Test Drive Challenges

blulou · 03-09-2005, 10:15 AM

I live in Austin and have been trying to test drive a 2005 Prius for over a month now with no luck at all. The reason I need to do this, other that just the obvious reasons of look, feel, and performance is that I am 6'3", 245lbs and need to make sure it is comfortable. I recently test drove a Hybrid Civic and although it had plenty of leg and head room, the seat was contoured too narrowly and it felt like I was being squeezed by the kidneys. It was a deal breaker.

I have talked to all Toyota dealers from San Antonio to Waco to Houston with no luck. I have tried Enterprise to rent one and no luck locally either. The waiting list is overpowering all around here, so dealers just aren't working with me.

Any suggestions?

betshsu · 03-09-2005, 11:45 AM

Yeah, test driving a Prius around Austin is tough. Is the Enterprise that is behind the Charles Maund Toyota dealership no longer renting Prii? I know someone who rented one there to test drive it (this was maybe a year ago). I was only able to test drive one when I was at my folk's house in the Philadelphia area. I had an order with Maund but I ended up buying out of state.

Where are you located? I might let you drive my Prius (if I get to keep driving it that is--my boyfriend took posession of it this morning because he just started working at Dell, and we figured his 20 mile drive justified the Prius more than my 7 mile commute). Though, this might be some elaborate kidnapping scheme

... (j/k... but when I was selling my car on my own, my friend were worried about something happening to me when I met guys to let them test drivew).

blulou · 03-10-2005, 11:02 AM

Bethsu,

Thank you for the reply. I called a number of Enterprise locations and each of them told me that they used to have a Prius or 2 but had to sell them back to the dealer they bought them from in the last few months. I will try the Enterprise near Maund on a long shot.

I live next to Zilker Park and work at Silicon Labs in Oak Hill, but I can travel anywhere near Austin for a test drive. I would welcome the opportunity for a test drive and would do anything that would make you comfortable in such an arrangement. Send an email to mistertax@hotmail.com and we can go from there. I really appreciate the offer!!!!!

Louis

Oznoyng · 06-23-2005, 03:23 PM

I test drove a used 2004 Prius at Universal Toyota in San Antonio. San Marcos Toyota usually has a few on the lot, but they wanted over MSRP the last I checked.

IALTMANN · 07-06-2005, 03:39 PM

Blulou...any luck..try Houston dealers., + my local dealer get them...he had 2 for about 2 wks???~!!! Now I think I just saw the last one go yesterday. If you need help getting or test ride..contact me..I'll see what I can do around here., heck if you come here sometimes, give me a shout, I'll let you look at mine.

ImmanuelA@aol.com

blulou · 07-06-2005, 04:27 PM

I appreciate the replies and a local Prius owner was gracious enough to offer their vehicle for a test drive. It was all good and now I have a vehicle on preference. It should be here within the month.

IALTMANN · 07-06-2005, 04:43 PM

Great., Let us know when you get it, and if you need any help or have any questions about the car

dsanor · 07-15-2005, 06:21 PM

I had no trouble getting a test drive of a Prius at Cavendar in San Antonio last April, and I've already got the car.

David

IALTMANN · 07-28-2005, 10:16 PM

Boy us Texas boys sure don't talk much in this forum...HEY TEXAS., how are the PRI'S doing in the summer HEAT....

Oznoyng · 07-29-2005, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Boy us Texas boys sure don't talk much in this forum...HEY TEXAS., how are the PRI'S doing in the summer HEAT....

Fine, I've got about 2000 miles on it so far and I'm averaging between 47 and 52 mpg in mixed city and highway (with the AC on full blast much of the time).

03-09-2005, 10:15 AM	#1
blulou Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 14 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Test Drive Challenges I live in Austin and have been trying to test drive a 2005 Prius for over a month now with no luck at all. The reason I need to do this, other that just the obvious reasons of look, feel, and performance is that I am 6'3", 245lbs and need to make sure it is comfortable. I recently test drove a Hybrid Civic and although it had plenty of leg and head room, the seat was contoured too narrowly and it felt like I was being squeezed by the kidneys. It was a deal breaker. I have talked to all Toyota dealers from San Antonio to Waco to Houston with no luck. I have tried Enterprise to rent one and no luck locally either. The waiting list is overpowering all around here, so dealers just aren't working with me. Any suggestions?

03-09-2005, 11:45 AM	#2
betshsu Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 299 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Test Drive Challenges Yeah, test driving a Prius around Austin is tough. Is the Enterprise that is behind the Charles Maund Toyota dealership no longer renting Prii? I know someone who rented one there to test drive it (this was maybe a year ago). I was only able to test drive one when I was at my folk's house in the Philadelphia area. I had an order with Maund but I ended up buying out of state. Where are you located? I might let you drive my Prius (if I get to keep driving it that is--my boyfriend took posession of it this morning because he just started working at Dell, and we figured his 20 mile drive justified the Prius more than my 7 mile commute). Though, this might be some elaborate kidnapping scheme ... (j/k... but when I was selling my car on my own, my friend were worried about something happening to me when I met guys to let them test drivew). __________________ Tideland 2005 BC/#6 as of 15 Oct 2004; Costal Tech EV CC switch and Nav override (given up for adoption to the in-laws on 25 Sept 2005) Silver Pine Mica 2006 NL/#7 as of 13 August 2006; this one was unplanned! Buying a Prius is like having a baby... you wait and wait and never know exactly when it is going to arrive or what it will look like.

03-10-2005, 11:02 AM	#3
blulou Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 14 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Test Drive Challenges Bethsu, Thank you for the reply. I called a number of Enterprise locations and each of them told me that they used to have a Prius or 2 but had to sell them back to the dealer they bought them from in the last few months. I will try the Enterprise near Maund on a long shot. I live next to Zilker Park and work at Silicon Labs in Oak Hill, but I can travel anywhere near Austin for a test drive. I would welcome the opportunity for a test drive and would do anything that would make you comfortable in such an arrangement. Send an email to mistertax@hotmail.com and we can go from there. I really appreciate the offer!!!!! Louis

06-23-2005, 03:23 PM	#4
Oznoyng Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bubbaville (South Austin) Why is Texas not listed under countries? Posts: 8 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Test Drive Challenges I test drove a used 2004 Prius at Universal Toyota in San Antonio. San Marcos Toyota usually has a few on the lot, but they wanted over MSRP the last I checked.

07-15-2005, 06:21 PM	#8
dsanor Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Test Drive Challenges I had no trouble getting a test drive of a Prius at Cavendar in San Antonio last April, and I've already got the car. David

07-06-2005, 03:39 PM	#5
IALTMANN Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 719 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Blulou...any luck..try Houston dealers., + my local dealer get them...he had 2 for about 2 wks???~!!! Now I think I just saw the last one go yesterday. If you need help getting or test ride..contact me..I'll see what I can do around here., heck if you come here sometimes, give me a shout, I'll let you look at mine. ImmanuelA@aol.com

07-06-2005, 04:27 PM	#6
blulou Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 14 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I appreciate the replies and a local Prius owner was gracious enough to offer their vehicle for a test drive. It was all good and now I have a vehicle on preference. It should be here within the month.

07-06-2005, 04:43 PM	#7
IALTMANN Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 719 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Great., Let us know when you get it, and if you need any help or have any questions about the car

07-28-2005, 10:16 PM	#9
IALTMANN Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 719 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Boy us Texas boys sure don't talk much in this forum...HEY TEXAS., how are the PRI'S doing in the summer HEAT....

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