To all those waiting and on lists for a new Prius...

Most of those are sold to folks already on a waiting list.

 

The sales person at my dealership has been in contact with me since May 20th when I put down my deposit. I really do think she is going strictly by her list. She called me today to tell me about a Prius that was different than the one I asked for. She said I was first on her list and therefore she would call me whenever she got a package #6 available but still felt she could get me the one I wanted.

I turned this one down (Yea, I know! But I want the Bisque interior). Someone else is very happy anyway. I get the feeling that she really is going to let me know whenever a Prius with package 6 is available so I can make the choice. That seems pretty fair to me.

 

I'll find out tomorrow if we got matched to our Spectra Blue. My dealer got one in their allocation (saw it online) and they said they would call everyone on the list tomorrow. This one's for the wife. I'm not sure what to do if the Spectra Blue doesn't make it to us (5th on the list). I think I would wait as well. If it takes another month to get the car you really want that seems worth it to me. I expect to be have it as a member of the family for quite a long time. I would hate to see another Spectra Blue and regret not being patient for the next X years...

Our dealer has been very good with communication as well. Patience isn't a strong suit for me, but I'm trying to turn over a new leaf here.

 

Thought i would jump in here - I just got on the "list" (My dealer called it a Buy order) today for a prius at a "Good" High volume prius dealer here in SFL. Gave my list of colors and package info, put down my money and got my place in line.

The internet salesperson i worked with was very good. Very knowledgeable about all things Prius and hybrids in general - No pressure at all and very upfront with the process of getting the car. They voulenterred they just got their allocation today of 20+ and were calling people at the top of the lists to come get their cars - which made me feel better about how they do things. When they get the VIN for me - then they will call back and get the ball rolling with the finance and whatnot.

The bad news i guess is the wait. Im told there are just over 100 people ahead of me and its several months to get the car. Basically almost no chance of getting an 08. The Time frame is bummer but im just glad to be on a list and a shiny 09 will be worth the wait. Apperently untill the 09s start arriving around Aug - they cant be more specific about the delivery date for me. At least i got MSRP + Refundable deposit In writing just in case.

Anyone waiting for an 09: Does this reflect what your being told at other Southeast dealers?

 

Can you tell me where you are looking to see what cars are available in what regions? Also, do you know if Texas is in the Southeast region? I don't think it is, I think it's Gulf Coast. Would appreciate the help. Thanks.

 

Hmmm. Put a 1k deposit down on a package 5 in New York. I just got a call from the dealer that said they have located my first color choice (black) and it will be ready for me to get in the middle of July. That would put my wait at about 2 moths. Maybe they are starting to circulate again or maybe I am just lucky.

 

Sounds like yesterday was allocation day - I got calls from the two dealers that I haven't actually put a deposit down with. One telling me they were getting their inventory list and would try to match models up (they really just wanted more details on what colors I might be interested in - I didn't hear back when they said they would call me later in the day.) The other called to talk me into a deposit on a 4-month wait list and then wanted to know if I was interested in a used '04. More waiting for me!

 

all this brings me back to the waiting and internet hunting game i played when i was looking for my 06 pontiac solstice.found one in ga. and bought it sight unseen and the dealer delivered it too my house. by far the easist car purchase i ever made. now the 5th of may my wife said we ought to trade our other van in on another prius,so i got on the net to search inventory at my dealer and it showed one coming in in may 27th so she phoned and put a $500 deposit down and we got it last week. that was fate or luck,cause two days after that the other 6 listed was gone and over 12 at asheville was gone too. so everybody that is waiting hang in there

 

[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']I would have to agree with you but there are occasions when you have dealt with your salesman and realize he’s not out to screw u. When I first looked at the Prius, he was straight out and said msrp but told me of the games at other dealers. ( above msrp and dealer prep fees. ) I had to test the waters and he was right, msrp plus the games. I am not I saying he is beyond making a fast sale but sometimes you just got to trust someone. So, I put down my deposit and will see what the next 12 weeks brings. If I am wrong see ya in September, If I am right I saw the person behind the salesman and I will be saving at the pump.[/FONT]

 

We got three calls yesterday. One from the dealer where we had a deposit telling us the car we wanted would be there for us on or before 24 Jun (Spectra Blue pkg 2 @ MSRP) and calls from 2 other dealers with cars coming in not spoken for.

