On Labor Day I drove by the local Toyota dealership and noticed there was no special sale signs out front. In fact it looked quite and business as usual for any Monday. So I decided to wait until Tuesday to stop by and talk to their sales people.
So on Tuesday when I drove into my local Toyota dealer, I was some what taken by the space between the cars. The outside row of cars that lined both the main and side street were close together. Further inside the lot were blotches of cars with 30 or 40 feet between them.
I drove up to the visitor parking area and got out of my Dodge mini van. It was not more than three minutes before a tall fit mid 30′s salesman walked up to me with his hand out to shake my hand. He introduced himself as Cliff.
Cliff was 6′ 2″ tall wearing a brownish Toyota hat. He looked more like a soldier out of uniform than a car salesman. I must admit my view of the stereotypical car salesman is he is under six foot and over weight with a slight belly.
Cliff caught up to me standing in front of a Yaris. After a few pleasant introduction Cliff started asking me a few fact finding questions. From my answers he walked over to a Prius. Where we talked gas mileage and advantages in the Toyota Prius.
I was impress by his overview of Prius model and the differences between the Prius 2, Prius 3, and Prius 4 trims. The Prius 4 having all the bells and whiles, while the 3 and 2 were the more basic trims.
The features Cliff pointed out were how touch the door handle it would unlocked door and start the car as long as the key chain was in my procession. I like the all digital display read out and extra storage space over the spare tire.
At this point I express how my wife wanted more cargo space considering we have had Dodge Caravans for over ten years. I looked about fifty feet away to see a Sicon. Cliff responded with other Toyota options such as the Cambry. I ignored him then asked about mileage on the Sicon.
While at the Toyota dealership, I got to compare the gas mileage in both. I was surprised the gas mileage of the Prius was 51 MPG max, while the Sicon was about 24. I had in my mind the Sicon’s gas mileage rating was better just from its small size. Just looking at the Sicon I thought the gas mileage would be more.
I got to sit in both the Prius and Sicon. Time did not allow me to test drive them. That is for another day.
The difference between the Prius 2 and 4 was about $8,000. The difference in price between the Prius 2 and the Sicon was about $6,000.
I even asked about all the recalls Toyota and the Prius. Cliff responded a professional manner, that made me feel Toyota has taken care of all those issues I have read about.
Bottom-line: My visit to the local Toyota Dealership was pleasant. I got some good information that will be added to future posts.
The information that I was given was not so technical or simplistic that it turned me off.
I will be back.
