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Dallas/Ft. Worth Toyota Dealers

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by claridiva, May 26, 2009.

  1. claridiva

    claridiva New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have "ordered" a 2010 Prius from a local dealer (I will refrain saying which one for the moment) but am uncomfortable with the lack of communication and answers I have received. This is my first Prius, and I asked for a Prius II in blizzard pearl with a beige interior. I would like to have the windows tinted, but from reading some of the posts, it seems that I should have this done "at port" (this is new to me) rather than at the dealer. At the time I went in to talk to them (about a week ago) they were still unsure of when they would receive their shipment. Should I call them about tinting? I also wanted to see if people had any advice about handling the dealer or if they know of good Toyota dealers in this area. I am also willing to travel (Austin, San Antonio, even Houston if necessary).

    Thanks! I am looking forward to being a Prius owner!
     
  2. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2004
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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
  3. 360texas

    360texas Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
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    Location:
    Fort Worth, Texas USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    We went through Toyota of Fort Worth to buy our 2 2009 Prius's.

    One item you should prepare for (if you have not already done so) is while you are handed off from the saleman to the "accountant" to pay for your new car.. the Accountant is going to hit you up for additional extended warranty costs of around $2,500. He will use words like, IF you drive off the lot - this Extended warranty offer will no longer be offered.

    Truth IS you have 3 years after you drive off the lot to decide to use Extended Warranty.

    While you are still working with your Sales person, ask them for the Toyota Brochure the explains the Extended Warranty options "BEFORE" you buy this car.

    We flat told the Accountant, because we had not had the opportunity to read about the extended warranty before... we could not now make an informed decision... and drove away in our new cars.
     
  4. claridiva

    claridiva New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks to the both of you!!

    360texas, you are the 3rd person to tell me to look at Toyota of Fort Worth and I am going to go visit them. I've heard horror stories about the finance guys and all they try to add on. Hopefully I will be able to walk out of there without being financially "raped"!!
     
  5. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Also, in another thread, I mentioned you can avoid the wholesale "port installed" options by Gulf States Toyota if you expressly order the car without addons and identify a car in the system prior to it being processed by Gulf States. Don't believe anything they tell you about "required" port or dealer addons.
     
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    The easy way to shop is by phone, fax and email. Call the internet sales person, tell them what you want, get bids from as many dealers as you care to for their "out the door" price *in writing*, and ask your favorite to meet the best price if necessary. The only reason to visit is for a test drive and to take delivery.

    Now is the best buyer's market in decades. You have the money and therefore the control in this relationship. Don't buy any add-on junk you don't want (extended warranty, fabric protector, "paint sealant", pin striping, etc.). But do be prepared to wait weeks.
     
    1 person likes this.
  7. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I agree with Richard 100%. I've gone all e-mail in recent purchases, with followup calls to the serious bidders.
     
  8. claridiva

    claridiva New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for letting me know this. I thought I would do better going to deal with them in person, but I would much rather do this as it will save a good deal of time (and I am sure frustration as I won't have to deal with their sales pitches and lies face to face). I already have a refundable deposit at one dealer, but they weren't sure of price when I met with them. If nothing else, I can go in with competing offers if they are able to deliver the car. This site is an incredible resource that I wish I had known about before I met with the dealer! Thanks again!!
     
  9. erperez

    erperez owner "lil greenie" prius

    Joined:
    May 8, 2008
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    Location:
    dallas, tx
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    when i bought my 2007 prius in aug 2007, i worked with dwayne dorsey - the fleet manager at toyota of richardson. i asked for the credit union sales reps, but they were busy so go handed off to dwayne. i told him what i was looking for [had done all the prep work on toyota.com and my credit union's website that had invoice/msrp costs] and in less than 1.5 hrs, he located a silver pine mica w/ the options & packages i wanted but w/ leather seats [wise choice since i spill stuff now and then]. total cost was about invoice + $300.

    it was scheduled for delivery 14 days later. he called me on day 12 and said it would be available the next day. in about 1 hr, i finalized the sales contract [mainly cos he was getting pulled out to help other sales reps]. spent about 1.5 hrs w/ the finance guy and drove my prius out about 3 hrs. later.

    i went for the GAP policy, VIN etching, and prepaid maintenance plan [not toyota's]. also bought the ext. warranty but cancelled it about a yr ago when i found out about the ext. warranty discussed here on priusChat.


    note 1: i recently corresponded via email w/ another dealership and the process was very good. was checking on a prius for a friend and passed the info on to her.

    note 2: if you are a credit union member, they often have deals and special sales reps to work with at many auto dealerships. the deal is usually invoice +/- several hundred dollars. no haggling, no dealing - just walk in, tell them you're a CU member, tell them what you want and you got it [either in stock or delivered later].

    best of luck.
    edward
     
  10. 360texas

    360texas Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
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    Location:
    Fort Worth, Texas USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Talking about 'deliver the car(s)'. Toyota of Fort Worth did not have the flavor we needed [WHITE]. BUT all the dealerships are tied together with the computer. Our internet salesperson was able to use his computer to look at dealerships in 5 state radius and the Texas entry PORT to find ours. My wifes was driven from Waco dealership, mine was driven from San Antonio dealership. Internet sales person said, they just do a lookup and then exchange prius cars. Drivers drove our new white prius in, and drove the Toyota of Fort Worth dealerships brown back to Waco and San Antonio.

    I would imagine that dealership car swaping .. after awhile ALL the worst UNwanted Prius colors and features would shake down to 1 dealership.
     
  11. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    And when you're sitting in the waiting room waiting for the paperwork and the smiling but persistent person comes in to sell you the last-minute extra junk, just smile back and say "no" until they go away.
     
  12. claridiva

    claridiva New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    LOL, thanks!

    I talked to Toyota of Forth Worth this morning and I will definitely be going there if T of Lewisville doesn't come through. I also talked to them this morning and the 1 car they are receiving looks to be the one I "ordered" and is set to arrive at port on June 3rd and the dealer a week later. I am first on their list, so I am going to hold out for its delivery to port and then they are supposed to call me with details. Toyota of Ft. Worth knew a little more than Lewisville and could actually supply me with the specs of the car they are receiving. I guess the information highway isn't exactly flowing evenly. Keeping my fingers crossed!

     
  13. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
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    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Woo hoo! Let us know how it goes.
     
  14. claridiva

    claridiva New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    109
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I finally got my Prius II today! I ended up going with Toyota of Fort Worth where I had an excellent experience and picked up my silver/misty gray Prius II with window tinting and carpet mats for MSRP and NO additional fees. I dealt with both Kent Sitton and Meghan Drake in Internet Sales and can highly recommend working with either of them.

    Thanks to this site, I knew to ask the service people to switch the reverse beeper to only beep once. When we got back there all of the service guys gathered around because they hadn't had a chance to see one yet!

    We love our new ride and look forward to learning more through driving the car, reading the manual (608 pages, ouch!!), and referencing this site. :D
     

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  15. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
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  16. DFWPrius2009

    DFWPrius2009 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2009
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    Location:
    DFW
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    We got ours from Pat Lobb Toyota. A brand new 2009 white Prius with the Package 5. They knocked off $3,000 off sticker, and we got the $1500 rebate.