I'm new to the club - please forgive me if you've already covered this.<br><br>We've tested a Prius and think its a great car, right for our driving and lifestyle. We're confused, though, about how hard they are to get. Does anyone have insight into this?<br><br>We bought a Highlander earlier this year; another new and popular model and had it within 3 weeks. I've been told Toyota doesn't make any $$ on the Prius so is limiting it. If Toyota wants this car to catch on, why wouldn't it make a bunch and make some profits, especially when its been sold with success in Japan and Canada.<br><br>Perhaps the assembly line is pre-production and not ramped up yet? Perhaps the car is not as popular as Toyota would like us to believe (club members notwithstanding)? Something just doesn't make sense.<br><br>Susan

SELees said on 9/19/01 4:54 pm:<br><br>&gt; We've tested a Prius and think its a great car,<br>&gt; right for our driving and lifestyle. We're<br>&gt; confused, though, about how hard they are to<br>&gt; get. Does anyone have insight into this?<br><br>Below info is for continental US Prius purchasers only.<br><br>Currently, the wait time on a new Prius order is in the 5 month range. If you ordered one today, the estimated delivery of your '02 would be Jan/Feb 2002.<br><br>To order a Prius, it is highly recommended that YOU start the process by placing an order at <a href=http://prius.toyota.com/buy/index.html target=new>http://prius.toyota.com/buy/index.html</a> . Then, go to a trusted, PRIUS-Certified, dealer to finalize your order. (if a deposit is needed, it should be refundable and far less than $1000) Price is MSRP. Then sit back for the long wait...<br><br>Alternately, you could call around to as many dealerships as you're willing to drive to, and ask if they have a TRAC (Toyota Rent A Car) or demo (or some other fallout order or used) Prius that they're willing to sell. This requires a lot of legwork on your part, and you have to bargain yourself a good deal.<br><br>Word is that Toyota is actually making a small amount of money per Prius these days. The rumor of each Prius losing money is only when you add in all the R&D/engineering costs of the hybrid system (which is now also costing over the hybrid Estima and Crown and other vehicles, not just the Prius line).<br><br>Last anyone can tell (based on VINs), the Prius is only made on a single production line in Japan. That line makes all the Prius, for Japan, US, UK, Canada, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere... The Prius is just a low-volume car (~15,000/year), with a high demand.<br><br>PS: Check out (and join!) the groups list for far more info: <a href=http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius target=new>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius</a>

&lt;&lt;Alternately, you could call around to as many dealerships as you're willing to drive to, and ask if they have a TRAC (Toyota Rent A Car) or demo&gt;&gt;<br><br>Thanks for the info. Having one production line in Japan is the best reason I've heard for the delays. My dealer just got an '01 TRAC car and is willing to sell it to me... in four months... for MSRP minus 10 cents/mile. They said they have a deal with Toyota to keep it on the lot for that period of time. I had called the other local dealers. A couple didn't even have one for demos. And another wouldn't give up their '01 until their '02 arrived - the same amount of time as waiting for a new one anyway.<br><br>Susan

&gt; Having one production line in Japan is the best reason I've heard <br>&gt; for the delays. <br><br>After having been obsessed with the Prius for over 1.5 years and driving over 20,000 miles with one, the reasons have become obvious for the limited production: EDUCATION! <br><br>Dealers, Salespeople, Mechanics, and the general public simply don't have the needed knowledge yet. THS (Toyota Hybrid System) throws the book out. And in this case, starting from scratch is has really paid off. But there's a ton of misinformation to deal with still. Many people assume the rules of Electric Vehicles apply. Some do, some don't. Prius is truly unique, a completely new category. And since Toyota is so far ahead of the competition, taking time to setup a completely new infrastructure (which requires a lot of EDUCATION) is realistic with just limited production.<br><br>The cool part is you don't actually need much education to own & drive a Prius. Sales & Services is where the needs are.<br><br>Check out my website. It's loaded with dozens of very detailed information pages, hundreds of high-resolution Prius photos, and two revealing videos.<br><br>JOHN<br><a href=http://john1701a.com target=new>http://john1701a.com</a>

I received a Vehicle Assignment note from toyota just this morning. I sold and ordered it on Aug.7 I don't know about you all- but I found that to be an amazingly fast turnaround. I thought "this has to be a mistake". If it took 2 months ( note always says 1-2 months) that would'nt even be a 4 month total wait. COOL HUH?!?!<br>It is, of course, possible that this unit was dropped by someone.

Gotta be an early car

That is cool - Did the notice come directly from Toyota or indirectly through the dealer? <br><br>I have had incessant problems with my dealer communicating - I originally ordered online and immediately delivered a check for the order, and the online order number. 2 times the order online system said I did not order the car. I finally (after 5 tries) got Toyota national help desk in direct contact with the local dealer and they finally confirmed that the order was actually placed. I have gotten 2 calls from the dealer in the last 4 months (so far) only after hounding them via phone and email numerous times. I did get an owners manual from Toyota (which reduced my fear of not getting the car), and now am waiting the last 2 months to get my White 02 Prius. <br><br>As soon as I take delivery, I will never go back to that dealer again (Colonie Toyota - New York State). There is a much better dealer to service my soon to arrive new car. I wish I knew that in June...<br><br>Good for you - your dealer must be a good one.

Actually yes the dealer IS a superb, wonderful,efficient, knowledgable.... ok I'll stop now.. :)<br><br>(i am the dealer)

Dianne- Im pretty sure that would have to be the case too. It's a little too fast!!<br>Brian (toyobri)<br>McGeorge Toyota