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Vaporware?

Created September 21, 2004, at 3:14 pm by Anonymous

I ordered a Prius through my local dealer in October of 2003. I have checked back with them about every month or so and am always given the same info...it's not here yet. I tried emailing Toyota and, you guessed it, they said to contact the dealer. When I tried to tell Toyota that this is kind of a Catch-22...they just said "sorry", in so many words. Can anyone tell me when it would be reasonable to expect delivery of an ordered Prius? I have seen other people get cars who ordered after I did, or just showed up at a carlot and bought one...it's maddening!

Jack

Anonymous

7 years ago

I suspect that the dealer knows very well where your vehicle is in the allocation and ordering system. If they were allocated 12 for the year and you were number 15 on the list, you may be waiting a while. If you were number 4, but someone's buddy wanted one, they may have pushed you back to get theirs earlier. It's pretty much in the hands of the dealer. If they had been up front with you when you ordered and told you that they expected XX for the year and you were Number Y on the list, you might have a better feel for when it would arrive. They are not a free demand vehicle. Dealers can only input what their allocation allows.

Anonymous

7 years ago

At Concord Toyota we are currently delivering cars that were ordered in Late April and early May. Toyota has beefed up the production of the Prius so we are seeing twice the amount of cars allocated now as we were seeing then. The production increase has made the list go from a seven to eight month wait down to a four to five month wait. If you ordered in 2003 you should ask to see the list and find out how many cars away you are. Make sure they have you on the list. Some dealers are selling the Prius right off the lot for a $5,000 to $10,000 mark up if you want to go that route.

Jason M. Kelly
(925) 349-2294
Concord Toyota
Internet Manager

Anonymous

7 years ago

There's no 'good' reason for you to still be waiting that long unless the demand in your area was truely HUGE and your dealer's allocations extremely small.

I'd venture a guess that you agreed to MSRP for price when you ordered and your dealer is selling to the highest bidders right now.

With allocations and production increasing I suggest you continue to harass your dealer, show him you're informed. Ask how many he's been allocated for the second half of November...he should know. Ask what number you are on the list for the package and color you ordered. Let him know you'll be calling twice a month, about the time they find out about their allocations, to find out what they've been allocated.

Further, if you can be flexible on color and/or package that might help. For instance, if you want a Salsa BC package (#6 for '05s, #9 '04s) that's probably the one in highest demand.

Lastly, call around to other dealers within the range you're willing to travel...Waiting lists are getting smaller and a lot of dealers have delivered to everyone on their wait lists and can often get you a car in a matter of weeks.

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