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Also note: Just because Edmunds, KBB, and any other car rating site that gives you a trade-in value, most dealers will not give you the full amount of what the car is worth -- even if it is in top condition. This has been my experience. Why pay $900 to fix a car only to get $900 back in trade-in value?
Considering how frequently we like to trade I would love to lease. Unfortunately both my husband and I drive 20,000 miles + a year. We did just lease an Odyssey but it is our 4th car. No way could we lease our daily drivers.
But, $325/mo for a 15K lease on a $27K car... That is like stealing.....
regards,
kyfdx
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I am getting a good deal? Also should I get the extended warranty? how much should I pay?
Any advice appreciated.
PeterF
I've heard from only 3 dealers so far, but it's been less than 24 hours. I did expect them to be a little faster, however. Will hope to hear from more later on and will post my outcome later.
I have a burning question for this board: What's the doc fee all about? I'm getting from $249.00 to $399.00 on my quotes. Is this a Georgia "thing" and can I negogiate it lower or removed altogether? Or is it just a way to give more profit to the dealer?
nancymenn> $399.00 on my quotes. Is this a Georgia "thing" and can I
nancymenn> negogiate it lower or removed altogether? Or is it just a
nancymenn> way to give more profit to the dealer?
It basically is the later. However in evaluating your offers you want to compare the final Out The Door price (including TT&L plus dest and doc fees.)That way it doesn't really matter what the doc fee is. The dealers will magically self adjust their "doc fee" in order to match another deal.
nancymenn> So far 3 of them are indicating they will match or beat
nancymenn> a competitor's written offer.
That's great just make sure you get a "written" (email) bid from them too otherwise you'll just have a lot of hot air because you haven't gotten any "written" competitive offers to match.
If they will not give you a written bid via email just send them one back thanking them for their time and previous response offering to match prices but that you are only going to deal with dealers that respect your time by giving you their lowest rock bottom price the first time you asked for it.
If they can't (or won't) send you one then find more dealers. Expand your bid list to further out Honda dealers. Remember, you are in control of this process. You can always Make an Offer of your liking to any dealer later as well. Don't let them play games with you.
novell> processing fees tax and tags. Apparently Honda is dealing
novell> here in Maryland.
Well don't leave us hanging which MD dealer was it?
For the record, I've emailed 10 Atlanta/Macon, GA dealers and I've gotten email or faxes back now from 8 of them in 24 hours. They are giving me itemized bids (if they don't, I email back and tell them that I asked for the price to be itemized and so far they have all responded.) I've put all the bids on a spreadsheet, so it's easy to see the base price bid for the car, the options (if they are priced out of the base price), tax, GA title, and then that dratted doc fee. I'm definitely looking at the final OTD price.
One nearby dealer has not responded at all. I gave them a deadline of noon today to respond. I think I'll call and ask why I haven't gotten a response. It's been interesting that almost all 8 dealers indicate that they will match or beat a competitor's price and some even state they will beat it by $200. That gives me some extra leverage.
I have to say, this is an easy experience to sit in my house and do this negotiating. Now I guess it's time to finally set up an appointment to test drive!
I'll post how it all turns out in case it will help someone else.
$25,275 (price includes destination, auto dimming mirror and wheel locks and no dealer prep or extra add-ons but I will be sure to check the paperwork before signing. I have to go in Monday to sign the papers.(closed on Sunday). I have the option of purchasing the spoiler for $500 which I negotiated and this includes installation...any thoughts on that price?? Still seems high and Im not so sure that I want the spoiler. I want to take at some cars on the lot that have it. Tell me what you think of that price....or maybe don't because its too late now anyhow. lol...the posts on here have helped alot and I do have some tips on how to get the best price. I will post some tips for what I have found helped.
I think you would be smart to make sure, first, that you even like the car in question before worrying about the price!
I'll send spreadsheet to those who requested a little later.
