Toyota Santa Monica

I was in the market for a reasonably priced pre-owned Toyota Avalon and was referred to Toyota Santa Monica by Inez Carrillo (VW Santa Monica). I got the exact car I was looking for with the help of Dann Toyota Avalon and was referred to Toyota Santa Monica by Inez Carrillo (VW Santa Monica). I got the exact car I was looking for with the help of Danny Canteo and David Grey...I found exactly what I was looking for. They not only gave me a great deal but also threw in some extra incentives. Julie Warren in finance got me a great interest rate and the exact payment I was looking for including an extended warranty that will ensure I am taken care of if any surprises occur. I wanted to purchase some all weather mats for the car...Ricky Rodriguez in service assisted me and ordered what I needed. He also made sure the car was detailed and ready when I picked it up. Friendly staff and willing to work with you to make sure you leave the dealership happy. Buying a car can be a very intimidating experience but the staff at Toyota Santa Monica made it painless but most of all exciting to have purchased exactly what I wanted. I will defiitely go back to Toyota Santa Monica for my next purchase...I know I will be taken care of and leave with a smile on my face. More

Over the years: consistent good service, and a friendly and helpful staff. I purchased the automobile at the dealership, and have always had a good experience with it. and helpful staff. I purchased the automobile at the dealership, and have always had a good experience with it. More

I have owned my current Prius for almost 5 years, and owned two prior Camry's.....all of which I have had serviced at Toyota of Santa Monica....They provide a shuttle to my office but I can easily walk i owned two prior Camry's.....all of which I have had serviced at Toyota of Santa Monica....They provide a shuttle to my office but I can easily walk it. For many years I have booked my service appointments with Guillermo Galicia and highly recommend him. He is unfailingly courteous, friendly, knowledgeable and always has returned my car at the agreed upon time, washed and serviced. I am recommending him specifically as a pleasure to work with, someone I trust and like. Whenever possible, all available discount coupons are applied, and I find the entire experience to be a good one. More

This is my second car (Prius) from this dealership, not counting a Camry I purchased for a family member, and other Toyotas that family members have purchased from Toyota Santa Monica. This was the best ca counting a Camry I purchased for a family member, and other Toyotas that family members have purchased from Toyota Santa Monica. This was the best car buying experience I have ever had. Esther is a fantastic saleswoman, and worked out a fantastic deal for me. I will definitely be getting more cars in the future at Toyota Santa Monica. I am thrilled with the car, and the service, and the buying experience, and I would recommend talking to Esther if you want to work out the best possible deal. They always treat the customer right at Toyota Santa Monica. They will earn your business. They rock! More

I went in last night to look at your used inventory. Dino assisted me. I had my eye on a blue Prius 2010. Dino asked me to schedule an appointment with him for today, Sunday, to try to finalize the tr Dino assisted me. I had my eye on a blue Prius 2010. Dino asked me to schedule an appointment with him for today, Sunday, to try to finalize the transaction. I showed up at the agreed upon time to learn that the car was already sold. Via Mr. Park, Dino and I could not finalize on another vehicle, although I had high interest in another, and I thought the dealership would be flexible given my situation. I asked to speak to the manager to complain. I spoke to Mr. Park outside and expressed my unhappiness. He was with Mr. Kohan. After explaining my disappointment, Mr. Kohan blurted out that he had sold the blue Prius last night (I guess after I left). I said, ok, but why was I not told that the car was gone before I came in today. I asked to the group (Dino, Messrs. Park and Kohan), were you expecting for me to come in today, and when I learned that the car was gone, I would just buy another car? Mr. Kohan chuckled form the back of his throat, in a mocking tone and said, "What you think...we do a bait and switch on you?" Interestingly, I never suggested the bait and switch...so why did he suggest that? I asked Mr. Kohan why he chuckled in a mocking tone? He replied, while moving towards me in an aggressive posture, "what you going to do about it?" Dino and Mr. Park were quick to separate Mr. Kohan and me. Nice aggressive tone...right? No reprimand from Mr. Park to Mr. Kohan, though. Dino and Mr. Park suggested that I keep my cool. At that point, Mr. Kohan walked away while continuing to chuckle in a mocking tone. After further discussion, Mr. Park disclosed that the Blue Prius (that I had my eye on) was re-painted completely and that is why it was priced as it was. I asked Mr. Park why was it not disclosed that the car was re-painted. He replied, because we do not have to disclose that information. I asked Mr. Park, is that your standard? He did not reply. So, I ask you, is that your dealership's standard, to only disclose what you have to? Re-painting a car is not something you would want to disclose to customers? Anyhow, total disappointment with my experience. There are so many more details...but, this should be enough. Let me also say, that I believe Dino acted professionally, honest and tried to help me as much as he could and was an innocent bystander in this situation. Please let me know if you need further information. Please let me know how else to escalate this complaint within you organization, and, specifically, why was the re-paint not disclosed in Carfax. I look forward to your reply. Thanks. Kindest Regards. Paul Pastore More

