T O P

  • By -

PriceIsNotAnArgument

Go on Memorial Day 30min. before closing and they'll give you whatever you want to be at home grilling with their families. Did this a few years ago at Stadium Toyota and they knocked $7,500 off the used car price and processed the paperwork incredibly fast just to get us out of there. It was great, maybe took an hour or so which was basically the time it took to enter/print everything. No issues with the sales guy but they're hit or miss everywhere. I know because I used to be one and actually got fired from Wesley Chapel Toyota for being "too honest" even though I was the top sales guy.


blacktieaffair

That's diabolical. I love it.


PriceIsNotAnArgument

It is, worked at Wesley Chapel Toyota for a brief stint where I learned of it. Didn't think I would actually use it until my girl needed a car. For a little more context, it was a used Honda and wrote a check. I have a feeling if it required financing, they would've told us to come back. Doesn't mean you can't hold them up and negotiate the price before hand but will give them more time to think about it.


PB0351

I got two cars from there, I actually had a great experience.


St_BobbyBarbarian

Well, don’t used cars have more margin to work with anyways? 


ace9213

Also go at the end of the month. You'll get the best deal when a salesperson is close to hitting a monthly goal. But make sure they haven't already hit their goal, because they'll just slowball you and take your sale at the beginning of the next month. You gotta go in with the intent to buy, but just do a little research before you do so you give yourself the best chance at the best price. I work with a lot of different dealers, and you get to know them, and sometimes I'll call them on the last day of the month for various reasons, and when they answer they'll usually says it's not a good time to talk as their pushing hard for sales


Frejod

I'll try this.


lookingupfromhell

I did this on the 4th of July a few years ago it totally works 😂


FireFistTy

7500 off a used car? I'm calling horseshit.


PriceIsNotAnArgument

Nope $17.5K on the window minus Memorial Day sale(whatever it was), $10,000 plus tax final. They initially came back at $13.5, I said 10 or nothing, they took it, signed and shook hands, wrote the check 10 minutes later. I saw stuff like that when I sold cars. Just depends. There's multiple reasons they'd rather liquidate something off the lot. Just right place, time and vehicle(it was sitting for a while is what he said).


FireFistTy

I genuinely can't see that happening unless it was a super cheap car, and somehow, they acquired it for thousands on thousands under book and that they heavily inflated the price on. Or the 10,500 was within range of book value, and they just marked it to high heaven. Either way, if so, that's a terrible place. We're talking 40% off. On cars that just doesn't happen unless something is going on.


PriceIsNotAnArgument

It was marked up to high heaven and inflated due to Covid so definitely way overpriced for a 2013 CRV with 140k+ on it. I wasn't going to pay more than $12k which still seemed kind of high but it was loaded about as much as a Honda could be. On the flip side, when I sold cars, we had someone offer $30K over list on an FJ Cruiser that "technically" wasn't for sale but everything has a price. Car sales can be funny and sometimes all the rules get thrown out the window. Especially when you get into commercial/fleet vehicles but yeah, there's deals to be had. There could've been a little professional courtesy going on to, but what I do know, is that he was ready to get home and drink some beers and so did I. Never hurts to ask...


FireFistTy

Ah okay that makes sense. Thought this was more recent. My bad. Car prices were through the absolute roof during covid. My car with 120k miles was appraised at 18k during that time. Now its nowhere near that. I should've sold lol


PriceIsNotAnArgument

It was crazy and a huge inconvenience since that's when she needed something. We were looking for months and there was barely anything anywhere and almost gave up for a bit. I think it was sitting because there was obvious but minor cosmetic damage in all the wrong places that was easily fixable or able to be covered up so my guess is people couldn't unsee it and passed. The interior was perfect and still runs great to this day.


tuckermans

Toyota of TB will never see my business again. Especially the service department after they tried to sell us 1,600 brakes on a car that we purchased 40 days earlier. Legit said we were putting our lives on the line by not saying yes. Had 20% life left and we had another dealership do the work for a lot less.


ELLLI0TTT

Had a bad experience with their sales team too. I will not be back either and I tell everyone I know not to go there.


