Picked up my '08 Package 6 on Saturday. I happened to check the dealers online inventory this morning and my car shows up as available. It wasn't there on Thursday (when I got The Call and was running around finalizing financing). This was later than I thought the inventory would show up, but it also demonstrates that the inventories aren't particuarly reliable. I'll repost when the car drops off. It's averaged about a week for the two dealerships I've been tracking.
I completely agree. Cliffs notes for my opinion: 1. Email from dealer saying my car was on the way (June 10th) 2. My car shows up on the online inventory- June 11th. 3. Car magically disappears from inventory-June 12th. 4. Car shows up again and then disappears same day- June 14th. 5. Car is delivered (June 17th) IT IS completely unreliable.
One day I saw 81 tourings coming to Southeast Toyota dealers. Called my salesman and told him. He checks dealer computers...no tourings availble. Wait till next month.
Total fiction. One dealer in my area is showing 15 available Prii under new cars, five of which are new 2007 models. I think the deal is to get you into the showroom, then "apologize" for the computer "glitch." Is that too cynical?
A dealer told me that some dealers will list the cars allocated to them on the website even if the cars have been deposits on them. It keeps potential customers calling. There are even a few dealers in this area that state on their website that "Prius' now available and on the lot" but when you call or visit you're told that they have been sold or that they haven't been able to update the website yet. It is a feeding frenzy out there for the Prius and there a lot of dealers taking advantage of it by selling the cars several thousand over MSRP and many people are willing to pay way it. I think the upfront & honest dealers should be applauded.
