Prius Prime won't be available in FL ?

So, your modding your Prime like the original Batmobile?

 

Death to tailgaters!

Revenge for rolling coal!

Flash your lights at ME!!!

Stop and catch fire lights.

Bob Wilson

 

How basic do you need to start ?
Why did you want a Prime ?
You know that it is a "plug-in" hybrid, right ??
There are some driving patterns where one of them doesn't make much sense.......like a LOT of miles between plugins.

 

When I was shopping around for my 2012 PIP I found that Earl Stewart Toyota in West Palm was "importing" them from NY to sell. They were in stock there when I was in town. Very nice people to deal with. I imagine they would be doing the same thing with the new PIP.

 

A guy here in Tampa does the same with used PiPs that he gets from the northeast. That's where I got mine.

 

Just called dealer. Same story. None available in FL! Amazing...

 

I tried my best to locate one on FL. Finally bought from N.J. and had it shipped. Was a bit time consuming but all worked out in the end.

 

I think it's the evil, greedy SOB's of Southeast Toyota Distributors. Are Primes sold in non-SETD states, like Tennessee?.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

a couple have shown up in texas.

 

2017 Toyota Prius Prime Hatchback | Nashville

 

Earl Stewart, Lake Park FL
Ed Morse, Delray Beach FL
West Kendall, Miami FL

all claim to have Primes.
Cars dot com (that can not always be trusted)

 

Interesting. Erdman Toyota in Merritt Island Florida does not, and has not had them. They say they can "get one for you," if you want to buy a car without ever seeing one like it.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

When I sold my 2012, I asked dealer why they just didn’t trade or buy a few from the northeast to sell in FL and he told me SE Toyota would not allow them. Cannot figure the logic here.

 

SE Toyota is privately owned and enjoys their monopoly.
Are they required by Toyota to honor warranty service on models they do not sell?
Traveling for warranty repairs could get inconvenient.

 

Pretty sure that that happens directly with Toyota and the jerks at the SE district are not involved. I'll know for sure when they get the fix ready for the hybrid fuse recall on my PiP.

 

I just texted my "California/Texas" sister who just bought a house in (God help her!) Florida, regarding the availability of the Prime in Florida. She's a "regular" Prius owner, and so will be simpatico (oh yeah, she's my little sister too, so that helps!)

 

I'm sure they have to honor the warranty; the question is, do they have qualified, trained staff who can work on your car!! Oil changes and other generic work should be no problem, but you might have to wait for parts... it's a crapshoot, but if they can crank out enough cars for all regions, then the long haul might be ok. Of course you can always do what my customer did, move to California!!

.

 

If they can choose not to sell it, can't they choose not to service it?
I am sure it was SE Toyota's choice. @bwilson4web should have an opinion about that,

 

I'd feel pretty strongly that if the nameplate on the business says "Toyota", I think they legally have to service your car. If in doubt about a particular region, and wanting service from a Toyota dealer who refused service, I would DEFINITELY engage the services of a hungry attorney. Again, good service would hinge on properly trained staff.
I believe that Toyota would not allow their reputation to be tarnished by some 3rd world mentality which overtly refused service. UP TO NOW, consumers have had relatively good protection from such outrage; the current Federal environment however appears to be heading in a truly troubling direction, with the significant loss of protection for consumers.





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Personal experience in SE Toyota region:
Although selling dealer was able to perform "normal" service, they refused to access Toyota Tech Support to ask about Safety Connect issue; saying Toyota had not sent a fix yet.
Another dealer had more experience with Toyota Tech support and a service manager with confidence in his Master Technician, who was very knowledgeable and helpful with the Prime systems.

Bottom line, the big red Toyota sign means hi-diddly-doo, neighbor.

Have a conversation with service manager BEFORE ya need service, and ask about accessing Toyota Tech system and support and whether Master Techs can confidently repair Prime systems; that is if you live in a SE Toyota area.

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.0