Decided it was time to get on the waiting list

bruceha_2000 · 07-27-2004, 02:38 PM

Since Dianne has posted that there are no planned changes to the packages for 2005, I decided to look into gettng on some lists. I sent my request (through the Toyota site) to 4 relatively local dealers this morning. Told them I wanted a #7 Seaside (other colors might be acceptable) VSC, side airbags, SS/SE (most important features in case Toyota DOES muck with the packages) and would not pay over MSRP. Got back my first response. Nothing unexpected, they seem to be following the "honest dealer" rules. I am hoping Toyota does bump the production numbers a bunch because a year is a long time - Even Manny didn't wait that long! Of course he would have if he had stuck it out with his local dealer.

Mr. Alvarez,

Thank you for your email. Our current waiting period for a Prius is
up to a year. Many (if not all) of the 2005 models we receive will be
going to customers who placed an order for a 2004 model.

Due to the extremely high demand for these cars, Toyota is not taking
specific orders from dealers. They are sending what they have, and
that's what we get. If the next customer on the waiting list does not
like the Prius that was sent, then they have the option to wait for
another one to come in, and so on.

In order to put your name on our waiting list, we require a $500
deposit. If you decide you no longer want to wait for the car, we
will refund your deposit in full at any time. Any trade you may have
would be appraised when your Prius arrived. We are charging full MSRP
for these cars.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

LeVautRien · 07-27-2004, 02:44 PM

Pretty tough, isn't it?

I'm not sure how international car ordering works, but I remember hearing on several occasions that Canada has much shorter lists...of course, would you even be able to buy a Canadian one in the first place? I don't know.

Also, you could order from a region that doesn't have as long of a wait and have it shipped to you. I'm not sure how much it costs to have a car trucked across the country, but it's something worth looking into.

Good luck!

bruceha_2000 · 07-27-2004, 03:07 PM

Canada is a mere 40 miles away :-) I don't know what happens if you buy in Canada and then want to bring in to the U.S. I don't want it so badly that I'm willing to pay to have it transported. If I'm not willing to drive "that far" to bring it home, I don't need it.

daniel · 07-27-2004, 04:09 PM

Before buying internationally, check on possible warranty issues and possible import duties or fees. If Toyota does not allow international warranty transfer, you could end up going back to canada for warranty work. And if there are import fees you could end up paying more than you expected. Also find out if you'd have to pay registration fees and taxes in both countries. Also, options packages might be different.

07-27-2004, 02:38 PM	#1
bruceha_2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South Burlington, VT Posts: 2,207 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Decided it was time to get on the waiting list Since Dianne has posted that there are no planned changes to the packages for 2005, I decided to look into gettng on some lists. I sent my request (through the Toyota site) to 4 relatively local dealers this morning. Told them I wanted a #7 Seaside (other colors might be acceptable) VSC, side airbags, SS/SE (most important features in case Toyota DOES muck with the packages) and would not pay over MSRP. Got back my first response. Nothing unexpected, they seem to be following the "honest dealer" rules. I am hoping Toyota does bump the production numbers a bunch because a year is a long time - Even Manny didn't wait that long! Of course he would have if he had stuck it out with his local dealer. Mr. Alvarez, Thank you for your email. Our current waiting period for a Prius is up to a year. Many (if not all) of the 2005 models we receive will be going to customers who placed an order for a 2004 model. Due to the extremely high demand for these cars, Toyota is not taking specific orders from dealers. They are sending what they have, and that's what we get. If the next customer on the waiting list does not like the Prius that was sent, then they have the option to wait for another one to come in, and so on. In order to put your name on our waiting list, we require a $500 deposit. If you decide you no longer want to wait for the car, we will refund your deposit in full at any time. Any trade you may have would be appraised when your Prius arrived. We are charging full MSRP for these cars. Please let me know if you have any questions! __________________ Bruce Mine: Driftwood '04 BC 24 Sept 2004 - added: mudflaps, door edge guards, side panel mouldings, Coastal Tech EV switch, Hakkapeliitta RSi tires, WeatherTech window deflectors. Last tank - 11 Nov '08: 551.6 miles - MFD MPG: 52.4 Actuals Lifetime: 78923.8 miles, 48.75 MPG. Wife's: Barcelona '06 #7 May 2006 - added: front mudflaps, Coastal Tech EV switch, Hakkapeliitta RSi tires. Last tank - 25 Aug '08: 360.5 miles - MFD MPG: 50.0 Actuals Lifetime: 25,896.4 miles, 45.78 MPG.

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07-27-2004, 02:44 PM	#2
LeVautRien Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Claremont, California Posts: 367 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Pretty tough, isn't it? I'm not sure how international car ordering works, but I remember hearing on several occasions that Canada has much shorter lists...of course, would you even be able to buy a Canadian one in the first place? I don't know. Also, you could order from a region that doesn't have as long of a wait and have it shipped to you. I'm not sure how much it costs to have a car trucked across the country, but it's something worth looking into. Good luck!

07-27-2004, 03:07 PM	#3
bruceha_2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South Burlington, VT Posts: 2,207 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Canada is a mere 40 miles away :-) I don't know what happens if you buy in Canada and then want to bring in to the U.S. I don't want it so badly that I'm willing to pay to have it transported. If I'm not willing to drive "that far" to bring it home, I don't need it.

07-27-2004, 04:09 PM	#4
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 9,147 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Before buying internationally, check on possible warranty issues and possible import duties or fees. If Toyota does not allow international warranty transfer, you could end up going back to canada for warranty work. And if there are import fees you could end up paying more than you expected. Also find out if you'd have to pay registration fees and taxes in both countries. Also, options packages might be different.