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Good Toyota/Prius Dealers

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by Bill Merchant, May 31, 2005.

  1. sln1967

    sln1967 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
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    San Marcos Toyota
    5101 IH 35 South
    San Marcos, Texas 78666
    (866)570-7763

    Had a great experience working with Peter Molina (Internet Sales Manager). Very laid back, no pressure. Finance person mentioned the extended warranty but dropped it after I declined - again, no pressure. Very enjoyable car buying experience. Also, Peter was the only reply I got from the Austin area dealers (emailed them all) and he readily agreed to request my 2007 touring package #6 with no PIO's.
     
  2. darlenegalik

    darlenegalik New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2007
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Emilyjohn @ Jun 12 2005, 05:37 AM) [snapback]97723[/snapback]</div>
    I also bought from Toyota World of Lakewood during Sept 2006. Staight MSRP - probably the best in Southern NJ.

    (but you have to remind the service dept to keep your tire inflation - I use 40/38 and after a tire rotation got the car back with 32 PSI all around) <_<
     
  3. janiceschafer

    janiceschafer Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2007
    9
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    Location:
    Lake Norman, NC area
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I'll add another vote for Scott Clark Toyota City in Charlotte, NC.

    However, who I really recommend is "Women's Automotive Solutions" also of Charlotte. (Don't let the name fool you they also work with men.)

    Michelle from Women's Automotive worked very diligently to get a decent trade-in on my 2001 Infiniti QX4 (with over $90K miles). She then negotiated with Scott Clark who was at the time I bought charging $1500 over MSRP. She got me $900 under MSRP -- so in effect a savings of $2400 (granted I paid her $300 so net was $2100).

    Ben from Scott Clark located the color and package I wanted and secured it that day. The promised delivery date was about 2.5 weeks out. It came in exactly the day they said. (Of course, my schedule wouldn't allow me to get there for 2 additional days). All in all they were great -- even with the ant issue. (Don't park your car in the grass in the middle of a dought and an August heat wave -- the critters are programmed for survival and if they means crawling into a brand-new Prius they will do it!!!)
     
    1 person likes this.
  4. GT in PA

    GT in PA New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2007
    41
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    Location:
    South Central PA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Decided I was ready for a Prius and went to Faulkner Toyota in Harrisburg PA and talked with Marianne. There was absolutely no pressure and I was caught off when we were told after a thorough car introduction to take the car for a spin by ourselves and when we got back she would go over any additional questions. She was a joy to work with but unfortunately they didn't have quite what I wanted. I had just about decided that I would have to wait and order a 2008 to get my choices. After driving one of the cars they had available I had just about decided that any Prius would be nice no matter which color or options.
    We sat down and she said she would be glad to try her best to find me what I really wanted and within 10 minutes she came back and said that one was going to be built for one of their sister dealerships and possibly be in sometime in August if I really wanted it.
    She called and kept me up on when it was shipped, arrival in US, etc, etc (the wait was still terrible).
    I have had the Prius 3 weeks now and Marianne and the sales manager has called to make sure I am still satisfied and see if there were any questions or needs I had. So far I have been extremely impressed. I bought the car quite a bit under MSRP which was a pleasant surprise. :) :)
     
  5. denski

    denski New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2007
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    We had a pretty good experience with Internet Department of Lipton Toyota (Ft. Lauderdale). Edie Zaprir, Internet Director, was very helpful. We agreed on the price over the phone. The car arrived in 3 days.

    Dealing with Finance Department was ok as well. Originally they offered a very high rates but later brought down to beat Credit Union rates.

    Getting prices from Edmunds was very helpful to negotiate a good price. I wish we were more prepared to negotiate a better rate for a loan.

    It all worked out at the end though. Everyone is happy :)
     
  6. Tojo

    Tojo New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2007
    47
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    Location:
    Surprise, Az
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I had a great buying experience and didn't have to play the "haggle" game. I was up front with what I wanted to pay and they were up front with what my out the door price would be. The only "hiccup" in the process was that I did tons of research on the car, but failed to do any on the warranty (which I wanted to get due to the electronics and drive system, no "weekend warrior" repairs on this car!) so I felt that I paid too much for the warranty after doing a little more research (post-purchase.)

    The dealership called me that weekend (a generic customer service call) to ask me how I enjoyed my experience and I raved about the sale (Tracey F, in internet sales is great) but felt a little "off" about the warranty purchase. They said they would pass that on and someone would contact me (yeah, right I thought to myself.)

    Well.... 2 days later, I received a call from the financing manager for the location and they made offers to extend the warranty or give me a price adjustment (partial refund.) I opted for #2 and they cut me a check the next day! I didn't have to do anything other than indicate I was a little unhappy and they jumped to make me totally satisfied. I would recommend them to anyone in Az.

