Toyota dealers in the southeast US not selling Primes

It's a tough drive back, for sure.

Around here it certainly seems that way; everyone's in love with them. Isn't there some technical loophole reasons behind this: lower emissions standards, mpg targets and the like? So they sell like hotcakes.

 

In my area, I cannot get any deals on them, and I get comments or “looks” from my salesman when I inquire about them. You see I’m supposed to drive a big gas-guzzling TRUCK! Not a PHV!!! They will not order one for me, and again I get the looks and comments.

 

That's why I flew to RI to buy my Prime for $8,600 off MSRP and drove it 1,700 miles home to TX.

 

I would love to hear this entire story....

 

I saw a post in the prices paid forum from @PriusPostus2 where he got a really good deal from Balise Toyota in RI. I contacted the dealership, put down a deposit on a Thursday and flew to RI Saturday. They had the car ready and I test drove it. They asked how I was going to pay and I asked how much I can put down on a credit card and they said there wasn't a limit so I paid for my car using 3 credit cards. Took about 2 1/2 days to drive 1700 miles. Filled up gas 3 times. Lots on rain during my drive so it wasn't that fun of a trip.

 

I know GST very good and suggest you guys didn't try very hard. Even if your local did/does not have one on lot, they Dealer Trade within GST all day long. The ONLY Toyota I was not been able to get directly in this Region was the RAV4 EV.

 

My main problem with GST is that they will not give any deals for them.. they will not come off the MSRP. Due to the lack of interest here in "BIG OIL" country... there is little to no demand. As far as dealing within GST... you obviously have not dealt with any of my local dealers.. if it is on the lot they will work with you.. a little.. but if they have to get it from basically anywhere else.. it is a huge hassle. This has been my experience anyway.

 

Respects. Dealership Sales Departments are always a challenge. After our Dads passed on, I was the one who helped the Wife's and my Mother get their last vehicles...both 2012 RAV4s. Both were bought here in TX because of the bubba factor still prevalent in LA. and because I have a very good relationship with my Dealership. If you are still looking to buy, PM me and I can get you past all that BS if your willing to buy in the DFW area and want a better deal. I am not affiliated with, work for or take any money from them for the record. I am an Airline Mechanic.

 

you can get $6 or 7,000. off up here. how much of that are you willing to give up to buy (semi) local?

 

Such loopholes are why SUVs first became popular, and they still play a role. The cargo capacity, and high seating still makes them popular. Then gas prices went into a low spell, and the 'small' SUVs people are now buying may be as efficient as the car they are replacing.

 

When the time comes, I’ll be looking for the best deal possible. I don’t know if I can do a flight and 3 days to drive it home, but I’ll be looking nonetheless.

 

I was at my local Toyota Dealer a couple of days ago here on the North side of Atlanta (the one I purchased my Prius Prime from) and they actually had a Prius Prime on the lot for sale. Parked right by the front door. I talked to the salesman I purchased mine from and he said that they were just starting to get a few on allocation. The one in the lot was the first one delivered. No more need to pre-order only. People in the southeast may want to check with their local dealers as it looks like the dam may have broken and Prius Primes may be starting to appear in more dealers in the area.

 

I have 2 primes locally that I’m watching. Just waiting for details of 2019s to be released

 

I'm also waiting on the details of the 2019 Prime and seeing if Toyota northeast does a $4,500 customer cash for a Toyotathon or something. They are at $4,000 off MSRP right now up in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut I believe.

Picking up a Prime Plus for $23,800 plus fees and then getting a $4,502 tax burden rebate is a hard deal to pass up!

 

Agree Viper... that would be an amazing deal

 

*******************************

My 2007 and 2010 Prius were purchased from the same dealer. In N. Palm Beach Florida. When deciding to buy a Prime in late 2018 he could not provide a Prius Prime. Also, no luck within 200 miles of Toyota Dealers. My 2018 Prime was purchase at KOONS TOYOTA in northern VA. $5000 Toyota rebate, $4000 Dealer rebate ( no doubt Toyota $) $300 more than wholesale for 2010 Prius with 182K miles) plus the $4502 Federal T CREDIT. NET 12-28-18 Prime purchase: not counting trade value, almost exactly the $23,700 I paid for my new 2007 Prius. That total transaction, including a fixed trade value determined by my sending photo was completed before I drive the 997 miles, plus 1 hour time in dealer, to drive the 2018 Prime back to SE Florida.

So, there can be some consumer Benefit from Toyota and Toyota market manipulation!

 

the above post should be a sticky unto itself, a billboard, and a reminder to all who think that prime is selling in any numbers because it is a car people want vs the competition, or even a regular prius.

 

In my area there is a distinct lack of any PHEVs on the car lots. The local toyota dealer keeps one prime in stock. I had to drive 150 miles away to test drive a Volt. I was going to fly to the west coast to pick up a Ionic but when I went to buy there were none, in the entire US, with the package and color I wanted, and only a handful on the west coast.

I know there is interest in the Prime around here from the questions I get, and a guy at work bought one after talking with me.