Taking Delivery This Week

Highly ImPriused · 03-26-2007, 01:30 PM

My Prius is arriving at the dealership direct from the factory this week and I should be picking it up Thursday or Friday (yes I'm pretty excited

). Since the dealer charges a non-negotiable $99 "prep and delivery" fee, I'm thinking of making them earn it at least a little. One fairly straight forward thing would be to ask them to inflate the tires to 42/40. But will they be willing to do so since that's not what Toyota recommends? Another would be to have them ensure that the oil level is correct. Would they think I'm crazy for asking this? I've heard of people taking theirs off the lot and checking the oil level when they got home only to find that it's 1/2" above the full mark. Is there really any risk of it being overfilled at the factory?

Anything else I should be aware of or ask of the dealership prior to taking delivery?

mywhitenoise · 03-26-2007, 02:28 PM

Make sure they give you a spare key, I didn't get one, now I have to scout for a brand new one off ebay, on top of that I have to pay to get it programmed.
Don't buy the warranty from them, you can get it here for much less.

I think that's about it, not a whole lot to worry about for a new Prius. Congratulations, and have fun!

iaowings · 03-26-2007, 02:39 PM

Eht place o got mine from also has the prep thing to. They told me they would not inflate the tires that high as it is not recommended for the vehicle. They did a thorough check and found that my oil was LOW and put the half-quart of oil in. they checked everything all the lights, carpet and upholstery, paint, and even made sure my mud flap were securely emplace. They had me take it for a quick test drive. They asked me what I though and I said well the steering will was not 100% strait when I was going in a strait line. I was expecting them to look at it and say well its not off by much, but to my surprise they asked me were I would like it to be and maid it so.

I say if they are charging you to prep the vehicle then don’t take it until it is as perfect as can be or at eht least you are happy with it. I made them wash my windows a second time because there were streaks from the first wash.

donee · 03-26-2007, 06:09 PM

Hi Highly,

Have them do an alignment check. Seems some Prius come off the boat with the alignment askew, or even the rear axle wrong. Galaxee can help you out on simple rear axle issues.

richard schumacher · 03-26-2007, 06:53 PM

Read and take with you a copy of the Prius delivery checklist:
http://www.vfaq.net/docs/pickup_checklist.html

In terms of checklist items I *think* (but I'm not certain) that the 2005/06/07 are all identical to the 2004.

Pinto Girl · 03-26-2007, 08:53 PM

I'd do the usual things:

--Take it for a test drive with the radio off to listen for wind whistles, rattles, etc.
--Don't let the excitement and the salesperson make you feel rushed. Take time to really look at the body from a few different angles to detect any dents/imperfections in the paint.
--Look closely at the glass for scratches.
--If you're feeling paranoid, make sure that the spare and jack and all extras and documentation are present, and that the car came with the options you'd spec'd.
--Operate EVERYTHING to see if it all works. If you're not sure about something, get the dealer to demonstrate not only how it works, but THAT it works!
--Check the fit and finish of the exterior and interior and don't sign anything 'till it's all taken care of; any problems you find will be LOTS more difficult to deal with (and you'll have LOTS less leverage) once you accept the car.
--A corollary: Don't accept the car and drive it off the lot until it's how you'd like it to be. If there's an issue, any issue, LEAVE THE CAR WITH THE DEALER and don't sign any paperwork until they address it. Don't take it home and "bring it back tomorrow and our service manager will take a look at it first thing."
--If there's any paperwork detailing what, exactly, the $99 prep fee involves, get a copy and make sure that it's done.
--Most of all: if something's not feeling right, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! Don't let the heat of the moment mess with your perceptions. Also, if they promise to install/fix anything with parts that are "not in stock/available right away" get it in writing!

Finally, if you're in CA and don't want the front license plate installed, there is a sheet that you can sign saying that you know that it's against the law but you've requested delivery of the car with no front plate attached. The dealer will probably tell you that "they come like that from the factory" but actually the dealer is the one who does the install...and if you catch them in a timely manner, they can also NOT install it.

bradysplace · 03-26-2007, 08:58 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Highly ImPriused @ Mar 26 2007, 02:30 PM) [snapback]412419[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My Prius is arriving at the dealership direct from the factory this week and I should be picking it up Thursday or Friday (yes I'm pretty excited

). Since the dealer charges a non-negotiable $99 "prep and delivery" fee, I'm thinking of making them earn it at least a little. One fairly straight forward thing would be to ask them to inflate the tires to 42/40. But will they be willing to do so since that's not what Toyota recommends? Another would be to have them ensure that the oil level is correct. Would they think I'm crazy for asking this? I've heard of people taking theirs off the lot and checking the oil level when they got home only to find that it's 1/2" above the full mark. Is there really any risk of it being overfilled at the factory?

Anything else I should be aware of or ask of the dealership prior to taking delivery?
[/b]

Welcome Highly, Congrats on the new wheels. I did not have any issues with the delivery of my 07 touring. I can only recommend that you just drive the car the way you would any other car. Don't worry about milage or techniques at this point. Just enjoy the car. Depending on the option package you have there might be an adjustment period just getting comfortable with the goodies Toyota packages with the Prius. You'll be one of the few who can keep smiling when we hit 4 dollars a gallon this summer. Welcome. Greg

Highly ImPriused · 03-26-2007, 09:53 PM

Thanks all. Some very good advice here, especially the checklist, and many things I would have never thought of. You all are the best!

richard schumacher · 03-27-2007, 11:50 AM

Take 20 or 30 minutes to read the introductory sections of the owner's manual while sitting in the car on the dealer's lot. This can save some surprises later.

