I think he was referring to the OP who, by the way, we're still waiting for to provide us with the package and option information on his order.
Why would you order a 2010 when there is no 09's yet makes no sense. And no one here knows what the 2010 will look like or cost or any thing else. Also why put a deposit on a car for over a year?
Being new to the forums here, I might be able to offer some ideas: 1) You really like the current Prius but don't want to spend all the money when something better (hopefully) is coming out in a year 2) One can only expect the 2010 model to be better and people believe it will most likely have similar styling to the '08/'09 3) You hear about up to 6 month wait times for the current models, only expect demand to further increase as gas prices increases and the new model drives awareness and people like themselves to purchase 4) Assuming it is actually a legit deposit (not sure how it works really - are you guaranteed a spot or a model or just a place in line I'm not sure) and fully refundable in writing (and from a reputable dealer), and that it is applied to the cost of the car when you get it, $500 is not really that much to do without for a year to save yourself several months wait. 5) The best guaranteed return on that money for a year seems to be about 3.5% in a online savings account, which comes out to $20 missed interest (roughly) 6) Assuming you save a wait of even just 2 months, that still only comes out to $10 a month that you are "paying" Feel free to point out any errors in my logic. I am not saying I agree or understand how this is being done now, but I'd consider putting money down if I got it in writing from a good dealer once the specs (or it is at least officially announced) in January. It would definitely be worth $500 to me in January to be one of the first on the list for the package and color that I want. I've never tried anything like this but would be willing to go in and talk to a dealer just to see what might be possible... Everyone is different of course!
Why? Why are any of you waiting for this info? There is no way any dealership is taking deposits for a 2010 yet. As was pointed out, how can they without knowing anything about the car. This guy is just a troll looking for some attention.
Isn't the OP the same guy who starts threads with the phrase "Another thing I hate about the Prius is..."?
That's too logical! I have no idea how you can just order without knowing what you're getting or the cost of it. Options: 4 wheels; a body .... cost: $30 - 100K. sign here ......
I put a $500 deposit on a 2008 Prius, Pkg. #3, on May 22, but I had no idea at the time what color or package I would receive. If a package 4, 5 or 6 in any color had been the only one available, I would have taken it. On June 26, a Spectra Blue Mica, Pkg. #3, was delivered to me. I love it. I just put a $500 deposit on a 2010 Prius about an hour ago. It is simply a deposit, so that when my dealer starts receiving them I will be #2 on the list. I have no idea what the colors or the options will be (no one does at this point), and I really don't care. The Motor Vehicle Cash Purchase Agreement I just signed acknowledges receipt of my deposit and it states that the future sale is "Subject to MSRP and is subject to a test drive." In other words, if I don't like the car, for whatever reason, I will get my deposit back. Putting a deposit on a future purchase is an old and accepted business practice. It is odd that so many people on this thread have difficulty understanding it.
January? Do you mean January of 2010? 'Cause January of 2009 is supposedly when the 2010 concept will be shown at the Detroit Auto Show. April is the first month when Toyota said it will be available, but has said that it will only be sold to fleets for the first 6 months or so. Assuming you're the first in line, and assuming there aren't an delays, you might see one in Fall of 2009, but I'd count on it being closer to January of 2010.
I have a $500 refundable deposit down at a Bay Area dealership for a 2010. The price is MSRP with no port add ons. That's the way the contract reads. Dealers take deposits all the time for cars that don't have known MSRPs yet. The 2009 MSRP has not officially been announced, but dealers have been taking deposits for them for months with contracted prices *RELATIVE* to MSRP.
I put a deposit on the Fisker Karma several months ago and I think I still have several months ago. Prices and options were yet to be released. It just got me in the front of the line and as someone else stated, "right to refusal". Sounds like he just has an agreement with this dealer that he'll be the first on the list when an unclaimed one hits the dealer lot. It's not like he ordered the car... more of a, "I'm seriously interested, give me a call when you have one on the way 'cause I want to be the first on line". A buddy of mine a couple years back did this with one of the Range Rover Sport (the supercharged version). He put a deposit on one well before you could order one. When they were released, and the dealer called him with two VIN's saying he was first in line. He ended up SELLING his spot on eBay for $5,000. He had the $5k in escrow until the deal was done. Not the most noble way of making a buck... but I'm just throwing out an example of how you can get on a waiting list for a car that doesn't actually exist yet. Mike
No, I meant January 2009. I know that they won't actually be in anyone's hands until Fall or Winter 2009 earliest probably but at least in January more details will be available and hopefully pictures, etc. that should help people make a decision whether they are even interested or not. Also, at that time it will at least officially be announced.
For what it's worth I wouldn't even consider ordering a new model until it's been out for several months. A lot of times a new model has quality problems because things just aren't sorted out on the assembly line yet. Best to wait a few months, that also has the advantage of letting car magazines etc. test the vehicle. A lot of people on this site, and other hybrid sites, will buy the first ones and it will be interesting to read what they have to say. I think if anyone wants to order a 2010 Prius now they will be able to find any number of dealers to put their name on a non-existent list or even take a deposit and "hold on to" their money. If you want a color list I'll give you one: red, black, white, some kind of pastel green, blue (light or dark), silver, and the driftwood color Toyota seems to like.
I just got on the waiting list for a 2010 Touring at Longo Toyota in LA. I'm #96. They say they are the biggest dealer in the country and the pics from their web sight seem to support that. We did it all over the phone and they seemed to know what they are talking about. They said the 2010's will be arriving at the dealers in April or May of next year. They took my credit card info and said I won't be charged the $500 until my choice of car (red or grey with the top package) comes in. We'll see. It's amazing how many Prius' I see every day now that I'm interested in buying one.
MPG drop on 2008 prius As soon as I hit around 4500 miles my mileage dropped from 46 mpg to arround 44. Can anyone explain a drop like that? r
i recently ordered a 2025 "positron". it runs on hydrogen. the dealer told me they would have it in my color...