Question about our new Prius

[trof]

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 tou.

[DainBramaged]

1. Bad

If you haven't found your answer. chances you won't. How much is your time worth? If the part isn't Genuine Toyota, why be a test mule, buy a Corolla.

If the Prius HAD a Toyota cruise control, it would be icing on the cake, but for reasons know only to them (who WANT to get the car in your driveway) your foot will have to suffice.


Seems you are throwing away a great opportunity to own a good vehicle because of ONE feature??? And after the dealer GAVE it to you to use?


Buy a brick, they work.