2006 Delivery Headache

do you have anything in writing that specifies that you wanted 06 delivery and no port added options? that would be a big help in this situation.

sounds like these guys are trying to screw you over big time. we paid 600something for the toyoguard that i wasn't happy about, but i was without a car at the time and decided not to fight about it. should have done more research before buying the car, but i guess we learned a lesson for next time.

i say stand up for yourself. the guy can't wait another 4 days to make his commission? tell him it won't go on his 05 tax returns... maybe that will shut him up for a few days.

DH's employer has about 20 prii stacked on the lot waiting for 1/1/06... so do other dealers as i've seen in posts here. don't see why it would hurt anyone to wait a few more days. geez.

 

Just tell the dealer to PACK SAND!

Keep in mind it is his goal to get the most profit and yours to get the lowest reasonable price. Just simple supply and demand economics. If he can sell the car to someone else with all those silly add ons, well, then more power to him. (THINK of the couple buying the car in the beginning of the movie "Fargo", you are falling into the trap...). But keep in mind many buyers on Priuschat have reported getting 2006 Prius's for MSRP (and even lower?) with no BS add ons.

And gas prices have subsided from the $3.00 or more prices of only a few months past, which has probably somewhat calmed the demand for Prius's. Use this time of lower fuel prices to your advantage and shop around more. I personally will be driving 3 hours across the state to get a MSRP 2006 package #4 with no add ons. Yea, it's a long drive, but for me that time is worth the $2,000 or so saved from my local dealers.

BTW, the 2006 Prius allocated for me arrived "early" on 12/14. The salesman gently prodded me to buy the car at that time (I don't blame him for trying) but I insisted he hold the car until Jan 1 as per our prior agreement. I haven't paid for the car yet so he is of course free to sell it immediately. But my dealer agreed to hold it for a January 1, 2006 purchase. I thought it was actually quite generous of them, two weeks of "dead" inventory. THAT'S the kind of dealer you want to find if possible.

With regards to the 2006 credit many posters are estimating the credit will be available for at least the first two quarters of 2006 with the third quarter 2006 also most likely being available for the full credit.

Looking into the future, Steve Forbes is on record stating he predicts oil prices will be $35-40 next year. If this prediction does in fact come true then all of us (including me) who thought we got such good deals at MSRP, well...

But, who knows...

Rick
2006 Silver package #4 hopefully Jan 1, 2006

 

As galaxee says, I think you're in a position to find another car, and soon, but you're going to have to work for it. You should call every dealer within the distance you're willing to travel to get one. Priuses are indeed piling up on dealer lots, and I know, in the case of my dealer here in N CA, they are not all spoken for. Not only that, some that a dealer thinks are spoken for will turn out to be "drops".

Will you actually be ready to buy in 5 days? Financing lined up? Even if you have no proof of your $500 being refundable, I assume it is. I'd call other dealers like mad, then, when you find one, go and demand your deposit back. (In the meantime, you're "negotiating" with the dealer by playing hardball---doing nothing).

This time, as you're calling or e-mailing around, state up front "no dealer options", or at least try to limit it to what you might actually want (e.g., rear bumper applique or whatever).

Good luck.

 

I put down $500 in October of 2004, and got a call in May to purchase a 2005. I thought that was too late for me, and wanted to wait until the 2006's came out. I specified my package (the top with navigator, and that I wanted to put in leather seats, a rear spoiler, and the gold trim), and color Dessert Sand. The dealer agreed reluctantly, to keep me at the top of the list. Two weeks ago, he called and said it should be in from Japan by the end of the year, and that he would of course hold it. Now it comes with leather, so one less thing to worry about. I am supposed to get it next week, and I am paying MSRP, not a dime more. If the dealer gives you trouble, move up the ladder and speak first to the manager, and if that fails, then to the owner of the dealership. They care more about their reputation than the salesman who wants a quick commission.

Best wishes to all, Happy Holiday,
Michmale

 

I say stand your ground for the car you ordered. Tell them to take their forced options and stuff them. I had a dealer try the same thing with me with a rear bumper aplique that I did not want. It was a matter of principle for me. They sold the car to another buyer after I refused it. 3 weeks later I had the one I wanted w/o forced options.

 

Screw them. Go find another dealer.

I had the similar experience. Most sales guys are pretty low. That's why I always seek the managers or the internet sales guys. After I tried several dealers, I found a dealer who is willing to hold my 06 for two weeks. After I sold my 04 Prius (on eBay), dealer got me a loaner (05 Prius) until Jan 1st. Couldn't negotiate the price below MSRP. <_<

It's a good arrangement for both parties. He know that I won't go with other dealers after he got me a free loaner. I know that he won't sell my 06 to other people since I have his loaner. Sort of win-win. B)

 

You've got a bad dealer. There are some good ones out there. I've experienced both sides - good and bad - so cut your ties with this dealer and go find another that is more honest.