2 Months from Purchase to Delivery!

Finally, this beautiful car arrived. Effectively bought the car 3/16/12 (signed purchase agreement) and it arrived and was delivered today, 5/16/12. The car was built 4/2/12.

Blue Streak Metallic Prius C Three, with moonroof, 15" alloy wheels, floor and cargo mats. The rear bumper protector was a don't care that came with the car that the dealer was able to get allocated to them (A trade). I'm neutral toward it. I would not have bought the car if I couldn't have gotten the 15" alloy wheels. I don't like the base wheels with plastic covers, and I don't like the 16" wheels because of the increased turning radius and possibility of reduced mpg (this is one of the smoldering debates on priuschat). I prefer the look of the 15" alloys anyway so that made it easy for me.

This car replaces a 2000 Honda Insight that now has 303300 miles. I hope this car tops that excellent performance! The old red car is in the background of one of the attached pictures. Also, I couldn't bypass a chance to post a pic of one of our cats. That's big bella coming to see me as I test the camera before going out to the dealership today.

I was able to get a wonderful 75 mpg on the way home from the dealership - a 21 mile ride. Averaged about 45 mph on secondary rural blacktop roads to acheive this. Once I get better at finding and holding the glide I will be able to do better, I was just starting to figure out some of the throttle zones in the 2nd half. The performance of the car is the most important thing, that's why I chose this car and I'm glad that it delivers.

So the performance is looking good. How about the experience? The road noise was present, but not at all unpleasant. The ride was firm but not jarring as I was expecting from reading some of the discussions. My test drives were representative of my driving today. But when so much time passes since your test drive and you read people's posts about a rougher ride, you start to wonder if you were just on smoother roads. No, I was remembering right, the car rides nicely. I think that what is a bigger factor when it comes to road noise and ride feel, is what car you're used to. If someone is used to a cadillac or lincoln ride, the C will be harsh to the senses. If someone is used to an uninsulated aluminum hybrid (my 2000 Insight) the c will seem quieter and smoother. I like feeling a connection with the road, so I think the C is right where I'd want it for ride feel.

Played a CD, sounded pretty good. I will be moving my Infinity BassLink sub from the Insight to the C, and I'm sure that will add some rich, thick honey to the stock stereo system. Haven't played with Nav at all yet, been watching eco score screen up top and energy flow monitor on the big screen below.

Found a set of 3 little nicks on the top of the passenger side mirror and also there was about a 2" long scuff near the back edge of the driver's door where the freight plastic door ding protector gets slid onto the door. They brought out some polishing compound and the marks came right out, so that was satisfactory for me. A scuff mark on the steering column where the conventional key would be: the dealer is ordering a replacement plastic piece for that to make that right, again satisfaction. I'm just happy there wasn't some flaw that prevented me from taking delivery after waiting so long.

Some piece of rubber or plastic or something on the outside of this car is radiating some noxious fumes. I haven't pinpointed it yet, but when the air hits me just right when I'm standing next to the car it really gets my attention. I'm sure that with time an equilibrium will be reached...

I was quite pleased with my dealership experience on closing day today. I've had a long experience of little let downs until I finally worked with the "salesman of the year" today. He definitely turned things around from my previous experiences with the dealership. I now feel that I have a contact who will listen to what I'm saying and actually make an effort to find answers to my questions and respond to me, which is pretty basic actually.

I'm satisfied with the car and with the dealership experience today. It was definitely worth the wait to get the exact color and option package that I really wanted.

 

Yep! The ramps are just the latest fun for the cats to play on. The board came out of a cabinet that was getting launched the other day, so I set it up for them to play on.

The other one on the left is one of those cardboard scratchpads that they love to get after when they get excited about something, like feeding time or when we get home.

My wife is the one who really likes to mix up various playthings for them. They're the happiest cats I've ever been around because they've been catered to with so many different play things. And to be sure, the cheaper the play-thing is, the more they like it, so that makes it easy to keep them entertained. Milk jug rings, twist ties, straws are just a few examples of their favorites.

Here's a picture of both our cats. Bossie is the orange tiger cat. He's a great cat, likes to sleep right next to me each night, with his head on my arm.

 

I'll probably do one of those jump pics once my wife gets back to town to operate the camera.

I'm sorry to hear about your dog. I know its very hard to lose a pet. Well its easy to lose a pet, its hard to deal with the loss... Our family's first cat, back when I was 18-20 or so, seemed to develop feline diabetes within weeks to a month after getting his teeth cleaned under anesthesia. We can't be positive that it caused it but it sure seemed like it "set something off" inside him. Happened when the cat was 5 or so and he only lasted another 2 years at most. Feline diabetes is a tough road. Ever since that happened, we've pretty much ruled out cleaning under anesthesia. The vet will however scrape the cats' back teeth a bit because they get a buildup pretty fast, and the cats are good natured.

 

Thanks! I think I would have liked the body side moldings. I can still get them of course, just need to decide. I also talked to the salesman about port installed options and how they have various levels of tint available and other stuff, he was unaware of all the options for port options. Seems we, the customers, need to do our research ahead of time to know what all our options are. Good to be a well-informed customer, that's for sure.

I saw one car on here, don't recall whose it was, but it had some pinstriping and the side molding, it looked really nice. Also, you're at a few weeks now, I think I remember when that was planned to be later in the fall - Seems to be moving up! When you least expect it, you'll find yourself in the hotseat with C-fever, signing the paperwork! Good luck in getting the exact car you want without too long of a wait!