Packages 3 and 5 not available in San Jose? Seems fishy.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Sep 3 2007, 05:48 PM) [snapback]506524[/snapback]</div>

I have no idea what the situation is currently, but I can relate a similar problem I ran into in 2005. I wanted a 2005 package 4 Prius (probably completely different from a 2007 or 2008 package 4). However every single dealer in Southern California said that they had never seen one, and in fact were not even able to order one! So I joined this forum and started asking who had bought package 4's, and where.

To make a long story short, I eventually determined that the nearest place that package 4's were sold was Northern California. The line was somewhere between San Luis Obispo and San Jose, since the former had never seen them and the latter had plenty, in stock. So I ended up buying my Prius in San Jose, flying up there and driving it back. (Really nice drive along the coast.)

So my advice to you would be a) start calling around to other local dealerships to see if this guy is pulling a fast one in order to get rid of the cars he has on his lot, and b) if he's right and all the local dealers have the same story, then use this forum and start calling random dealers in Southern California and nearby states to see what they have and if you can get what you want somewhere else.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Sep 3 2007, 05:48 PM) [snapback]506524[/snapback]</div>

It is true that Toyota sells different mixes of Prius packages in different parts of the country. You can use the Build and Price Your Toyota feature of www.toyota.com to determine which packages are available in your region. You can also check availability in different regions by changing the zip code. Chances are that the package(s) you want can be had in the Southern California region.

By the way, do not sell the HID headlights short. They are nothing short of phenomenal and they make night driving easier and safer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Sep 3 2007, 08:15 PM) [snapback]506540[/snapback]</div>

I tried to get a package 4 here in TN and it is not available on the Toyota webiste. Dealer I am working with says they are not able to order a 4.

Roger

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Sep 3 2007, 06:15 PM) [snapback]506540[/snapback]</div>

Keep in mind that we are in between model years. The '07 model year stock is being depleted. That is the only model currently being featured in the build you own Toyota section of the website. For Southern California, packages 2, 5 and 6 are shown as available, but 6 is grayed out (probably sold out).

The '08s should be here; however, it may be a few weeks before dealers have diverse inventories.

Do your homework and be patient. You will be rewarded with the car of your choice.

 

Speaking about the NAV, back in 2005 there were only 6 packages. I wanted a #5 as I wanted to get a 3rd party NAV system. I could only get a #1 (Base), #3 (middle) or #6 (with NAV and some other items) in Southern California. I tried Nevada (which showed #5s were available there) and a dealer there said they could get me one. The day I mailed the deposit, they called they couldn't get a #5, but I could get a #6. I had them return the deposit and got a #6 closer to home.

 

Yeah, I thought the dealers were trying to screw me when I was looking, too. I WANTED the package #3 but was told my options were 2, 5, 6, or nothing. I didn't buy it until I heard it from about 10 different dealers. I just didn't think they'd ALL agree to lie. I ended up with the #5 and love it.

 

Same thing with my 2004--I wanted the stability control but not the fully loaded version. Southern California didn't sell them, so I checked multiple zip codes on buyatoyota.com and found out that Northern California stocked them. I called LOTS of dealers within 500 miles of San Diego since I had to drive there and back on the same day (December 2003/January 2004 was at the height of the waiting list frenzy), and I eventually ended up with only a 2-month wait in Merced for my exact color and package. I gather the decision on which option packages to offer is made by the head honchos in each region.

 

I had difficulty locating a 5 in magnetic grey in San Jose, but it seemed that white and silver were available in abundance. The Meriwest credit union folks turned me on to the fleet purchase program; the local Toyota fleet purchase dealer is City Toyota in Daly City.

A bit of a drive, but they had no problems at all getting me exactly what I wanted. My experience there was extremely positive.

They did mention that the 5 was a bit hard to obtain, with the 6 being quite easy to find. However, the 5 is most certainly available here.

 

You should definitely check the southern California area, which may not be as far as you think.

For example, I believe San Luis Obispo qualifies as SoCal, and that's only 200 miles from San Jose. I'm not sure about Fresno, which is a little closer to you.

And any decent dealer should be able to call around and get a car from elsewhere for you, as long as he has a vehicle to trade to the other dealer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lianimal @ Sep 4 2007, 02:16 PM) [snapback]506925[/snapback]</div>

I'm by no means an expert on this and would welcome correction from those more knowledgeable, but my experience with it is as follows.

The credit union preapproved us for a loan, and gave us documentation to that effect. They also supplied us with a document describing the fleet purchase program, which is pretty much either logging on to a website or making a phone call; this connects you with the nearest fleet manager with whom the credit union (or, more commonly, group of credit unions) has negotiated pricing. You tell them what you want, they tell you availability and price, and you go sign the contract and obtain the vehicle. There's no negotiation; the price is the price.

As the buyer, I was able to obtain the color and package I wanted easily, whereas the other dealers couldn't supply what I was looking for. In addition, the price was $800 below the lowest quoted price elsewhere, and there was none of the usual "you're taking the food from my children's mouths; I'll have to go prostrate myself before my manager to even consider this price, but I like your face" dance. Finally, no last-minute hidden fees for "dealer value-added undercoating", etc....the price you get quoted is the price you'll pay, no surprises.

From the seller's perspective, it's a good deal for them as well, as they've just been handed a preapproval document where the credit union is guaranteeing the loan in advance. When you're in a dealer, many times you get to overhear conversations nearby, and it's often the case where the salesperson has spent a couple of hours getting a deal done, only to run a credit check to discover that the prospective buyer can't qualify for a loan. With the preapproval, they don't need to worry about that.

Our particular credit union also subtracts a quarter-point from the rate for buying a hybrid; worth checking out if yours does the same.

 

And if Rickey can't get the car you want in Northern California, I tend to think that nobody can!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ Sep 4 2007, 06:53 PM) [snapback]507061[/snapback]</div>

Yes, Rickey started posting a long time ago on the Yahoo 2G Prius group and is a real go-getter. I did call him when I was in the market for one, but I ended up on a MUCH shorter waiting list in Merced CA (primarily because almost everyone on their list wanted a fully loaded version, and the day I called there was only one person ahead of me for a Package #7!).