Pay to test drive a Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by sergebergeron, May 31, 2008.

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  1. sergebergeron

    sergebergeron New Member

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    You are all right and right and right - I do have 2 Prius and was wondering what it was worth if someone wants to test drive. Seems that no one should buy without trying out the car and no one wants to pay to test drive. I and several of you have been answering questions to strangers about how good is the Prius. Since many dealers don't have a car to showcase, I was asking if $100 was a good price to showcase the car. Evidently from everyone's reaction, this is not a good idea. Thanks for everyone's input.
     
    #21 sergebergeron, Jun 2, 2008
  2. sergebergeron

    sergebergeron New Member

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    PS as a junior member I am very happy with everyones response - I like the one quote about having good honest feedback by location from present owners. The fact that one could drive my 2005 and then after drive the 2008 - would let the potential buyer to appreciate how well the Prius ages. Finally yes if one wants to do demo's for a cup of coffee and one wants to charge $100 - it is all in the demand and offer.
    I don't know if some of you have shopped for a Hybrid recently but there is long waiting list. Seems to me that paying $500 down payment, waiting 3-4 months to know if you will like the car is not a good way of doing business. Renting out a Prius for a week-end is a good option if they are available. Anyway thanks to all the experienced chatters for the kind replies.
     
    #22 sergebergeron, Jun 2, 2008
  3. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Heck, for less than that, out here in the boonies of Montana, the rarest color is sitting here in the rental yard.


    [​IMG]

    Guess I'm gona have to drop my test price to a lot less than I'd presume! Oh well :D

    .
     
    #23 hill, Jun 2, 2008
  4. stemchick

    stemchick Montana Rocks!

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    are you saying flathead valley is the boonies in Montana? You oughta come to Jordan. hee hee. Nice to see another Montanan on the board though. BTW, I would let anyone in my town drive my car to see if they liked it for the price of whatever gas they use....if I didn't need to use it!
     
    #24 stemchick, Jun 2, 2008
  5. alanh

    alanh Active Member

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    My first thought. What happens if they crash it?
     
    #25 alanh, Jun 3, 2008
  6. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    What an AWESOME (sorry for the caps.. hehe) idea!
     
    #26 V8Cobrakid, Jun 3, 2008
  7. JEFNLSA

    JEFNLSA New Member

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    Obviously you are not one to help out your fellow man. $100 is a ridiculous amount to charge a neighbor etc.. to test drive your car/s. I'd say $5 for gas and a Starbucks is more than fair...just be sure to ride along.

    One other thing, if you thought it was such a reasonable idea, why didn't you post it in the "first person" instead of BS'ing us ("neighbor around the corner") just to ask the question?

    FWIW...I don't know you and I'm not sure I'd want to.
     
    #27 JEFNLSA, Jun 3, 2008
  8. wchardin

    wchardin Senior Member

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    The Toyota dealership I bought my car from has people they call that bring in their Prii for people to test drive. That is only when they do not have any in stock. I dont know if the dealership gives the people anything for their troubles. I know that I would not want a complete stranger driving my car without me.
     
    #28 wchardin, Jun 3, 2008
  9. rep308

    rep308 Junior Member

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    Hertz has them at their Baltimore and Ottawa rental offices as part of the Green Connection. I rented on in Ottawa on business for a couple of days and then went and bought mine
     
    #29 rep308, Jun 3, 2008
  10. freshmtt

    freshmtt Dachshund Addict

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    That seems a bit ridiculous when you can rent one for much cheaper..
     
    #30 freshmtt, Jun 3, 2008
  11. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Does the rental CAR answer questions from the perspective of a long time owner?

    There is a major difference between getting into a car and driving it for a day compared to also being able to ask someone who has lived with the car the hows, whys, and wherefores of Prius ownership.

    A few month ago, in a grocery store parking lot, I showed a 2006 Prius owner, who was fumbling for her keys, that she did not need to push the buttons on the FOB to "unlock the car so I can open the hatch to load groceries" . . . or place the FOB in the slot to start the car.

    She was so grateful and giddy. She said she couldn't wait to get home and show her husband, and, "why didn't someone tell me that when I bought the car!" :eek:

    We even had a long term PriusChatter confess that he didn't know what the black buttons on the door handle were for. :eek:

    A cup of coffee [preferably NOT Starbucks :p ], lunch, $100 . . . all cheep insurance when making such a costly purchase.
     
    #31 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Jun 3, 2008
  12. Jon1976

    Jon1976 Junior Member

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    I just rented a prius down in Florida for two days and paid less then 100.
     
    #32 Jon1976, Jun 3, 2008
  13. wchardin

    wchardin Senior Member

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    You do bring up a good point. A lot of people drive very advanced cars, and many of them don't know how to use the different features. Makes you wonder how many of them have ever opened up the manual.
     
    #33 wchardin, Jun 3, 2008
  14. sergebergeron

    sergebergeron New Member

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    Ditto to you my friend - out of several replies - yours stands out as being the most humane.

    I think my hypothetical question actually caused a good deal of discussions. With pros and cons - but there is no need to insult your fellow Prius Owner.:(
     
    #34 sergebergeron, Jun 3, 2008
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