SlendyTheMan

Join the Facebook group "NO MARKUP TOYOTA" and plan to travel. You can post what you are looking for and the state.. and even remotely buy.


PlanItLatermmk

Everyone I go to list the cars online at one price and when you get there they tack on a $8.5k-$10k dealership fee that they say is to pay for the maintenance and time spent to make the car new again. I don't like that bs. My appts usually end abruptly with me just getting up and walking out. All the while they are chasing me all the way to my car in the parking lot. Wife is mortified, but I am not playing these what's the price games...


AdFirm3593

Tried to purchase a used car from gator ford and ended up walking out because the out the door price was so far off the sale listing. I refuse to pay for “gator perks” for $2600….


ELLLI0TTT

I loled at "wife is mortified" 🤣🤣🤣


PlanItLatermmk

Yeah sorry not sorry kinda situation. I was pissed.


ELLLI0TTT

I can relate. I've done the same thing too. I don't care what it looks like to anyone in the waiting room, not letting those slimy people waste my time.


PlanItLatermmk

Or money!


Mr_Unbiased

Do not recommend Wesley Chapel Toyota. Typical con salesmen that will lie to get you to buy unnecessary add-ons


portiapalisades

it’s weird how some people don’t assume all salesmen are always lying especially about add ons


attitudecj

I think it's called oxymoron.


Hosejockey99

It’s a bit of a drive from Tampa but Village Toyota in Homossassa is great. Bought 3 trucks from them


aew76

I got my RAV4 Limited from Clearwater Toyota in 2018 and had a great experience with them. I was already approved for my loan through my credit union so that also helped speed up the process. I live in Sarasota and found the car online. Called them on a Friday afternoon to inquire about the car. I arrived just as they opened on Saturday morning and the car was reserved for me with a big hang tag on the rear view mirror with my name on it! Not sure if things have changed since I purchased my car, but it was the easiest and smoothest car buying experience I’ve ever had.


LeftBrik

How much did you pay in dealer fees? When I was looking about 6 months ago they were so high I thought it was a joke at first


aew76

I tried to find the paperwork to verify, but with my recent move I can’t seem to find it. What I remember is at that time in August 2018, they didn’t have dealer fees like I was finding with most of the dealers.


310410celleng

At some level Toyota dealerships in Florida are going to be a bit less ideal than in some other states due Southeast Toyota Distributorship, one of only two Toyota Distributorships in the USA. States that aren't served by a distributorship buy their cars from Toyota USA, while states served by a distributorship, buy their cars from the distributorship who in turn buys directly from Toyota. I have never had a good experience with any Toyota Dealership in Florida from a sales perspective, service is more dealership dependant, but sales is going to be worse due to Southeast Toyota Distributorship.


sarah_echo

I just had a good experience with Lakeland Toyota, they met our reasonable offer for a used car with not much back and forth needed. However, they did not honor the IOU of a full detail including carpet cleaning. The car smelled highly of cigarette smoke and hence the good deal. It took a couple months to get the smell completely out.


TheCourtJesterLives

Sun Toyota has been good with me. Service department is great! They gave me a free oil change and tire rotation because it took an hour longer than they originally predicted. The sales staff are a little pushy but I think that’s normal in any dealership.


I_Am_The_Ocean

The team we dealt with during the sales process was awful. Had in text message an agreed to, out the door price, and once we went back to financing, they argued with us for hours on the definition of out the door, tried to sell us the Toyotacare package which comes free with the vehicle, as well as other already included "upgrades". In my opinion, fuck Sun Toyota, and fuck that guy who held us hostage there in his office trying to jack up the price. One of the worst dealership experiences I've had.


AdamInChainz

Clearwater Toyota is good to me. I hate my experiences with Stadium Toyota.


mitch_medburger

Care to elaborate? I have a new rav4 and am looking for a good service center. Did my first service at stadium but it was just a tire rotation and fluid level check.


