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Just wanted to share details that I just posted on the PCD private forum:

Hi PCD group,

A couple updates to share with you.

First, we would like to apologize, but it appears some of you may have received some incorrect info at Detroit. Feel free to share this on the main forums if you'd like. For 2010, the valve timing control for Prius 1.8 (2ZR-FXE) is Regular VVT-i (intake only), not Dual Independent VVT-i. Sorry for any confusion.

Second, due to feedback we've received, we are going to hold the Prius Priority order program open until Feb 16 NOT Feb 1. So, you've got a few extra days to keep pondering that color choice or package you chose! We're in the process of changing the site details to reflect this new deadline. The delivery dates will not be delayed.

Lastly, I think I saw a question at one point about the headlamp washers....to clarify, they are part of the Platinum Prius Priority package option though they are not specified in our spec sheet.

Any questions, please let me know.
Thanks,
Erica

This is good news! Mainly because I'm trying to figure out if I should choose a dealer in SC or MA. Maybe I'll know by then. It's a long story...

Prius Priority site is showing that the order is being built. I just saw over at PC that a dealer in New York said they will have one on their floor in March. Early delivery to beat Honda?

What's up with the Prius Connection invites??? It says respond no later than the 19th and I received it on the 23rd?
I received one to LA and San Fransisco and it is different than the one listed on the new page. These actually include a DRIVE in the 2010!!!

http://www.seeuthere.com/ui/18/182313/ToyotaPriusBannerGeneric.jpg
Welcome to What Comes Next
The next-generation Prius is making its Los Angeles debut and you are invited to join us March 1, 2009!
As one of a select group of Prius enthusiasts, Toyota welcomes you and a guest to an exclusive, all-access event for the 2010 Prius. It's a chance to get to know the vehicle; a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the savvy and curious to gain insider information about Prius, the people and the technology.
What's more, this is your chance to be among the first to drive the all-new 2010 Prius!
Here are the specifics:
When:Sunday, March 1, 2009Time:11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Venue:Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
777 Chick Hearn Court
Los Angeles, CA 90015
www.nokiatheatrelalive.com (http://www.nokiatheatrelalive.com/)
Click here (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Los+Angeles&state=CA&address=777+Chick+Hearn+Court) for a map and directions to the eventParking:Valet Parking will be provided
Join us for Sunday brunch, a little one-on-one time with the third-generation Prius, and some special surprises we have in store. Space is limited, so please respond no later than February 19, 2009, to reserve your spot at this exclusive event.
Due to the highly confidential nature of this event, your discretion is appreciated. This opportunity is non-transferable and restricted to the invitee and a guest. If you have any questions, please contact us at PriusConnectionLosAngeles@TravelHQ.com (PriusConnectionLosAngeles@TravelHQ.com) or 800-299-4759, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. Outside of those hours, please leave a message and your call will be returned the next business day.
We look forward to sharing this exciting experience with you!
The Toyota Prius Team

I just called Prius Priority to see if I could find anything new about delivery or price since I found out today the new Insight will be in any day now and I just bought the 05 Pri for my wife to drive.

It sounds like we won't find anything out until mid April until early May about the price. Delivery of the car will be late May until early June.

Hi All:

___I received my 2010 Toyota Prius-III – Priority Pricing list earlier in the day and I am a bit miffed regarding two additional fees.

___My local Carmax and most dealerships in IL and WI do not charge any “Fees” yet it was included in the Toyota pricing sheet.

___I sent an E-Mail back to Prius Priority Connect regarding this and have not received any reply as of yet. The dealership confirms it does not charge any of those fees and does not control what Toyota does according to the sales people I spoke with earlier today.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

They tacked over $1000 on the price of mine including the fees. Something like $700 of it was the "advertising fee" plus another 300 for the dealer fees. Plus another $100 bucks for title and licensing. I just declined the offer outright.

Given that your markups are different than mine, I think with the dealer told you is a bunch of BS. If Toyota just added the fees themselves the same across the board. I think I may write them an e-mail myself.

Hi Tim:

___I spoke with the GM of Carmax in Kenosha, WI and he believes Toyota FUBAR'ed the pricing so hang in there for a few. He spoke with his Toyota sales group and they do not know about any of these fees either.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Ad fees? something's definitely not right...

