I had an amazing experience at Val Strough Honda. I have purchased two vehicles from them this year, and both experiences have been outstanding.
My first purchase was in March 2026, and I worked with Julian. I purchased a certified preowned Honda Accord, which has been a fantastic vehicle. Julian delivered professional service without high pressure tactics.
This September, I was interested in purchasing, or leasing a new car for my partner for commuting. I was initially interested in the new Camry, as it gets very good gas mileage and I read a lot of good things about it. I had never owned a Toyota so I thought I would try it.
I went to Victory Toyota in Seaside and I felt the pressure from the minute I contacted them. I received a call from a sales associate and I confirmed an appointment for 1:30
that afternoon . 10 minutes later I received a call from the sales manager asking if I was coming in at 1:30. I once again confirmed that I was coming at 1:30. 20 minutes later. I was contacted by the general manager to make sure that I was coming at 1:30 and I again repeated that I was coming at 1:30. A complete turnoff and I should have stopped right there. I was told that I would be meeting with another sales associate, which was not the first sales associate that called me.
This sales associate met me outside with dark sunglasses and a cocky attitude which immediately put me off. I want to look someone in the eye when I'm meeting them
deal and I immediately felt the high pressure sales tactics.
I told him very directly what I was looking for and I told him that I was interested in the lease deal that Toyota had advertised nationally for a base model Camry. He immediately started attempting to upsell me. He said "I don't know why Toyota advertises these base models, it's very rare to find a base model". He continued "Dealers, always add convenience packages, sunroofs and other add-ons to most models". I repeated very clearly that I was not interested in any add-ons. I already have a fully loaded Accord Touring Hybrid. I reiterated that I was looking for a base model with no add-ons.
Multiple times he attempted to move me up to another trim and kept repeating his narrative about dealer inventory. It was very clear he wanted to make a sale that day rather than taking his time and locating a base model for me. It was obvious that he wasn't listening to me, only giving me excuses about inventory. Getting annoyed I said " I do not care about your inventory story. I told you what I'm looking for and that's all I'm looking for". He demonstrated absolutely no initiative to make that happen and quickly started to jot down numbers on a piece of paper of vehicles that he had access to that were all higher priced than I wanted.
I quickly ended the conversation, told him
I was done, and walked out. It was a terrible experience and one that I will never repeat. And it has turned me off to purchasing any Toyota in the future and i definitely will not walk into Victory Toyota again
I drove right over to Val Strough Honda which is literally next-door. There I was greeted by Fernando. I told him about my experience and we walked the lot together. He listened to me and what I wanted. There was one base model on the lot, a meteorite metallic gray Honda Civic. It was exactly what I was looking for. No add-ons, no upgrades. It actually had a dealer installed lo-Jack, which I didn't want, and they promptly removed it.
Fernando was amazing. His decades of experience were evident. He listened to me and worked up multiple quotes with the sales manager until we decided exactly where I wanted to land. It was exactly like my first experience at Val Strough. I met with multiple team members at the dealership, and everyone treated me with the respect and kindness I appreciate, and most of all honored what I was looking for, and the price I wanted to pay.
I decided to make the purchase and thought I would pick it up in a couple of days. However, Fernando said he could have it ready within an hour. He promptly got the Civic prepped while I met with the finance manager and took care of the paperwork.
Two hours after I walked in, I drove out with a brand new Honda Civic and no regrets. It's a great car and exactly what I wanted at a price that I wanted to pay. My partner was ecstatic to receive it, and once again, my fondness for Honda vehicles, and the Val Strough dealership, was reaffirmed.
Honda will continue to get my business going forward. read more