I purchased a used Toyota Prius for my 17-year-old daughter today from Marcus. It was a super positive experience and exactly what I was looking for: a small operation/dealer (low overhead) with a knowledgable and trust worthy owner (Marcus), fair, competitive pricing (absolutely) and an efficient, organized transaction/paperwork experience (true). Marcus happens to specialize in Prius' so that was a plus in terms of getting insight into this car. We will use him again and while his inventory isn't huge, you can ask him to keep an eye out for what you want if you have a specific car you are looking for. I was satisfied with my experience and also happy to support a small, local business. read more

Thus business closed over 2 years ago. I found out when I went to visit and the people at the address they gave said TribeAuto closed over 2 years agi.I went there to look at a car they had advertised the person on the phone said to come visit.and look at cars. I drove over 2 hours to find out its a scam. Thus business is not longer read more

Ya, not happy after giving them 7 chances on bigger repairs over 2 years... I was being too nice and gave them too many chances. been customer for 4 years. First 2 years were perfect and I recommended them to everyone. They went through employee changes and now it's not the same shop at all. Double the price, 90% less efficient, don't call or update on literally anything, or leave voicemails, leave your car in there lot with no explanation for 2-6 weeks after dropping off for appointments... have ordered wrong parts, defective parts, and regularly misses items to be repaired or checked. maybe you put down 3 things and they do 1 of them. Drove my car 115 miles last time it was there before they even made any repairs, left greasy fingers prints on the inside of removable hardtop (why you're taking it off, i don't know) found someone's Morning coffee in the cup holder... Listen, I've been going here for every repair and Maintence for 4 years with 5 different cars... if you want to waste weeks and months of your car sitting around just to here excuses like "oh we're just busy" 3 weeks after your appointments - Always wonder where your car is because they don't update you ever, on anything - and have your written issues on your signed "check in" papers be ignored - go here. Have fun finding out if I'm exaggerating. I think giving a shop 4 years and maybe $10,000+ in business gives me some foundation to say these things and you consider it. A lot of these people with positive reviews bought a car, it went smooth and don't get serviced at this shop. read more

Guess I Won't be getting my hybrid lifetime warranty either, now that their Battery is failing. Very shady business and people, had a gut feeling but hoped for the best. read more

I've been curious about Prius cars. Marcus was patient and very informative. Ended up buying a 2007 Prius from him. Been a great car and buying experience.... Highly recommended!!! read more

See all

Marcus is fabulous! Helped me get a car when my totaled out. He made the experience so easy and I'm thrilled with my Prius! Will only buy from Tribe Auto going forward. Highly recommended.Thanks, Marcus! -want to add: Omar and Jerry from the service department are amazing. They have helped me out now two times beyond the usual. Tribe auto is family to me - I'll only go to them for buying and servicing a car. Thanks Marcus and all! read more

Didn't think I'd ever write a 5-star review for a used car salesman, but here we are. We bought a used car here for a younger relative headed to college (luckily a few months ago, before the current used car shortage set in.) Had a great experience with Marcus and his team. He had good inventory, very reasonable prices, and he and has team were friendly and chill -- not at all pushy. The 3-month included warranty is a nice bonus too. Glad to have a place like this in SLO, and it'll be the first place we look next time we need to buy a car. They also have a shop that looked clean and professional and I'd consider taking my cars there for repair. read more

We took our Prius in for a hybrid battery replacement. The quoted price seemed reasonable for a 2 year warranty.The receipt said 1 year warranty. The mechanic grudgingly scribbled in 2 years after we complained. After 2 months and another thousand dollars we got the car back. We never got a bid on work to be done. They wouldn't let us drive it off the lot without paying another $500. They were quite rude and just seemed like they didn't care about customer satisfaction or even proper business practices. read more

Highly recommend this place. Marcus is awesome. No pressure no b.s. Naught my son's first car here and I will absolutely buy my next car here too. read more

Tribe Auto - Marcus handing Keaton his keys. Marcus is awesome. - Used Car Dealers Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

