Out-of-state Dealers - Will I get a Prius any sooner? Is it practical?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pablosfo @ May 18 2006, 04:42 PM) [snapback]257752[/snapback]</div>

Actually, there are probably dealers around Northern California where you can find one. Rather than get put on a list, visit a number of dealers and talk to the sales folks to let them know you are serious. We found several dealers who wanted you to pay to get on a list, and then found several who did not do that. We spoke with the sales staff of these dealers. They knew to call us when our car came in.

Just a thought and good luck - have patience.

 

Don't know what model you're shopping for, but try dealers in Reno area. I wanted the cheapest model with VSC (pkg 4) and Toyota doesn't even offer that in Bay area (buggers!) Reno dealers were nice, quoted me under 4wks or from stock. One even quoted $200 under MSRP.

I wound up buying an '05, so can't give you last word, but that is how I would have gone. You can fly to Reno for $30. or drive there in a few hours

With tax credit for Prius dropping to $1575 for cars delivered after Sept 30th, you should close your deal. I bet Bay area Dealers will leverage that deadline and prices spike before.

http://tinyurl.com/h3hhj

 

I realize it is most likely not an option for you, but I walked on the lot and bought mine in Indianapolis Indiana. No wait. I looked yesterday and there were 3 on the lot again. There were 3 on the lot when I got mine, but they sell fast.

 

You don't need to go out of state. California gets a huge allotment of Prii. You may have to go farther afield though. Use the build your car thing on the Toyota site and gradually widen your area. Contact those dealers through e-mail. Be sure you are dealing with the internet manager and not a regular salesman. You'll find your car. If you're not fussy about color and package your wait will be significantly reduced.

Try dealers in smaller towns and farther away from major cities.

You'll enjoy the drive home.

In Southern California:

I recommend my guy Howard Sheehy at Kearny Mesa Toyota.

I do not recommend San Diego Toyota. On another thread here Mossy Toyota was also to be avoided.

 

People probably get tired of my repeationg this, but in Feb. I called about 50 dealers in 5 states over 3 days. Just put "Oregon Toyota dealers" or whatever into a search engine, then either use the phone (preferred) or e-mail.

First I called most dealers from Central CA north, and almost stumbled on what I wanted in Eureka. Ended up finding one (by referral from a PC colleague, who knew the dealer's salesman-son) 200 mi. away in a suburb of Fresno. Choice #2 was to fly to Dodge City, KS, where I'd found exactly what I wanted for $300 off MSRP. I was 24 hr. from flying there.

If you'll make the effort, you'll get the reward!

As for "what if I buy out of state?", if you can't travel there by plane, bus or train (I took a 6 a.m. Amtrak and the dealer picked me up at the station), you CAN pay for it to be shipped to you, costing a few hundred dollars, depending on the distance. Then you'd be buying the car sight unseen, but you can always carefully inspect it when it's delivered, and even reject it if there's damage. Many dealers have experience shipping cars. You'd pay the CA sales tax and registration fees at DMV after it arrived here.