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Test drove Level 3 with ATP and turned down deal

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by bwilson4web, Apr 30, 2016.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Saturday morning, I visited the local Toyota dealer to get a ROM (Rough Order of Magnitude) cost for the Level 3 with TSS-P. The first sales critter could't find one but he got the one I'd been working with. I pointed out I am really interested in a Level Two ECO with automatic braking. However, I would look at a Level Three with TSSP. I was about to walk out when the 'sales manager' came over and said,'Why we have on right here.'

    Now they were not going to give me a ROM until a test drive. So after inspecting the window sticker where there was $1,200 of 'port charges' (SouthEast Toyota thieves.) Listed price $33,000 but they might have one they can ship in. We confirmed the windows were not tinted at the Port:

    Me, "I am 66 years old and no cataracts."

    "We can tint them for you!" the sales manager happily said.

    "NO, I want to see at night and tinted windows would kill the deal."

    So we're off for the test drive after resetting the A and B trip meters. The first disappointment, the moon roof. I really don't want one but there it was. So we drove to a test area in a business park. Casual conversation until we reached my regular test loop. There I explained we are going to do one test loop followed by five for the count.

    The first problem is cruse control only goes down to 28 mph with the radar on. We were not able to turn it off to see if goes to 23 mph. But 28 mph was close enough. After getting things settled, I reset the A tripmeter and we did five more loops at 28 mph. One good thing, it doesn't kick you out of cruise control when the speed dips under 28 mph.

    During the loops, the salesman was suitably impressed with the mileage. I explained the low and high points of the loop and how every loop brings down the peak and valley MPG numbers towards the true MPG at 28 mph. At the end, we had 99.1 MPG which disappointed me. I was expecting 110-120 MPG. So we headed back to the dealer.

    The automatic following cruise control is nice but I was a little surprised at the 'abrupt' stop at a light. I hadn't seen that non-linear braking since our 2003 … or I've learned Prius braking. <grins>

    We got back to the dealership and they took $5k off. Nice but I explained I am really after a Level Two with TSSP. Their offer ends Monday but I'm not interested because of the performance which they explained as due to the higher weight of the moon roof.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  2. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    Wow! 99.1 mpg is 1 gallon per 100 miles, you're kidding right? :D
     
    #2 Sergiospl, Apr 30, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2016
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can't beat 5k off. surprising for a new gen in short supply, but this was predicted. not that predictions always come true. anyway, good for buyers, bad for toyota.
     
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I told them it was a fair price but it isn't the Prius I want. The 2017 Prius will be coming with TSSP in a year and that will be the car I want. But one good thing came out of it.

    I'm going to put our 170k mile, 2003 for sale. Time to clean it out; install the inverter coolant pump; add the 12V solar tickle charger, and; last tune-up. I'll put it up for private sale to family and if no one is interested, I'll give it to our house keeper. It is time she have a car that won't pick her pocket at the gas pump.

    Bob Wilson
     
  5. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    What/where is the loop? how do you test it? And what is the TSSP?
     
    #5 pakitt, Apr 30, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2016
  6. Jim in NC

    Jim in NC Active Member

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    Bob, you're absolutely right about the thieves. They pack worthless crap on so many cars that rakes in thousands from customers in our area.
    I almost bought a Honda because they don't do that.

    The Prius 4 they ordered in for me had none of that crap. I wouldn't accept it if they did.

    Btw, I know where you can get a really nice Eco 2 with heated leather and a discount! ;)
     
    #6 Jim in NC, Apr 30, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2016
  7. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    I believe it stand for Toyota Safety Sense. Not sure what the P is. Package?
     
  8. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

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    Parking? Is that the parking assist feature? Could also be pedestrian warning maybe.
     
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    P = premium
    C = compact

    The idea that TSS-P is for most Toyotas and TSS-C is for compact cars where cost is a bigger issue (price sensitive market)
     
  10. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    Acronyms that nobody understands: another great idea from Toyota! Even decrypted it's not especially evocative for us lower life forms.
     
  11. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    We have a winner!