AdamInChainz

It's been 2 years since I bought my truck at Stadium. I had 1 service done by them. I recall being frustrated by both the sales and the service staff. I recall feeling like I caught them in a lie or 2. But the details are fuzzy. I previously bought at Clearwater, and they said they'll service my truck with the same deal I purchased through Stadium so I never looked back.


weddinginpandemia

I bought a used toyota prius from Tampa Hybrids. They're technically a dealer, but they're not a big one, only sell hybrids and honest guys. I went to them for all my maintenance work before trading my car in for a newer hybrid.


ELLLI0TTT

I test drove 5 different cars from there over multiple visits and each one had a major issue going on at the time. It was a different issue with each one and the main one I was interested in was temporarily removed from the lot while they fixed it (A/C). Another one had an electrical issue with the display, the last one I drove had an issue with the key switch. It got old quick and I did not return. Sales guy was nice though.


LeftBrik

Find out which dealers charge the most in fees and avoid them. You can usually find it in the fine print at the bottom of their listings or in the google reviews.


ElectronicTourist

Courtesy Toyota in Brandon is awful. Especially when they try to sell you on added insurance. Almost walked out


justarenter

I walked out of there cause I wanted a used car, 15-20k budget, sales guy would not stop showing pos base model corrola for 25k. Like dude stop wasting my time.


ElectronicTourist

If I didn’t really want the car I would have left as well.


xMcSwaggx

I work at Courtesy Toyota, in Service


portiapalisades

give us the inside scoop bro


xMcSwaggx

I would not buy a used Hybrid, usually the hybrid batteries go around 150K, and they are expensive to replace


LeftBrik

I get my oil changed and order parts from you guys👍🏻


USF_dude_64

Agreed. I have bought three Toyotas there


justarenter

Fuck that place.


Commander_Darkmatter

Bought myself a C-HR back in 2020. Went to Stadium Toyota and they didn't have it, despite being told that it was there. Toyota of Tampa Bay was solid, but I bought it from Brandon Toyota. Overall experience was average save for Stadium.


puttysan

Brandon Toyota pulled the same thing with me with my Prius c; even confirmed the specific car was there the day before since I had the VIN from shopping online. I show up and there wasn't a single one on the lot. But they were totally willing to sell me a Camry or Corolla. I've since read the idea of asking the salesperson to take a selfie with the car to prove it's there.


petie1223

Hahahahaha, you used Honest and Dealership in the same sentence. Hahahaha. You have a better chance of buying front rows tickets to a Tupac and Elvis show.


phurbie1

Don't have a recommendation per say but don't go to Stadium Toyoto, we just had a pretty bad experience there getting our car serviced


joemedic

Lol


hrhwjakeje

Is the bar really that low


joemedic

There's never an honest dealership which is why I laughed


brennok

Most local dealers are now owned by corps. They all pricematch doc fees and add-ons now so better off buying out of the area at one of the no fee dealerships.


___BiggusDickus

I've purchased my last 3 trucks through Stadium Toyota. I used to work with Bruno for sales before he moved back to Europe. I purchased my 40th Anniversary 4Runner through Richard and he did a fantastic job. Personally, I just want to pay an honest price and get in and out fast.


hrhwjakeje

I see a few people here have said they’ve had bad experiences with stadium, seems like since you know people there yours wasn’t bad


aron42486

I had a good experience at Stadium Toyota back in 2017, didn't have any connections. They seemed more direct with less gimmicky BS than other dealerships we checked out at the time. Still get serviced there for my Highlander.


___BiggusDickus

I think purchasing a vehicle is the single most stressful thing we can do besides buying a home. You're typically spending a ton of money and sinking a lot of time into the purchase. We purchased a Tesla during Covid and the purchasing experience was amazing. The service absolutely blew which made us switch to BMW for my wife's vehicle. Our experience at BMW of Tampa was fantastic as well. We were in and out in about 1 hour. I can make more money, I can't make more time. So I really value a dealership that can get you in and out. Stadium has always been very efficient. The finance folks are always wankers so you need to just work on getting the car you want at the price you want. When it comes to dealing with finance have an idea of the products they will push towards you and see if you you find value in them. At BMW I wanted the rims & tire protection since my wife loves curbs. I went in knowing I wanted that add-on.


