Reputable Toyota Dealer in So. California

When I talked to toyota of Santa Monica they said that LoJack and paint protector (total around $1200) were mandatory non-negotiable add-ons and were part of "MSRP" so I didn't even bother dealing with them... Purchased at Thousand Oaks Toyota... they attempted a $3000 mark-up but was able to get rid of it and was treated great by Nirmal over there.

 

Its more Central California and not So. Cal but Toyota of Selma is really good. If you ask for Scott Fahrney tell him Brandon sent you.

 

Total different experience at Hamar Toyota, the one where the 405 meets the 118 or so. Doug the "internet" manager wanted $1500 for chrome wheels. All the Prius had them and would not take them off. So no go there.

The Toyota dealer at La Cresenta had a couple in but they want Lo-Jack, and some extra BS for $2000 or so.

What shortage in Los Angeles is everyone talking about, there's plenty of Prius to be had. I'm picking up a white package 8 in the morning.

Alex

 

Well, I have to qualify that a bit. Today, my wife went in because they had called. They had a package 3 in white, not the Silver Pine Mica that we wanted. She told our salesman no, but could he check when their next Silver Pine Mica with dark grey interior would be in? He went into the "office".

Ventura Toyota has one of those modern, glass office dealerships. The sales manager's office is raised above the sales floor a half level, and you can hear everything they say. The fleet manager, a gal who had called us a few times over the past few months, was pretty cynical in her comments, and my wife could tell she's the type that hates her customers. Someone should tell the folks there that the customers can HEAR THEM INSULTING THEM.

My wife told the guy we would wait, and reminded him we didn't have to buy a car. He acted aloof. So she walked out, and one of the other salesmen came out to try and patch things up. She wasn't mad, just surprised. She reiterated that we could be in and out of there in 15 minutes if they could write the paperwork that fast, but they would have to hold their snotty comments until we leave.

Now if they can get the car, we'll still buy it, but I will have a discussion with them about their customer service. If we can find the car elsewhere, where they don't insult the customers directly, we'll buy it there. I expanded my search to other Toyota dealers this evening. My 5.20% loan check should be here from Capital One in a few days.

So I can no longer recommend Toyota of Ventura. They will sell at MSRP, but they are bit confused; they think they are doing you a favor by taking your money.

 

I'm sorry you had that experience. To be honest, that is why I didn't buy from either Ventura or Thousand Oaks.

I know someone else on this thread did not have a 100% pleasant experience with Doug at Hammer in Mission Hills, but I did.

They said Doug wouldn't take off the chrome wheels. In my experience, I selected my car and what I wanted (he even drove me around in the little golf cart to look at the difference between the chrome wheels vs. the standard and I chose standard) and didn't try to sell me anything extra. I think the big difference between my experience and perhaps the other member of PC was I ordered mine at the end of September (with the exception on color). Again, he offered up the green at the end of November which is what I thought I wanted originally until I saw it on the Avalon and I said, no thanks I don't want green and I want the tax credit (and there was no hassle). I came in as an informed customer (I even sent him a color chip of barcellona red in December when I decided on color).

I think if you go into a dealership expecting them to have what you want, then you get what they have, which may include options that you don't want. I personally don't feel they are under any obligation to make accomodations if you walk in the showroom and see a vehicle you sort of like, but with extra options and oh, by the way they should change them out for free. If they can sell it as-is to another customer, it is their right to do so. After all it is their vehicle at this point, not yours. If however, you have been specific and ordered what you want and are willing to wait for the allocation, then they shouldn't pull the old switcheroo.

Again, I paid MSRP on a Barcellona Red, #7 and paid the published price for the bumper guard, floor mats and cargo net. I did NOT get the extended warranty and got no hassles from the finance dept. If you are willing to wait for an allocation, then you probably can get exactly what you want. (Remember they are being allocated these vehicles among many dealerships).

Doug knows about priuschat, I told him to be watching this forum and I would bet if you called him up and told him to read this thread he would be very accomodating to your needs.

 

Well, I'm the one who said Doug from Hamar Toyota wanted to add the extras. Yes, I did not order ahead. I just contacted him through the Sam's Club or was it Costco auto buyer program. Anyway, some how I got an email and he called for me to come in.

I'm not saying he wasn't a nice guy, he was pleasant for the 5 minutes that I talked to him about the Prius.

I came in ready to buy too with my own financing or willing to take theirs so I wasn't a looky loo that he was trying to scare off because he had no time. He brought the car out and everything.

I look at the addons and I ask him since he's the internet guy can I get the car for sticker.