Finally, the most crucial fact for a new Prius owner: when the last pip on the gas gauge starts to flash it means "buy gas right now". This website is strewn with the broken bodies of people who assumed that they could drive 50 or 20 or 10 miles after the gauge started flashing.

liverbomb88 · 03-27-2007, 11:55 AM

This may sound ridiculous to some, but from experience, I would recommend you triple-check the VIN to make sure it's the one you bought. The VIN is on the dash of the drivers side but can also be found under the hood, on the back hatch, etc.

03-26-2007, 01:30 PM	#1
Highly ImPriused Impressive Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 233 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My Prius is arriving at the dealership direct from the factory this week and I should be picking it up Thursday or Friday (yes I'm pretty excited ). Since the dealer charges a non-negotiable $99 "prep and delivery" fee, I'm thinking of making them earn it at least a little. One fairly straight forward thing would be to ask them to inflate the tires to 42/40. But will they be willing to do so since that's not what Toyota recommends? Another would be to have them ensure that the oil level is correct. Would they think I'm crazy for asking this? I've heard of people taking theirs off the lot and checking the oil level when they got home only to find that it's 1/2" above the full mark. Is there really any risk of it being overfilled at the factory? Anything else I should be aware of or ask of the dealership prior to taking delivery? __________________ The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw

03-26-2007, 02:39 PM	#3
iaowings Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 450 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Eht place o got mine from also has the prep thing to. They told me they would not inflate the tires that high as it is not recommended for the vehicle. They did a thorough check and found that my oil was LOW and put the half-quart of oil in. they checked everything all the lights, carpet and upholstery, paint, and even made sure my mud flap were securely emplace. They had me take it for a quick test drive. They asked me what I though and I said well the steering will was not 100% strait when I was going in a strait line. I was expecting them to look at it and say well its not off by much, but to my surprise they asked me were I would like it to be and maid it so. I say if they are charging you to prep the vehicle then don’t take it until it is as perfect as can be or at eht least you are happy with it. I made them wash my windows a second time because there were streaks from the first wash. __________________ "If a man does his best, what else is there?" General George S. Patton "We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." Hillary Clinton

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03-26-2007, 02:28 PM	#2
mywhitenoise Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 205 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Make sure they give you a spare key, I didn't get one, now I have to scout for a brand new one off ebay, on top of that I have to pay to get it programmed. Don't buy the warranty from them, you can get it here for much less. I think that's about it, not a whole lot to worry about for a new Prius. Congratulations, and have fun!

03-26-2007, 06:09 PM	#4
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,536 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi Highly, Have them do an alignment check. Seems some Prius come off the boat with the alignment askew, or even the rear axle wrong. Galaxee can help you out on simple rear axle issues.

03-26-2007, 06:53 PM	#5
richard schumacher nacreous lacquer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 4,126 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Read and take with you a copy of the Prius delivery checklist: http://www.vfaq.net/docs/pickup_checklist.html In terms of checklist items I think (but I'm not certain) that the 2005/06/07 are all identical to the 2004.

03-26-2007, 08:53 PM	#6
Pinto Girl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,372 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'd do the usual things: --Take it for a test drive with the radio off to listen for wind whistles, rattles, etc. --Don't let the excitement and the salesperson make you feel rushed. Take time to really look at the body from a few different angles to detect any dents/imperfections in the paint. --Look closely at the glass for scratches. --If you're feeling paranoid, make sure that the spare and jack and all extras and documentation are present, and that the car came with the options you'd spec'd. --Operate EVERYTHING to see if it all works. If you're not sure about something, get the dealer to demonstrate not only how it works, but THAT it works! --Check the fit and finish of the exterior and interior and don't sign anything 'till it's all taken care of; any problems you find will be LOTS more difficult to deal with (and you'll have LOTS less leverage) once you accept the car. --A corollary: Don't accept the car and drive it off the lot until it's how you'd like it to be. If there's an issue, any issue, LEAVE THE CAR WITH THE DEALER and don't sign any paperwork until they address it. Don't take it home and "bring it back tomorrow and our service manager will take a look at it first thing." --If there's any paperwork detailing what, exactly, the $99 prep fee involves, get a copy and make sure that it's done. --Most of all: if something's not feeling right, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! Don't let the heat of the moment mess with your perceptions. Also, if they promise to install/fix anything with parts that are "not in stock/available right away" get it in writing! Finally, if you're in CA and don't want the front license plate installed, there is a sheet that you can sign saying that you know that it's against the law but you've requested delivery of the car with no front plate attached. The dealer will probably tell you that "they come like that from the factory" but actually the dealer is the one who does the install...and if you catch them in a timely manner, they can also NOT install it.

03-26-2007, 09:53 PM	#8
Highly ImPriused Impressive Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 233 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks all. Some very good advice here, especially the checklist, and many things I would have never thought of. You all are the best!

03-27-2007, 11:50 AM	#9
richard schumacher nacreous lacquer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 4,126 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Take 20 or 30 minutes to read the introductory sections of the owner's manual while sitting in the car on the dealer's lot. This can save some surprises later. Finally, the most crucial fact for a new Prius owner: when the last pip on the gas gauge starts to flash it means "buy gas right now". This website is strewn with the broken bodies of people who assumed that they could drive 50 or 20 or 10 miles after the gauge started flashing.

03-27-2007, 11:55 AM	#10
liverbomb88 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 12 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This may sound ridiculous to some, but from experience, I would recommend you triple-check the VIN to make sure it's the one you bought. The VIN is on the dash of the drivers side but can also be found under the hood, on the back hatch, etc.