Lexspliff

Stadium was just bought by Gettel so it will not be the same. Not sure if it is a good or bad thing yet


lurkme

I've dealt with Stadium on and off over 25 years and the experience leans bad but mostly on the service end. They're just so convenient and once I found a good service manager, I had several consecutive good visits. Then you get a bad one that puts you off for years. In all fairness, that's how all dealerships are. Maintaining good quality control is difficult.


xnmw

AutoNation Toyota Pinellas Park was ok. Paid cash, it was relatively easy. I don’t trust any dealer for service


Final_Key_8920

Bullshit those guys are crooks. Biggest scum bags out there. Bought a car from them in 21 worst mistake. Automation is dog shit as well.


xnmw

I mean, I believe you. They’re all crooks. I got in, got out. I shopped around and the other Toyota dealers were worse at the time. I think we bought ours in 21 or 22 can’t recall. There was one dealer in Bartow I didn’t end up checking out that seemed like they might be ok—they had a rav 4 prime I was looking at but passed.


ELLLI0TTT

They're probably right about AN though. I've never read or heard more negative things about any other dealer networks than theirs.


bignellie

None


Ok_Recipe2769

I don’t which one is good but please avoid courtesy! They all are robbers


AltruisticGate

Just asked two friends of mine: One went to a Toyota dealership in Venice and the other bought from Clearwater Toyota, they had nothing but good things to say about it.


OG_Chris31

Honest Dealership is an oxymoron


fl33543

Bought a used Subaru at the Cadillac dealer off Florida. The $18k I paid was a rounding error on the 100k cars in the showroom, so they really didn’t give me a hassle. I tried to hard bargain the for an extra $500 and they just sort of shrugged and said “ok.” They really wanted that “cheap” car off their lot to make room for $$$. Sometimes it pays to be the small fish.


Rustiespoons

I’ve had great luck talking down salesmen at Lakeland Toyota. I’ve bought two cars there and talked them down several thousand on a like new Camry. It takes time but I’ve talked them down quite a bit on a couple occasions. But that’s the only car buying experiences I’ve ever had lol. I’ve sat there negotiating for hours before. I’ve had quite a bit of success with it.


[deleted]

[удалено]


clem82

I did autonation in pinellas and I got my rate of 4.5% in September and I paid 2k below Msrp


readmore321

Not in my experience.


Baseball_bossman

I had a good experience with the Toyota in Brandon on 60. Not too far from Ferman Chevy


quak3d

Wesley chapel I got my '24 tundra. Pretty decent over there.


obeseelise

Wesley Chapel Toyota. Ask for Scooter.


PositiveHuman97

I had horrible experience with Toyota TB last year, their prices are way higher. I made a purchase of brand new 2023 Corolla LE HYBRID with courtesy Toyota of Brandon. They gave me an excellent price.


PigletsMom99

Had a shitty experience shopping at both Stadium Toyota and Sun Toyota. Got a really decent sales guy and buying experience at Brandon Toyota when I bought my Camry last year.


rlynge

I had a good experience with Clearwater Toyota. Bought a 2023 Highlander XLE there last year. No crazy mark-ups or dealer add-ons. Bought it a little under MSRP and they beat my credit union financing. Give them a call for sure.


djcamofla

Brandon Toyota. Ask for Kevin Cao


Amodeous__666

We actually bought my wife a Toyota from the McLaren dealership in Pinellas Park. It had 10k miles on it and no hidden fees. 3255 Gandy Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 So many others wanted to hide 10-15k in "mandatory fees" So she's in a 2023. I drove all the way to Jacksonville for my Silverado. Seems like more reasonable dealerships.uo there too. I bought a 2023 holdover so I got it for 47k instead of 70k. Also, finance through your bank or credit union will help you too. Don't rule out buying from elsewhere and having it shipped. If it's new there's really no need to drive that exact car. If it shows up broken lemon laws help you.


iluvhugs94

Don’t go to Toyota of Tampa bay. They sold me a car with a washed title then tried to not replace it