Advertising fees are collected in some regions to cover the cost of local print and electronic advertising. When I went car shopping with a woman who bought a Hyundai almost two years ago, they added a couple of hundred as an advertising fee and explained it as a fee that is assessed on all vehicles sold in the region. I didn't mind much since I had snooped through their website and found an old coupon to print out that knocked 500 off a sale, so we were still ahead of the game.

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if they try to tack on advertising fees. Once one manufacturer tries it, they all will, because it's a quick profit for the dealer network.

Hi Chris:

___This is a Toyota only thing as part of the "Toyota Prius Priority pricing", not a dealership add-on here in IL and WI. Some dealerships still try but these fees disappeared long ago due to competition locally.

___In areas like Tim, the price offered is darn near MSRP and with that, it would be stupid to have the first one off the truck and pay MSRP for what was supposed to be a deal when it is not.

___This is now an open forum and we received the prices as part of the Priority Connect deal for being the enthusiasts we are and being part of the 2010 Prius-III launch.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I find it hard to believe the advertising/marketing fee and the dealer/documentation fees aren't dealer-driven. There is a lot of variability of the fees among folks who have posted their quotes on PriusChat. On mine the ad/marketing fee is slightly higher than Wayne's, while the dealer/doc fees are considerably higher. If it's a Toyota thing, why so much variation?

I had mostly decided against pulling the trigger, but this pretty much seals it for me.

The title and licensing fee on my quote are in line with what the state charges, so there's no padding there.

Hi Jim:

___I have confirmed through Prius Connect and the local dealers that this is an entirely Toyota thing with no dealership involvement other than their local market fees buried within the invoice and holdback...

___Now lets try and whittle the price down a bit. If WI is $414 Dealer Advertising/Marketing Fee + $99 Dealer Fee, and SC is $700 Dealer Advertising/Marketing Fee + $300 Dealer Fee, what is it everywhere else? I would not mind driving a few hundred miles to save $500 or more $’s?

___Jim, can you pass on your location and fees to the list for us please. As you stated, the TTL is a state item so there is no maneuvering around that one as it is a tax/fee you will pay regardless of where you purchase any vehicle and register it within your state.

___Jim and Tim, are you part of that Southwest or Gulf States Toyota regional fee item that most in the South East all the way through Texas are stuck with?

Location|Dealer Advertising/Marketing Fee|Dealer Fee
Kenosha, WI|$414|$99
Columbia, SC|$700|$99
Harrisburg, IL|$465|$175
Richmond, VA.|$438|$395

___Thanks in advance.

___Wayne

Estimated Delivery Window May 25, 2009- June 17, 2009



Vehicle Ordered:

Prius Priority Gold Package (Prius IV - 1227 with Solar Roof)

Blizzard Pearl Exterior

Bisque Interior

Carpet Floor Mats & Cargo Mat



PRIUS PRIORITY COST

+ Freight $750.00
+ Dealer Advertising/Marketing Fee $465.00
+ Title and Licensing $223.00
+ Dealer Fees (ex. Document Fees) $175.00



ARRGGHH!

I am on the phone with them now.

Advertising fees are collected in some regions to cover the cost of local print and electronic advertising. When I went car shopping with a woman who bought a Hyundai almost two years ago, they added a couple of hundred as an advertising fee and explained it as a fee that is assessed on all vehicles sold in the region. I didn't mind much since I had snooped through their website and found an old coupon to print out that knocked 500 off a sale, so we were still ahead of the game.

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if they try to tack on advertising fees. Once one manufacturer tries it, they all will, because it's a quick profit for the dealer network.

I don't play those games. They can include it in the msrp or I can refuse to purchase the car especially in times like these. Being what that car is, I shouldn't be covering fees for them to introduce the car, because that is all it would take for me to decide I want to purchase it, that and the specs and amenities.

He explained that the dealer can explain the "fees" better. I will be on the phone with the dealership owner tomorrow! I explained to the Priority rep I talked to that I can put a Hymotion kit on the cherry 05 we just bought and not spend NEAR as much!

Richmond, VA:

Dealer Advertising/Marketing Fee: $438.00
Dealer Fees (ex. Document Fees): $395.00

I can't speak to any regional issues or pricing beyond what's been posted on the forums.

