Good Toyota/Prius Dealers

I bought my 2006 Prius from Panama City Toyota. Jeffery Johnson was the saleman, very low pressure, straight up. Got it at the MSRP but got a very good trade on my Jeep Wrangler. It is too new to have experiance with the service department, but everyone I know with a Toyota tells me they are the best service department in town for any make of car.

http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage...7/signature.png

 

Fitzgerald Toyota in Gaithersburg MD is top notch. They sell cars at discount, even hard to get ones like the Prius. Just got my 2006 package #8 for $370 below MSRP. There were no games of any kind; just a perfectly straight-forward deal. Everything was handled extremely professionally and honestly by all involved.

I can't say enough good things about this dealer; compared to the nightmare of my first Prius purchase in 2001 Fitzgerald was unbelievably great, especially when you consider this happened at a time when many of the area dealers can't get enough Prius to sell.

Their website is fantastic, they publish all their prices up front and tell you the MSRP and invoice price too.

 

McGeorge Toyota in Richmond, VA.

First, my purchase experience:

Got my '05, package #2 in 12/05. Walked in about 4:30 one Friday afternoon mainly to see it in person and test drive it. I had already researched the car extensively and had only a few questions, which the sales rep (Tom Baskin) answered. I offered them $2K off MSRP, not expecting them to budge. To my surprise, they countered with close to a $1K discount. I said, "How soon can you have it ready?" Response: "In about an hour." That's about how long it took for the paperwork, the car was ready when promised, and two hours after I walked in I drove it away. The only add-ons (besides taxes and DMV fees) were a $159 processing fee and a $10 online filing fee, which I didn't consider outrageous. I had gotten pre-approved for a loan at my credit union, but I was pleasantly surprised when they offered me an interest rate of 0.2% less than the CU, financed through a major bank. The sales rep and finance manager were knowledgeable, professional, and efficient. Quite a contrast with my previous car purchase a few years ago, I might add... at a local Nissan dealership.

Second, my experience with the service department:

1000 mile complimentary oil change was done in the promised amount of time while I waited.

I later had a problem with my dash display that I described in this thread:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...85&#entry269485

When I first took it in for the display problem, I also had them fix another minor problem: the driver's side cowling beneath the wiper blade had come loose and was offset from the passenger side cowling slightly. Consequently, the wiper arm was scraping the cowling when the wipers were running. It didn't affect the wiper's function; it seemed only an aesthetic issue. They reattached the cowling. But a week or so later, it had come loose again. So when I returned the car to have the dash display fixed, I pointed out that the original cowling repair hadn't "stuck," and asked them do whatever it took to make the fix permanent. Their efforts suggested they at least tried. (Time will tell for sure.) They replaced the entire cowling this time, though they encountered some difficulty due to its proximity to the windshield. So they called a local windshield repair shop (one I'm familiar with and knew did good work) for their advice and help. Between the dash display repair, having to order the cowling, having to re-order it when they were shipped the wrong one, and the difficulty they had doing the repair, they had the car for 4 days. But I can't complain; they gave me a Camry as a loaner. (Not a Prius, but I didn't expect them to have Prii as loaners. Heck, I expected a Corolla at best!) And I appreciate their apparent persistence in getting the repair right.

Additionally, I had them fix another small problem on this visit. The cap on the auxiliary power outlet below the dash had broken off when a briefcase on the front floorboard fell forward during braking. I keep my XM Roady plugged into the outlet, so the cap was sort of dangling and, I now realize, exposed to potential damage. I admitted up front what happened and acknowledged that it wasn't a warranty issue, but they fixed it under warranty anyway.

Just one small complaint: The service advisor I was working with was out sick the day the wrong cowling was delivered. That's the day I was first expecting the car to be ready. No one called me to say otherwise, so I made what turned out to be a futile trip to pick it up. I was disappointed that they dropped the ball in their communications, and politely told them so.

But aside from that, on the whole I was pleased with the service on this visit.

Jim

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ May 31 2005, 03:39 PM) [snapback]94334[/snapback]</div>

I just Picked up my new Black package 7 from Wallace in the Internet Dept. at Longo Toyota in El Monte. Wallace told me it would be 4 to 6 weeks and it took six. From the start Wallace made no promises he couldn't keep and didn't sell a vehicle he had promised me to a higher bidder. I will give him excellent marks in the survey Toyota sends out.
Rudy B. at Corona Toyota was also a straight shooter and I would recommend him as well, he was honest and will sell at MSRP.

