More on the new Prius, and a question:

I bought a 2008 Prius a couple of weeks ago.
It's the base model 1220 A.
We love it, except...

About half way along in the 50 mile drive home from the dealer, I decided to try the cruise control. I looked in the obvious places (turn signal stalk, steering wheel) and didn't see anything that looked like cruise control. I asked my wife to get the owner's manual out and see she could find anything about it.

After a few minutes of page flipping she said "I don't think it HAS cruise control."
"Horsefeathers!", I said. "EVERY new car comes with cruise. I don't think you can even order one without it. I'll figure it out when we get home."

Well...sure enough...it doesn't have cruise.
This wouldn't do, so I called the salesman the next morning.

"Hey, Chris. I don't know what I was thinking when we picked up the car yesterday, but I didn't notice that it doesn't have cruise control."
And he said, "IT DOESN'T!?"
"Nope."
"I thought they ALL came with cruise."
"Me too. Look, this won't do at all. I don't want the car without cruise. Can the dealer install one? If not, I'll have to bring this one back and get a model with cruise."

He thought the dealer could and would find out and call back.
About an hour later he called.
It was a good news, bad news thing.
Yes, there was an after market unit the dealer could install.
But it was "...still in development. Just finishing the field testing. Wouldn't be shipping units for 2 to 3 weeks".
OK, I could live with that.

Now...we haven't paid for the car yet. We traded our 2003 Ford Focus, but I explained to the dealer that we'd have to transfer funds from a brokerage account. And then our bank holds deposited checks for a week before they release funds. I was willing to drive our old car back home and come pick up the Prius when we had the money. The salesman/dealer was insistent that we go ahead and drive it home. I didn't hold a gun to anyone's head.

So, next Tuesday we go complete the transaction.
In the meantime I began to worry. All I have is the salesman's word about this after market cruise control. I did several google searches, using different terms for what I was trying to find. Nothing.

I called Toyota North America and talked to someone in their engineering department. They are not aware of any after market unit available. They did explain that Toyota had no such unit, but that some other manufacturer could well have something in development.
It sure seemed to me they would know if there was one.
They suggested I call the dealer parts manager and that he would probably know more about it.
I did, and he didn't.

Before I turn over a check for $16,000 next Tuesday, I want to be absolutely sure that I'll be able to get cruise control installed.
Otherwise I could be stuck with a white eleSo now I'm thinking about typing up a simple one page agreement for all parties to sign.
Something to the effect that if they are unable to install a cruise unit that I can return the car for full credit at least applicable to a model with cruise.
What do you think my chances are?
Thank you.

I like your idea about the one page agreement...

You might want to ask a lawyer, though, if it's legal and binding and all that...

Good luck!

and I would also call the sales guy back and tell him you did some research and there is no after market cruise control.

on edit: do you have a clause to get out of it, just in case?

That way you'll know what you have.

Tell them if they want to make the sale, they'll do it now.

It's an option of the standard. By the time all is said and done with an aftermarket unit which is brand new, never really tested, you're looking at $1k I'll bet. Plus, something goes wrong with it, Toyota ain't gonna back it and it might void your warranty.

Just my two cents.

If it happens (fingers crossed) that would actually be a good deal.
The package with cruise (among other gadgets that I didn't want) cost $3000 more than this model.

The salesman called Thursday and said they need a check so they can close out the books for the month.

I explained again everything I explained in the OP about getting the funds. The funds will be released by the bank next Tuesday. I could bring in a check yesterday and they would have to hold it until Tuesday, or I can bring the check Tuesday, when it will be good.

He said he's call me back.
He didn't, until a little while ago.
They'll take a check now and hold it until Tuesday.
he'll drive over (50+ miles) and pick it up.

I told him I was concerned about the cruise situation. All I have is his word, that he got from someone else, that it will be available.

I found out who would install it (not the dealer, but an after market installer they use) and called them.

They had been told by the manufacturer, Rostra Precision in NC, that they were 'working on one'. I found their website, but of course they're closed today, no tech service until Monday.

Legally I don't have a leg to stand on. I had ample opportunity to test drive and look at the car. The window sticker lists everything it came with and there's no cruise control there.
dumb dumb dumb

I guess if the cruise control doesn't materialize I can probably sell this Prius for what we paid for it, or pretty close. They're hard to come by.

But damn.
I thought I was too old for 'live and learn', but I guess not.
:-(

:hug:

:dunce:

the deal is completed

they have to take their car back and give you yours.

the only time the deal is done is when the bank funds the transaction.

Said he was coming right over to get the check.
We're an hour, or a little less, away.
:shrug:

But he promised it's coming.
We'll see.
I'm pessimistic.