Recommend an Honest Dealer with the Best Deal

[abcdefgary]

Hello, I am in the market for a brand new Prius Touring with Package #6. I've contacted many dealers in the Seattle area, and have found that most of them are very deceptive with the exception of one or two.

Here is a summary of the dealers that I contacted:

1.) Toyota Lake City

Very sneaky. I first contacted them and they lured me with lush greetings and such. After 2 emails, it started going downhill. I talked to one of the people and was given a price over MSRP. I responded that other dealers are offering exactly MSRP, and she seemed to already give up without answering any of my questions.

Contacted them again and was forwarded to another person. Told me that the price was including all these accessories that I did not need (rock chip paint protectant, nitrogen in tires, wheel arch mouldings). He said that their dealership adds these to every Prius they order. So the price would be MSRP in addition to these accessories.

I then asked if I could have just a stock Prius, with no additions, and this was their response:

Thanks for your interest in the Prius. There is no way to get the Prius from us with out the added options on it. Sorry but we are not selling the Prius for MSRP, we have too many orders and we more than likely can't even get you a 2008. You will be getting a 2009 and they are going to cost more than what the 2008's cost as Toyota has said they are taking the Value pkg discount off the vehicle.. This means on a Touring pkg 6 the MSRP will be higher by 2000.00, this is an est though so we have to see what they do..

I thought this was very sneaky because they first offered it for MSRP (plus accessories) and now he has specifically said that he is not selling it at MSRP anymore.

What is a value package? And how does he know if the price will be increased? I'm not aware that Toyota made such announcement, or rather, any announcement on what the 2009 model will be.

2.) Toyota of Seattle

I like this dealer a lot so far. They have been really up front with pricing and options. But reading the reviews online, I seem to be put off a bit. He sells the Prius I want at MSRP, no higher nor lower. The best thing about this dealership and ordering is that I do not need to put down a deposit to get on the waiting list.

3.) Rodland Toyota

I don't think this dealer is even worth mentioning. They simply gave up on me after I asked for discounts and incentives, such as free accessories. They just responded with:

Good luck with your search.

4.) Burien Toyota

An "okay" dealer. When I first contacted them, they told me:

Right now the we are the largest Prius dealer in the region. What that means to you is we are getting more Prius's then almost every other dealer so we can fill your order faster.

I did ask him how soon is "soon", twice already, but he kept saying that they are faster than other dealerships. They sell the Prius at MSRP.

5.) Toyota of Kirkland

Heard good things about this dealer online. However, contact with the dealer is pretty much gone now, because the person I was dealing with through email has gone on vacation. I don't know when they will reply back to me.

6.) Toyota of Bellevue

I wanted a new Prius but they gave me the following reply:

1.) Silver 2008 Package #2 with 7,878 miles. Listed at $31,995.
2.) Driftwood Pearl 2007 base model with 27,366 miles. Listed at $29,995.
3.) Tideland Pearl 2005 with nav and no leather. 42,234 miles. Listed at $27,995.

I responded with a surprised reaction, because a pre-owned, with many miles, cost more than a new model, and the difference is very significant. I did some research online and found that the dealer is known for charging higher so I basically stopped contact with them.

Right now, I don't know which dealer to go with. I think I might go with Toyota of Seattle. I wanted to go with Toyota Lake City after reading the reviews online, but they seem to be very sneaky.

So far no dealer has offered any deals or incentives that make them "special", and no dealer has made me want to choose them over another.

I want to get tinting done and I've heard through PriusChat that some dealers will do this for free. I did ask a few dealers listed above through email but they won't budge.

For me, free tinting is more important than accessories (cargo totes, side mouldings, etc.). Has anyone been offered free tinting on their Prius by any dealership in the Washington state? If so, please recommend them to me!

Sorry for the long message, but if you have any thoughts on which dealer I should go with, please let me know!

Thank you!

[Red Solitaire]

Bob Bridge Toyota in Renton gave me a pretty good deal when I bought my new '08 Touring in April. Fair warning, I bought my car just before the crunch (high demand, waiting lists, $4.00/gal) hit, so I doubt if they are discounting any Prius they get on the lot. Also, there was no waiting list when I bought my car, but there probably is, now.

Still, I felt they were professional and courteous to my daughter and granddaughter who were with me. Worth a try, and you can do it online.

[catsbox]

I bought all 5 Toyotas I have owned from Michaels Toyota of Bellevue. You will have better dealings if you go in and talk to them. That is probably the case with any dealership. I dealt with Joe Woolery the last time around. He was great. I will buy my 2011 Prius from him. If you want to drop a referral name, PM me. Not once have I ever been taken. The service has been great. They treat me like gold. I am a bit of a VIP given the number of cars I have purchased from them, but being treated fairly is the reason I keep going back.

