Waiting List Estimates

When we got our first Prius (a 2004) in January of 2004, we lived in Central Florida and things were so bad as far as waiting lists that I turned to the internet. I found a couple of cars available at dealers in parts of the country I would have traveled to (mostly because of family nearby) but they were not exactly what I wanted. Then I got a heads-up in a Prius group about two that were coming in to a dealer in Charleston, WV and one of them was exactly the car! We bought it and had it trucked down to Florida.

Since then, in fairly rapid order, we've moved to Albuquerque, NM and bought a 2005 from a dealer here. This time, there were no waiting lists (this particular dealer's choice) and there were cars coming in (just to this dealer, not to the region) and, while they didn't have every color and every package, we found one that was "26 days away" that we liked.

We put down $500 (refundable) and, 28 days later (hey, close enough!) the car was here.

What I'm saying is that, in our experience at least, things have improved drastically in the 15 months between these purchases...and if I were you and I was finding long waits and less-than-precise information, I wouldn't hesitate to hit the internet again.

Dave
'05 Tideland Pearl #6
Albuquerque, NM

 

Dealers here in Raleigh/Durham NC told me they could probably get me an '07 model in 18 months or so. Smaller dealers in the rural part of the state said they might be able to trade one from their allocation within a few months, if I had a specific color or package in mind.

Based on posts here and from priusonline.com, I e.mailed most every dealer in Virginia (outside the lovely SE Toyota Distribution system) and found the exact package/color I wanted, coming in to port in 1 week. That, plus prices below MSRP, and none of the money-making add-ons that many of the dealers here in the SE region add.

I go pick up the car on Saturday, a mere 17 1/2 months before I could get one from my local dealer!

 

Here in Sacramento, two months ago my dealer said “approximately 30 days for any model/color.†Last week the estimate went up to “two and a half to three months if we are lucky.â€

The gas prices have made their wait time grow.

It never hurts to look around . . . unless you are prone to depression if it doesn’t go well.

 

At the moment wait times are in, um, flux. I'm reading more and more posts from people who just went to the dealer and bought a Prius; I'm also still reading lots of stories of long waits. (FWIW, we waited eight months for the Prius we bought in Februrary - five from the first dealer, who then attempted to overcharge us, then three from the second dealer.) There's no question the waiting list WAS shrinking a couple of months ago, but it seems to be lengthening again as gas prices stay high, even with U.S. Prius allocation doubled from a year ago.

The situation may be different in Illinois, but in Colorado, the deposit is refundable regardless of what the dealer calls it. I.e., it's not a legally enforceable contract.

 

Here in Los Angeles my friend got hooked up with a dealership through the AAA new car purchasing program. They hooked her up with Norwalk Toyota. She ordered her car 3 weeks ago, Driftwood Pearl (and what in 2004 was a package 3) and she picked it up on Tues. of last week. She paid MSRP and they required no deposit.

I strongly recommend you call around to other dealerships.

 

Talked to Newport RI Toyota end of last week and they are
now able to put Priuses on the lot. The only waiting list now is
reduced to about ten customers who absolutely must have
certain color/package combinations. Talk to Derek Zambarano
at 401-847-1144. Expect to pay list.

-Tom Arcoleo, happy owner of an '05 Millenium Silver

 

Last year at about this time (May) I was told that I could expect a car in February this year. My son found mine in Helena Montana in one month and I took delivery in August. They had a one month wait list. My nurse bought one from the same dealer that I placed an order from and walked in and got it off the lot. I would look around I don't think anyone is waiting more than a month except possibly for one of the less available packages or colors.

 

This web site might help you out too to get the estimate (plus the order tracking part of this site) - just found it the other day:

http://www.hybridcars.com/pricepulse/index.php

 

Definitely call around. I bought my prius in January. The dealerships I talked to in the northern Chicago suburbs all told me it would be about a nine month wait. After reading some posts on this site I called a couple downstate dealerships and had my car in less than a week.

I bought my car from Matthew King at Tyler Toyota in Mount Vernon, IL. The salesman actually met me in Champagne, IL to deliver the car, reducing my drive by at least two hours each way (on a snowy windy day at that). Other people on this site have had luck with the dealerships in Danville and Effingham. Though if you don't want a long drive you may be able to find a dealership closer to Chicago... maybe near Rockford. Just remember that the dealerships do not try too help each other so there is a huge difference in waiting list times.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TechGuy\";p=\"83917)</div>

Sounds like the dealer/salesperson is playing with you... I suggest before you wear your finger out, that you go to Toyota.com..build your Prius the way you want it and ask the internet salespeople to get back to you... I think you will find your car easier... you might look at cars.com and eBay..just for dealers names.. also look up the dealers and e-mail the internet managers directly... they seem to know more than the salesperson on the floor... Check with the dealer who you have the deposit with via the internet as well... play stupid ask if they can get a car... then spring the.. 'OH I have a deposit with you'

Bob Andersen

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy\";p=\"83905)</div>

I've come to the same conclusion. A friend who bought a Prius in late January, with no wait and below MSRP, went back to the dealership this weekend to check on something.

Wait is now 2-4 months.

 

I just picked up my Salsa AM last Saturday after a seven month wait. I only called three dealers and put in an order with the one I thought was being the most straight forward and honest. I stuck it out waiting for my color and package and turned down two others from that dealer and numerous other "fair market value" offers from the other dealers. I was lazy and not in a great hurry and I am sure from reading PriusChat that you can do much better with a little effort.

The internet sales person, Angela Venti at Cherry Hill Toyota ( new jersey) made a swap with another dealer while the cars were on the ship. It seems that they shipped her a lot of the ones with the super stereo but not many with the Stability control.

Just in time: My old Camry '91, 166K started making alarming power steering noises a week before arrival. It sounds like a 7 to 800 dollar noise. I will donate it to charity.

I was very satisfied with Angela at Cherry Hill. She was always direct and honest with me and kept me posted. When I took posession there was no funny business either. My first and only enjoyable experience buying a new car.

 

Just my opinion but...

Techguy...the dealer offered to return your deposit in full?

If it was me I'd take it.

Then contact another dealer and buy a car. I get a bad feeling about your dealer. He might be one of the ones that will add stuff on, overcharge you for it and tell you it came that way and you have no choice. He might count on the fact that you waited so long that you'll just pay the money to get your car. He'll probably also try to sell you an extended warranty for an extra $3,000.

Get your money back. There are cars out there. If you're not fussy about color or even packages, you should be able to find one.

You can contact Devlon who posted here or another dealer in your area. It doesn't matter if you have to drive a ways to buy the car. It can be serviced at any Toyota dealership. But I probably wouldn't take it for service to that first dealer either.

 

i put down $1000 about 10 days ago and picked up the car (tideland pearl, all options) sunday, for a wait of about 8 days. i guess i must have been pretty lucky because when i took delivery they told me that there were now 10 or more people waiting to get the exact car i was buying that day.

as an aside, i paid msrp and got them to match the extended warranty and service deals advertised right here on this website.

 

I just ordered mine last thur and was told 30-60 days from tjat dealer. All other dealers in the area are saying 3-6 months. My delaership had one on the lot two weeks ago and it just sold, seaside pearl and I wasnt interested. The owner of the dealership called me to see how I was treated and thanked me for my order. He agreed 30-60 days. They are the largest Prius dealer in the area so they get a faster and larger alotment. By the way, got mine for list with mats thrown in free. the owner said they woukd have a date on my car next wednesday. We will see.