I went into tribe and saw a car I liked, I wanted to get rid of a car that I owned because of a high payment. I spoke to the owner and explain that my car was a lease. He said he would put my car on consignment and if f it didn't sell they would buy it out (what I owed). I bought there car in the understanding and agreement that my car was either going to get sold on consignment or they would pay off for what I owed. The car didn't sell and they didn't pay it off. So basically I got stuck with two cars. I asked them to buy the car back that they sold me and they said ok for half the price I paid. I only had the car that they sold me for a month or so. Oz was very nice he didn't make the deal Marcus did but either way they are one company and that company made me the deal and did not stick to it. So I was stuck with two cars. One I paid cash to them and it wasn't cheap and the other one was mind with a huge car payment. The point was to get rid of the high car payment. Bad business. I would not recommend them. The point is they did not follow though to want we had agreed on read more

I bought my car from Tribe Auto a few months back, and everyday I am thankful for my beautiful, dependable, safe, comfortable, stylish and economical Prius. Marcus buys well-maintained cars, and he knows the Prius inside out. The whole process was very smooth. Check him out. If he can help you, he will. Thank you, Tribe Auto. read more

They broke a piece of my dashboard while making a repair to the vehicle that the company I work for had purchased from them. Then they totally denied it and the owner would not return my phone call. These folks are exactly why people do not trust mechanics and car salesman. read more

Had a good experience by my 2009 Nissan Marano problem was the next day the antenna was missing I replaced it myself no biggie the rain sensing wipers did not work brought it back in they replace the unit still does not work good took it back again still did not work good then two days later the engine hesitated when I stepped on the gas took it back twice they finally figured out it was a rubber boot that went to the throttlebody that worked OK now the check engine light comes on three times now took it back to them twice still not fixed probably will take it to a mechanic here at home I have to give them credit for some of that stuff was not on the warrantyBut I paid over $450 for the throttlebody repair antenna and wipers read more

I had an excellent car shopping experience at tribe auto thanks to Marcus. He is a great guy who does not act like the typical sleazy used car salesman. No BS and a pretty cool dude. I will definitely be looking here again for my next purchase. read more

Horrific experience. Don't buy here. After asking 8 times if there was anything wrong with the car and if the oil was changed, I was told that any issues were "All in my head." I took it to a shop and was told I need $2500 worth of work done. There was only 5% left on brakes, a broken brake booster that caused the vehicle to feel like it as being rear-ended, broken ignition, broken stereo, blown speakers, no oil or transmission change like I was told and 3 codes popped up. Unbelievable. Small claims is next. read more

My wife and I were looking for a truck for months to suit our needs and price and within 3 weeks after meeting Marcus He made it possible to get the truck we needed and had it checked out mechanically and got us on the road thank you Marcus and Judy for being so awesome I would say this is a 6 star dealership read more

Tribe Auto - Used Car Dealers Near Me - San Luis Obispo, California

My wife and I had been searching for a car to replace an aging minivan that my mother-in-law owned. We wanted something reliable and economical and were dreading the typical used-car dealership experience. After searching other lots and missing opportunities with private party sales, we saw that Tribe Auto had a couple of interesting options. Marcus was very pleasant to deal with and was a straight shooter when it came to talking about any quirks we noticed with the vehicle. He includes a warranty with all his sales and didn't play any of the usual dealership nonsense like adding on a 'dealership fee' or anything when it came to calculate the OTD sale price. My mother-in-law is thrilled with her new (to her) car and I'll definitely contact Marcus again when I'm in the market for a used vehicle. read more

YOU need a car! YOU want peace of mind, I have good news for you!!! Marcus will provide you the best customer service, while respecting your budget. Efficient and fast he will reply every single messages and make sure you get all informations requiered for the purchase of ur car. Great experience and can't wait to buy my second car NATHALY read more

I have purchased two vehicles from Tribe Auto, and am very appreciative of Marcus's professional attitude towards excellent customer service. They also now do servicing and repairs, not the cheapest in the area, but I feel very comfortable trusting them to do a great job and not take advantage of their customers. If I ever need another vehicle, I will look here first. read more

I can't say enough about Tribe Auto -- Marcus offers fairly-priced cars AND a seamless, friendly purchase experience. We've already bought three cars from Marcus and will continue to start here for every purchase we make. Highly recommended. read more

I have no "skin in this game". I shoot all of the internet pictures for Marcus. I have had, over the past year+ to see him in action with his service to his clients and his attention to their needs. He is very attentive to the needs and wants of his customers; something that is an anomaly in the used car business. I shoot many local dealer's internet pictures and Marcus is one of the good guys in the business in this area. He services and warranties all his cars. If you are looking for a reliable used car definitely give him a look. read more

