Best Bay Area Dealerships for Pricing?

Hi All! New user here and looking to purchase my first Taco soon. Any feedback on local dealers or reps that are easy to work with on invoice pricing or slightly above that?

 

When I bought mine, I used the system from http://www.fightingchance.com/

Long story short, dealers have hidden incentives that vary from month to month, quarter to quarter. That means you have a chance of finding one that's particularly hungry when you want to buy. (I got mine at "invoice" when I bought... new dealership; probably wanted to make some good numbers and had what I wanted on the lot.)

You email a bunch of local dealers saying "I want this specific vehicle; I'm serious about buying before the end of the month." Follow with a phone call. Wait for the bids to roll in. (Though about half the ones I reached out to told me to pound sand.)

If you have time, listen to this radio show -- it gives you some insight into the world of the stealership. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/513/129-cars

 

Freeman Toyota seems to have the best prices on new (not sure about used) if you go through the internet department. They will usually still go lower than their eprice with some haggling. Toyota of Santa Cruz will generally match Freeman's price if you have a written quote. All the other dealers I talked to in the bay area sucked.

 

H far are you willing to travel. I think the central valley area, like Modesto or Stockton have pretty low prices and better than expected inventory. Its definitely truck country

 

Any updates on this? I'm looking in Bay Area / Central Valley and so far people only willing to give me discounts on shit I don't want.

 

My only $.02 here is to stay away from Capitol Toyota at all costs. Their sales people are terrible and the service department is even worse.

 

What sucked about them? They have a truck I want in-stock and are one of the ones being stingy pretending it's a unicorn truck.

 

You, yourself just stated a reason not to deal with them...

 

When I was looking for my truck, I knew exactly what I wanted but they didn’t have it and wouldn’t even try to get one for me. I offered them my card in case they got one and they refused to even take my card.

When I went in for service, I suspected they weren’t doing the work they were supposed to be doing so I witnessed marked bolts. They straight up lied about checking my brake shoes (would have had to taken the wheel off and hadn’t) by writing in a fake measurement. They then justified it by telling me that, “well at least it was free.” I call bullshit, I paid over 30k for it

 

Freeman Toyota. Their E price is the best price you’ll find in California. Tacomaworld guys are constantly flying up from SoCal to go to Freeman.

I got mine TRD Off Road, 4x4 at, only tow pckg, for 33 flat 36.1 OTD.

 

Thanks I'll check them out - they have quite the inventory.

I'm aware - was just looking for his personal insight as he apparently had worked with them more in-depth.

 

Well, if you are looking for anecdotal information; I purchased my 2015 TRD Pro from Salinas Toyota. No hasseling, agreed on cash price over the phone, was at the dealership for a total of 28 minutes before I was driving back up to the Bay Area. The longest part of the process was signing all the documents and doing the bank transfer.

 

Freeman in SAnta Rosa is good.

Surprisingly got a good deal at Hansel in Petaluma. They ordered me what I wanted and gave me $1,500 off Msrp.

 

+1 for Freeman, I bought my 17 from them, awesome price and great service

 

Just contacted Freeman and they offered me $1k under invoice for Tech Package and $1k over invoice if I wanted Premium as well. That's legit pricing and I like the transparency. I'm going to go with them. Their stock is huge too.

 

Costco prices are the best! Try it you won't be disappointed. That's what I did and bought my truck from Melody toyota.

 

you paid 30k for a maintenance plan? damn they cashed out on you

 

Did they have any premium packages? I've had one on order since Nov from them and it's taking forever for them to allocate one for me.

 

I was looking all over for an Off Road in BBP and Tracy Toyota offered me a much lower price than the dealers near me in the South Bay.

 

Another vote for Freeman Toyota, 2 purchases from them and by far the best dealer experience I've ever had, not to mention their prices can't be beat. Talk to John(Internet sales manager).