Pricing from Edmunds for the one I ordered::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Vehicle|MSRP|Invoice|National Base Price
2010 Toyota Prius-III|$25,800|$24,017|$25,800
|||
Optional Equipment|$5,620|$4,676|$5,620
SR Solar Roof Package|$3,600|$2,970|$3,600
NV Navigation Package|$1,800|$1,530|$1,800
PC Special Color|$220|$176|$220
FE 50 State Emissions|$0|$0|$0
Color Adjustment|-|-|-
Destination Charge|$720|$720|$720
Total with Options|$32,140|$29,413|$32,140

Hi All:

___Post em when you get them...

___Here is the latest with Mike's and Jim's.

Location|Dealer Advertising/Marketing Fee|Dealer Fee
Kenosha, WI|$414|$99
Columbia, SC|$700|$99
Harrisburg, IL|$465|$175
Richmond, VA.|$438|$395

___Since my mom is in the market, she is following this pretty closely and I am also telling her about the brand new 2009 HCH-II w/ NAVI for $20,200 out the door not including TTL for the state of IL from Kacey. She still considers the 2010 Toyota Prius as the better of the two vehicles even with the huge discount on the 09 HCH-II.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi All:

___For those of you that are going to follow through and want to possibly save a few $’s, you can drive up here and stay for the night if you want to pick yours up from my local Kenosha, WI Carmax for just $513 of junk fees and drive it back home the next day?

___That is “IF” Toyota will allow you to switch to a different dealership this late in the ordering process?

Location|Dealer Advertising/Marketing Fee|Dealer Fee
Kenosha, WI|$414|$99
Columbia, SC|$700|$99
Harrisburg, IL|$465|$175
Richmond, VA.|$438|$395

___Good Luck

___Wayne

My wife is away tonight. We will talk tomorrow night when she gets home, but I don't think I will bother with this deal.

I am a little disheartened by all this. I was 100% sure of doing my deal, but now I am not sure anymore.

___Jim and Tim, are you part of that Southwest or Gulf States Toyota regional fee item that most in the South East all the way through Texas are stuck with?



I can't speak to any regional issues or pricing beyond what's been posted on the forums.

Wyane and Jim, VA is in the Mid-Atlantic region.

I just talked to the owner of the dealership I am going through. He confirmed that the advertising fee is from Toyota and NOT him. It is tacked onto EVERY vehicle that he receives.

They have fouled up on the abbreviation as far as the dealer fees. I interpreted
(ex. Document Fees) to mean EXCLUDING Document Fees. He said that the $175 represents $150 doc fee and $25 electronic filing fee.
So it actually means INCLUDING. (inc. Document Fees)

So Mike, are you going to get it or not.

I just talked to the owner of the dealership I am going through. He confirmed that the advertising fee is from Toyota and NOT him. It is tacked onto EVERY vehicle that he receives.

They have fouled up on the abbreviation as far as the dealer fees. I interpreted
(ex. Document Fees) to mean EXCLUDING Document Fees. He said that the $175 represents $150 doc fee and $25 electronic filing fee.
So it actually means INCLUDING. (inc. Document Fees)

The joys of abbreviations.

ex. = example

exc. or excl. = excluded, excluding.

I know I'm often told I'm weird, but that's how I figured it when I saw it.

Not sure yet. I'm leaning not.

So Mike, are you going to get it or not.

___Jim and Tim, are you part of that Southwest or Gulf States Toyota regional fee item that most in the South East all the way through Texas are stuck with?


Yeah, I'm certain that SC is part of the "Southeast States Toyota" cartel or whatever they call it.

I've been pulling near 60 in mine on the highway since we exited winter. Can't say I'm going to lose any sleep over the deal. The only issue I have is extreme disappointment with Toyota for trying to bone us.

Yes Tim's dealership is a part of Southeast Toyota (SET)

I want to know if there are any Toyota dealerships not strong-armed by SET or Gulf-States.

From my understanding, Ford, GM, Chrysler, and Honda don't deal with that garbage, I haven't even looked to see what its like for the Korean brands or Mitsubishi or Nissan.

Every time I go on a Yota lot. I feel the need of a body condom and a chastity belt. I know they want to infect me with some thing and bone me to death.

