Houston Guys...

Texas911 · 02-24-2007, 08:38 PM

Hi. priuschat noob here. So I've decided to get a Prius. Live in Houston. Wondering if the Houston guys can recommend a good dealer?

I've decided on Touring (yes still available in Houston) in Silver with package 5 or 6. I've been browsing the inventory in the surrounding dealers lots and they all seem to have one in stock(package 5). Test drove one at Sterling McCall but that particular car had over 150 miles on it. I know in the grand scheme of things that's not a big deal, but that's a lot of test miles from drivers/salemen unfamiliar with Prius nuances. Ideally I'd love a fresh from the factory car.

Another irritating thing about buying in Houston is that Gulf States Toyota loads up the Prii with lots of unnecessary junk. I hate the fake wood grain they tape over the silver trim. And pinstriping is just dumb, in the 21st century. Seems like right off the bat they take $1000 of the "msrp". But from lurking here that doesn't seem to be much of a deal.

Thanks for reading my first post.

MechaJohn · 02-24-2007, 10:10 PM

[quote] Hi. priuschat noob here. So I've decided to get a Prius. Live in Houston. Wondering if the Houston guys can recommend a good dealer?

Hi Texas911,

I had a great experience with Fred Haas Toyota Country on SH249 at Spring Cypress (NOT FH Toyota World @ I45 & Louetta, salesman there was a liar). The salesman we worked with was Buddy Hadley. He is a fleet salesman I contacted through my company's fleet agreement with Toyota, but he is also part of the internet sales team. He was honest and very responsive. At the time we bought our Prius, there were no discounts (so we paid MSRP), and there were no cars on the lot (not ones that hadn't already been sold anyway). Buddy put in an order for what we wanted, but to expedite getting us a car, he ended up trading with another dealer for a car en route. The other dealer had tagged the car to get some dealer installed "junk" and Buddy removed that stuff from the computer. We ended up getting exactly the options we wanted, and the car had 3 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. I am not sure if he can make chages to the dealer options for you if you are not a fleet customer, but it's worth a try. Also, when I was leaving the lot, Buddy did a walk through with me to inspect the car, and explain any features i didn't already know (from reading PriusChat

). He is very knowledgeable about the Prius, unlike the guy at FHTW, who learned most of what he knows about the car from me! Since selling my SUV was critical to being able to afford the Prius, Buddy also helped me sell that. He referred potential buyers my way.

Give Buddy a call and see if he can help you out. And if you do decide to buy from him, please tell him John Marino sent you (yes, they pay for a referral, but I'm not exagerating what a good experince we had).

Here's his contact info:
Buddy Hadley
Fleet/Internet Manager
Fred Haas Toyota Country
bhadley@fredhaas.icarconnect.com
281-374-5127 Off.
832-282-9976 Cell

Texas911 · 02-26-2007, 08:16 AM

Thanks will call them later today. As the incentives end on the 28th.

tiger roach · 02-26-2007, 09:32 AM

We recently bought our Highlander from Don McGill (Katy Fwy @ Dairy Ashford) and I was very impressed with the dealership. It was my first car purchase that didn't leave me thinking the dealership was evil and ripped me off. They also did a good job prepping the car and getting us through the paperwork quickly, even though it was extremely busy that day.

Of course that is just one experience, but I will check them out first when I am ready to get my Prius.

prion · 02-26-2007, 12:29 PM

i like the way i was treated at Mike Calvert Toyota, in Houston.

Went to gullo hass on 45 once, for service and it was a very bad experience.

Prius The First · 02-26-2007, 05:42 PM

I thought all Houstonians drove Big Oil SUV's It is good to know that there are some correct thinking people out there.

Congrats and welcome to the good side.

MechaJohn · 02-27-2007, 02:59 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius The First @ Feb 26 2007, 04:42 PM) [snapback]396890[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I thought all Houstonians drove Big Oil SUV's It is good to know that there are some correct thinking people out there.

Congrats and welcome to the good side. [/b]

Funny, when I lived in Colorado I had two SUVs, but here in Houston, I don't need one.

Texas911 · 02-27-2007, 03:35 PM

At least he didn't say we all rode horses!