    Larry Miller Toyota
    8425 West Bell Road
    Peoria, Arizona
    85382

    Sales: (888) 260-3404
    Fax: (623) 876-3494
     
  7. wile-e

    wile-e Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2004
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ May 31 2005, 02:39 PM) [snapback]94334[/snapback]</div>
    Just don't make the mistake of having them service your vehicle. They burned up my fuse block and fusible link. Now it has been a month and they still haven't fixed the car. Worst service department that I have ever seen!
     
  8. Blue Hoosier

    Blue Hoosier New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2007
    83
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    Location:
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    My husband and I went shopping for a 2007 Prius. We found that the dealer would give us the same amount off the 2007 as a new 2008, so naturally we ordered a 2008. We hadn't found a deal like that in Indianapolis. We gave a deposit, but the salesman said we could change our minds and it would be all refunded. The salesman was very helpful and kept us updated on when the 2008 Prius would arrive. It arrived on time. He called us the next day to thank us for purchasing the car from them. Here is the information:

    Mike Ramon (Salesman)
    O'Brien Toyota
    2550 North Shadeland Avenue
    Indianapolis, IN 46219
    (317) 351-7000

    We'll see in the future if the service department is as good.
     
  9. nyprius

    nyprius Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2005
    385
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    Location:
    Saratoga Springs, NY
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ May 31 2005, 03:39 PM) [snapback]94334[/snapback]</div>
    It's a great idea to list good Toyota dealers that won't rip you off. But it's hard to use this post to find good dealers in your area. You have to look through 9 pages of posts and hope you find one near where you live. Is it possible to create a table or something that shows good dealers by region?

    Here's my story about good and bad dealers. There are two Toyota dealers on Cape Cod. I lived there for 9 years. When I first moved there, I went to the Toyota dealer near me in Hyannis. They charged me for things I didn't need and broke something, but wouldn't admit it. They made money on me that time. But I never went back. Instead I went to Falmouth Toyota. Falmouth Toyota never charged more than required. In fact, they helped me find ways to keep costs down. Since they always treated me well, I went there for 9 years. They wound up getting way more money from me than the Hyannis dealer who ripped me off.

    Toyota dealers should pay attention to this story and realize that the way to make the most money from customers is to treat them well and not charge more than necessary.
     
  10. sfbaychick

    sfbaychick New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2007
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    For people who are shopping in the Bay Area ...

    Toyota Walnut Creek (George) and Capitol Toyota in San Jose (Simon) were awesome to deal with. WC had the exact vehicle I was looking for in stock and ready for me when my husband and I picked it up last night.

    Both dealerships offered prices BELOW the INVOICE price. I did not have to haggle, negotiate or beg for their final price. Both were friendly, no-pressure guys, and I would have had a problem deciding who to buy from if Capitol had my car in stock too.

    Sfbaychick's new baby: '08 Prius pkg 5, purchased with >3 miles.

    Don't want to post their Phone numbers, but I believe both head up the Internet Sales Department of their respective dealerships.
     
  11. Twickle Purple

    Twickle Purple New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2007
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    NANAIMO TOYOTA (Vancouver Island BC). Sale was done with Mike Lalande. Mike was terrific.

    We had custom leather done and it looks good. Cheap sales manager wouldn't throw in the all season mats though, so I'll look elsewhere for my next car. That may sound petty but in all the cars we've bought (15+ in 10 years) we've always paid MSRP (hate to haggle), been easy to work with and always have the mats thrown in -- even on hard to find Bugs and Minis when they first came out and were selling over MSRP elsewhere. I spent over 43 grand on the car (which I just got today) and they refused something that MAY have cost them 40 bucks. :huh:
     
  12. Dminor

    Dminor New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2007
    20
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Danny Canteo
    Miller Toyota Culver City
    9077 W. Washington Blvd.
    Culver City, CA 90232
    310-559-3777

    Danny was one of their internet sales people and provided an extremely pressure free sales environment.

    I was almost about to make a purchase at North Hollywood Toyota, but because they decided to give me a run around after we had discussed a price a few days earlier, I went to Miller Toyota in Culver City.

    I gave them the price, they matched it, no bargaining, no BS.

    EXTREMELY painless.
     
  13. yams69

    yams69 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2008
    19
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    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Agreed. I picked mine up from Faulkner last weekend. I got a price quote about midway between invoice and MSRP* by email right away through their Internet Sales Department (i.e., Patty). Very straightforward transaction: they happened to have my desired color and options package on the lot with only 10 miles on the odometer, and I had my own financing lined up ahead of time, so it went fast and smoothly. Would definitely recommend them as a dealer, at least for those looking for a no-haggle/no-hassle purchase. Patty even knew about PriusChat.:)

    * Two weeks ago, they had two listed in inventory. Last week, they had eight. This week, they're down to four. Seems to me with this turnover that they could ask MSRP, especially with gas prices here near $3.50 and Memorial Day still a month away. So props to them for still giving a discount on Internet quotes.
     
