A few questions before I buy

[digitalangel]

I'm quite torn right now between models. While I love the options the S comes with, I hate the skirt. Something about it just looks off to me. Is it fairly easy to remove just the skirt? Or is it permanently attached?


I also noticed in some pictures the sports seats had blue flecs and in others they were grey and black. Is this a difference between the Canadian and American models?

Living in BC I of course am going to need winters. Is it better to buy the rims from the dealer or somewhere like Canadian Tire? What size would be best for winter tires?

[LeanBurn]

What are the options that the S comes with that you like? Can the enhanced CE or the LE come with those options?

Tires, I would price out both and pick the cheaper option.

[digitalangel]

I looked at all the packages for quite awhile. Had a hard time choosing between the sport and enahnced CE but the 16" alloy wheels, sports fabic and leather wrapped steering wheel pushed me towards the sports package. The skirt also looks like it has less ground clearance but that might just be an optical illusion? The roads around here can be simply terrible. I guess I'll make a decision one way or another but it would help to know if I could remove it or not.


I actually had another question about fees. When I was at the local dealer the salespersn I was dealing with said if they had to ship my car in from another dealer that was out of the local area I may have to pay up to $300 in shipping fees on top of my $1200 delivery fee. Is this normal or is the dealer just trying to tack on fees? He insisted I pick out a second color to avoid these fees. Is the dealer trying to get me to buy a car they have on the lot?

[rollasot]

I picked base model for the same reason - thought about S but didn't really feel the body kit, or the spoiler, which blocks what little view you have out the back. Since I'm adding my own rims (and probably lighting if it ever comes out) on the car anyway, getting the S model would be like paying $2000 for fog lights. Plus, I don't think LE or CE come in a manual transmission (if you care about that).
Granted, the interior of the base is lame.

[buddy97]

i really liked the darker interior of the s model and i wanted a manual transmission. but, to me the body kit just looks ludicrous, not like part of the car, but just tacked on as an afterthought. so, that left me to buy the base manual transmission. as far as i can tell, the base has the identical interior to the LE model (minus the power window/lock buttons).

[cabur]

Those panels can be remove quite easily but you may have to do some touch up paint work. The side skirts if removed will have to be replaced with the CE or LE ones.
The rear spoiler will have holes on the trunk lid.
I would'nt advise going this route. I'd rather get the shape I want and add on than to remove original factory installed stuff other than rims and tyres.

As for the extra $300 to destination charge I'll not pay for it. I'd rather go to another dealer even if I have to go to Kelowna or Vancouver for the car.
Sound this off to your sales rep and see what he have to counter offer. Be very careful. These reps are smart they might counteroffer you with a slight reduction. You stand your ground. Your money can buy any car or thing. They can only sell their car. Before you sign any papers you are the boss and in control.

[digitalangel]

Well that sucks, I was hoping that the body was just a standard body with skirts attached that somehow could just be removed. I'm handy, but not handy enough to do major modification.

Thanks for the advice on the shipping fee. We only talked about price brielfy as I was driving but I felt like he was confident I would pay anything he asked. I noticed on their website that they have an internet sales manager, do people have any luck price wise going in that direction?

[Tideland Prius]

Yeah I think he's trying to get you a car on the lot. We bought a 2000 Corolla and they had none and had one shipped from Victoria (so that's probably more expensive across the strait) and they didn't charge us extra for it.


Also, yeah you might as well go with a CE Pkg "C" and add your own rear spoiler. You can get steelies from any place, I don't think the price varies too much. As for tyres, it depends what type and what you want to spend. I went with Nokian WRs because I didn't want to switch from winter to summer. They've helped a lot with Lower Mainland slush and snow as well as the warm summer (not too big of a dent in FE).

[joeylgarcia]

my only advice to you is what features are you willing not to have and which features do you really care about. electronic/mechanical/electrical features are more important that exterior/form features. now take your pick.

[Londonguy]

I would just factory order one or have them check what's coming in and they'll tag one for you. They can't deny you the car you want. You may have to wait a few weeks but that's better than being pressured to buy the car you don't want. They don't give a sh** about your needs as long as they've made the sale. Ask them to check incoming shipments and do a swap or actually order one. They can't say no. If they do perfect opportunity to walk.

[nmehes]

Originally Posted by Londonguy

I would just factory order one or have them check what's coming in and they'll tag one for you. They can't deny you the car you want. Asl them to check incoming shipments and do a swap or actually order one. They can't say no. If they do perfect opportunity to walk.

DO THIS!!! Just tell them you're willing to wait to save the $300. They can order one and have it right from the factory in any colour you like.

[digitalangel]

I like the idea of getting it directly from the factory. Does anyone have any idea of how long it takes to get a car from the factory to BC right now? 1 month, 2 months?

[rolla-XRS]

Toyota manages a pool of cars in Vancouver - so they should be able to get the model you want by ordering the vehicle. Worst case is that they have to wait for it to be built in Ontario, CA and that can be upwards of 6-8 weeks as worst case...but shouldn't bee too bad for availability now with the US economy in the toilet.

Paying for a dealer transfer fee is BS. Only someone desperate for a car should pay that. Personally - I'd try another dealer (if possible) because that guy is messing with ya - or contact the Sales Manager and complain. Might be worth your while.

[Tideland Prius]

It's about 3 weeks to ship it from ON to dealer + prep and a few weeks for it to be produced so yeah 1-2 months sounds about right. My Prius was factory ordered from Japan. I placed the order on the 15th Sept and picked it up on the 24th Oct.