[DuMa]

If you are a previous or current scion/subaru owners and bought your car brand new from the dealer, please contribute your review of the dealer you purchased from. I thought maybe this would be a good way to compile all these dealer reviews get a feel for expectations when dealing with a scion/subaru dealer if you are a potential FRS/BRZ owner.

Please understand each dealer practices are not all the same. Especially since Scion has pure pricing/no haggling policy.


My review of Toyota of Orange, located in Orange, CA:

I walked into the sales room of Toyota of Orange around the spring of 2004. I told them I was interested in purchasing the 2005 tC. First year model tCs were being released in Fall of 2004. After discussing what dealer options I wanted (or didnt want), I then put down a $500 deposit towards the purchase of a 2005 Scion tC Flint Mica 5-speed base model. nothing added on, not even floor mats. Floor mats were at the time not included. (I later purchased the floormats from a external toyota dealer, McGeorgeParts.com)

About 2 months later, I had received a call from Toyota of Orange which they had told me my car was being shipped and I would take delivery in about a week. A week goes by and I then was promptly left a message on my VM saying my car is on the lot. I go to check it out and my first impression was that i saw a lot of things wrong. It had dealer added different branded chrome wheels. Stock wheels were alloys. Next I noticed they had added tint. Next I saw they had added OBX pedals. These and other few things like the bumper applique and CF c-pillar sticker made the overall price 2 grand higher. I was pissed. Dealer told me that this was a high demand car and they felt like these add-ons would have satisfied me as an owner, without even consulting me after my deposit. I quickly asked for my deposit back and I never returned to Toyota of Orange since. I'm not likely to deal with them if I am decided on a FRS.

My review of Longo Toyota/Scion in El Monte, CA

2-3 days after being pissed off at Toyota of Orange, I decided to look other dealers around SoCal. I immediately found the largest Toyota dealer in the US. Longo Toyota in El Monte. I walked in and talked to a Scion rep. Told her my mishap with Toyota of Orange. She said she would gladly accept my deposit for the same thing I had wanted at Orange. I dont remember her name but she was late 20s black haired cutie if i remember correctly, I was 22 at the time.

Anyways a month later, she had given me a call to say that my car arrived. I walked in the next day and everything was great. Base car with no dealer added options. My APR rate was the lowest IIRC. 4%. 6500+500 deposit = 7 grand down, I made the purchase, tax title license, and an hour later, I drove off with my brand new 2005 tC. Much appreciation for Longo Toyota. I would gladly deal with them again for a purchase of a new car.