[elhigh]

Bank said "no way."

Loan officer said something about "NADA is close to 100%," and I don't know WTF that means. I'm more-or-less not upset about this, but just a tad cheesed she first says I'm "pre-approved" and then turns around and says, effectively, just not for this car. Or certain others, evidently. The criteria aren't immediately clear, and she's hard to keep on the phone long enough to find out what their criteria are.

Dammit, I haven't bought a car in forever, how am I supposed to keep up with all this crap?

Fortunately, not having taken possession, cancellation was a snap: a few phone calls and it's all over. The dealer was no problem.

I could just about buy the thing outright for cash, but I also took the car's VIN and dropped it into Toyota's owners' support website, and some distressing stuff popped up. The traction battery has already been replaced once, and was almost replaced a second time. THAT, more than anything, makes me not mind the bank putting its foot down. If it's a lemon, or a near-lemon, a Prius goes waaaay beyond my comprehension, so I'd rather have one in good shape than one that's got some dodgy issues.

<goes back to sanding profile into smooth wheel discs for truck>