Generally speaking it was a good experience working with Marcus... he was easy with a 'local' feel. The problem came following the purchase... return calls were difficult... the interior of our purchased car was damaged and not caught before listing... we paid half the 'fix' and our registration has taken 6 months to arrive( finally got a response) Local businesses are so very important to our community as is good followup service... read more

I dropped my car off because the check engine light was on and was told by Jaines that I would need a new hybrid battery. My car is covered under a one year dealership warranty and I am still waiting for them to replace the battery after 3 weeks. I have called and left many voicemails, and gone in person and have not received one single call back of an update or reason for the delay. Since going back in this last week I discovered it has changed ownership and now only 2 mechanics currently work there. I was told by no one that it was changing management and if that could potentially cause issues for my repair. Also when I had called and asked for Oz (who worked there when i had dropped off my car) they lied and said he would call me back when in reality he no longer worked there. During the time my car has been in the shop I have received only one phone call the first week of being there that the mechanic quoted my repair cost, (not noticing it was under warranty). Now they are "building" a battery and refusing to honor the dealership warranty. My next step is formally filling a small claims report and a complaint to the BAR. Do not waste your time or money here. read more

Marcus and his people at Tribe Auto are the cream of the crop in the local used car market. Marcus is not just a salesman, but a car guy who knows his stuff and makes sure his word is solid. They warranty vehicles and make sure that you are taken care of. On another note, they are THE place to go to for Hybrid vehicles, especially Priuses. You can feel confident that their knowledge is leaps and bounds above other providers in the area. read more

Marcus at Tribe Auto, is by far the best person to deal with when purchasing a car. He is very knowledgeable and willing to help with any and all questions even after the purchase he is willing to go the extra mile to make you feel comfortable with the car. He made the whole car buying process stress free and comfortable for my stepson and I. Thanks Marcus for all your help read more

We bought my daughter her first car from Marcus at Tribe Auto and the experience was superb! We really felt like the car was just perfect for this 17 year old and she got a nice safe and clean 2005 Toyota Camry. We had it checked out independently and the car is a gem. The price was right and we felt so good about the transaction that I bought myself a 2015 Lexus SUV a few months later from Marcus! Its the best vehicle I've ever had and I'm thrilled with it as well as the experience of buying it there! I'd encourage you to take the time to work with Marcus and Tribe Auto. read more

my shopping experience was great the people we're really nice however I only had the car a week I took it back because ever since I took it it wouldn't start I had to jump it every single time I got into it come to find out the battery was bad and when I took it back only a week later they tried to charge me over $100 for the battery because it wasn't covered under warranty read more

Buyer Beware: Tribe folks are friendly, appear honest and interested in doing right by their customers.   Their business model makes sense. ( i.e. Specialize in Prius Hybrids with a mechanic shop to help with maintenance and repairs.)    I "assumed" this would be a good organization to purchase from and utilize for service.  However, I bought a used Prius from them  with the promises they did inspections and gave a guarantee that they would fix anything within 3 month.   Within 48 hours of the purchase, the combination meter failed.  The car would not shut off at times and sometimes it wouldn't start other times. (Classic Combo Meter problem described all over YouTube.)  We took it back four times and they wouldn't diagnose the problem.  They told us it was the battery, the dimmer switch, and also that it was our imagination that there was a problem.  This was super frustrating and caused major disruptions to our lives.   We finally gave up on them and took it to Toyota SLO and they fixed it for $1k.  After we repaired it ourselves, I went to talk with OZ the manager and he told me we should have brought the problem to him. (I reminded him I took it 4 times to him.)  I asked that he share the cost in the repair and he refused.  Look, you may get lucky and buy a solid used car from these folks, but if you get one with a problem, they will not support you.   Buyer beware....El comprador tenga cuidado....Caveat Emptor. read more