Attached I have a horror story about my dealings with Mossy Toyota in Pacific Beach. If you are interested in reading about how a salesman could possibly waste a large amount of your time read it and you will not use Mossy for certain. I would suggest staying away from the dealership and a salesman named Tommy. I would also recommend avoiding Tom at Tustin Toyota he will definitely gouge your pocketbook.

 

I had problems with several local LA dealers - they were insisting I take things I didn't want and trying to talk me out of my color (Salsa Red). I saw a small ad in the LA Times and called it, so went down behind the Orange Curtain to Rancho Santa Margarita to PHILLIP OLIVAS at the PENSKE TOYOTA there. Wow - what a nice, clean, futuristic place! You can take a virtual tour online: www.toyotarsm.com. Phil was very laid back, took the time to answer all my questions, explained other things to me that he thought I might want to know, and had the exact car I wanted within one week. He gave me a quote over the phone, faxed it to me, and never waivered from it.

At the time, it was taking LA dealers two months to get them and they were insisting that you purchase at least two extras. Phil gave me free satellite radio with it and 9 months of free service (some deal Penske had done with Serius). My appointment was 7:30 pm and he was there waiting, never rushed anything, patiently showed me all the features, let me drive around a few blocks to get comfortable while he was co-piloting.

Now I'm hooked on satellite. When in traffic, I just keep the comedy channel on and no matter how late I am, I arrive in a great mood and sharing jokes I hear. I sent a friend of mine to him and got a gift certificate for my 15,000 mile service.

Orange County - you may have to wait to get a Hummer, but you can get a Prius pretty quick!

 

I've had my classic silver '06 pkg 4 + dealer-added leather for almost two months, only 780 miles or so (short drive to work and one out-of-town vacation since buying it). I bought at Don Davis Toyota of Arlington, TX and worked with THE BEST car salesman I've ever encountered: Jason Nelson. The guy is straight-up, nice as can be, respectful, hard working--can't say enough good things about him. I live in Fort Worth, and there is at least one closer dealership, but DDT had a Prius I could test drive and a helpful sales guy. They gave me more than I expected for my trade-in ('97 Isuzu Rodeo), charged me MSRP and treated me very fairly. Of course, the finance guy is always out to make a buck, but he too was entertaining. And the sales manager, Larry Chi, is a hoot. You'd have to meet him.

I'm a very satisfied customer.

 

bought both of mine in Milwaukee Oregon.. had great results.

 

In the Deland/Daytona beach fl area there is only one choice. Deland Toyota find Butch Richardson and he will treat you right. I got my 06 B.red package 4 at a fair price no BS and got a great trade on my 2005 Tundra truck. (yes there was a shock going from 16mpg to 50mpg ) The Daytona dealer wanted almost $5,000. over list and has the o,o to list that on his web site.
Also I want leather and Mr. Richardson has gotten me a GREAT deal on that too.

 

I was on a waiting list in Portland for over a month and got sick of waiting. I took the excellent advice of several posters from this forum and called Bob Lee in Vancouver WA.

His response that it would be easier for him to get ice from Everest than to find my particular color and package. 9 days later he had it and I drove off happy as a clam for his assistance.

I ended up paying $50 over MSRP to pay for Bob Lee's services.

 

After being messed around by dealers in the San Francisco Bay Area, they seem to want to push only higher priced options with NAV, etc and can't seem to commit to anything.

I had great service from Robert Anderson at Findlay Toyota in Las Vegas. He gave me the pricing straight up and availibility, etc. I gave him the list of options and colors I would be happy with. When the info on their next allocation was availible he contacted me and gave me the options and colors of the cars availible. Organized my deposit over the phone, flew in on Saturday picked up the car and drove it back. From first contacting till I got the Prius I was looking for took less than 3 weeks, with no BS or nonsense. Only thing is that you have to give them a list of choices you would prefer as it make sit easier to locate a Prius for you. Very happy with my experience.

 

I had a very good buying experience with:

Mr. Ken Hsu
Acton Toyota
135 Great Rd.
Acton, MA

Mr. Hsu is with the internet sales department and that is how my initial contact was made. I went and talked with him in person and bought my car from him. He treated me fairly, didn't push, put up with my incessant emails and calls while waiting for my car to arrive, and never lied or bullsh*t me in any way. I have no reservations about recommending him and Acton Toyota to anyone in the Boston area.

