No waiting lists in California, no choice allowed!

How many dealers do this, gas hater? Most or all of the dealers in CA? Holy cow!

 

Actually that sounds like the list I was on in San Diego. They called me when one came in and I turned it down when it wasn't what I wanted.

 

Check with Dianne at Carson Toyota she'll give you the straight scoop. She used to be on this board a lot, but haven't heard from her lately.
(888) 341-3000 in SoCal

 

I ended up getting mine from Carson, but I understand that they are selling $4000 over MSRP now (I got mine at MSRP).

 

Yeh, don't bother with Carson. In Aug. they also had $3000 mark up and lots of dealer add-ons. Call Ventura Toyota. They sold to me at MSRP with only floor mat add-ons. They put me on a list and ordered the car I wanted.

 

My local dealer (Frontier) is sleazy like that too. And I found out that some people would stake out the place and see when new shipments came in. Then they would be there when the doors open to buy with $3000 over MSRP. If I was going to take that much time I wouldn't feel good about paying extra. Screw all those dealers! If you don't buy from them then they will eventualy stop doing this crap. But that won't happen.

 

Dianne told me a month ago (I visited her) that the critters "on the ground" (they gather around a picnic table) were getting $6K over MSRP.

 

I have a Package 3 in Silver Pine Mica, for delivery after January 6 at MSRP on order with Ventura Toyota. They will put you on the list and give you an estimate of the delivery date based on their allottments, and how far down you are on the list. They may have an Internet Sales department, but the sales guy I've been dealing with is Ramon Martinez, 805-216-8996 (cell). The dealer's phone number is 888-567-6672.

The only problem with that is you would need to drive up to Ventura; could be about 80 miles from where you are.

 

If you don't mind a bit of a drive, try Longo Toyota in El Monte -- they have a waiting list and charge MSRP. Another possibility is Norwalk Toyota -- I've never actually contacted them, but I think they were mentioned in an article some time ago as another dealer that charges MSRP.

 

Agree. Both Dianne and Greg in the internet/fleet department will give you the straight scoop. Just don't deal with the regular sales guys that hang around the picnic table.

Now to the original comment in the thread - roughly half the dealers in the LA area have lists. You can specify exactly what you want, and depending on how flexible you are, you may wait 2 to 4 or even 6 months. Other dealers as you commented have no lists and it is first come first serve.

You can also get on a list with a refundable deposit and in the meantime, try to get one earlier at another dealer with no list.

I don't see anything wrong with the process. You have a choice among many dealers who have different policies and prices, and you do what you want.

 

Put several refundable deposits down at several car dealers, and let them be first come, first served (@ MSRP, of course)!

 

if anyone pays anything over msrp much less $6k they are an idiot

 

I would recommand Longo or Santa Monica. Both have list and require deposit, but sells at MSRP and no hassels.

 

And this comes from someone who already has an '06 in their possession! B)

 

When I picked up my car from Ventura I drove a rental car out there and left it there. You can do that.

 

It is a trade-off. The dealers in the LA area that are at MSRP and have lists have long wait times. There is a limit to the number of HOV stickers that will be issued in California, and if someone wants to pay over MSRP and can get exactly what they want now, and they have traded-off the various factors, they are not idiots.

 

When I had to go from San Diego to Carson, I had some friends drive me up. They didn't even know I was after a new car, much less a Prius. I didn't tell him why I needed to go there, just gave them directions including, "TURN IN HERE." A bit nasty, but the expression on their faces was worth it.

 

I talked to a dealer who told me is it illegal to take a deposit on a car without giving you a specific vin#, and some dealerships have dodged a bullet by "miraculously" producing what the customer wanted promptly after complaints about long wait times and deposits and legal banter.

This also goes with my earlier statement that anyone is an idiot for paying over msrp unless you are loaded and frivolous with your money and have to have that car today. this is your money you are paying, and shouldn't your money be worth a little research?

c'mon kids, paying more hurts us all. call every dealership or an auto broker (have the name and number of a good one) and tell them if you are seriously interested in buying one but am not going to pay over msrp. even if you have to drive 40 miles (i know it's hard) - but you will feel rewarded when it's all over with and happy with what you really wanted

the preachin' will now end.

merry holidays!