[sorthund]

I got mine from Toyota of Seattle. They were straight and honest with us, very helpful. Our contact was Larry.

My second choice would be Toyota of Burien.

I too did not get a good vibe from Lake City!!! Salesperson tried to get me to buy a Matrix, telling me it get's over 35MPG. However listed estimates is 21/29..... I will never buy a car there....

[Preus]

Another vote for Bob Bridge Toyota in Renton WA!

Honest, no hassle, great customer service.
Our salesman was John Stone however Ron Lewis and Jake Anderson were also very helpful answering my many questions over the 7 week wait (if John happened to be on has day off when I called).

Picked up our Spectra Blue Mica Touring pkg 6 this morning!
MSRP less Costco discount.

Our wait was 7 weeks (May 24 - July 12).
We were quoted 1 to 4 months when we put our $500 down in May.

Highly Recommended!

[abcdefgary]

Ah, finally. Some responses. I was thinking why there were so many Prius owners in Seattle yet no one has replied yet.

Originally Posted by Preus

Another vote for Bob Bridge Toyota in Renton WA!

Honest, no hassle, great customer service.
Our salesman was John Stone however Ron Lewis and Jake Anderson were also very helpful answering my many questions over the 7 week wait (if John happened to be on has day off when I called).

Picked up our Spectra Blue Mica Touring pkg 6 this morning!
MSRP less Costco discount.

Our wait was 7 weeks (May 24 - July 12).
We were quoted 1 to 4 months when we put our $500 down in May.

Highly Recommended!

May I ask what the Costco discount is?

It's hard to find a deal less than MSRP, most dealers will even avoid the subject when I ask if tinted windows can be done at no extra cost.

I think I might go to Toyota of Seattle, since it is very close to where I live and they have been great and honest so far, in terms of responding to my questions.

[allemandeL3ft]

I'm wondering if anyone has had any very positive (or negative) experiences in the south sound, re: purchasing a pri.

--Matthew

[Preus]

Originally Posted by abcdefgary

Ah, finally. Some responses. I was thinking why there were so many Prius owners in Seattle yet no one has replied yet.



May I ask what the Costco discount is?

It's hard to find a deal less than MSRP, most dealers will even avoid the subject when I ask if tinted windows can be done at no extra cost.

I think I might go to Toyota of Seattle, since it is very close to where I live and they have been great and honest so far, in terms of responding to my questions.

Near the end of May, the Costco discount was $250 + $50 coupon.
I was told the discount was larger before we got on the list.
Increased demand has caused dealers to reduce the discount.
I believe by now, all the Costco dealers in the area have removed the Prius from the Costco discount however I'd call Costco to make sure.

Please be sure to report back with your experience at Toyota of Seattle;
my brother is thinking about ordering one through them.

[abcdefgary]

Originally Posted by Preus

Near the end of May, the Costco discount was $250 + $50 coupon.
I was told the discount was larger before we got on the list.
Increased demand has caused dealers to reduce the discount.
I believe by now, all the Costco dealers in the area have removed the Prius from the Costco discount however I'd call Costco to make sure.

Please be sure to report back with your experience at Toyota of Seattle;
my brother is thinking about ordering one through them.

Ooh, so am I guaranteed a discount if I purchase from an authorized Costco dealer?

The only authorized dealer, in this case, is Magic Toyota of Edmonds. A little far from where I live, but if I am guaranteed a discount, then I have no problems traveling the distance.

Regarding my report on the experience at Toyota of Seattle, you will have to wait a bit, if that is okay, because I am still doing a little research on whether to buy the Prius or not.

[Preus]

Originally Posted by abcdefgary

Ooh, so am I guaranteed a discount if I purchase from an authorized Costco dealer?

The only authorized dealer, in this case, is Magic Toyota of Edmonds. A little far from where I live, but if I am guaranteed a discount, then I have no problems traveling the distance.

Regarding my report on the experience at Toyota of Seattle, you will have to wait a bit, if that is okay, because I am still doing a little research on whether to buy the Prius or not.

I don't think the Costco discount applies now since the demand is so high; call Costco to find out for sure.

I'd steer clear of Magic Toyota!
When I called , I was told about a $1k non-refundable deposit and they claim to have a very long waiting list. The real shocker is that they’ve been advertising new Prii on craigslist for $2K to $4K over MSRP. I called the salesmen listed in the ad (Christopher) and was told the cars were extras not wanted by people on the list! The sales manager who first answered the phone acted like he was unaware of the craigslist ads Christopher was placing!
I made the mistake of giving them my number and have been getting calls from them about available cars (well over MSRP) ever since!

BTW: I’ve also seen ads like this on craigslist by Toyota of Kirkland… not surprising as I hear they share the same ownership.