats liked to beat up on her. I think they were just jealous. Thanks for the suggestion, Esther
Yes, that is a cute cat. I have also seen others on the board talking about bad dealers in TX. In fact there is one who is going to pick hers up today in TN. :mrgreen: Here's her experience with the whole thing if you haven't seen this thread: http://www.priuschat.com/forums/tideland-o...-tx-vt2727.html Maybe a dealer in another state might be a another option for you.
Have you tried Louisiana? I've been quite pleased with Lakeside Toyota in Metairie, LA. For me it's about a 6 hr drive so for you maybe a 8.5 hr drive. Not too bad, I don't think. And the service is great. My salesperson has kept in touch via both phone and email throughout the whole process. I do love all the kitties on this board. Soo cute.
Try a smaller dealer outside of Dallas. On September 13th. I contacted Stewart Toyota in Corsicana. I was told they received 8 Prius in 2004 and were expecting a few more of the 2005. At that time I became #3 on their waiting list. I checked at the end of last week and they had received two (2) and sold both. I am now #1 on the list looking for any color other than Green, Black, or White with package #5
Do you know anyone else who bought from Fowler Toyota? Because even if they don't put your order in with any port options, you might end up being offered a car with options. Also, do you know if they were typing your order into their own database or the Toyota database (if it was Toyota, you should get a keychain and/or letters from Toyota in the mail in a few weeks)? I'm in Austin, and was on a list here but also put my name on a list in Nashville about a month and a half after placing the Austin order (the person DanH was referring to). Every car I was offered in Austin was at MSRP but had a ton of port options (generally an extra $3k's worth). Of course, I didn't request a car with any options (except mats), but "this was how the cars came and they couldn't do anything about it." I never found out exactly how much extra stuff was on the last car they offered, because at that point, I had already been allocated the exact car that I requested through the Nashville dealership. Of course, not every Gulf States dealership is going to force extra options on you (and may even prevent the port from adding them on if you're viligant about it), but even the "good" dealerships in Austin seem to have extra options on their cars (I had happened to place my order with a dealership that may have had questionable practices, which is why I decided to place a second order).
I thought I would escape the DFW ripoff artists by going to Longview, TX (about 100 miles east of Dallas). Wrong! After almost 5 months on the list and repeated requests for NO PORT PACKAGES I finally got a call. "Oops it had a port package and it was too late to stop it." Take it or leave it. Definitely don't go to Toyota of Longview. I had other problems with those guys involving the rebate. - http://www.priuschat.com/forums/bad-dealer...html?highlight= Paul www.enerjazz.com/prius
Thanks to everybody for the suggestions. Unfortunately, out of state isn't an option, because I'm being helped out with the purchase of my car. I don't think my folks would appreciate flying to Tennessee or whichever state rocks more than Texas (though come to think of it, that'd be about every state in the Union . . . except for S Carolina, because they still fly the confederate flag). As far as Fowler adding extra options, if something like floor mats snuck onto my car, then I wouldn't mind. But if some crap like undercoating got onto my car, then I'd tell them that I'm not willing to pay for the option. Of course, by the time my car gets in, Toyota will have upped their production (I hope) and maybe this will be irrelevant. Esther
Good luck! I hope your dealer doesn't screw you and add extra port options. Try to be very viligant with your salesman. My experience with the extra port options is that it was $$$ stuff--leather, extra mile package B. Btw, you forget that in we have statues to confederate war heros at the capital. That drove my boyfriend's dad nuts (and he's from TN) . Oh, and cute cat .
