No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder?

DropDeadRed · 02-13-2008, 11:02 PM

I'm moving to the US (Houston) this summer and I'm seriously considering a Prius.

I was messing around with the builder thing at Toyota.com and when it comes time to "find the car" I enter in the ZIP code of the place I'll be working at down there as I haven't the slightest idea where I'll actually be working.

My ideal car at this point is white with package 5.

I tried a couple of different dealers, and every single car they have keeps coming back with either package 3 or 4. I couldn't find a single 5 or 6. Leads me to think they are out of cars with nav built in?

Is there a waiting list for these cars?

Thanks,
DDR

EJFB1029 · 02-13-2008, 11:38 PM

Houston is a PORT for Toyota, it is home base to Gulf States Toyota, an independent Toyota distributorship, you should be able to get what you are looking for there. Prius are in short supply, but you can get one. I found one, just doing what you did, just keep clicking More, it was Available, meaning that it is in the Port or coming in to the port within a few days.

sugar land dave · 02-14-2008, 10:42 AM

Houston is a major port for Toyota, but the OP is correct. There appears to many package 2, 3, and 4 in Houston, but the locator at Toyota.com could not find a package 5 or 6.

I am willing to bet a local dealer can locate one somewhere in the state and have it shipped in for you. They have more resources than we do.

Good Luck and may you enjoy your prius in Houston as much as I do.

Winston · 02-14-2008, 04:53 PM

Make sure that you really want OEM navigation. It is nice, but it is expensive and not as up to date and feature laden as some of the much less expensive aftermarket units. For about $600 you can get an aftermarket nav that includes real time traffic, movie times, etc. Plus, you get map updates cheaply.

The Toyota unit does not allow address input while moving and updates of the Nav DVD cost $200. Even the latest DVD has omissions. Having said all that, I like my OEM Nav.

DropDeadRed · 02-14-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winston

Make sure that you really want OEM navigation. It is nice, but it is expensive and not as up to date and feature laden as some of the much less expensive aftermarket units. For about $600 you can get an aftermarket nav that includes real time traffic, movie times, etc. Plus, you get map updates cheaply.

The Toyota unit does not allow address input while moving and updates of the Nav DVD cost $200. Even the latest DVD has omissions. Having said all that, I like my OEM Nav.

To my thinking:

OEM Nav > Cooler aftermarket nav + busted window + new aftermarket nav + another busted window.

If I was thinking to take delivery July 1 this summer, when should I start harassing dealers?

Another question I had was what is the correct order to do the following with a move from Canada...

- Make deal for car
- Get an address
- Get a Texas drivers licence (will this be an in car test for me?)
- Get Insurance arranged
- Take posession of car
- Get plates

Does texas have that thing where you don't need plates for the first 60 days with a new vehicle?

Thanks,
DDR

EJFB1029 · 02-14-2008, 07:38 PM

If I was thinking to take delivery July 1 this summer, when should I start harassing dealers? Start about a month before you want to take delivery.

Another question I had was what is the correct order to do the following with a move from Canada...

3- Make deal for car
1- Get an address
2- Get a Texas drivers licence (will this be an in car test for me?)
4- Get Insurance arranged
5- Take posession of car
6- Get plates

In that order, you don't have to worry about plates really, after you sign all the papers, dealer files title and license papers for you, you get a paper tag good for about a month at purchase, plates usually arrive at dealer within two to three weeks.

I just worked a deal for a friend in Houston, if you need contacts there or need help with trying to work a deal, I'll be glad to pass on the info to you.

sugar land dave · 02-14-2008, 11:09 PM

Texas gives only 30 days to have your registration and plates.

DropDeadRed · 02-14-2008, 11:20 PM

Thanks, actually I should have specified that I am trying to minimize my time without wheels. We will probably have a rental house hunting trip down there for a couple of days in late May and perhaps make the deal then.

If there was any way to get the texas license last I'd jump on it but most likely I couldn't get texas insurance with a canadian license.

Essentially I need to know what is the minimum set of things I need to do to get me as close to "Get off the plane and take a taxi to the dealer" as possible.

At a minumum and if it were possible to be insured with only a Canadian license...

In advance:
- Get an address (which I HOPE to have before moving day

)
- Make the deal totally remotely
- Arrange insurance (They'd need to know where I live and daily drive distance)

On Arrival:
- take delivery of car, sign papers etc

Within the first month or two:
- Get Texas license
- Get Plates

Woodcote · 02-15-2008, 10:25 AM

Both a freind and I recently purchased in Houston, and we both ended up waiting about 6 weeks to get the exact color/package we wanted.

I'd recommend contacting a internet sales manager at a Houston Toyota dealer, and have them on standby to reserve the Prius you want before it comes in. Hopefully the timing will workout where you and the Prius will arrive in Houston around the sametime.

