Tideland Pearl #4 (AG)[was:Salsa 7], 12/31/03, St. Louis, MO

Date Ordered: January 12, 2004
Dealer Ordered From (Incl. City/State): Jim Lynch Toyota; St. Louis, MO
Timeframe given for delivery: possibly January 19th (see story below)
Color: Salsa
Option Package: 7
Your # on Dealer's Waiting List: #1, but that didn't help!
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Just a note about our Prius story. We took delivery of a Tideland Pearl #4 on March 15th.

We started looking at Prius' back in late December, to see what this
car was about, to replace an aging Mazda van, and if we could take
advantage of the tax break before 12/31. That was our first
opportunity to look at this fabulous car. And, a rude awakening to
what I would discover is a long and frustrating process to get one
of these vehicles.

A quick call to all the dealers in St. Louis after the New Year
revealed that we could put in our order for the car, but it would be
awhile before we would be driving one. Responses from area dealers
(and we are located at the intersection of two regions- Kansas City
region for Missouri & Chicago region for Illinois) were from 12
weeks to "X" number of months, and one dealer even telling
me "Forgeddaboutit" for a 2004.

One salesperson that we spoke with at a St. Louis dealer did mention
that they had 2 Prius' on the lot, and those were going to the St.
Louis Auto Show last January. One, a Salsa AM (#7) which is the
model/color we wanted, could possibly be ours after the Auto Show
(the other was a Silver #4). We took a look at the Salsa in the back
lot and decided to put a deposit on the car. My 10 year old son and
I visited the car at the opening day of the Auto Show and took some
digital pictures of the car at the Toyota display area. We were
wondering if we had really gotten that lucky to get a car this
easily. Sadly, we didn't get this car after the show, and we got our
deposit back. My wife and I just decided to wait it out for 2005
list to start, so we could get our name on that. We had little faith
that we would ever get our Prius.

Fast forward to a week ago...I get a call from the same salesman at
the dealership where we tried to get the Salsa Seven. He tells me
that a Tideland Pearl, with Package 4 is sitting on their lot, and
it is available. We took a drive up to the dealership, and checked
it out. There it was, and it was ours, if we wanted it. We fell in
love with the color, and it had the right options (including the rear
bumper protector installed and floor mats). We decided this was our
chance, so we took it. Seems that after the car came in, it was rejected
by the intended recipient, and per the manager's announcement to the sales staff,
it was available to the first person to write an order on it. Like a child being adopted,
we got the call and had to hustle to pick up our baby!

A week later, we are just having a great time with the car. All of
the knowledge gained by reading the Prius Yahoo Groups (and Priuschat
.com) messages have been put to use. We have eliminated some beeping
sounds, know how to program the locking system, and have the
Homelink mirror working the garage door. Thanks to all who have
provided information on the car, and to those that answered some of
my questions in January.

We wish that everyone who wants a Prius will be as fortunate as we
were to get one of these cars. Our *wait* was just about 3-1/2
months. Keep the faith. It could happen to you.