I have been a hobbyist electric car builder and driver since 1973. I converted 3 cars and built 1 from scratch. I recognized the limitations of a purely electric car in range, performance on long steep hills, and battery replacement cost over the years. I have looked at the commercially available electric cars and most are out of my price range.<br><br>I have been searching for a good compromise, and four weeks ago I drove the Toyota Prius. I rented one from a dealer in the SF Bay area, they have 5 available for rent, either single day (24 hours) or multiple days and the cost was reasonable. I drove the car on city streets, hills, and the interstate and was able to get a good feel for the car. When I was returning the car another couple had also rented one and we briefly discussed how impressed we were. I was so impressed that I ordered one and I think the couple I was talking with also ordered one. <br><br>I ordered my car on April 7 at the local dealer. On April 8, I received an email from the Toyota Prius Fulfillment Team acknowledging my order. On April18, I received another email confirming that I could expect my car in 1-2 months. Of course, I?m hoping it will only be a month.<br><br>Has anybody taken delivery recently and how long did it take?

Yes. I ordered my Silver Prius on December 12, 2000 and was notified yesterday by the dealer that the car had reached the dock in Long Beach, California and that I should expect it to reach Santa Cruz, California in a week or less. That would be a 20-week wait. I have received no other Email, Letter or Phone communication from Toyota during the long, long wait, and my Emails to Toyota and to my Dealer concerning the lack of a "Confirmation Number," or a "Manual," or any other official communication... have gone unanswered. The Dealer is friendly... and, in the light of this recent phone call, competent... just not too knowledgeable. A Cruise Control option retro-fit for this late 2001 model? Never heard of such a thing. (Sigh). It's a good thing that the Prius is worth waiting for or I probably would have given up. Thanks to this Club and the Yahoo Newsgroup for keeping my appetite whetted... and thanks also to my Dealer who was kind enough to let me come down on several occasions and sit in one of their rental Prius' and make "vroom... vroom" sounds (they finally took pity on me and gave me the key to drive it around and around the block). I imagine that they will be as delighted as I am that this car has finally arrived!

Hi! First message from a new member...<br><br>My dealer (Clair in Dedham, MA, with whom I am very happy so far) told me that it would be 3-4 months before we could take delivery, but a miracle happened and they had a cancellation on a car that had arrived the next day. My wait was one day! (It seems no-one else on their waiting list was willing to take Electric Green!)<br><br>I know I'm lucky, but perhaps there's reason for hope for those who are, say, replacing a wrecked Prius in the near future!<br><br>Cheers,<br>Alan

You are very lucky! That is my color. Ordered 1 March and hope to receive May 11! Margaret

I ordered mine 1 March after two test drives. Had an e-mail next day from Toyota confirming order. Got a telephone call last Wednesday 4-18 saying delivery date was 2 May at Long Beach. Plan to drive it away 11 May. (unless dealer can do it faster!)<br>Margaret Finney