My SoCal reviews on the new Prius

I posted a few days ago about my 2002 that I bought post 9/11 having a battery failure issue. What I didn't post was that I had started a case with Toyota regarding the battery and its failure so soon post 100k. On Friday I received a call detailing that they would pay x amount towards a new car or towards a new battery. While I will not divulge the amount I will say that it was not a large amount towards a new car but it was a fairly decent amount towards a new battery. I however, decided I wanted a new car.

I visited Van Nuys Toyota they did not have the package I wanted. I wanted, originally, a III with Nav but I started "mind" leaning towards the IV. I filled out a Toyota build my car thingie and was contacted by Toyota of North Hollywood, they informed that thre would be a 3k to 5k premium on the Prius, OK? I don't like anything enough to pay a premium for, especially a car. I also got a quote from Leigh at the internet department at Northridge Toyota he had the car coming in but didn't have the VIN to sell it to me. I asked him to email me an application and that I would fax back. I want that car. No fax. I then left him a message to call me. No call back. Next.

When I bought my Prius I had to build it and wait. While I waited I received goodies from Toyota. Then I discoverd Diana from Carson Toyota on, I think the Yahoo Prius board. I drove down there she gave me a car to test drive for 24Hours and I ending up buying it from her. I got it fully loaded and for $500.00 of MSRP. I cancelled my internet order. I, it seems, found her again, here on the board now working for Manhattan Beach Toyota, I called her on her office line and left a message that I bought from her at Carson and wanted to buy again. No Call. This btw is all post clunker. I don't begrudge Diana with her I at least can check out her inventory on line, she didn't have what I wanted.

On Saturday after having lunch in Brentwood I asked my wife if we could take a drive to Santa Monica Toyota just to look. Sure enough as soon as I got there I saw the IV in Sandy Beach Metallic. I WANT!. I went up to the receptionist, who frankly was the worst part of the entire process. She was more boob than motivation. With a lackluster attitude she tried to summon a salesman for me. This went on for 20 minutes, while my wife dealing with the three kids running around in the parking lock freak her Sh**. Finally I went up to this guy behind the secretary who was on an elevated platform I asked him if the SBM IV was for sale, affirmative, good can you get someone to sell it to me. Sven, the sales manager comes off as a sincere person he showed me around the car and got the process started. He then got me a salesman, Eric, who is no pressure and calm. Between the two of them they worked to get me the car and did the trade in on the car, sight unseen, but with what I though was a good description. They honored the trade in even though when they saw it later it had a flat tire, that I did not know about since I hadn't driven it in a month and some other cosmetic issues. I was then handed over to Hassan to whom I informed that I had a party to be at as I had not planned on buying a car that day, he briefly tried to sell the products but took no on the first one and moved on. I went back today to take care of some additional paperwork with Hassan and he informed me that he got a better interest rate than they had originally quoted and he redid the contract to reflect that. I also, while I was there saw the largest selection of Prii I had seen at a dealership in all my travels, both physical and through the internet. I highly recommend Santa Monica Toyota and the three gentlemen who helped me. If you want a Prius and you leave somewhat nearby call them.

I will post a review of the guy who tinted my new car in a little bit.

 

Funny, Right after I posted it I said "wow that's a big f'ing paragraph. Don't show it to the wife."

Edit" I edited it into smaller paragraphs but the wordy numbers are still the same. Hope it helps.