L.A. Area Best Dealer? In the Market for '06

You might try Linda at Soutars in Barstow.

Also UCLABruins- you might want to post your location so people can help you find a car -if you are in LA/OC/SD, it is large. Thanks.

 

I got mine at Longo Toyota, also, through the Internet department. MSRP, but that is what I expected after doing quite a bit of research. A very good buying experience.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(inventor00 @ Mar 29 2006, 11:20 AM) [snapback]231770[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the insight. I'm in Los Angeles and would be willing to travel a reasonable distance.

 

UCLABruins- rumor had SouthBay had a silver coming in soon.

 

Has anyone bought a prius from Marina Del Rey?
Has anyone heard about Toyota delaying delivery of the magnetic grey prius? I thought I ordered one, but I haven't gotten a confirmation number because of the "delay". I want to get this car before the tax credit starts phasing out. Maybe I should try ordering from someone else...
Which dealers stand a better chance in securing your order?
Thanks for sharing.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(inventor00 @ Mar 29 2006, 07:58 PM) [snapback]232145[/snapback]</div>

Thanks. I'll call them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 18 2005, 05:59 PM) [snapback]157888[/snapback]</div>

As I said in another post, Longo has provided the worst bait and switch experience I've ever had, although it was several years ago. They lied about a 4Runner supposedly in stock, then when they got me there (after a 2 hr. drive) went all sleazy and hard sell on what they actually had in stock, lied about the invoice price and when I called them on it became creepy and rude.

I bought my 2006 Black Option #8 (with gray factory leather) from Peter at Whittier Toyota. It was no-nonsense, $500 over MSRP (EDITED) (plus I paid $1,500 for the warranty, which is too much, but I could have said "no".) I had called a bunch (but not Longo and Miller in Culver City seemed good at MSRP, but I had to wait for a while for what I wanted.

Peter called me on a Thursday (less than a week after I started looking) to tell me that the exact car I wanted was coming on the next boat (on Sunday.) I drove out, paid for it and he delivered it to my office on the West side on the following Tuesday.

Overall good experience and I love the cool quirky car (and never thought I would say "love" "cool" and "Toyota" in the same sentence

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Black2006 @ Mar 31 2006, 02:31 PM) [snapback]233136[/snapback]</div>

REALLY??? $500 over invoice. That's a great price. I'll call him.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(uclabruins @ Mar 31 2006, 07:00 PM) [snapback]233230[/snapback]</div>

Ooooops! I am an id....t! I meant $500 over MSRP!!!

When he called, he said they don't take deposits: once you get the call, the first one to turn up, gets the car. He had the exact car I wanted and I was fine with the price he wanted, so I turned up.

Mind you, they don't have any cars on the lot to test-drive. All gone before they hit the showroom....

Might still be worth giving him a call.

 

Been lurking for a couple of months and wanted to thank everyone for the info being shared. I just bought my Prius last week (Seaside Pearl in Package #3) at MSRP from Power Toyota of Cerritos and that went really well. Just wanted to share about my experience. I initially used a couple of online "request a quote" sites, but didn't find that very useful. No one really wanted to email me a quote for the car, so I just ended up calling the dealerships that my info was sent to. Here's a run down:

Power Toyota of Cerritos (PTC) -- 18700 Studebaker Road

• On Feb. 18, I spoke to a guy named Aaron (if I recall right) and he stated that they are re-opening their list and would sell the car to me at MSRP for a $500 deposit. Met with Ernie Tisbe and he did say they usually have a mark-up for the car, but since I was told it's at MSRP, then that's the price I'd get. Ernie said they did away with their list because customers got impatient and it became a hassle. Apparently, they are now keeping their list short and manageable. I told him I'm not in a hurry and am willing to wait. I wrote my check with my notes regarding the MSRP price and was on my way.
• On Mar. 25, I got an email saying the car was on its way and I had 72 hrs from when it hits their lot to go and claim it.
• On Mar. 28, I became a proud Prius owner... it looks cute (blue is a nice color for the body type me thinks) and drives really well. Love it! There was absolutely no hassle getting the car. I read some posts on this site about the car getting new wheels or other additions and the dealer wanting more money for it. None of that with PTC. The financing guy did his turn to sell me stuff (LoJack, add'l warranty, paint protection, etc), but after I declined a couple of times, he backed off and was nice about it.
• Lots of pros... a couple of cons -- 1) Ernie's a nice guy, but not much of a resource regarding the tax credit and the carpool sticker so I had to research that myself; 2) the guy who showed me the car after I bought it didn't really take the time to explain the features to me. It was in the evening, in pouring rain and another customer was waiting, so he seemed rushed. It's ok, I got the hang of the instruments pretty quickly with my test drive with Ernie; 3) I felt that they didn't do a good job keeping in touch after my initial deposit and I told them that when I called at one point. I guess I needed more updates... maybe I'm not as patient as I thought I'd be, LOL!
• Overall, still a great experience. I really liked my experience there and would definitely recommend them. I liked the predictability of a list... and the MSRP price. I think I was one of the first few on their re-opended list, so maybe the 5 week wait is not the norm. "Your mileage may vary." Ernie Tisbe's cell is 562-746-6164 and the general # is 562-860-6561

Power Toyota of Buena Park
Spoke to a really nice lady named Mary Ann and they were selling the car at a mark-up... $1,000 above MSRP was the quote I recall. The thing I liked about her was that she kept in touch with me via email and let me know what was going on at different points in time. I really felt that she had me on her "list" and she knew exactly what I wanted (color and package), but kept me in the loop, just in case. I thought that if I had to buy my Prius at a mark-up, I'd definitely give her my business. I liked the experience and customer service, despite the quoted mark-up.

