Buying New in SoCal

Hey everyone,

I'm in the market for a 2020 OR 4x4. This will be my first time buying a new car so I wanted your input on how to go about dealing with dealerships.
Any techniques for finding a competitive price?

If you guys had any good experiences with specific dealerships or a salesperson, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!

 

When I first started looking for my truck I checked out USAA. One trip to their site ended up in my eventually having to threaten some of the dealers to get them to leave me alone. Heck I've had the truck a few months and I still get the odd email from some of them.

 

Welcome to TW
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/so-you-want-to-buy-a-tacoma.475482/

 

I agree with USAA. No hassle, great price. I gave my real number and bought within 48 hours. Any dealers that called after, I explained I already bought and I was happy.

 

Do you have to be a member to use their car buying program?

 

yes. Do you have any time in service? Or have a relative that served? It’s well worth it. I think I got about 3k off from USAA, dealer took off another 1k and Toyota had 1.5k rebate at the time. This was April though, I hear inventory might be a little low until the factory’s start catching up.

 

My Grandparents, so I might be eligible. As far as inventory, it's really low. I've had a struggle trying to locate the configuration I'm interested in and if I do it seems dealers are adding a premium to the MSRP because they know it's bound to go. So I may just have to wait it out

 

Hit up the Internet Sales person, they usually have more sales than the folks on the floor because they're cutting deals on their own. I at least that's how my salesman explained it to me.

 

Longo Toyota , bought a car for my fiance recently the service was great. And they have one of the largest dealerships worldwide.

 

I got a great deal on a Certified Pre-Owned 2015 from Norm Reeves in SD. No BS, no BS fees or sales pitches at the finish line. They were great.

 

Toyota of El Cajon. I dealt with Jason Billings from the internet sales team. I requested Quotes from every dealer within 300 miles when I bought a new 4runner and they gave me the best price out of everyone from the start. No hidden fees or bait and switch. It was an awesome experience and when I buy again I will be going there.

 

I had the pleasure of working with Art at Rancho Santa Margarita Toyota. No hassle pricing, and not pushy on upsetting you shit you don't want. Great experience. Happily recommend him.

 

Got mine at Toyota El Cajon going through Costco and feel I got a good price on it.

 

If you are using Costco, try Alex Ordonez at Toyota of Carlsbad. He's a sales manager and I have bought my taco and another car from him and I'll go back again. I used the truecar.com estimate and didn't leave until he got the price down to the "excellent" range.

 

Carlsbad is probably the worst dealer I’ve ever encountered. They are my closest dealer and were just terrible. Tried to make a deal with them but they are scammers. I went to Frank toyota in national city and they were really pretty great as far as sales go. Called them and told them what I wanted. They had one coming and no hidden fees or market adjustment bullshit like you will certainly find at Carlsbad. Put a deposit down over the phone and locked down my truck. Easy. Stay away from Carlsbad unless you bring your own lube...they charge extra for theirs.

 

3 guys I work with got their TRD Pros and AWD Camry for pretty cheap from Oregon. They talked to the fleet department at a dealer out there got it for way cheaper then CA dealerships. The dealer they got it from made arrangements to pick up at airport and go straight to dealer.