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"Best" Bay Area dealer?

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by stuckpixel, Feb 2, 2014.

  1. stuckpixel

    stuckpixel Junior Member

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    Hi all! I'm fairly new here, I've been lurking awhile and I'm finally getting ready to buy. First a few questions.

    The Prius I want/am searching for: 2014 Prius lift back level 5 trim with winter gray exterior and dark interior. Fully loaded.


    What is the best Bay Area dealer? By best I mean not super pressured, fair trade in values, willingness to find the car I want and not force a car on me that's on the lot, etc. I would also like this dealer to have a good service department so I can do a one stop shop kind of thing.

    I'm looking for the 'normal' (forgive me lol) lift back Prius. Not the C or V. And I want a level 5 trim. Is this hard to come by? I've looked at a few dealer websites and they didn't seem to have many level 5's. Also does the level 5 no longer offer the advanced tech package for 2014?

    Have you bought from a Bay Area dealer? What was your experience? Would you go back for another car? Service?

    Are you happy with your Prius? Would you do it all again?

    Sorry for the long post with all the noob questions. First time buying a Toyota and a hybrid.
     
  2. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2013
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    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I don't have a recommendation other than avoid Hanlees Hilltop Totota in Richmond. I bought mine there and they were really bad.
     
  3. ChinchillaGirl

    ChinchillaGirl OrcaCar

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    Location:
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    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Not sure how far you are willing to travel, but I bought the c at Santa Cruz Toyota. Jim Davis was knowledgeble, patient, and got me what I wanted quickly by networking with a dealer in Marin for a trade. I was driving it in 2 days after saying I wanted a Summer Rain Package 4 with moonroof and 15 inch wheels. Don't go there for service however. Only Jim seems to have any sense of customer service and how to read a TSB.

    SM-P600 ?
     
  4. stuckpixel

    stuckpixel Junior Member

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    Thanks for replying. This type of post is helpful. I don't want to have a bad car buying experience. I've had two already lol.
     
  5. stuckpixel

    stuckpixel Junior Member

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    Thank you for replying. Traveling isn't too much of an issue. I'd prefer to have a good dealer close and maybe they can find my car like they did yours. But if I have to go far I will
     
  6. stuckpixel

    stuckpixel Junior Member

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    Keep the replies coming guys :) loving the help so far
     
  7. jeff flores

    jeff flores New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I just bought my Prius 3 from dean Walton at Maita Toyota in Sacramento, give him a call made the sale super easy

    Galaxy Nexus ?
     
  8. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Location:
    SF Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    If I was looking now I would check out Piercey Toyota in Milpitas, One Toyota in Oakland and SF Toyota probably in that order.
     
  9. stuckpixel

    stuckpixel Junior Member

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    Thanks for the feedback guys :) really helps.
     
  10. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I bought mine from Toyota Sunnyvale...and compared to my first time buying a new car from another dealer, they were very very much easier to deal with.

    I did everything online w/o much phone calls...I gave them a price I said another dealer was offering and they beat it. Also on the day I was suppose to go pick up the car they said it was sold already, but if I really wanted one of the same color/options they can go pick it up from another dealer for like a $500 deposit. I told them no; however, they called me later and said that the deposit wouldn't be necessary, and they went and pick up the car and got me the 5YR 0% APR, very very easily without much hassling from me. I told them my expectations and they met them all, and even jumped at a chance to get my business.

    Hope this helps you.
     
  11. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    Not sure why the Advanced Technology Package for the Prius Five isn't listed on Toyota's website anymore.

    I bought mine from Autowest Toyota & Scion of Hayward's Internet sales manager, Gim Chu. Made all the arrangements and pricing online and he was very easy to deal with. But I have it serviced at One Toyota of Oakland. It seems that the best sales doesn't always go with the best service department.
     
  12. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I stopped in to One Toyota of Oakland just to ask some questions and I wasn't super impressed mainly because in the back driveway of the service entrance, they zoom cars in and out. I got to go back there with one of the techs to look at something on another car and the people who move cars around there seem like they have fun and floor them, etc.

    They have to honk a lot just to avoid accidents, etc.

    Maybe I'm being over paranoid and all dealerships are like this?
     
  13. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Avoid Oakland Toyota for both service and purchase. One of the "old time" car dealers - they will empty your pockets if they can.
     
  14. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    There's more than one Oakland Toyota dealership. Are you referring to downtown Oakland Toyota?
     
  15. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Yes the one on Broadway
     
  16. Veloist

    Veloist Junior Member

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    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Are you still looking for dealers?

    I'll add Putnam Toyota in Burlingame. My dad is actually a salesman there, and he's been there for 19 years. His manager is really cool too...I think priusChat had some group buy with the PiP when it first came out.

    Anyways, my dad's name is Noli B. I just checked the stock & they don't have the car you exactly want. My dad would have no problem finding the exact car and having it traded with a cooperating dealership. In fact, sometimes I accompany him either by following him in our car or just riding along so he's not alone.

    For the record, my dad got 2 Prii for our family, one is a 2012 package 5 & the other is my sister's car which is a PiP.

    If you need any assistance with your purchase I'm sure my dad can help. You can contact me or him directly if you are still in the market for a Prius.

    - Dom
     
  17. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I went to Hanlees Toyota in Richmond Hilltop today for the recall. I hated this dealership before but they recently opened a new facility. Nice waiting area etc.