Symes Toyota in Pasadena
Spoke to a lady and she said they sell at MSRP. She said they don't have an official list. You just get a call if there's a match and you have to go there that day to pick the car up. She took my name and number and never heard from her again. It felt so random and unpredictable.

Toyota in Long Beach
No mark-up, but also no official list. Like Symes, it felt random and unpredictable.

Toyota of North Hollywood
Spoke to a few people... someone would call now and then and ask if I'm still in the market and what color and package I wanted. It was frustrating. Didn't I email them twice about my preference? It seemed no one kept track and I had to repeat myself all the time. Also spoke to one guy that was so elusive on the price that it wasn't a good vibe... just tell me your mark-up and I'll decide if I want to play.

Keyes Toyota in Van Nuys
They had the highest mark-up. One guy stated $1,000-$3,000, depending on demand (color and package). He sounded rather arrogant about it, too. Like, they had what I wanted, so I gotta play in the sandbox with them. Whatever! I did get a couple of emails... but it was more advertising instead of an update.

Well, this is a long first post, but I hope it helps. Good luck to all looking for their Prius.

Take care,

Ron

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Nov 18 2005, 06:59 PM) [snapback]157888[/snapback]</div>

Agree 100%. I bought my car there from Joseph Adenihun. ( [email protected] ). They sell the Prius only at MSRP, no "forced upgrades." Longo gets 80 Prii a month. Joseph said the waiting list is 140 so it's about 4-8 weeks. But I was only one the list for 2 or 3 days before he called me back (I gave a range of choices about what I was interested in... package 1 or 3, and red/silver/blue).

No hard sell, I walked out happy, with a Prius. Couldn't recommend it more, an excellent experience. I have some horror stories about other dealers in the area. They all wanted to add 2K-5K to the price or add "forced upgrades" I didn't want that added the same kind of cost. Not with Longo.

Anyway, if you live in SoCal, there is a good choice.

-- John.

 

Thanks to all for prepping me so well for my purchase. Excellent and easy experience with Edwin Fuentes of the Internet Department of Miller Toyota in Culver City ([email protected]). I emailed Miller Toyota last Friday. Three hassle-free days later, a new Prius is sitting in my driveway. MSRP with no mark ups or add ons. I may have just gotten lucky, but the lesson seems to be that by emailing a half dozen respected dealers, you can get yourself off the waiting lists and into a car. P.S. Shaun of Crown Toyota in Ontario ([email protected]) replied to me equally swiftly to offer the same deal.

 

I am going to second someone elses recommendation for Joseph Adenihun at Longo Toyota. (652)652-3232 [email protected]. The guy is a pleasure to deal with, sells at MSRP +$45 dealer fee. There was no funny business, no add-ons, plus, if your order from Longo Toyota, you'll get a free Sirius Satellite radio installed, plus 9 months of free service. I didn't ask for it, he just told me it was on there, and confirmed that it would be on any of the ones that I ordered.

(The deal is, Roger Penske, who owns Longo Toyota, sits on the board of Sirius Radio. I guess he figures he can single handedly bring that company into the green! With the number of Toyotas that Longo sells, I wouldn't doubt it.)

This was truly a pleasurable experience and I would definitely work with him again.

 

Hi-

I tried Longo, and they are great re: follow-up and response, but they were not able to get me a car quicky. I strongly recommend Kearny Mesa (N. San Diego) Toyota. MSRP, no add ons and their internet department is fabulous - I worked with Jeff Salimi, whom I highly recommend - a great person, knowledgeable, honest, and great follow-up. I'm from LA, and the trip to N. San Diego was very, very worth it. I had the exact car I wanted in a about a week after being on 6 waiting lists in LA and having a bad experience at Puente Hills Toyota. Also, Ventura Toyota internet team as well as Oxnard internet team seemed to have quite a few relatively easily available cars, but Kearny was able to get the exact color I wanted the fastest . The Internet Sales Teams are the way to go.

Jeff's email address: [email protected]; 858-499-8713

Good Luck!

 

We bought our '06 at Toyota of Redlands through their fleet department. Jaime (male) gave us the car @ MRSP and it was in our driveway 4 weeks after ordering.

You can reach Jamie (Hi-mae) @ (909) 793-0300.

Happy shoping!

 

got mine for about 200 under MSRP at Santa Monica Toyota last Sunday... and last night a lady blew a red light and destroyed it

metallic silver, 2007, package 5.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YodaddyAlex @ Dec 24 2006, 07:42 PM) [snapback]366427[/snapback]</div>

OUCH...sorry to hear about the unfortunate accident. What happened with the car now? Totalled?

 

Got a package #2 in Magnetic Gray this past Saturday for $1370 under MSRP as Crown Toyota in Ontario.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ljflores @ Jan 29 2007, 05:51 PM) [snapback]382579[/snapback]</div>

Wow!!!! I may have to take a drive to Ontario! I was at Toyota of Santa Monica yesterday and they had plenty to choose from as well as plenty off the lot (according to the salesman). The lease on my current vehicle does not end for another three months

 

Noelty,
Paid under invoice in Culver City lasy weekend, also a good experience. PM me and I'll give you the Salesperson info.
Carl