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

the best 'deal' you will find in LA is msrp... thats the bottom line. There was a dealer I researched in Orange County that was about 3-500 below msrp but that was toward the end of summer and for 05, im sure you wont find any deals below msrp anywhere for 06's though.

 

I agree that the best deal is MSRP.

I found roughly half the dealers at MSRP and half over MSRP. The dealers at MSRP have waiting lists of what may be several months. I was on a couple of lists and told to expect delivery early January. I wanted to be in time for the HOV stickers but also get the tax credit that goes into effect in January.

At one dealer, my position on the list was not consistent (I think just due to not giving me accurate information up front) and at another dealer salesman said to expect Dec-Jan. When I went in and spoke with Fleet Manager, told to expect middle of next year.

Some of the dealers that go above MSRP do not have lists, just first come, first served when an allotment comes in. I was very much against paying above MSRP, but decided that the uncertainty and potential loss of the HOV sticker caused me to reconsider. There are many on the forum that are extremely against any dealer going above MSRP, but if all dealers in the LA area stayed at MSRP, all would have waiting lists of maybe 2-3 months. Because it was near the end of the month and I worked with the fleet dept, I was able to get a fair deal that I could live with, and I drove off with the package I wanted that day.

John

 

The other posters are, according to my own checking around in Los Angeles, correct: all dealers here are asking for at least MSRP on an 06.

About half are trying for more... some with straight add ons of $2k to $4k. Others impose that I call "forced merchandise." Their over MSRP is say $1300 but they justify that with LoJack and chemicals they call "paint protection." Shop around! You don't need to go that route. In my view, the dealer is doing well enough for himself with just MSRP. And with the 2% price increase, you are paying plenty already.

Some dealers in the LA area want a $1,000 refundable deposit to get onto their waiting list. Smaller dealers don't seem to be asking for the deposit... but it could be a long wait for a car there (smaller allocations). The store where I plunked down my one grand last weekend told me I was 30th on his list. Of course I am no real rush, as I don't want the car before Jan 1 (tax credit time). He expects cars by mid-Dec. Realistically I figure it'll be somewhere around Feb or Mar for me.

Now does anyone have any idea how long the CA HOV stickers will remain available in 2006? I have a set for my 02 Prius now but of course these are not transferrable.

Cheers, Bob (Los Angeles)

 

In response to a PM, also including here and consistent with above posts:

The state will issue a max of 75,000 stickers for hybrids. The three that qualify are the Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight. When that limit will be reached is hard to determine, but most project early to mid 2006. The nearer-term milestone is when 50,000 stickers are released. DMV will evaluate based on information from CalTrans and I think an air quality organization to determine if they should go up to the 75,000 limit or stop at 50,000. While there is no indication they will stop at 50,000, there is no guarantee and governments are not always predictable.

Depending on the information source, anyware from 32,000 to 40,000+ stickers have been issued. Waiting for an allocation of 2006 models and the tax credit is taking a chance that the 50,000 limit will be reached.

John

 

CKB,
I'm glad you got to find a dealer that offers both a fair price and no BS.
I have a question for you though:
What have you decided on with you color, options and the fru, fruu stuff. Are you going to get an extended warranty at point of purchase? What about getting the paint and interior protection treatments (clear coat?
You know they are going to hit you up for that when you take delivery.
In other words: What cha gonna get out the door?
Thanks,
olcorral

 

You should go to Longo Toyota in El Monte. www.longotoyota.com

 

ckb: did you check on Costco discount? Are you a member?

 

Jack,
What is offered by Costco? I am a member.
thanks,
olcorral

 

Unless the rules have changed, you have untill 35,999 miles on the odometer to decide on a Toyota extended warranty purchase. The appropriate answer at time of sale would be "I'll give you an opportunity later to beat my best price on that".

 

Costco has an Auto Buying Program whereby various dealers in localities where Costco has stores agree to sell cars to Costco members at a discount (which varies, too). See my thread (when I was "endoildependency") in the Dealers and Pricing Forum.

Many Toyota dealers rule the Prius "off limits" to the program. Some don't. A dealer where I live will give $750 off.

Costco (Cars): 800-800-5778...or website: costco.com.

 

Hey guys,

I got my Toyota Prius 06 package 3 at Frontier Toyota Valencia.

They are the few dealerships in the area that do not have a formal waiting list. You give them your number and they call you if you have it. Frontier was one of them.

However, if you go to Frontier Toyota, be forewarned-- there have been a few bad reports about the place here and in hybridcars.com. I only went there because Toyota of Long Beach, Santa Monica, and Hollywood all had long waiting lists. I was able to pay cash up front for MSRP, and I didn't have too much of a problem. The car I got had one mile on it.

The salesman at Frontier pushed and pimped the chrome wheels, tinted windows, extended warranty the entire time. My salesman, "Stu" seemed nice enough, but I wouldn't trust most of the people there to sell tricycles, let along a Prius.

It all started when they called me in the morning to tell me they had a 2 package threes, in white and red. They would not be delivered for a week or so, but I could buy the car now. I wanted the red and didn't want to wait for the other dealerships, so I jumped on it. Once there, a salesman asked me quite a few times about the wheel modifications, which I continually turned down. He then told me that "opps" the red car came with the wheel modifications, so I could either buy them or go with the white. I knew he was bluffing, so I called him on it, offering to leave and come back in a week or so. He then went back to his manager to see if 'something could be done" surprise, surprise, turns out they could move the modifications to the white car. They also wanted a $1000 deposit for the car, which I did give. Even more interesting, after I bought the car, the 10-14 day wait they told me about suddenly became a 24 hour wait, with the car arriving the day after I bought it. In all likelihood, they probably had the car there the entire time.

So, if you really want a Prius, you might go to Frontier. I wouldn't recommend going there if you're not paying cash or you don't know how to negotiate and be firm when buying a car. I researched for quite a while on this forum and hybridcars.com before going there, and I'm glad I did. I doubt I'd go there again, especially from the positive things I've heard about the other Toyota dealerships, especially the long beach, Hollywood, and santa monica ones, which are actually all closer to me.

 

Best Place is Longo. Look up Derek in the Internet department. I ordered on November 30 and took delivery in mid February. Great Sales person.

 

I went to Santa Monica Toyota. Had to put 1k down and wait for my choice of colors and options. They have a great sales staff and I was totally happy there. MSRP plus Lojack and paint protection which do add value to the car. When I picked up my car they were great as far as showing me everything about the ar etc. Good luck.

 

I also bought mine at Frontier Toyota. Not sure why but I didn't have any problem with add ons. The only thing extra that was listed on the sticker was floor mats. Yes they did ask if I want the Scottsguard and tinted windows but I said no and that was it. I liked my saleman Avo, but wouldn't trust the closer Brant.

I was told to show up on a Monday morning first thing and I could buy the exact color/package that I wanted. That Monday there were 6 of us all buying a Prius. I had to wait < 14 days to get the car. Car was fine with 2 miles on it.

Ken

 

I'm in the market for a Silver with Dark Gray leather package 8 if anyone knows of one. Second choice would be Magnetic Gray exterior with Dark Gray leather interior and package 8. Thanks.