    Bob Wilson

    Thanks but I already figured out that problem. So right now, it comes down to:
    • i3-Rex (used) - good city car with the ability to reach Nashville and return on a day trip.
    • 2017 Level 2 ECO - with TSS-P (pedestrian)
    So the way I see it, prices on used i3-Rex are going my way. A year from now, I should be able to find them in the $25-30k range, easily. I've already found one for $30k and easily in buy-and-pickup range. There will be more as time is on my side.

    The competition is the 2017 Level 2 ECO with TSS-P. It should be available in about 8-12 months and I plan to be alive in that time range (God is doubled on the floor laughing his nice person off … the angels are getting worried.)

    I'm starting to simplify my life for low, operational cost systems and reducing the 'inventory'. One wild-card is to do a major home improvement but that is for another time and place. Regardless, the 2003 is being offered to my 'Facebook' family and friends. If no one shows any interest, I'll offer it to my housekeeper and her family. Still no interest, at estimated value of $2,000, I can 'take a loss.'

    At 66, I don't have enough time remaining to buy something that pisses me off every morning. So the clock is ticking.

    Bob Wilson
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How's the miles on your 2010? Getting up there? Or just getting itchy?

    I really think we'll be sitting tight with ours, with the piddling miles we put on yearly, might be the exit car.
     
  13. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    No rush on the 2010. If I pull the trigger on a used i3-Rex, the 2010 stays a little longer until I add the two, 5 gal extended range extender tanks carried on the tow bar.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #13 bwilson4web, Apr 30, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2016
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    same here, 2012 will probably last my lifetime. i would have to want a new toy...
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I have similar problems at Costco: am I ever going to finish off this 50 pack of razors? :confused:

    I do stretch them, basically switch to new one every 4-6 months
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow! i need a new one every day. i better join costco.:p
     
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  17. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Okay, I don't like direction the three of you are hinting about so I will say this. (n) My 2012 will probably last my lifetime too because this thing is so well built, it will last 30-40 years.(y)
     
  18. Frederickdawg

    Frederickdawg Active Member

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    I can vouch for southeast Toyota port being thieves alright. J and M or Jim Moran monopoly? Hence why I didn't even bother negotiating on anything that had added bull$hit to beef up the msrp price falsely.

    Had to look hard on southeast buyatoyota dot com to locate a vehicle that wasn't molested price wise with Micky mouse add ons. I consider myself a fair person, fair as in I negotiate price based of msrp and never take consideration to car dealers incentives either, since I never seem to qualify for any of those. I guess your name has to be Esmeralda Marco born on the 18th day of a leap year in 1921 and a have a father called Joe blogs to qualify for all of those if any.
    Ay, but the house always wins in the end. Just don't fancy getting raped by them without lubrication is my requirement.

    LG-H901 ?
     
    #18 Frederickdawg, May 1, 2016
    Last edited: May 1, 2016
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  19. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I share the sentiment about SE Toyota but this was Toyota's fault.

    Someone thought that Level 2 without TSS-P would succeed. I would volunteer one word for their 2016 review: OPPS.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #19 bwilson4web, May 1, 2016
    Last edited: May 1, 2016
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  20. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    Yes, this thread took a depressing turn!

    My beloved neighbor is 95 and lives on her own (though one daughter lives nearby and her other daughters and son drop in when they can). A couple of years ago she traded in her near-new Ford Escape for a brand new Ford Fiesta, which is smaller and easier for her to maneuver. She still drives, though the pollen at this time of year makes her asthma much worse, so she stays inside more. Which affects her gardening, but she steadfastly refuses to let me plant her window box for her. She told me yesterday that the Fiesta filters the air quite well, she is thinking it might help her to spend more time in it!

    I just turned 70 and my age didn't even enter my mind as a reason not to buy my Gen 4. And buying it was a great decision, I'm enjoying it a lot plus I made a friend very happy by selling him my 2011 Gen 3 at a good price - he loves it. And it moved his old car down the food chain.

    So what if your car isn't worn out when you die? Someone else will be happy to get it and use it, it won't be wasted. Probably many of the cars you owned in the last 20 years (or longer) could have lasted for the rest of your life, given enough money and love lavished on them. That didn't prevent you from buying a new one then, why should it now?

    The fact that you guys are avidly reading and posting on the Gen 4 forums, and taking test drives, does indicate a certain wistfulness. If having a new design to mess around with stimulates your mind and makes life more interesting, that's a good thing.
     
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