A Prius is awesome in Houston since it is flat, warm, and we have plenty of traffic

sugar land dave · 02-15-2008, 10:47 AM

Sterling-McCall Toyota is perhaps the main Toyota dealer, located in the Southwest corner of Houston. I bought from Fort Bend Toyota in the suburbs. FB is suffering through highway construction hiding them from sight, so they are really hungry right now and so are making some good deals. Bottom-line is don't pay over invoice in Houston, and with a little grinding you can probably do better.

And yes, Prius is perfect for Houston!

02-13-2008, 11:02 PM	#1
DropDeadRed Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 20 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? I'm moving to the US (Houston) this summer and I'm seriously considering a Prius. I was messing around with the builder thing at Toyota.com and when it comes time to "find the car" I enter in the ZIP code of the place I'll be working at down there as I haven't the slightest idea where I'll actually be working. My ideal car at this point is white with package 5. I tried a couple of different dealers, and every single car they have keeps coming back with either package 3 or 4. I couldn't find a single 5 or 6. Leads me to think they are out of cars with nav built in? Is there a waiting list for these cars? Thanks, DDR

02-13-2008, 11:38 PM	#2
EJFB1029 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Corpus Christi, Republic of Texas Posts: 2,049 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? Houston is a PORT for Toyota, it is home base to Gulf States Toyota, an independent Toyota distributorship, you should be able to get what you are looking for there. Prius are in short supply, but you can get one. I found one, just doing what you did, just keep clicking More, it was Available, meaning that it is in the Port or coming in to the port within a few days.

02-14-2008, 10:42 AM	#3
sugar land dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: houston Posts: 120 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Re: No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? Houston is a major port for Toyota, but the OP is correct. There appears to many package 2, 3, and 4 in Houston, but the locator at Toyota.com could not find a package 5 or 6. I am willing to bet a local dealer can locate one somewhere in the state and have it shipped in for you. They have more resources than we do. Good Luck and may you enjoy your prius in Houston as much as I do.

02-14-2008, 04:53 PM	#4
Winston Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 553 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? Make sure that you really want OEM navigation. It is nice, but it is expensive and not as up to date and feature laden as some of the much less expensive aftermarket units. For about $600 you can get an aftermarket nav that includes real time traffic, movie times, etc. Plus, you get map updates cheaply. The Toyota unit does not allow address input while moving and updates of the Nav DVD cost $200. Even the latest DVD has omissions. Having said all that, I like my OEM Nav.

02-14-2008, 07:38 PM	#6
EJFB1029 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Corpus Christi, Republic of Texas Posts: 2,049 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? If I was thinking to take delivery July 1 this summer, when should I start harassing dealers? Start about a month before you want to take delivery. Another question I had was what is the correct order to do the following with a move from Canada... 3- Make deal for car 1- Get an address 2- Get a Texas drivers licence (will this be an in car test for me?) 4- Get Insurance arranged 5- Take posession of car 6- Get plates In that order, you don't have to worry about plates really, after you sign all the papers, dealer files title and license papers for you, you get a paper tag good for about a month at purchase, plates usually arrive at dealer within two to three weeks. I just worked a deal for a friend in Houston, if you need contacts there or need help with trying to work a deal, I'll be glad to pass on the info to you.

02-14-2008, 11:09 PM	#7
sugar land dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: houston Posts: 120 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Re: No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? Texas gives only 30 days to have your registration and plates.

02-14-2008, 11:20 PM	#8
DropDeadRed Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 20 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? Thanks, actually I should have specified that I am trying to minimize my time without wheels. We will probably have a rental house hunting trip down there for a couple of days in late May and perhaps make the deal then. If there was any way to get the texas license last I'd jump on it but most likely I couldn't get texas insurance with a canadian license. Essentially I need to know what is the minimum set of things I need to do to get me as close to "Get off the plane and take a taxi to the dealer" as possible. At a minumum and if it were possible to be insured with only a Canadian license... In advance: - Get an address (which I HOPE to have before moving day ) - Make the deal totally remotely - Arrange insurance (They'd need to know where I live and daily drive distance) On Arrival: - take delivery of car, sign papers etc Within the first month or two: - Get Texas license - Get Plates

02-15-2008, 10:25 AM	#9
Woodcote Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 18 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? Both a freind and I recently purchased in Houston, and we both ended up waiting about 6 weeks to get the exact color/package we wanted. I'd recommend contacting a internet sales manager at a Houston Toyota dealer, and have them on standby to reserve the Prius you want before it comes in. Hopefully the timing will workout where you and the Prius will arrive in Houston around the sametime. A Prius is awesome in Houston since it is flat, warm, and we have plenty of traffic

02-15-2008, 10:47 AM	#10
sugar land dave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: houston Posts: 120 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Re: No Pkg 5s in Houston according to the builder? Sterling-McCall Toyota is perhaps the main Toyota dealer, located in the Southwest corner of Houston. I bought from Fort Bend Toyota in the suburbs. FB is suffering through highway construction hiding them from sight, so they are really hungry right now and so are making some good deals. Bottom-line is don't pay over invoice in Houston, and with a little grinding you can probably do better. And yes, Prius is perfect for Houston!