No, I haven't got a Prius, but I decided to check into other dealers. I "ordered" one back in September and was 17 on the list. Dealer told me it would be 5-6 months and most recently told me it could be up to more 3 months. I have purchased from this dealer before and they did not require a deposit for a Prius. After joining this forum and seeing how quickly some of you were finding a Prius, I wondered if I can do better. Today, I began contacting other dealers. My family lives in Iowa so I started sending e-mails to Iowa dealers. After the second e-mail, I get a call from the first dealer that I contacted in Cedar Rapids, IA in less than 5 minutes! I was a little shocked at the speed that I was contacted. She tells me that they have Priuses coming in all the time and it would take about 30 days. I ask her what package and she says most are a #4 which is what I originally wanted. The other dealer told me I couldn't get a #4 so I was going to get a #5. This dealer tells me $24,616 for a #4 which is a bit over MSRP, but will be a lot less than getting a #5 which is a package I don't need. While I was on the phone she took my info, and all the colors. I'm still open to other packages but would prefer a #4 at the minimum. They will contact me as soon as they find one. If I don't want it, they will just offer to the next person. I do have to bite the bullet and put down a $500 deposit which is refundable if I change my mind. I feel a lot better now that I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket. We'll see who delivers first! Andy
Andy, I did exactly as you did. I never like putting all my eggs in one basket with anything I do. (personally or professionally) I was on here I think complaining about needing a Prius because my POS Escort wasn't going to make it much longer and a nice guy in WI pmed me and told me to start calling around. SO I did asap! Called to Milwaukee and first dealership laughed at me. 2nd dealership had the color and package I was looking for right on his lot!! 4 hours later I was driving off with my brand new Prius!! B) I think my sales guy here locally still has me on his list. Little does he know I already got my ride. I told him I don't mess around when I want/need something. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!! (That's a LONG drive for me so glad I was able to get mine in Miwaukee). However I'm sure I would have gone anywhere to get it even if that meant getting on a plane to round it up PS I think you should keep calling around if you can travel to get it!
I grew up in SE, Iowa near Ottumwa. I figured that maybe the demand for Priuses isn't as high in IA (maybe, I'm wrong?) and a bigger dealer there might increase my odds of finding one. It will be a five hour drive for me if they come through. I'm not real patient with calling even though I am a patient person otherwise most of the time. I'm not going to contact anymore dealers for now. I'll see what happens and can wait 4 weeks. This dealer rep was shocked when I told her my other dealer had said up to 3 months. I'm impressed with the speed that you found your Prius! Andy
