Looking for a Prius in Atlanta

B)From Union of Concerned Scientists - Hybrid Center Consumer Center Incentives - GA which can be reached from a link in the Government_Incentives section of our Toyota_Prius_FAQ:


State Hybrid HOV: Upon approval through either legislative action in the United States Congress or regulatory action by the United States Department of Transportation to permit hybrid vehicles with fewer than two occupants to operate in a high occupancy vehicle lane, the department shall authorize hybrid vehicles that register and receive a special license plate or decal for a $25.00 fee.

A hybrid gasoline-electric passenger vehicle or light truck is eligible for the waiver, if for any 2000 and later model, a vehicle which has received a certificate of conformity under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401, et seq., and meets or exceeds the equivalent qualifying California low-emission vehicle standard under Section 243(e)(2) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7583©(2), for that make and model year or, for any 2004 and later model, a vehicle which has received a certificate that such vehicle meets or exceeds the Bin 5 Tier II emission level established in regulations prescribed by the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under Section 202(i) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7521(i), for that make and model year vehicle and which achieves a composite label fuel economy greater than or equal to 1.5 times the Model Year 2002 EPA composite class average for the same vehicle class and which is made by a manufacturer. Contact: James Udi, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, [email protected] state DOT is still awaiting interpretation of the federal HOV waiver by the Environmental Protection agency before implementing the program..

Hybrid Income Tax Credit (Bill): H.B. 21 would provide for an income tax credit for the purchase or lease of a new hybrid vehicle.
Introduced 12/14/2004 -- still pending

 

I looked for a car here in Atlanta this past summer. I wound up becomming disgusted and fired the whole bunch. The best deal over the summer was MSRP at many dealers, the worst dealers being Stone Mountain Toyota and Toyota Mall of Georgia seeking markups of $1000-$2000. The general attitude of the dealers was a take-or-leave-it-we-are-not-going-out-of-our-way-for-you one.

By happenstance, I mistakenly contacted a dealer in Charlotte, Scott Clark's Toyota City, and Barbara Katona there helped me get the exact car I wanted. Traded with other dealer while it was still on the boat. Also was able to work with her to add/remove port-installed features to the car before it reached shore (hello DVDs, goodbye ToyoGuard) and I got it $500 below MSRP. 3.5 drive to Charlotte from Atlanta.

In Atlanta, others here have reported good experiences with Sandy Springs Toyota and Cobb County Toyota. Do a search on the threads to get the specifics (salesmans name, etc). I can't comment too much on the local market nowadays.

 

I went to every dealer in Atlanta when I got my baby in April of 2005.

Best offer I got was $3000 over MSRP. Screw. That.

I went online and sent a request for a price quote to the 60 closest dealers to Atlanta. It just so happens that one of the fastest and most courteous replies I got was also from someone with one of the best offers.

Best offer I got was $200 off MSRP from a dealer outside of Washington D.C. I ended up going with the one mentioned above, Riverside Toyota, near Rome, GA. Their internet order manager David Alcorn was very helpful and got me all hooked up. They didn't use any high-pressure tactics, didn't try to upsell me with any stupid shit, and were generally honest and accurate. I didn't get financing at the dealer (I have a credit union), so I can't comment on that aspect.

All in all, I do not think you will find a better price or equal service anywhere else in Georgia. I checked prices all over the Eastern seaboard in April, and frankly you should just pay MSRP (but not over it). This won't happen within 50 miles of the Atlanta city center.

If you go to Riverside, tell David that Larry Fine sent you.

 

I had a fairly nice experience at Cobb County Toyota in Kennesaw with a guy named Rod Jenkins. I didn't buy a Prius, but I was in town one day and stoped by, first time I actually got in a Prius and really looked at it
Anyways, I walked up and he asked me if he could help me and I told him I just wanted to look at a Prius, took me over to it and I looked at it, he let me inside and then asked me if I needed anything else and after I said no, I was just looking he told me he'd leave me to it.
Of course I can't say anything about pricing and such, but I do know that guy at least seemed very nice and unpushy.

I live closer to Rome though, so if... when I do get the money to buy a Prius I'll buy from Riverside, but that's my recomendations for anyone further south