I've never used a car manufacturer's online customization tool and actually brought it to the dealership to buy a car. I plan on bringing a printed out summary for the 2010's when they arrive in my area. I don't particularly see a problem with doing it beings it'll be easy for the dealer to understand exactly what I am looking for in the vehicle. (plus all of the pricing would be/should be listed on the print out.) I love the sleek, easy-to-use customization tool for the 3GEN. (although its not available yet for my region. I've been using other zip codes just to play with it.) Anyone else done that before? Is there something I should know before doing this? Good idea? bad idea? Thanks! -Jason
I plan on bringing a printout of the vehicle that Toyota of New Orleans (I-10 in New Orleans East) has in stock on their website. They show a sandy beach Package II 2010 on their website for $22,805. That's the best price I've seen on my first choice color. Assuming that the car is there and there aren't some hidden fees involved, I'll be driving it home sometime this week.
Lee, I just checked out the inventory sites for most of the Louisiana dealerships. Lakeside Toyota and Toyota of New Orleans both have the same cars on their inventory. Same stock numbers, same models. I wonder if other local dealers are gonna get the same. Hmm curious to know what that's all about. I'm still waiting on my IV. Let me know how it works out for ya.
========================= If you noticed your URL window after you supplied your Zip Code on Toyota.com, you'll see it routed you to a website with GST as part of the name...Good Ol' Gulf States Toyota. Look at the inventory of 2010 Priuses for each dealer near your zip, and you'll see all have the same cars, WITH VIN's, shown as "available". Ask for All Dealers in your search request, and you'll see all GST dealers (in your case, LA, TX, AR, OK, etc.), each with the same inventory. Not confusing or misleading at all, eh?
It is a very good idea. That way there is no confusion over what equipment you want. I actually encourage my customers to do this. There is one caution, although it really doesn't come into play on the prius. Some models are built differently for the various regions. The chicago region wants their cars built a certain way, california may want them a different way entirely. So print out your "want" list, bring it into the dealer, and have him/her match up the closest car to it. It may require a loss or gain of one small item, but you will get pretty darn close. Like I said, since the Prius only comes 10 ways to all regions, it doesn't apply to this car.
Well, that was a bust. The Sandy Beach that was listed as "in stock" has disappeared and now there is only a Blizzard Pearl listed as "available" (meaning it's likely allocated to another local dealer, probably Lakeside).
Argh! Sorry to hear that. That's a bummer. Well, it's the 3rd...sooo...I'm thinking by MAYBE the last week of June, we'll see more options from different dealers? I'm hoping way sooner, but Gulf States Toyota seems to be lagging behind.