I think the price for the replacement battery was far more than it should have been, but I didn't really have a choice - I wish I had, or had known - and I wish the folk at the Toyota Service Center in S more than it should have been, but I didn't really have a choice - I wish I had, or had known - and I wish the folk at the Toyota Service Center in San Diego, where I'd just had the car serviced a few months ago, had told me it was likely the battery would have to be replace so soon - not much to do about it now - More

Thomas Soveg helped diagnose an issue with my car's ECU for transmission. Thomas Soveg along with Gary Benson and Phil Walker explained the potential scenarios of repair. All three were candid and su ECU for transmission. Thomas Soveg along with Gary Benson and Phil Walker explained the potential scenarios of repair. All three were candid and supportive if I wanted to get a second opinion. I had never gone to the dealership before for service. I am getting a new car and if it is a Toyota I would be open going to the dealership for service! ~ Elizabeth More

I went to look at RAV4's and Dino took me for a test drive. I really liked the car I drove and went back the next day . Dino made sure the car was there for me. Truman went out of his way to get the be drive. I really liked the car I drove and went back the next day . Dino made sure the car was there for me. Truman went out of his way to get the best deal for me. It was remarkable to see not only his high level of energy but also his dedication to customers. He set up my Entune and taught me how the system works but also offered to be available if any questions came up in the future and I believe him! My husband only drives Toyotas and has been a loyal Toyota Santa monica customer for years, and now maybe I'll be the same! More

My wife went to Toyota of Santa Monica to purchase a new key to her 2011 Toyota Prius on 8/6/13. It cost her $652 and included $199.99 in labor to program a new key to the car. This didn't make any sense to key to her 2011 Toyota Prius on 8/6/13. It cost her $652 and included $199.99 in labor to program a new key to the car. This didn't make any sense to me so I went in to discuss it with the dealership on 8/7/13 and was referred to Gary Benson the Head of Service. Gary was very pleasant and explained to me that yes it does seem like a lot of money, but it is a very difficult job, it requires a very skilled technician, a very expensive special computer and takes 2 hours of labor, but they only billed me for an hour and one half. This didn't seem right so I called around and spoke to 3 certified toyota mechanics and all three of them told me the same thing, it's very easy to program the key to the car, it takes no special skill, they use the same computer they use for everything else on the car and it takes between 5 to 10 minutes. One of them quoted me $25 in labor, the other $40 and the third said if I bought the key FOB from him he would do it for free. I also researched the price of the parts they used, and some of them were inflated by 50% more than other dealers charge for the same OME parts. Turns out everything Gary Benson told me was a lie, his response was so slick and rehearsed that I'm sure this is a con he has used many times. I called Gary on 8/9/13 to discuss it and left a message, not surprisingly my call was never returned. Gary Benson, Toyota of Santa Monica and the L.A. Car Guy conspired to mislead and steal from me and my wife, their actions were intentional and criminal. I will be pursuing this matter to it's fullest. More

I have always loved my Toyotas! I have always hated dealing with Toyota dealerships because of their service departments!! That changed yesterday when destiny brought me and my ailing Prius to Guiller dealing with Toyota dealerships because of their service departments!! That changed yesterday when destiny brought me and my ailing Prius to Guillermo Galicia at Toyota of Santa Monica. As soon as I saw Guilermo, I realized that he had helped me out several years ago when I had a relatively minor problem with my 4Runner. I remember being very impressed by the way he made me feel good about having to visit the service department. Roughly 24 hours after re-acquainting myself with Guillermo, he was on the phone telling me that my Prius was repaired and he didn't give me a long list of other things that needed to be fixed. My experience with Toyota of Santa Monica was 100% positive thanks to Guillermo. He has single-handedly renewed my trust in Toyota dealership service deparments. I hope that management realizes what an asset Guillermo is to their business. More