The saga is finally over!

The saga is finally over! Also port acc, credit check, tires, customizations

The saga is finally over!

I decided on a 2010 Prius V with AT, with no compromise on any choices. I tried to buy at Beaver Toyota in Santa Fe, NM starting May 13, but they could not find it in-region (Rocky Mountain Region has only 100 dealers, and < 20M population), and had no car of interest to trade to dealers in other regions. I let them know I was shopping in SoCal, and put a deposit with Dianne at Long Beach. Beaver finally port-traded for my car, said it would be at Long Beach port on 9/25 (was actually 9/29), here 15 days later. After getting the VIN, I opened an account at Toyota.com and saw two cryptIc entries at the online service record (one about security etching) on 10/15 (at port?). I spied it in their back receiving lot on Sunday, picked it up Tuesday afternoon, 10/20.

Here are some details that may be of interest since they have been discussed here:

* They caved on what they had said were non-optional port accessories I did not want, instead I got the cargo organizer and cargo net (seems to have solid anchoring, looks OEM). I got most of the other add-ons I want just now from elsewhere (except for Weathertech floor mats) once I knew the car was definite.

* Same price (MSRP) as elsewhere, no surprise extra profits or options. They mentioned paint protection with no pressure, but they are a little intimidated that I apparently know more about the car than any previous Prius customer (thanks to PriusChat).

* They did not need my SSN or do a credit check. They mentioned it, but my sales guy threw away the form, since a certified check and that the bank will report the transaction anyway was enough.

* Came with the Toyo tires. Michelin Primacy MXV4 is supposed to be available in 215/45R17 in October 2010 (I asked Michelin about it); see TireRack.com and November 2009 Consumer Reports.

* No hassle in making the eight customizations I wanted (that I could not do, manual section 6-2) for free during prep. I got the idea there was discussion on the dealer side, with the Service Manager and General Manager involved. They missed one: seatbelt audio reminder beeps a few times, they'll get it when I'm back there.

* Had 14 miles on it, came with a full gas tank.

* Came with version 9.1 navigation DVD. Build date is 9/09.

* Sales guy agreed that synthetic 0W20 oil was the way to go, but I would have to ask for it when in for oil service. Also said oil changes were OK from any source, but keeping records is vital. The unstated implication is that Toyota will try to invalidate warranty if they can (like health insurance companies). The manuals still have the 5K oil change interval.

* The guy who handles the money/registration volunteered that I could save a little by registering the car myself, but DMV in NM is a hassle. He also recommended K&N filter cartridges, available at Autozone--everyone's an expert ;-> but I'll look into it. He noted that this was the second V with AT the dealer had managed to obtain. Life in fly-over country has its advantages and disadvantages.

* They explained the extended warranty purchase option, and were up-front that I had until the end of regular warranty to decide (no pressure), but that the limit is hard. The limit is 36/36, not 35/35, and certainly not 36+1 day/36001, but 36/36 is the limit. I've never bought one of these before, and with Toyota's high reliability record, I am skeptical.

* The car is Winter Gray/Dark Gray. For you demographics collectors, I am 62, retired, and pewter.

Overall, I thought this was exemplary behavior by the Sales Department at Beaver Toyota. IMHO, it helps to "show no weakness" by correcting anything erroneous they might say--we've had a lot of conversations. PriusChat gave me the knowledge to do that. We'll see how maintenance and any needed warranty service goes. I have no connection with Beaver Toyota other than this purchase.

Others' narrations of actually buying out-of-region (especially from Dianne), would be welcome, since I think this is a useful option to execute. I would have done so if the locals had not succeeded in getting the exact car I wanted.

It hasn't stopped raining since I first got into the car yesterday, so I'll be pursuing the Prius Exploration Adventure soon.