Buying Soon, Last Minute Questions

ESanders2 · 04-03-2007, 05:20 AM

Okay, it looks like I'm finally going to take the leap of faith soon and buy a Prius (next month, that is). I've been trying to talk my wife into buying a Mazdaspeed 3, but, being more sensible than I am financially and environmentally, she says "no." (The Mazdaspeed is the turbocharged version of the regular 3; it makes 260 hp and 280 lb-feet of torque

but it only averages about 20 mpg and takes premium gas).

So the Prius is my second choice and my wife's first choice. I've combed through the various options of enthusiast cars (Speed 3, Volkswagon GTI, Subaru WRX, etc) but none of them have very good gas mileage and I live in California where we are approaching $4.00 per gallon now. At any rate, I'm still looking forward to the Prius and I can always drive my turbocharged Eclipse around for kicks.

The only question now is how do we special order the color combination and package of our choice. The dealers don't seem to have exactly what we want. Have any of you guys done this? Does it take a long time? I can wait up to 6 weeks.

freke70 · 04-03-2007, 05:46 AM

You should be able to get the exact Prius you want in under a month. They're pumping them out at a much higher volume than they did in earlier years. You probably already know this, but, go for the Touring edition.

mcbrunnhilde · 04-03-2007, 06:11 AM

Different regions have different availability of packages. When I bought my 2004, I went to Northern California to get it, because I wanted stability control without having to buy a fully loaded model. Go to http://buyatoyota.com/zipCodeEntry.aspx and try to build a Prius in your zip code. If you don't like the option packages available, try other cities that you're willing to travel to. Good luck!

ESanders2 · 04-03-2007, 07:21 AM

Yeah everyone seems to like the Touring Package. Is it the suspension, or the HIDs and wheels?

I'm thinking about getting a package2 Touring. I would like to get the JBL system but a lot of people don't think it's that great.

Yeah everyone seems to like the Touring Package. Is it the suspension, or the HIDs and wheels?

I'm thinking about getting a package2 Touring. I would like to get the JBL system but a lot of people don't think it's that great.

Charles Suitt · 04-03-2007, 12:40 PM

Hi SandMan

I have the '07 Touring Edition Package 6, and after 2+ years in my '04, I am quite pleased with the '07 Touring. The suspension is a bit firmer, leans less in turns, the 16" wheels with Bridgestone Turanza tires both look better and provide a larger 'footprint' on the pavement producing better traction at a slight loss of MPG. Insofar as the JBL sound, it's adequate for me - I'm not a dedicated audiophile. One tip if you get the JBL system, disconnect the center speaker for better stereo seperation and set the system to reduce mid-range a bit and emphasize lower and upper ranges... helps a little. The HID's are somewhat better than the Halogens, particularly in the peripheries, like lighting the curbs and highway 'side stripes' better. My only reservation on the HID's is the reported >$200 for one replacement bulb.

I'm not sure about the CA area distributer, but in TX we are able to log on to Toyota.com and access individual dealers' inventories to determine which one has the Prius we want. Texas dealers are good about 'swapping out' with another dealer to provide a Prius to specification. If that works in CA, you might be able to find what you want without delay.

Good luck finding the Prius you want.

malibucarl · 04-03-2007, 01:43 PM

Hi,
I suggest you email the dealers in your area and also include Sacramento.
First go to Edmunds.com. to find the invoice price of the car you want. Then email the dealers with an offer to buy at that (Edmunds) price.
Worked for us twice in February. You MAY be able to beat that now, IF they have what you want.
If you "special order" it may be more difficult price wise.
Rickey Hirose on PriusOnline.com is in your area. He seems very knowledgeable.
Good Luck,
Carl

snowdog650 · 04-03-2007, 09:52 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(malibucarl @ Apr 3 2007, 11:43 AM) [snapback]417138[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi,
I suggest you email the dealers in your area and also include Sacramento.
First go to Edmunds.com. to find the invoice price of the car you want. Then email the dealers with an offer to buy at that (Edmunds) price.
Worked for us twice in February. You MAY be able to beat that now, IF they have what you want.
If you "special order" it may be more difficult price wise.
Rickey Hirose on PriusOnline.com is in your area. He seems very knowledgeable.
Good Luck,
Carl
[/b]

Dealers in Sacramento would be all over you if you offered invoice. They are still going for below invoice around these here parts.