  14. ilvemyprius

    ilvemyprius New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2008
    2
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    Location:
    columbus
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I always recommend Tansky sawmill in columbus ohio. I dont care what other people say about them they are very good at getting the job done. i got my prius with the internet team and was delivered in a week and did not have to come to the delaership until my car came in. they had eveything ready ahead of time and i was out of there in an hour and have been back twice for navigation tutorals with my salesperson Molly. They also are always available if i have a question i have spoken to paul a 2 times and he never seems rushed or bothered with my nav learning.:p
     
  15. T.hug

    T.hug New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2008
    15
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    Location:
    Pomona
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Toyota of Hollywod
    Talk to Gary [email protected]
    No Haggle, painless, out in 2 hours.
     
  16. canesfan

    canesfan Culture shocked...

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2008
    544
    7
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    Location:
    Jacksonville, NC
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I bought my Prius today at Larry Lassen Toyota in Albany, OR. Bill Goff was the salesman and he was great, so was the finance manager, Andy Austin. He didn't insist on going through the whole song and dance about extended warranty, paint protection, etc... when we told him upfront that we weren't interested in getting any of that stuff. Bill showed us everything about the car before we left. I even asked him to check the oil for us to make sure it wasn't overfilled since I had read about that being a problem on PriusChat. We were in and out very quickly and treated with respect, unlike virtually every dealer in the Portland, OR, metro area. It was worth an hour's drive to have this experience.
     
  17. ZC1

    ZC1 Junior Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2008
    711
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    Location:
    Metro Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I'm pleased to have bought a 2008 White Prius, package#6, from Page Toyota, Southfield Michigan on 4/22/08. It was a very painless process, less than 2 hours total. My salesperson is BJ Currie. She helped me in so many ways, first, she offered me the color and package combination I wanted and a price that I didn't have to travel out of state to get. I just sat back and she took care of everything, the trade-in, the title, registration transfer, etc. She answered all my questions and got back with me if she didn't immediately know the answer. She didn't try to load unnecessary services and called me a couple times to check on my purchase. The other people I met at the dealership, the finance guy, the manager, were all laid back and didn't attempt to push anything on me. They did mention there is a 7yr\75,000 or 100,000 extended warranty and gave me a brochure to later look over. The Prius tech even walked out to my car and gave me hints and answered all questions. Great service, Great price, I'd definitely buy from there again.
    I'm happy.

    ZC1
     
  18. donkey

    donkey New Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2008
    17
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Just bought a touring package 6, spectra blue from Concord Toyota about 2 weeks ago. Gino Genrikh was the internet manager at the dealer. He is awesome and highly recommended. I'm from So. Cal but the dealers here have very limited selection and there was little room for negotiation. Based on the recommendations I read in this forum, I emailed a bunch of dealers in the Bay Area before I called Gino (I found Gino through this forum). I simply told Gino that I found him through PC and I saw the price that a few people who had purchased from him paid and that I wanted the same price. Gino gave me a quote that was very close to what I saw here, and it was a lot lower than the other dealers that I emailed. Gino is the most straightforward, no BS salesperson I have ever come across. I briefly tried to talk the price down by a few hundred, but Gino told me that was the lowest he could do, and I believed it because I had a lot of quotes from other dealers. At first I wanted a package 5 or 6, but a couple of days before I was scheduled to see Gino I changed my mind and asked for a touring 6 spectra blue. They did not have one in stock (the spectra blue), but, to my surprise, Gino assured me that he would get one through dealer trade, and it was only a few hundred more than a std. package 6. The price I paid was $25,900 plus TTL. I thought it would be significantly more given the rarity of that package/color combo. In fact, Walnut Creek Toyota's price for a std. package 6 was about $150 lower than Gino's, but when I asked for spectra blue the price shot up way beyond Gino's quote. I realize that others have paid slightly less for the package 6 touring, but the spectra blue in that configuration is extremely hard to find, even at the Bay Area dealers which seem to have some of the highest inventories of Prius anywhere. I had serious doubts that Gino could get the car up until I walked into the dealer and saw the car. I thought he would do a bait and switch and try to sell me a different color. I was pleasantly surprised that Gino was able to deliver, just like he said he would. Gino even offered to pick me up from the airport, but he got tied up when I arrived so I took a taxi and he discounted the price of the car to reflect the fare. I was in and out in a little over an hour. It was the most painless car buying experience I've ever had. Gino also seemed to know more about the Prius than most other dealers (one guy at Longo Toyota told me that the touring makes no difference and is a waste of $; of course he didn't have one in stock). Lo Jack came up and Gino told me that it is really not necessary for the Prius.

    Anyone looking a Prius in the area should definitely give Gino at Concord Toyota a call (925-349-2290).
     
  19. canesfan

    canesfan Culture shocked...

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2008
    544
    7
    0
    Location:
    Jacksonville, NC
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey Donkey! Awesome color choice! I have the same car/color/pkg. Got mine two days ago! Didn't realize it was a rare combo...
     
  20. donkey

    donkey New Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2008
    17
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius

    I just love the color/package combo. Maybe its not rare but certainly hard to find, at least where I'm from. There are quite a few Priuses here in L.A., especially at rush hour with people taking advantage of the HOV stickers, but I've yet to see another spectra blue!