Dave H

 

Poor dealer: Michael Toyota (Fresno CA). Tends to overfill oil, charges $10 per Liter for oil and does not understand Prii. Previously successfuly sued for charging for repairs never completed.

Excellent dealer: Bingham Toyota (Clovis CA). Prompt, courteous, knowledgeable. Good shuttle to and from home or work. Uses focused and trained personnel.

 

I'll add one more positive vote for Fox Lake Toyota and Curt Hermann. They're in the far northern lake towns -north of Chicago, just over the border from WI. I had inquired about a used Prius I saw on the Toyota Used Car site, but it had been sold. Curt then asked what I was really looking for and because they're one of the larger Prius dealerships, he was able to get what I wanted in about three weeks. I paid full MSRP, but I just had surgery on my left knee and couldn't drive my five-speed Saab anymore - so I needed asap and it was worth the full price to me. (The Prius hatchback was what first caught my attention, but all the other features and geeky tech got me to buy. - silly Saab/GM dropped the hatchbacks and now they mostly look like Accords . . . )

The entire experience at Fox Lake Toyota was classy - no pressure to buy extras (though they certainly offered) and the whole operation is set up to make you feel that you're buying the right car from the right people.

 

I'm 61 and never thought that I'd ever have a pleasant transaction with a car dealer - let alone two!

I bought my Silver Package 5 from Clint Fisher at Wiese Toyota in Columbus, IN. A really nice man and credit to his sales manager, Tony Eicholz. I called him on a hot Saturday afternoon to confirm that they still had one in stock and by the time we got there, he had it inside their air conditioned shop for us to go over in comfort and for all the time we needed. Absolutely no pressure. We struck a fair deal, a little under MSRP and with no pressure to buy extra stuff. Guess whom we will make sure to call first when we need to replace our other car?

I can also recomend Michael Black at O'Brien Toyota in Indianapolis. Trouble is, they just didn't have one in stock or inbound from the port that would be available soon enough to get us going again after someone totalled my previous vehicle. A friend who bought a Prius from O'Brien reported that his transaction with another one of their salesman was also excellent and he was happy with their service department.

I cannot recomend Beck Toyota in Greenwood, Indiana who was still trying to charge way over MSRP at the time Wiese and O'Brien were at or below MSRP.

Cheers.

 

Just bought my Prius a few weeks ago for an awesome deal through Yahoo! Autos... any new grads out there remember Toyota offers a $500 rebate... check out my photos at toyprius.blogspot.com ... and see my just installed a hitch!!!

 

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I emailed lots of dealers here in GA and in Al. I knew axactly what I wanted and requested the actual, real, no surprised or additions "driveout" price. Roswell Toyota in GA. answered in detail. I wanted package 3 and ordered it - didn't know when it would come in... sometime in the next month or so. They got a package 4 with VSC (and Toyoguard which I would never have ordered) in the Driftwood Pearl I wanted so they sold it for the Package 3 price as I was willing to pick it up immediately.We did add the leather for $1100 and it was a great and thorough job (doors and console). Nice people - I'm very happy - just don't buy thier warranty - it does not check out on the 'net as one of the better ones.
I was impulsive there.... hadn't thought about warranties and hadn't done my homework.

 

Bobby Rahal Toyota in mechnicsburg PA, is a terrific dealer. Got my pagage 4 with substantial discount. No pressure at all, and no gimmicks at closing.

 

Apologies if I've got this on the wrong thread. I'd been considering buying a Prius for the last three years. When my old car conked out earlier this month, I had to get off the dime. Every time I test drove the Prius, I found that my thighs were really uncomfortable. As much as I liked the other aspects of the Prius, when push came to shove, I could'nt do it because of the seats.

I'm purchasing a 2007 loaded Camry Hybrid. I offered a number substantially below MSRP and was surprised that the deal was accepted with no additional dickering (maybe I should have started lower). This was somewhat surprising because the chats seemed to indicate everything was selling at MSRP. I'm here to tell you negotiation is possible, especially just before New Years!

If you're in MA, speak with Carlos Ortega at Claire Toyota (617-469-1024). I really liked dealing with him.