ESanders2 · 04-04-2007, 01:35 AM

That's good to know they are going below invoice. I've had two local dealers offer me 2500 off MSRP on any package I want. I think that may be below invoice, right? I'll have to go onto Edmunds and check.

onlynark · 04-04-2007, 02:33 AM

I still recommend you drive both a regular and a touring prius. What works for one, does not work for another. Might turn out that u dont like the touring...who knows?

snowdog650 · 04-04-2007, 09:22 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nark @ Apr 4 2007, 12:33 AM) [snapback]417504[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I still recommend you drive both a regular and a touring prius. What works for one, does not work for another. Might turn out that u dont like the touring...who knows?
[/b]

You might also find out that Touring versions are apparently difficult to come by in CA.

04-03-2007, 05:20 AM	#1
ESanders2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 47 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Okay, it looks like I'm finally going to take the leap of faith soon and buy a Prius (next month, that is). I've been trying to talk my wife into buying a Mazdaspeed 3, but, being more sensible than I am financially and environmentally, she says "no." (The Mazdaspeed is the turbocharged version of the regular 3; it makes 260 hp and 280 lb-feet of torque but it only averages about 20 mpg and takes premium gas). So the Prius is my second choice and my wife's first choice. I've combed through the various options of enthusiast cars (Speed 3, Volkswagon GTI, Subaru WRX, etc) but none of them have very good gas mileage and I live in California where we are approaching $4.00 per gallon now. At any rate, I'm still looking forward to the Prius and I can always drive my turbocharged Eclipse around for kicks. The only question now is how do we special order the color combination and package of our choice. The dealers don't seem to have exactly what we want. Have any of you guys done this? Does it take a long time? I can wait up to 6 weeks. __________________ Everything in My Life I Owe to My Cat "Jingles"

04-03-2007, 12:40 PM	#5
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi SandMan I have the '07 Touring Edition Package 6, and after 2+ years in my '04, I am quite pleased with the '07 Touring. The suspension is a bit firmer, leans less in turns, the 16" wheels with Bridgestone Turanza tires both look better and provide a larger 'footprint' on the pavement producing better traction at a slight loss of MPG. Insofar as the JBL sound, it's adequate for me - I'm not a dedicated audiophile. One tip if you get the JBL system, disconnect the center speaker for better stereo seperation and set the system to reduce mid-range a bit and emphasize lower and upper ranges... helps a little. The HID's are somewhat better than the Halogens, particularly in the peripheries, like lighting the curbs and highway 'side stripes' better. My only reservation on the HID's is the reported >$200 for one replacement bulb. I'm not sure about the CA area distributer, but in TX we are able to log on to Toyota.com and access individual dealers' inventories to determine which one has the Prius we want. Texas dealers are good about 'swapping out' with another dealer to provide a Prius to specification. If that works in CA, you might be able to find what you want without delay. Good luck finding the Prius you want. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

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04-03-2007, 05:46 AM	#2
freke70 Salesman Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: super secret Posts: 92 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	You should be able to get the exact Prius you want in under a month. They're pumping them out at a much higher volume than they did in earlier years. You probably already know this, but, go for the Touring edition.

04-03-2007, 06:11 AM	#3
mcbrunnhilde Opera singin' Prius nut! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 596 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Different regions have different availability of packages. When I bought my 2004, I went to Northern California to get it, because I wanted stability control without having to buy a fully loaded model. Go to http://buyatoyota.com/zipCodeEntry.aspx and try to build a Prius in your zip code. If you don't like the option packages available, try other cities that you're willing to travel to. Good luck!

04-03-2007, 07:21 AM	#4
ESanders2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 47 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yeah everyone seems to like the Touring Package. Is it the suspension, or the HIDs and wheels? I'm thinking about getting a package2 Touring. I would like to get the JBL system but a lot of people don't think it's that great. Yeah everyone seems to like the Touring Package. Is it the suspension, or the HIDs and wheels? I'm thinking about getting a package2 Touring. I would like to get the JBL system but a lot of people don't think it's that great.

04-03-2007, 01:43 PM	#6
malibucarl Carl Straub Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Malibu, Ca Posts: 159 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi, I suggest you email the dealers in your area and also include Sacramento. First go to Edmunds.com. to find the invoice price of the car you want. Then email the dealers with an offer to buy at that (Edmunds) price. Worked for us twice in February. You MAY be able to beat that now, IF they have what you want. If you "special order" it may be more difficult price wise. Rickey Hirose on PriusOnline.com is in your area. He seems very knowledgeable. Good Luck, Carl

04-04-2007, 01:35 AM	#8
ESanders2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 47 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That's good to know they are going below invoice. I've had two local dealers offer me 2500 off MSRP on any package I want. I think that may be below invoice, right? I'll have to go onto Edmunds and check.

04-04-2007, 02:33 AM	#9
onlynark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: bay area Posts: 171 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I still recommend you drive both a regular and a touring prius. What works for one, does not work for another. Might turn out that u dont like the touring...who knows?