I can't find a Limited Prime in Minnesota

Yes, dealers here aren't too keen on keeping a Prime charged up. No Limiteds locally, would have to order one, wait a few months. Silver lining: get what you want.

Considered heading out east to buy one, drive it back? Better stock out there, I think the states out there offset with a purchase price rebate that the dealers pass through to you. $3500, on top of the $4500 federal incentive. Yes, you can fly out there, buy, get the $3500 credit, drive your new car back. Seriously considering that.

Minnesota: curmudgeonly for tax incentives, nothing that I can see.

 

One thing: there are a few LEs and XLEs around town on the lots, to see what you think about the cargo space.

 

I thought the current Primes have the same rear seat configuration as the Hatchbacks--three across. I know the original Primes had only two seats in the back, though. Not an expert, but that's what I think I saw...AND as for rear cargo area, the floor is what 3-4, maybe more inches higher, not enough to affect a hockey bag I would think, but again, I do not carry hockey bags, only golf bags! So you should be able to get a good idea of the cargo capacity by visiting a local Hatchback at a dealer's lot. Instead of putting one bag on the seat, just fold the rear seat down (there's a 60/40 split) and you will have an elongated cargo area and a single available seat in the back.

 

As a hockey parent/coach, I'd recommend a regular Prius over Prime if you have to fit more than just one hockey bag; the reduced cargo height becomes very noteable when you load all gear. But if it has to be Prime (and there're many arguments in its favor), then rear seat in 2020 is way more convenient/useful than in prior MY cars.

 

Find the best price, put down a deposit and fly and drive.

 

Don't know about hockey bags, but for me PRIME with the rear seats folded down has plenty of cargo space. The rear seats are 60/40 split. You can use a part of the seat as extended trunk space and still have 1 or 2 rear seats for passengers. You can at least get a feeling of the size of the cargo by looking at regular Prius. Just imagine 3" of raised deck on the back cargo area. Good luck.

 

New England states ... New Jersey too.

 

Toyota dealers suck. They all live in the past, where the only way to sell a car is to get a customer inside and begin the old routine of bad manager/good salesman bullshit.

do not know, may be there are exceptions, but I haven't met one.

 

no, don't do anything without a deposit and commitment from the dealer. try new york/new jersey, they seem to be better at it.
you can also wade through the pricing thread if you have time. there are a lot of good details there with dealers and even sales weasels names.

 

You probably have, but just wanted to check if you had been to the Dealer on 394? I think they are in St.Louis Park, could be Minnetonka though.

Unfortunately Toyota prioritizes CARB states.
Minnesota just started the process to become a CARB state. If you would share your story with your state reps, it would help a lot.
They need to hear from people as to why increased availability of the Prime and other plugin cars is needed.

 

To check who has the discounts, take major city in a given state, find its zip code. Plug that into Toyota's "Local Incentive" webpage instead of your own, see what comes up for the Primes.

And do check the other dealers/sales guys, perhaps ones who posted here. I'm guessing someone is willing to take a deposit for your money.

 

I have a new Prime Limited purchased in MN. It can be done, but you would need to barter more than I was willing to to get any meaningful discount. You will also need to wait. I test drove an LE and then ordered a Limited. I have not even seen another Prime other than those two.

 

I'd stay away from Massachusetts dealers because of the plates thing. Look at other states. I found out about a dealer in RI that had good deals in the prices paid thread. I contacted them and they were able to hold the car for a $500 deposit. I flew up from TX and drove the car home.

 

It seems that in the northern states, dealers really don't get many Limited and they don't stay around very long. I was the total opposite from you when it comes to color choice.. I only wanted a blue with grey interior and of course there were none around. I really never even got to see a Limited in person, only XLE. Through a friend's friend, one dealer located one matched my ask en-route to a dealer in the next state. There was no ETA which means the car was still being loaded. They worked out a swap with that dealer to secure that car and I had to wait nearly a month for it to arrive.
I mean.. you might have to travel or wait to get what you want.