I think the SE region got their allocation on Thursday, but it seems odd that these dealers had been telling us they had a 12 week wait list, and then called us out of the blue.

FWIW the dealer we placed our deposit with ($2K) quoted us a 4 week wait and it looks like they'll get it to us in less (Central Florida Toyota). I think they also had 6 available that hadn't been spoken for yet.

 

Check this out, the Prius I was test driving was sold while I was still in it ... and no I did not put a deposite down on the car even though the salesman strongly reccomened I do so. Well I raised a little hell and got the next one to come in 3 weeks later.

 

I would think if one is willing to wait, you keep in contact with them, update your preferences if they change, make sure they have your info and contact info at hand.

I gave preferences at 2 dealerships. Dude told me when the car arrives, you have 24 hours to buy it. Good to get pre-approved with TFS, so don't have to feed VIN, etc.. to another outfit, then go to them to get a check.

Both dealers copied my CC number but promised absolutely nothing would be charged on the card. If they do, they are history with me.

In my opinion, it would be insane to spend money to wait for something with no ETA.

I'm not in a big hurry. Gives time to save up even more.

I put in for a Barcelona, Spectra, or Mag Gray with #4 or #5, non-touring. Time will tell.

 

I'm seeing attempted price gouging at some dealerships ....

Saw a package 2 with leather seats, steering wheel, some BS paint protection .... asking - $37,xxx !!! Fremont Toyota btw, looking for suckers.

Dude at Piercey says if on list, you pay window sticker + TTL. Next breath, he says, Prius' already on lot are marked up $5k over sticker. That rate, seems to me they'd be tempted to skip the wait listers, put a unit on the lot and go for the gold. We shall see.

 

Well, here goes nothing.... Just gave a $500 check to Santa Maria Toyota today to put myself on the list for a Touring Package 6 with XM. He said it would take 16-18 weeks, unless someone cancelled and left them with an extra unit. He assured me that the check would not be cashed and said that they really weren't worried about cancellations, because they knew that if I cancelled it would only take them a couple of phone calls to sell the car to someone else. The price was MSRP.

 

Heck at those prices, just come here to Canada and import one. Our Touring package 2++ (some 3 and 4 features) is the base here and goes for $29.5 list, and I got mine for $1k off of that (plus $4k in gov't rebates Americans can't get).

There are still plenty of Canadians importing cars from US, even with some large "Canadian $ price adjustments" from manus. But the Prius might be a case now where a few Americans might consider importing from Canada.

I'm not sure if US has anything like the 6% duty on Japan vehicles that would have to be paid.

 

there's a dealer in Tampa that has a used 08 pkg 2 with almost 9k miles being advertised for $32K. I called them to see if they were insane since a brand new pkg 2 is about $23k (depending on other options of course). He said the difference was that they had the car today and I bettercome down to get it before it's gone.

Needless to say, I decided to pass.

 

Just placed an order yesterday with Minnesota's #1 dealer for a Touring #3. Dealer has a customer assessible online list that can be used to track your vehicle from point of manufacture to arrival at the dealership. I'll be interested in seeing how (if) this works as advertised. Was told that getting a Touring might be a little faster as there are not many orders for them. I was told that the wait would likely be 3-6 months.

The salesperson wrote "Price not to exceed MSRP" on the purchase agreement.

We'll see !

rickt

 

On 5/23/08, I made a $500 deposit on a Silver Prius #5, putting my name on a list w/16 ahead of me. The local dealer said it would be September before I'd get it. He called me 6/6/08, and said it would be in 6/23/08 - exactly as ordered. My wife and I are very pleased!

 

We put our name on "the list" on 5/11/08 and will get our Prius this week, no mark up. Not quite as ordered but we'll take it, as the dealer won't even put people on their list at this point. Unbelievable. They said they've never seen anything like it.

 

Yes, I ordered on 5/17 and I have a car due on or about 6/20. Talked to my dealer today and he told me they are not taking orders at this time!! I was kind of shocked and glad that I got on the list in time!!