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Bought “new Prius” from dealer in VA, but already had 700 miles

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by Jelly, Apr 20, 2023.

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  1. Jelly

    Jelly Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2016
    13
    22
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Last October, I went online and saw a new Prius posted at a dealership in North Virginia. After doing a bunch of research, I went to a local Toyota dealer because they had the car I wanted, for the price I was looking for. The dealership also throws in free oil changes and annual inspections for life when you buy a new car, so that clenched the deal for me.

    However, when I drove down and looked at the car, the interior wasn’t the color I wanted. The salesman then went to his computer and told me he found a new Prius, same model, with the features and interior color. The only problem was that the car was at a different Toyota dealership in Virginia. He told if I wanted the car, he could give me the same negotiated price but I’d have to wait a few days so he could get the car from the other dealership,

    I agreed and came back a few days later. I inspected the car and it was a new Prius in the model I wanted, with the features and interior color I wanted too. I was happy with what I saw, so went in and signed the paperwork, paid cash and walked out with my “new car”.

    Yes, I KNOW I’m an idiot for not looking closer at the car because about a month later, the title arrived from the state. That’s when I noticed my “new car” had been reported by the dealership to have about 700 miles on it when they gave it to me. When I looked at the daily/monthly mileage meter, I saw the car has been driven for about 8 months prior to me purchasing it. I suspect it was a demo car but I was never told that when I bought it. It was sold to me as a “new car”. Whaaaat?????

    It’s probably been too long to do anything about it, but does anyone know if I have any recourse against the dealership/salesman? I do love the car and haven’t had any issues with it, but I feel like I was swindled since 700 miles isn’t “new.”

    Thanks for reading my rant and for any advice you may have.
     
    #1 Jelly, Apr 20, 2023
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,686
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    It’s probably a state thing. Here in MA, that can’t happen because the odo has to be disclosed at the sale.
    You can contact your office of consumer affairs at the AG’s office and ask if you have any recourse, but I would just chalk it up to a lesson learned. It sounds like you got a great car
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 20, 2023
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
  3. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2007
    655
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    Location:
    Dodge Co. Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    It may have been used a dealer demo and not have been privately titled.
     
    #3 bat4255, Apr 20, 2023
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,782
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    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    OR it could have been found at a dealership over 500 miles away and they drove it to you.
    That is not uncommon.
    Neither is selling a "new" car with a few miles on it for whatever reason.

    Now that you have vented.......get over it.
     
    #4 sam spade 2, Apr 20, 2023
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,651
    38,201
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    We once bought a “new” car, turned out it was a demonstrator, had been owned by the dealership for 2~3 months, had maybe 500 kms. Talked to them, they gave us a warrant extension for the amount of months and miles, and it was one of our better vehicles.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Apr 20, 2023
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    6,786
    6,444
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Not worth worrying about now. Get it washed for spring, shine it up and then take someone out for ice cream afterwards.

    It's a bummer you missed it in the paperwork, but it isn't worth missing out on ice cream.
     
    #6 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Apr 20, 2023
  7. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,760
    616
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    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Servc loaner. U accepted the car and signed delivery
     
    #7 douglasjre, Apr 20, 2023
  8. Jelly

    Jelly Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2016
    13
    22
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Ehh, yeah, I figured I was pretty much SOL when I was ranting.

    Leadfoot McCoalroller, your wise words are 100% correct. As an ice cream connoisseur, I have personally witnessed few scoops of rocky road successfully curing many ailments like broken hearts, bruised egos, flunking a math test, stupid arguments, I’m positive it’ll do wonders for “stupidly not checking odometers” too :)

    Gotta run now so I zoom to the store in my “used Prius” and grab pint of rocky road “medicine”.

    thanks everyone,
     
    #8 Jelly, Apr 25, 2023
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