He flat out says that it's not possible, he gives the BS lies about how the Prius is so rare and that they are the only ones that have it in stock. Never mind that I called a bunch of area Toyota dealers and they all had Prius for sale. I press politely, he refuses to take off the chrome wheels, says all the Prius have them and he can only sell it like that. So I asked him one last time, saying I would buy then and there if he gave me sticker. No Go, so I left.

You probably got MSRP because you preordered and you agreed on price. They wouldn't switch the price on you because that's bad service.

But had you walked up on the street or just contacted hime through the internet with no pre-order, he would of scammed you just like he's trying to do to me.

Putting the add-ons is a scam and is an unethical business practice, sure we have the right not to buy but they shouldn't take advantage of a supposed shortage. Even though there are a bunch in the LA area to be found.

We should never give a dealer charging over MSRP any business, let those scum bags not earn their money from Prius Chat members, scam others instead.

Doug does fall under this current catagory of dealer scum because of his addons.

This is as of 1/4-1/6 2006.

 

Again, I'm sorry you had a bad experience at Hamer, I was just saying I didn't have the same experience.

Moral of the story here I think is be an informed shopper, read priuschat, call all around So. California and go with the dealership where you feel you are getting the best deal and sales people you like. In the end, both moolman and I did just that.

Congrats to both of us, moolman on our great taste in cars!

 

All im sayin is Toyota of Selma will give deals off MSRP...

 

Sounds kinda typical of their sales department. I have had a very close relationship with the service manager and shop forman for 10+ years and Rob and Jan are the best. Problems I could never get solved elseware were always thoughtly researched and addressed. I have had 4 Supra Turbos, my Pruis and my mothers SC'ed 4Runner taken care of from them. Jan, the shop forman is a multi-time skills contest finalist as well as 2 of his lead techs. If I had one recommendation for service it would be to go to Ventura Toyota....sales......Longo, hands down

 

Moving this down a bit.

San Diego is only about a 2 hour drive ( or less) from the L.A. area. L.A. may do the highest volume of sales in California, but sounds like they need to work on their people skills. Howard will treat you right...Kearny Mesa Toyota also does high volume sales and doesn't charge over MSRP. Howard will notify you when a Prius comes in with your color and package.

 

keqmoore,
I agree with you, I bought from Carson and those guys charge over MSRP usually. I didn't want to buy from them but the wife was getting tired and it was late night. I would of walked out but they finally gave me MSRP.

 

I have already heard great things about Longo. I definitely do not recommend anything in the South Bay area. There was a great lack of intelligent sales folks.

 

Yep, we do have our Sienna van serviced there (we bought it there too, back in 1999). They have always been top notch, so we were a bit surprised by the sales people's attitudes when my wife went in. Maybe they were having a bad day.

 

I agree Longo is the best. My family has bought 3 cars from them, 2 Camry's and a 4Runner. They sell so many dang cars that they don't have to squeeze every penny from you nor try to sell you all the extra BS. They don't push at all because they sell so many cars. The smaller dealers have to make profit on each person while Longo does it on volume.

Unfortuantely, the Prius go fast at Longo since they sell for MSRP.

Alex

 

I also purchased the prius from Longo. Customer Repr was Derek Nygen. He was great and kept me informed thoughout the process. Easiest buying experience I ever had. Derek was great!

 

We bought from Dianne at Carson Toyota- Deal only with Dianne (Gloria, Sam- Fleet Sales)- they have deals now on Highland Hybrids that are at 3.8 % until end of the month....They have helped the local Orange County Prius Club also....

 

Anyone know where there are any that have Prius now? All the dealerships mentioned all have waiting lists! -- John.

 

Was at Toyota of Selma yesterday for an oil change and to talk with some of my friends there. I can confirm that there are two white '06 (didnt look at packages) on the lot.

If you call ask for Scott Fahrney and tell him Brandon sent you, the number is (559) 891-2727

Hope that helps.

 

Well, I heard that by the end of the month, a bunch of dealerships will have new prii to sell.

I'm in L.A., -- so the distance from me to Selma is about the same to pheonix or Las Vegas. Any sightings in los angeles county?

Thanks!

 

Code:

Start address: Selma, CA 93662
End address: Los Angeles, CA
Distance: 203 mi (about 3 hours 56 mins) 

Code:

Start address: Las Vegas, NV
End address: Los Angeles, CA
Distance: 270 mi (about 4 hours 23 mins)

Code:

Start address: Phoenix, AZ
End address: Los Angeles, CA
Distance: 372 mi (about 6 hours 6 mins) 

Not quite the same... I can tell you that last weekend I did a Selma, Victorville, Selma run through the Mojave and it took about 8 hours round trip... plus I have no clue with Hybrids what laws exist with purchases and registration in other states, etc. I do know they still have two on the lot after driving by tonight on the way home from dinner...