If you are like me you hate the car buying process. You won't at Tribe Auto. Marcus is a straight shooter, knows cars, and knows how to find great cars priced at our under KBB value. When you deal with Marcus he will show you the inspection report for the car, provide a current CarFax and help you get financing. Tribe offers a 5 day warranty included in the price. Don't see the car you want? Then ask Marcus to find it for you. I recently bought a 2007 BMW 328i Sportswagen from him - it was what I wanted, low miles and had a few issues that Marcus fixed immediately. When I got a spike in my tire a week after getting the car Marcus got me a great price on a new one. At Tribe you get great service and an awesome staff with a great car for the price. As I left the dealership Marcus came out with a set of mats asking if I wanted them - brand new mats. You bet. Thanks Marcus for a great experience. I'll be back for my next car! read more

honest, straight forward,dependable.no high pressure friendly, good clean used prius cars priced right Go see these guys soon and save money read more

Please beware: We wanted to give this local business a chance for battery service, but it was a mistake. On the phone, they seemed earnest, and straightforward. Price seemed reasonable. We first noticed their shady business practices when they tried to get away with less than the previously promised warranty and more money than we agreed upon. Then they tried up-selling unnecessary extras when service was complete. Next day, out of nowhere, new car problems arose. They coldly suggested that we were somehow causing battery problems. We became stranded and had the car towed back to them twice at our expense. No offer of assistance. No communication for weeks, and when we inquired about status, no time or cost estimates. When it was finally ready, we were blindsided by another large bill and "the car isn't leaving my lot unless you pay up" ruthlessness. To say the least, we feel taken and mistreated, and doubt the authenticity of some of their glowing reviews. read more

Marcus has taken great care of me! Tribe definitely does business different, and it is refreshing! I can highly recommend Tribe for buying your next car, knowing you'll be well taken care of, start to finish. read more

I couldn't be happier with my "new" Prius from Tribe Auto. The experience working with Marcus was such a pleasure. No pressure, no hassles - just satisfaction! My 2011 is such fun to drive and I'm loving the 50 mpg. Marcus is very knowledgeable and so patient. I was given keys to several models to test drive, and it was no problem to take the one I was interested in to an independent mechanic for evaluation. The paperwork was a breeze, the warranties generous, and he included a set of new tires and a special paint touch up. He even sold my old Honda within two weeks for a good price. My past experiences as a woman buying a car have been awful, feeling taken advantage of, but this was totally different. I'd recommend the Tribe Auto team to anyone looking for a good car at a fair price with no hassles! read more

I was a little hesitant about buying a car from here at first. I have always purchased cars from private sellers and the rumors of used car salesman being scammers has lingered in the back of my mind for years. My parents bought my little sisters first car from here and everything is amazing with that 2009 Toyota Corolla, so I decided to give them a try. I drove the 40 minute drive from Santa Maria to SLO to go look at cars not knowing entirely what I wanted but when I got there I saw they had a good selection of toyota priuses. Finding the office building next to the airport was a little challenging but once I found it I was greeted by a bearded dragon named Sampson and an awesome dog named Toby. Marcus is the owner/main salesperson and he gave me a tour around the lot. He was extremely knowledgeable about every car on his lot and could answer each of my thousand questions in great detail. I told them which cars I was interested in driving and they gave me the keys and told me to go test them out for as long as I'd like, admittedly at first this seemed strange but I enjoyed being on my own and being able to make my own opinions about the cars without any outside influence. I chose a 2009 Gold colored Toyota Prius with 82,500 miles on it. The asking price was $8,000 and after taxes and registration and smog the price came to $8,950. The tires on it were very bare and Marcus threw in a set of 4 brand new tires (a cost of $260 that they paid) and I also got a free mug with the purchase which was a nice touch. My car comes with a 2 day grace period in case I change my mind and want a full refund, and it also has a whole slew of warranties that you are unlikely to find at another used car dealership. I feel like I have received a very good deal and my Uber customers are going to really like my Prius. Marcus is extremely fair with his prices and I don't feel in the slightest that I was scammed. They are very confident in their abilities to repair any problems that arise with the car and I am quite happy about this decision. read more

Marcus has got to be one of the most legit car dealers i have ever dealt with. Very professional, he tells you everything about the car your interested in, pretty straight forward and doesn't beat around the bush like other sketchy car dealers. He offers warranty and certification on all his cars and even does all the dmv paperwork for you!! It was a pleasure doing business with Marcus I would definitely recommend tribe auto u will not be disappointed ! Never thought I would get my dream car (bmw) at the deal I got it for thanks a lot Marcus you're awesome !! read more