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What kind of car do you drive?

Wife and I are buying a new car and I experienced something totally unfamiliar. I placed a $1,000.00 down to hold a vehicle that isn't even built yet.
We're getting a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and they essentially don't exist on any dealership in Metro 513.

Things I've learned as I've begun researching the delays and what might be the issue:

1). In a quiet move, Toyota has shifted production; making fewer of the "middle of the road" trim, the XLE. Everything is base or PLATINUM version. Or at least those percentages are greater than XLE's

2). Demand and resale for Hybrids is through the roof

3). Toyota doesn't take custom orders. Dealers "get what they get" and it has no bearing on how quickly they sell them. Toyota has some grand algorithm they drop into different regions in order to balance out the number of vehicles are in a certain region to stabilize parts and service costs.
There was one Grand Highlander on the lot when I went to test drive and they have 11 vehicles in "sale pending" pre-sales status (12 now, including mine)

Overall, it's not the worst thing in the world. Gives me time to shop around with financing. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this with Toyota or any other manufacturer.
 
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Woof, my experience with Toyota is that if they don't have exactly what you want, they'll send out a request, and other dealerships will respond with what your specs are. Not sure whether they trade, or just pay for vehicle. But they will work with you to accommodate your requests, though might take a little time. In a fevered market, that won't apply, as too hard to keep cars in stock to sell, but in a quieter market, they'll work with you. PS, wifey has a 2015 Highlander Hybrid, and she has refused a new car several times. Just turned 75,000 miles, but she won't part with it. But you're spot on, dealerships are selling the premium version, as they make more money on the 'extras', and won't stock the 'poor boy' models if they can help it. Good luck. PSS, am not convinced that hybrids get all that better of gas mileage. And when your 'battery deck' needs replacing, will cost you upwards of $15-20,000 to replace it. You might want to get that number before you plunk down your cash.
 
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