My Inaugural Post

Date Ordered: 8/20/2004
Dealer Ordered From: Toyota Town, Stockton, CA
Timeframe given for delivery: 2 - 3 months
Color: Silver or Black
Option Package: #9
Your # on Dealer's Waiting List: approx. 40

August 30, 2004 - 7:30 PM ~ With dreams of a Prius zooming blissfully in my head, a cell phone rings off in the distance. I grouchily answer the call.

"Hey buddy, got some good news for you!"

Oh cool, my weekly update from Asif of Toyota Town, Stockton. Maybe he's called to tell me that I'm now number 30 on the list? Or perhaps, Toyota Town's allocations have gone up? Nonetheless, I'm happy to hear his voice as it confirms that he kept his promise of keeping me updated on a weekly basis.

"We just got a Prius with your exact specifications with your name on it!"

The cool rush of adrenaline fills my veins. Only 10 days? I must still be dreaming ... my subconscious' idea of a cruel joke. Surely, this is the part of the dream where Asif engages in a progressively loud evil cackle, puncuated with a firm, 'YEA RIGHT SUCKA!' Asif, surely you jest?

"You're kidding me dood."
"Nope, you are one lucky man."
"Hallelujah! Asif, I could kiss you brutha!"

This is where my dream finally becomes a reality. The gf and I are taking a one-way rental to stockton this saturday, 9/4, for the big pickup. We intend to drive it around San Francisco and finally back to LA for a good break in. I'm curious to see how it handles the Grapevine, but I'm sure it won't be a problem.

Some final thoughts - i'll echo the sentiments of many on this board that Asif of Stockton Toyota Town is the diamond in the rough of all sleazy car salesman. He has been nothing but professional and we did the whole transaction over the phone. Call him: (209) 327-0488.

I just wanted to take this time to thank all of the people of this board for sharing their insight and experiences. Without your help, I wouldn't have been able to get to this point. I feel kind of guilty for getting it so fast, considering the 8 month wait times that folks are experiencing here in SoCal ... but then again, I don't feel that guilty

- eph

 

48 mpg avg

Picked up my prius last saturday (9/4) from toyota town in stockton. I suppose my gf and I really looked like out of towners given my shaved head and some unsightly tatoos. As soon as I opened the door to my rental, a slick looking salesman asked how he could help me and I said, bring me to Asif! He then proceeded to make a disappointed look as if to silently say, "that darn Asif makes all the Prius sales". I could barely hold my brewing anticipation as Asif was paged to come and meet me.

Asif came out and my impression of him being professional yet warm still held true in person. As promised, I had an '04 prius, silver #9, at MSRP, detailed and ready to go in the customer service port. Many an onlooker were gawking at it and asking ever the weary salesman if it were for sale. I held the satisfaction in my heart that it was all mine, and I was about to sign the contract that made it official. The whole transaction was a breeze, and I was out of there in no time. After some last minute inspection (the predelivery checklist thread on this forum rocks), I was on my way for a trip that would take me to San Fransico and back to LA to put the Prius through its paces.

I decided not to take the Grapevine back, but instead took the scenic 1/101 freeway that hugs the California coast. Being a leadfoot with my previous car, a BMW 330ci, driving the Prius 'correctly' took some getting used to. I found the car to be surprisingly peppier than I thought it was going to be, and it had no problem at all with steep inclines both in San Francisco and on the way back to LA. All I can say is that this car is truly an engineering miracle. On a side note -> the GPS navigation voice sounds pretty cute, though I didn't tell my gf that lol . I photo-documented the whole adventure from beginning to end, so I'll post that once I get a chance.

48 MPG AVG ON MY FIRST TANK -- LIFE IS GOOD!