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Hybrid
vehicle shopping, again.
Every couple
months I go out and do some hybrid
vehicle shopping to check out demand, availability on
the lot, and to take an extra test drive or two. Thus, I
hit the dealers in my neighborhood over the weekend for
the first time since early August, and the results were
not good.
My first stop is always Toyota, home of the Toyota
Prius. While I did go there to check out the lot's
selection of available new and used Prii, I was more
interested in scheduling a time to test drive the Highlander
hybrid.
Back in August, the selection of Prii was fantastic on
this lot. There were 5 new Prii hybrids found in various
packages and colors and there were even 2 used Prii, but
there were not any Highlander hybrids. So, I added my name
to the waiting list.
This time around; however, there weren't any hybrids on
the lot and my saleswoman told me that every hybrid they
receive immediately sells. This didn't really surprise me
as I know that high gas prices have really driven hybrid
demand since I last visited this dealer. Nonetheless, I
wanted to know what it would take to get into a Highlander
hybrid.
"In two to four weeks," my saleswoman told me,
"2 new Highlander hybrids are scheduled to arrive,
but we d0n't know the color, options, etc."
So I asked if there was a waiting list and I was told
there was not - it was first come first serve.
Now I have several phone numbers and I use different names
and numbers so that when I visit the same dealer on
multiple occasions, their contact management system finds
me as a new customer, rather than a repeat prospect that
isn't buying.
So, if there isn't a waiting list, what had I signed two
months ago? My guess is that there is no 'official'
waiting list at many dealerships, and that different
salespeople have their own lists and make calls as hybrids
become available.
The last two Highlander hybrids, I was told, were
delivered the morning of the previous Saturday and were
gone by lunch. Thus, it probably doesn't take too many
phone calls - if they are even calling. Maybe there is
enough foot traffic that they don't even have to make
calls, saving those numbers for when demand cools. Now,
it's a salesman's free-for-all when a hybrid hits the lot.
Somewhat disappointed, I left my contact info and headed
to Honda to check out the new Civic
hybrid. Yet again, however, I was disappointed. I was
told there wouldn't be any new Civic hybrids until
December - the first two had been pre-sold. The only
hybrids on the lot were the Accord
hybrids - a vehicle I've already test-driven more than
once (So no deals to be had on the first generation Civic
hybrid - yet).
At this point, I was ready to call it day, but as two Ford
dealers still stood between me and my home, I thought I'd
give it a shot. While each did have at least one Escape
hybrid on the lot, only fully loaded versions of the
hybrid Escape were available, and I asked whether base
models are ever available. Sometimes, I was told, but I
find that hard to believe, since I haven't seen one in all
my visits.
My day still could have been salvaged had I had the
opportunity to compare and contrast the Mercury
Mariner hybrid to the Escape hybrid, but I'm sure you
already know that didn't happen.
If you are in the market for a hybrid, I'd suggest calling
before visiting any dealers, especially if you are seeking
a particular color, or option's package, as such requests
will probably take months to fulfill. If you are looking
for a deal on a hybrid....you might want to check back in
a year or two.
When it comes to shopping for hybrid
cars, unless money is no object, expect to be
disappointed. Car-salespeople typically aren't the best
salespeople to deal with any way, but when demand
overwhelms supply, your salesperson is in complete
control.
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