Prius The First · 02-27-2007, 04:41 PM

I have a cousin that lives down there. Works for GM. He tells me that 90MPH+ is the standard...

emaad · 02-27-2007, 09:53 PM

all the housewives drive excursions and expeditions to go get groceries. since we houstonians eat THAT much

02-24-2007, 08:38 PM	#1
Texas911 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 229 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	Hi. priuschat noob here. So I've decided to get a Prius. Live in Houston. Wondering if the Houston guys can recommend a good dealer? I've decided on Touring (yes still available in Houston) in Silver with package 5 or 6. I've been browsing the inventory in the surrounding dealers lots and they all seem to have one in stock(package 5). Test drove one at Sterling McCall but that particular car had over 150 miles on it. I know in the grand scheme of things that's not a big deal, but that's a lot of test miles from drivers/salemen unfamiliar with Prius nuances. Ideally I'd love a fresh from the factory car. Another irritating thing about buying in Houston is that Gulf States Toyota loads up the Prii with lots of unnecessary junk. I hate the fake wood grain they tape over the silver trim. And pinstriping is just dumb, in the 21st century. Seems like right off the bat they take $1000 of the "msrp". But from lurking here that doesn't seem to be much of a deal. Thanks for reading my first post. __________________

02-24-2007, 10:10 PM	#2
MechaJohn Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 51 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	[quote] Hi. priuschat noob here. So I've decided to get a Prius. Live in Houston. Wondering if the Houston guys can recommend a good dealer? Hi Texas911, I had a great experience with Fred Haas Toyota Country on SH249 at Spring Cypress (NOT FH Toyota World @ I45 & Louetta, salesman there was a liar). The salesman we worked with was Buddy Hadley. He is a fleet salesman I contacted through my company's fleet agreement with Toyota, but he is also part of the internet sales team. He was honest and very responsive. At the time we bought our Prius, there were no discounts (so we paid MSRP), and there were no cars on the lot (not ones that hadn't already been sold anyway). Buddy put in an order for what we wanted, but to expedite getting us a car, he ended up trading with another dealer for a car en route. The other dealer had tagged the car to get some dealer installed "junk" and Buddy removed that stuff from the computer. We ended up getting exactly the options we wanted, and the car had 3 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. I am not sure if he can make chages to the dealer options for you if you are not a fleet customer, but it's worth a try. Also, when I was leaving the lot, Buddy did a walk through with me to inspect the car, and explain any features i didn't already know (from reading PriusChat ). He is very knowledgeable about the Prius, unlike the guy at FHTW, who learned most of what he knows about the car from me! Since selling my SUV was critical to being able to afford the Prius, Buddy also helped me sell that. He referred potential buyers my way. Give Buddy a call and see if he can help you out. And if you do decide to buy from him, please tell him John Marino sent you (yes, they pay for a referral, but I'm not exagerating what a good experince we had). Here's his contact info: Buddy Hadley Fleet/Internet Manager Fred Haas Toyota Country bhadley@fredhaas.icarconnect.com 281-374-5127 Off. 832-282-9976 Cell __________________ Proud owner of PROPs (Prius Optimus) - 2006 Driftwood Pearl, Package 3

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02-26-2007, 08:16 AM	#3
Texas911 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 229 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	Thanks will call them later today. As the incentives end on the 28th.

02-26-2007, 09:32 AM	#4
tiger roach Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 75 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	We recently bought our Highlander from Don McGill (Katy Fwy @ Dairy Ashford) and I was very impressed with the dealership. It was my first car purchase that didn't leave me thinking the dealership was evil and ripped me off. They also did a good job prepping the car and getting us through the paperwork quickly, even though it was extremely busy that day. Of course that is just one experience, but I will check them out first when I am ready to get my Prius.

02-26-2007, 12:29 PM	#5
prion Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 21 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	i like the way i was treated at Mike Calvert Toyota, in Houston. Went to gullo hass on 45 once, for service and it was a very bad experience.

02-26-2007, 05:42 PM	#6
Prius The First Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 141 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I thought all Houstonians drove Big Oil SUV's It is good to know that there are some correct thinking people out there. Congrats and welcome to the good side.

02-27-2007, 03:35 PM	#8
Texas911 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 229 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	At least he didn't say we all rode horses!

02-27-2007, 04:41 PM	#9
Prius The First Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 141 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have a cousin that lives down there. Works for GM. He tells me that 90MPH+ is the standard...

02-27-2007, 09:53 PM	#10
emaad Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	all the housewives drive excursions and expeditions to go get groceries. since we houstonians eat THAT much