Barcelona Red, #3, 6/27/06, Wallingford CT

Date Ordered: 6/27/2006
Dealer Ordered From: Toyota of Wallingford, CT
Timeframe given for delivery: within 2 weeks
Color: Barcelona Red (bisque interior)
Option Package: 3
Your # on Dealer's Waiting List: n/a

I'd been thinking of a Prius for a month or so... (as the $ to fill my 93 Dodge Caravan kept going up. :blink: ) So, Saturday I applied for a car loan at the credit union, got approved yesterday, and started calling dealers last night. The first 3 dealers waiting lists were 2-6 months, which is pretty much what I expected. I called Wallingford last, as they're a bit farther from where I live. The sales guy asked what packages I'd like (#1, 2 ,3 or 4 were fine with me). He put me on hold for a couple minutes, came back and said... "You want red or blue?"

Went down this morning to sign most of the paper work. My car 'hit the port in New Jersey' this morning, so he says I may have it as early as next week! I'm very happy, assuming it all works out okay. Barcelona Red or Silver Pine Mica were my two favorite colors going into this. Crossing my fingers... 2 or 3 weeks start to finish? That would be pretty nice. So, my signature might be premature, but Barcelona Red #3 here I come!

 

Yep, I had an '86 toyota corolla, and I had good luck getting it serviced at Middletown toyota, so they were the first ones I called. (It helps that I live about 10 minutes from there). I think I lucked out... my sales guy (mike c.) said they received notice of their allotment of 6 cars Saturday morning, and sold 4 by the afternoon. I'm glad they still had some monday night B)

It was interesting though, there was a 'privacy form' that he wanted me to sign, saying any info they got from the credit agencies they wouldn't share with anyone. I looked at him and said - why would you need to have me sign this, as I already had money approved from my credit union? He then just flipped past the sheet and went to the next thing (and I agree, they don't push the extras too much, except for the pin stripe/scotch guard non-optional stuff.) I've heard of dealers running your credit without explicit permission, and its interesting that they would try that.

But so far, so good. And I'll wave the next time I'm in Haddam... I was at the Goodspeed Friday night. Good to know there's prii (would that be the plural?) in the area.


Mary Anna

 

Nifty, David... I too work in hartford - cross the bridge and up 91 four days a week. I'm in New Haven the fifth day, which'll be neat - no parking fees at the meters for hybrids. (granted, I usually park in the garage when I'm there, free from the firm, but the idea is nice, for weekends and such.) It'll sure be nice not having to fill my gas tank every 5 minutes. Yay!

And Jeannie... glad to hear the air bags did their job and you were able to walk away. And cows behind the strip malls? Well, not really any strip malls in my town, but I grew up on a dairy farm, so I know all about cows.

Oh boy, I can't wait until I actually have it....

--Mary Anna

 

Well, I've been negligent in keeping you all up to date. I have good news.... I have my car!!! (and 975 miles on it already... yikes!)

But my title for the thread needs amending. I wound up not getting it in Wallingford, but rather Waterville, Maine. (oh, it's only four and a half hours from me... )

A bit of a story... my parents have been on vacation in Maine the last two weeks. Their first day up there, they called me and asked if I wanted to take delivery on a Barcelona Red, #3 the next day. For, get this, $1800 less than Wallingford (and sooner, much).

This dealer, Central Maine Toyota Scion, have the nicest people in the world. I picked up the car that next day, 7/1. They wouldn't take a deposit from me or my parents, and get this... They didn't have the check until last Saturday, 7/8. They just took my word that I'd bring them the money, let me drive off - and gave both me and my mom roses, to boot. (aw!) I can't recommend this dealer highly enough.

The best part is, I've converted my mom... She's ordering a Silver Pine Mica (or maybe seaside pearl) #8 from the same dealer. (and for anyone in New England, this dealer says they can order a car and have it in 4 to 6 weeks, even if its a package they don't usually receive in their allocation.) Very nice people, didn't try to sell me any add ons or other stuff you don't need. Oh, and free floor mats. (little touch, but nice. I'm paranoid about keeping my first new car clean. )

So, I drove it all around where we were staying... went to Acadia National Park, and there were two prii at the beach where we had our picnic lunch. I'm seeing them everywhere now. Had a great trip home... rained the whole way, but the car, she was lovely...

 

Yeah, Jim, you're right... I just checked the municipal code. Has to be registered there. (Well, I guess its a good thing I can park free in the firm garage!)

I don't think I've been on 82 this week. 84 on tuesday, but its been mostly 91 since then.

I love my car... (I'm trying to think up excuses to drive today - maybe once I'm done vacuuming the house. <_< )