does deposit guarantee an actual car?

[Bob Allen]

Hi Prius fans: I put in my order for a new Prius on January 3rd. I've read that Toyota only planned to make 36k Prii for 2004 and was wondering if placing an order and deposit does in fact guarantee a car or is it like a theatre overselling seats?
I ordered the Seaside Blue, but will live with any color except black. Did those of you who placed orders actually get the color you wanted?
Anyone know what the most popular color is? (i.e., the one I would likely be offered if the guy ahead of me in line is not available or declines to buy)
Excited about what I think is the most exciting car I 've ever seen.
Bob in Seattle

[Danny]

The # produced actually got bumped by 30% to 47,000 - you'll probably start seeing the effects of the bumped up production in early spring.

I'll let others answer your other questions.

[smlasers]

Guarantee?? No I am pretty sure it does not guarantee anything...Up to your dealer as to what the conditions of the deposit are...Some desposits are refundable some aren't...and it is questionable depending on state law that all deposits are refundable...

[PriusDreamer]

Not only doesn't it guarantee you a car, it doesn't even guarantee the final price. I believe price increases can be passed on prior to delivery. When supply is ample this may not happen, but when it's this tight I am a little worried myself about a potential increase. Additionally there has been some speculation on these pages of people being put into the cue for 2005 models already. We (the unlucky "dreamers" ) can only wait and hope the production increase, which our esteemed admin so correctly noted, actually starts to make an impact on the marketplace. Though it appears that this has yet to be the case.

[rflagg]

I'll be putting down a deposit tomorrow on any BC #9 Prius (prefer no red, no black, prefer green or blue, but really any!), and from what the dealer tells me, the dealership I'm working with is #3 in the country for previous Prius sales, meaning they get the 3rd highest allocation rate - he's told me that it should be about two months.

Of course, word going around is that average wait time is 4-6 months, and honestly, if I'm waiting 6 months, I'd prefer to wait another 3 or so for the 2005 - as freaking hard as that'd be to do, since I'm obsessed with this car.

With all this ordering and people waiting, you'd think toyota could double production without any losses or overproduction worries. Oh well, I'm keeping myself optimistic and hoping for a great experience. I know once the car arrives, I won't be disappointed in it at all!

-Matthew.

[SpartanPrius]

According to the fine print offered on my New Jersey contract:

Manufacturer's Price Increases - are a pass through increase, unless the customer wishes to cancel the order.

Delays in Delivery - "Dealer shall not be responsible for failure to deliver or any delay in delivering..." beyond their control.

[tag]

Originally posted by SpartanPrius
According to the fine print offered on my New Jersey contract:

Manufacturer's Price Increases - are a pass through increase, unless the customer wishes to cancel the order.

Delays in Delivery - \"Dealer shall not be responsible for failure to deliver or any delay in delivering...\" beyond their control.

It sure sounds as if they're using the same contract in NJ as the one my dealer is using in IL.

Re the clause about not being responsible for failure to deliver, my contract goes on to state, "except where such failure or delay is due to Dealer's gross negligence or willful misconduct". Soooooo, if I discover that I was next in line for a Silver BC but my dealership sold the next Silver BC it received to someone who walked in off the street (willing to pay well in excess of MSRP, of course), I think that would clearly fall within the category of "willful misconduct". Further, taking orders far in excess of the number of cars the dealer could ever hope to receive (after taking into consideration a certain percentage of cancellations) could also be considered willful misconduct, IMHO.

[jimvitz]

Re the clause about not being responsible for failure to deliver, my contract goes on to state, \"except where such failure or delay is due to Dealer's gross negligence or willful misconduct\". Soooooo, if I discover that I was next in line for a Silver BC but my dealership sold the next Silver BC it received to someone who walked in off the street (willing to pay well in excess of MSRP, of course), I think that would clearly fall within the category of \"willful misconduct\".

I thought that too, but we'd need a Toyota freedom of information act to find out if this ever happened!

[halfbreed]

hi, I've been asking around some dealers,
one required a $500 deposit, non refundable.
two required a $500 deposit, refundable and they wouldn't cash the check until I got the car.
one required a $500 deposit, refundable, but they would cash the check now.

Is it legal in California for them to not refund my deposit ?
If they say they will refund it, must I get that in writing?
Does it even help get the car sooner if I put deposits in at several dealers?
Any advice, experiences appreciated.

thanks

[sibtrag]

Originally posted by halfbreed
If they say they will refund it, must I get that in writing?
Does it even help get the car sooner if I put deposits in at several dealers?
Any advice, experiences appreciated.

thanks

I recently got on the list in NJ. When they wanted me to sign the part that said that no promises had been made except those on the contract, I wanted them to include the "6 months" promise. They demurred, but offered to include their other promise: that the deposit was refundable. I took that, so I have that promise in writing on the contract.