I just pushed the go button. It still doesn't mean I'm getting it though. I talked with Erick(sp?) at Lakeshore and he said they would have no problems selling it if I still couldn't take delivery when it comes in. The website says I should be hearing something by next Friday though. Wayne, if it works out, what are you doing next Saturday?:D

The ad fee is charged on every Toyota sold and is based on the region it is sold in and the base MSRP of the vehicle, something like 2% in the Chicago region. Title and registration depends on the state. Doc fees are the dealer profit area in some states, in Illinois it is limited to a max of $151.40 currently, even with electronic filing-which most dealers do. Ad and doc fees are higher in the gulf and atlantic regions of Toyota's distributors..

The ad fee is on the invoice of the new car. Usually you don't see the invoice and the dealer pays this when he buys the car from Toyota. It is paid to the region for support of region wide print and media ads.

The dealers are still making money even though the base Priority price is "below" invoice. They receive a 1% floor credit and a 2% holdback still for these vehicles. My letter has me dealing with the general sales manager, so no sales commission and the dealer pockets that too.

All in all a better deal than you'll likely see until winter when Toyota is way past the initial surge of orders/sales. But unless money loosens up or gas spikes to $4/gal again, it will be real easy pickens for a Prius III later this year.

Wayne

Gas just went over $2 a gal here again yesterday, and at a cheepy station too

When is the 2010 Prius available in the US?

They are selling now.

They are on the ground in the west and have been delivered as far as Wisconsin. Illinois arrival is scheduled for this week as well as other Midwest areas. The eastern states could see them this week or at least by the first week in June.

"On the ground" sounds good!

My wife is a long-time Toyota Fan and doesn't want me buying a new Ford (FFH).
She remembers our first car (a Maverick). I wanted a FEH AWD, but the cost is
so much higher than the Prius.

I don't want to spend a ton of money. I'm not interested in satellite radio,
solar panels or automatic parking. But, I need cruise control. (Right foot-ankle injury).


Anyways, what are the basic MUST HAVE options? What's on your list? And why?

Interesting the different delivery methods, the HI2 dropped almost simultaneously on both coasts while the Prius 3G seems toe trekking eastward.

Ours should be in on the 26th if my wife doesn't kill me! I haven't told her that I went through with the deal yet. I plan on having them put a big red bow on it so maybe it will help. It can't picked up until Friday when I'm off and am going to have to tell her that we are going to drive 100 miles to the dealer to do something for being part of the Prius Priority deal. It will get between 2000 to 3000 miles put on it the first week. We are leaving Friday afternoon to go to Charlottesville, VA to help our son move to a new apartment. After a few days there, I would like to go to Virgina Beach and a few other places farther north. I should have a good feel for it by the time we get back. (if she lets me live)

Ours should be in on the 26th if my wife doesn't kill me! I haven't told her that I went through with the deal yet. I plan on having them put a big red bow on it so maybe it will help.
Only if it's for her.

With the bow, tell them now, those are hard to get in place on time.

When is the 2010 Prius available in the US?

On another forum, several posters in the Pacific Northwest received theirs on Sunday, May 17. One may have been delivered the day before, but he hasn't posted pictures.

Yes, it's for her.

Only if it's for her.

I know of one that was delivered to the new owners in Madison, WI Friday and one in Chicago Saturday.

Ours should be in on the 26th if my wife doesn't kill me! I haven't told her that I went through with the deal yet. I plan on having them put a big red bow on it so maybe it will help. It can't picked up until Friday when I'm off and am going to have to tell her that we are going to drive 100 miles to the dealer to do something for being part of the Prius Priority deal. It will get between 2000 to 3000 miles put on it the first week. We are leaving Friday afternoon to go to Charlottesville, VA to help our son move to a new apartment. After a few days there, I would like to go to Virgina Beach and a few other places farther north. I should have a good feel for it by the time we get back. (if she lets me live)

You live dangerously don't you.

I don't drive fast anymore. I have to get that "adrenalin rush" somehow!:eek:

My wife usually diagnoses actions such as this as: Psychotic:Banane39:

We tested our first 2010 Prius III today. We think it has much potential for the average USA family. We liked the auto up & down on all windows, the larger side windows, smart key on all models, and the price ($22k for the base).

Tested a Prius III last Saturday - I loved it. Got at least 2 100mpg bars during my test drive (I think). I am going to get a Prius II though.