Need Help A.S.A.P Please dealer issues!!!!!!!

I don't know if it's ever been available as an "accessory." It's part of certain "packages" but I don't think can be dealer-added individually without upgrading package. That said, I think it's a fairly minor issue to self-install or have someone else after-market install it. You'll probably pay less for it if you buy it yourself too!

 

I know my 07 package 6 has it. I found the link below, which states that they are available on package 3 and up. I don't know why the dealer would have sold you a #2, when you really needed a #3.

There are after market options available. Good luck.

Toyota Prius - 2008 Options & Packages

 

It's part of a package. He probably didn't have a car with that package to sell you so he sold you what he had and gave you a song and dance about installing it later.

He lied to make a sale.

If it was a salesman, go over his head to the owner and raise hell.

If it was the owner, go over his head to Toyota, but that isn't going to do much good.

 

After three weeks and 1500 miles they are not going to let your just trade cars while paying the difference in packages. The min. you drove your car off the lot it depreciated. It's now a used car. You'd have to trade it in as a used car with suitable depreciation and then buy the car with the package you want as a new car. That's going to be several thousand dollars.

They screwed you over.

Live and learn. Next time don't buy it unless it has everything you need. If not, move on. And do your homework first.

And make them give you back the money you paid for this "upgrade" that isn't going to happen.

 

Brandsport sells the mirror for $280 but they show them only for2004-2006 and Excludes models equipped with factory Curtain Side Airbag Option.

Toyota Prius Rear View Mirror - Brandsport.com

I don't know what the difference is with the 2007 & 2008.

If the dealer will get a new one and install it what is the problem?

 

First of all the secret to getting what you need out of dealerships is to be reasonable and to be firm and unwaivering in what you are asking for.

He told you he would get a mirror and install it and thats what he's going to do.

Its really not a big deal. The mirror is not even made by Toyota, its made by a company called "Gentex" and you can buy the exact same mirror directly from Gentex and they're available all the time on eBay. The wiring harness is probably there already so all that should need to be done is to plug it in.

Click this link:

Gentex Corporation :: Automotive :: PLO :: Interior Mirrors

The mirror you want is the 6th mirror down, the Homelink Mirror. That is the mirror that Toyota uses on the Prius.

Here's the company that sells them:

Auto-Dimming Mirrors with HomeLink®

You can even get one with the outside temp and compass if you want, then yours will be better than anything OEM from Toyota. Its $260 without the compass, $300 with the compass, and $400 with the compass and temp. I'd buy the one with the compass personally, especially if you don't have nav.

Can't get them to install it? Install it yourself!

Gentex Auto Dimming Mirror Installation Instructions

Turning in the car is not a solution. At this point its a used car, and they'll do that for you but you'd have to do it as a trade-in and that will cost you thousands of dollars.

 

As others have stated, the last thing you want to do is trade that car back in for a different one now. Figure about a 15% minimum hit from MSRP to trade it backp in. They won't do a 'swap'.

Check out this site, they look to be close to the factory mirror but include a compass and temp. Get your money back from them, based on what you've described, they don't deserve any more of your business. Be sure to mention this on your 'dealer satisfation survey' from Toyota.

-Auto Dimming Mirrors-

 

Our local dealer has a 30-day warranty period where they will take back any new car and apply what you paid towards a different new car.
It is possible that there would also be a mileage limit, but I don't recall that.

It cannot hurt to ask.

 

Amen to that. It sounds to me like they just wanted the sale and were willing to do anything to get it. I would get the money, but the part and have it installed by someone else. Regardless, I'd never go back to that dealer.

 

If you have it in writing as part of the purchase documents, or some writing before the sale, (look out for limiting language in the writing that says stuff like "if possible" "if available" or the like...) that the delear was to install the homelink mirror.

If you have a writing tell him to install a 2008 homelink mirror or you will be returning the car and expect a full refund. Don't take any guff from these swine either about it. Have a number for Toyota corporate with you and call them right in front of him, that's always fun.

But remember have it in wrinting or you'r eprobably screwed.

 

According to both the 04 and 05 brochures, the Auto-dimming electrochromatic rearview mirror with HomeLink universal transceiver was available both as part of a package and as an individual accessory during those model years. However, it was not recommended that dealers install the accessory version on cars equipped with curtain airbags because the wiring ran up the pillars where the air curtains are located.

 

I don't have a 2008 brochure but the auto dimming mirror with Homelink was available as an accessory in the 2007 brochure. I agree with Devil's Advocate that you will need the mirror listed in the sales document to be able to take action. You may also want to file a complaint with the Consumer Affairs Office in the dealer's county.

There are two dealers who sell parts over the internet. Check their prices for the mirror.

 

If no success with the dealer, have them refund the difference and use the gentex link mentioned above. much less money and easily self installed.

 

Unfortunately, your dealer is correct in the fact that you can't get a Prius autodimming mirror with homelink. As a dealership service manager, I tried to no avail.

However, there is more than one way to skin a cat, and skinning the cat proved to be a better situation. One of my technicians had an extra Scion Tc autodimming mirror with homelink that he wanted me to try in my '08 Prius. Having nothing to lose, I let him install it.

Talk about pleased! This mirror and the solution are more than I could have asked for. The autodimming and homelink work perfectly! In addition, there's a handy map light built into the mirror. An even cooler bonus is the LED "mood" light that casts either an amber, blue, or white light over the center console and lower dashboard while driving at night. It's totally unobrusive and adds an ambience to night driving. You can even set it to change colors as you're driving. Personally, I like the amber light while jamming to the latest incarnation from Dream Theater via my Ipod.

So, go to your dealer and order a Scion Tc self-dimming mirror with homelink and have their most talented Prius technician install it for you. It's not cheap ($450.00 + labor). You might be able to find one at a salvage yard, as there are pleanty of Scion Tc's that met an untimely demise due to the driving practices of their demographically (young and reckless) profiled former owners.

Again, you'll be delighted with that mirror. And it's much cheaper than trading in your Prius.

Erick Faust
Asst. Service Manager
O'Brien Toyota/Scion
Indianapolis, IN

 

I bought a camry with the auto mirror and compass, and had an Infiniti with it. Now I have the 2007 Prius pkg #2 without the auto mirror. I much prefer moving my hand to the dimming tab on the standard mirror, when and how I want for the conditions. I do remember the auto mirror was offered as a dealer installed accessory.

 

How do you change the colors of the map light??? My SO has a tC with the autodimming mirror and hers is just plain amber. She had seen somewhere that other colors were available, but I thought they were separate units.