Recommend an Honest Dealer with the Best Deal

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:

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:

4.) Burien Toyota

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

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:

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.
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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!

 

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.

 

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 was actually going to go to Toyota of Kirkland too...
they are the only dealership "closest" to Seattle where you can test drive a Package #6, which we are planning to buy.

 

Well, I chose Toyota of Seattle and we put our names down on the waiting list today. The staff was pretty friendly, I guess we will see until the day it arrives.

 

they said 2-4 months.
I chose the Super White or Magnetic Gray with Bisque leather.
I didn't think they made M.Gray with Bisque though, but the salesman said they do.