Availability of 08 Touring in Mid-Atlantic region?

Has anyone heard anything concrete about whether the mid-atlantic region dealers will be getting 08 Touring editions? I spent a couple of months looking for an 07 Touring #6 this summer, and I can't get good information out of my local dealers on what's going on with the 08s.

As the tax credit deadline approaches, I'm really wanting to make a decision. I'd order an 08 Touring, but I've never driven one. My interest in the Touring is solely based on reports I've read about how it has better stability on the road, better emergency handling, and leans less in the corners. Then again, some people say there's no noticeable difference. I'd hate to order the thing, only to find out that I really dislike the ride or handling.

So, have any of you heard whether it's likely that I'll actually see a Touring on any of my local dealers' lots?

Thanks!

 

Has anyone heard anything concrete about whether the mid-atlantic region dealers will be getting 08 Touring editions? I spent a couple of months looking for an 07 Touring #6 this summer, and I can't get good information out of my local dealers on what's going on with the 08s.

As the tax credit deadline approaches, I'm really wanting to make a decision. I'd order an 08 Touring, but I've never driven one. My interest in the Touring is solely based on reports I've read about how it has better stability on the road, better emergency handling, and leans less in the corners. Then again, some people say there's no noticeable difference. I'd hate to order the thing, only to find out that I really dislike the ride or handling.

So, have any of you heard whether it's likely that I'll actually see a Touring on any of my local dealers' lots?

Thanks!

 

Thanks. I'd really hoped to be able to drive a Touring and a Base and compare the two, but I don't think that's going to happen. I have driven a Base, once, and don't remember that the ride or handling was unpleasant. But that first test drive is good for general impressions only, there's just so much to take in the first time you drive a Prius. I need to do another test drive to focus on the details.

I sometimes feel like I'm over-thinking this. After all, the vast majority of Prii on the road, the ones that got the great reviews and gave the car such a great reputation, are NOT Tourings. I should probably go grab a Base #6, save a grand, and be happy.

 

Thanks. I'd really hoped to be able to drive a Touring and a Base and compare the two, but I don't think that's going to happen. I have driven a Base, once, and don't remember that the ride or handling was unpleasant. But that first test drive is good for general impressions only, there's just so much to take in the first time you drive a Prius. I need to do another test drive to focus on the details.

I sometimes feel like I'm over-thinking this. After all, the vast majority of Prii on the road, the ones that got the great reviews and gave the car such a great reputation, are NOT Tourings. I should probably go grab a Base #6, save a grand, and be happy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Takoma Tiger @ Sep 13 2007, 10:02 AM) [snapback]511888[/snapback]</div>

Oh, don't even get me started on the salesmen. Three different dealers have told me that "Toyota doesn't make the Touring Edition anymore." You should see the tap-dancing when I can name specific dealerships in Florida that have multiple Touring #6's, both 07s and 08s. Needless to say, I won't be buying from any of those dealers. Lie to me, and we're done.

I don't get the whole "certain packages may not be available in certain parts of the country" thing. I must have led a very sheltered car-buying life, cause I've never run into this before. I want to buy the most expensive Prius that Toyota makes, and the dealers don't want to sell it to me. Go figure.

Oh, well. I'm going to go test-drive a Base again tomorrow, and unless something really hits me the wrong way, I'll have them find me a Base #6.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Takoma Tiger @ Sep 13 2007, 10:02 AM) [snapback]511888[/snapback]</div>

Oh, don't even get me started on the salesmen. Three different dealers have told me that "Toyota doesn't make the Touring Edition anymore." You should see the tap-dancing when I can name specific dealerships in Florida that have multiple Touring #6's, both 07s and 08s. Needless to say, I won't be buying from any of those dealers. Lie to me, and we're done.

I don't get the whole "certain packages may not be available in certain parts of the country" thing. I must have led a very sheltered car-buying life, cause I've never run into this before. I want to buy the most expensive Prius that Toyota makes, and the dealers don't want to sell it to me. Go figure.

Oh, well. I'm going to go test-drive a Base again tomorrow, and unless something really hits me the wrong way, I'll have them find me a Base #6.