Your Car Buying & Leasing Questions Answered
Get expert answers about how Pro Auto Consultant works, what we do, and how we help Southern California buyers save thousands on every vehicle purchase or lease.
Get a Free ConsultationWhat Is Pro Auto Consultant?
What is Pro Auto Consultant?
Pro Auto Consultant is a professional car buying and leasing consulting service based in Southern California. Founded by John Ricci, a former dealership Finance Director with over 30 years of insider experience, we act as your personal automotive advocate, negotiating on your behalf, sourcing the right vehicle, and managing the entire purchase or lease process so you never have to step foot in a dealership.
Who is John Ricci?
John Ricci is the founder of Pro Auto Consultant and a former dealership Finance Director with more than 30 years of experience inside the automotive industry. He knows every pricing strategy, financing tactic, and negotiation lever used by dealerships, and now uses that knowledge exclusively to help buyers like you save money and avoid costly mistakes.
Is Pro Auto Consultant a car dealership?
No. Pro Auto Consultant is an independent automotive consulting service, not a dealership. We are not affiliated with any manufacturer or dealer. We work exclusively on behalf of our clients, which means our only goal is to get you the best possible deal. Dealerships work to maximize their profit; we work to minimize what you pay.
What areas of Southern California does Pro Auto Consultant serve?
We serve all of Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, and Santa Barbara County. Whether you are in Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, or anywhere in between, we can help you buy or lease your next vehicle.
How is using an auto consultant different from going to a dealership myself?
When you visit a dealership alone, you are negotiating against trained sales professionals whose job is to maximize the dealership's profit. Pro Auto Consultant gives you insider knowledge and expert representation at the negotiating table. We know exactly how dealer pricing works, where the margins are, and how to structure a deal in your favor, whether it is a purchase, lease, or trade-in.
The Car Buying & Leasing Process
How does the Pro Auto Consultant process work?
The process has three simple steps. First, you contact us by phone, text, or intake form and we discuss your vehicle needs, budget, and timeline, with no obligation. Second, we handle everything: vehicle sourcing, price negotiation, financing review, and paperwork coordination on your behalf. Third, you sign your final documents and take delivery, often without ever visiting a dealership.
When should I contact Pro Auto Consultant?
Contact us before you visit any dealership or engage with any sales staff. The earlier we are involved, the more leverage we have to negotiate on your behalf. Once you have had direct conversations with a dealer, it becomes harder to reset the negotiation. If you are just beginning to think about buying or leasing, now is the perfect time to reach out.
Do I have to visit the dealership to buy or lease a car with your help?
In most cases, no. Pro Auto Consultant handles all negotiations, coordinates paperwork, and arranges delivery or pickup entirely on your behalf. Many clients have their vehicle delivered directly to their home or office. You typically only need to sign the final documents, which can often be done at a location convenient to you.
How do I get started with Pro Auto Consultant?
Simply call or text us at (949) 270-3307, or complete the intake form on our website. We will schedule a brief consultation to learn about your vehicle needs, budget, and timeline. There is no obligation and no cost to have an initial conversation.
What Services Does Pro Auto Consultant Offer?
What types of vehicles does Pro Auto Consultant handle?
We handle all vehicle types at any price point, new cars, used vehicles, luxury and specialty vehicles, and electric vehicles. We work with any make and any model. Whether you are interested in a Toyota Camry, a BMW 5 Series, or a pickup truck, we have the expertise and dealer relationships to get you a competitive deal.
Can Pro Auto Consultant help with car leasing?
Yes. Lease structuring is one of our core services. Leasing involves complex variables, money factor, residual value, acquisition fees, and capitalized cost, that most consumers never fully understand. We analyze every term to ensure you are getting the best possible monthly payment and total cost, not just the number the dealer wants you to focus on.
Does Pro Auto Consultant help with trade-ins?
Absolutely. Trade-in value is one of the most common areas where buyers lose money. Dealers routinely undervalue trade-ins, especially when they are bundled with a new purchase. We help you get the true market value for your current vehicle by evaluating competing offers and ensuring it is properly accounted for in your overall deal.
Can you help me review a deal I already have?
Yes. If you have already received a quote or have a deal in front of you, we can analyze every number, purchase price, financing rate, dealer fees, trade-in value, lease terms, and tell you exactly whether it is competitive or where you are being overcharged. Contact us before you sign anything.
Does Pro Auto Consultant handle luxury and specialty vehicles?
Yes. We have extensive experience with luxury brands including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Audi, Porsche, Range Rover, and more. Luxury vehicles often have larger dealer margins and more complex financing structures, which means there is more room to negotiate, and more ways to overpay without expert guidance.
How Much Can You Save?
How much money can I save using Pro Auto Consultant?
Our clients save an average of $3,200 per deal. Actual savings vary based on the vehicle, current market conditions, and the specific deal structure. If we don't save you more than our fee, you pay nothing.
How does the money-back guarantee work?
Our guarantee is simple: if we do not save you more than our service fee, you pay nothing. We are confident in our ability to deliver real, measurable savings on every deal. In over 30 years of working deals for clients, we have never failed to deliver savings that exceed our fee. The guarantee removes all risk for you, you only pay when we perform.
How does Pro Auto Consultant charge for its services?
We charge a flat service fee that is always less than the savings we deliver, or you pay nothing. This fee covers the full scope of our work: vehicle sourcing, negotiation, deal analysis, paperwork coordination, and delivery logistics. You will know our fee upfront before we begin, with no hidden charges.
Can Pro Auto Consultant really save me money even in today's market?
Yes. Market conditions affect pricing, but dealer margins and negotiable fees exist in every market. Even in high-demand environments, there are always areas where buyers can save, financing rates, dealer fees, add-ons, trade-in values, and lease structures. Our insider knowledge helps identify and capture those savings regardless of market conditions.
Is Pro Auto Consultant Right for You?
Who is Pro Auto Consultant best suited for?
We work with all types of buyers across Southern California, busy professionals who do not have time to spend days at a dealership, first-time buyers who are unfamiliar with how deals work, lease customers who want the best possible payment, luxury and specialty vehicle buyers, and anyone who has ever walked out of a dealership feeling like they overpaid. If you want a better deal with less stress, we are the right fit.
Can Pro Auto Consultant help first-time car buyers?
Absolutely. First-time buyers are among the most vulnerable in the car buying process, they are unfamiliar with how pricing, financing, and negotiation work, and dealers know it. We walk first-time buyers through every step, explain each number, and ensure they never sign a deal they do not fully understand. We turn a stressful process into a confident, informed decision.
Does Pro Auto Consultant work with buyers who are also financing their vehicle?
Yes. Financing is one of the most profitable areas for dealerships, and one of the most misunderstood by buyers. We review all financing terms, including APR, loan term, and any dealer-arranged financing markups, to ensure you are getting a competitive rate. We can also advise on whether dealer financing, bank financing, or a credit union offers the best terms for your situation.
Can Pro Auto Consultant help me if I live outside of a major city in Southern California?
Yes. We serve all of Southern California, including suburban and rural areas across Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. Because we often coordinate remote paperwork and delivery, your location within Southern California is rarely a barrier to getting our full service.
Still Have Questions? Let's Talk.
Call or text John Ricci and the Pro Auto Consultant team today. We will answer any question and get you started, with no obligation.
Call Or Text (949) 270-3307