Now the dealerships I would not recommend in MD -Brown's Honda in Glen Burnie has poor sales people, management and service department and Jim Coleman Honda in Clarksville who gives those tricky on the road price and then the 'oops oh I didn't know you wanted an automatic' . Also Anderson Honda tried to pull some sneaky things too and wasn't very with what I was asking. Had to tell Anderson a few times what color I wanted. Alot of the other dealerships either never gave me a quote or never followed thru with replies on email. Oh Well. Their loss
Hope this helps some one else.
Cant wait until this summer for the 2005 Pilots. Hope Honda of Bowie MD has some great deals like that Mike Pruitt Honda in Ohio I've been reading about on the Pilots. 2005 Pilots better have the moonroofs too - thats what I'm waiting for...
Crystal
After the test drive, my husband and I then went into the Internet Mgr's office to talk. He didn't have a V-6 in one of my 3 color choices but "could get it." He asked if I had gotten better offers from other Internet inquiries, and I assured him that I had and told him my best price was $27,292 OTD and it included mudflaps, but another dealer promised to beat any deal by $200.
He asked if he could show his sales mgr. those offers in writing. I let him take the emails. (Was that a No-No?) After taking about 15 minutes (coffee break?), he told me that I should go ahead and get the $27,292 offer, because they would match it if they had one in stock, which they didn't. OR go to the $200 lower place and see what they would do since they usually offered that but didn't usually come through.
My impression: he "dissed" another dealer, his offer "to go get" what I wanted would cost them $200 to get a driver to go get it so the price would have to go up, and he didn't seem terribly anxious to make a sale to me. Thus, my confusion.
I asked if he would be getting any V-6's w/Navi in any time. He looked on his computer and said none were being ordered and the factory would quit making any 04's within a couple of weeks.
So, we walked! Did he think I was "low balling?" There was no pressure either way, to search for a car of my choosing OR to try to sell me what they had. It appeared that he didn't much care one way or the other. He was the Internet Mgr. and said he had other duties there (computers, facilitiating between sales & service, etc.) and he didn't sell but about 10 cars a year.
It seems that my only other option is to check out my lowest bidder and take it from there. I'm even thinking of putting it all off until the fall and getting an '05!!! As I said, I'm confused and somewhat surprised at the lackadasial attitude!! Ideas, anyone?
Different states and localities impose different tax and license fees, so an absolutely final out the door price is only meaningful for people in the same state and city.
Everybody must pay for the transportation, so that should be included as well as any "document fee" which is a cost that's really pure profit contributing to the dealer's overhead. There are some document fees that are limited by state and perhaps local law--$45 in California, for example--but that seems to be a minimum amount. A dealer charging a $300 "doc fee" is really just adding to profit, so that should be included in your deal.
Because Honda Accords are fully equipped, any accessories added by the dealer should be noted separately, too. Of course, if some of those items appear to be a gift from the dealer, then mention what's included in the pre-tax/license price if you can't put a dollar figure on the dealer add-ons.
I think the fees that are beyond the discretion of the dealer--those that are remitted to government entities should not be included in the deals posted here to keep comparisons consistent............Richard
Why does Honda mess around with safety features like side/curtain airbags ? It is unfair to force a buyer to pay $2500-$3000 more for the EX model just to get side curtain bags. Even the LX model with just side bags is tough to get . I wanted to buy a car this weekend but was turned off because as most of you know, it is much easier to work a good deal with a dealer if they have the car you want on their lot. Having them search for a car is not an incentive for the dealer, plus I like to see the car I'm buying. This being said, I wanted an LX with side curtain bags, Not available. Then I wanted an LX with side bags, they had one on their lot in a color i didnt want. They had many LX's without bags and many EX's, but this would cost much more. SO now my choices are to buy an 04 EX now,or wait until the 05 comes out and hopefully be able to get them on the LX model. Curiously, I may be able to work out a price on an 04 EX close to what I would pay for an 05 LX. ANy thoughts? I drive 30k miles per year,mostly highway. I have a 99 camry with 154k on it. If i am now getting a 5 year newer car, would like to improve the safety equipment, but Honda does not make this easy.
nancymenn> was no pressure either way, to search for a car of my
nancymenn> choosing OR to try to sell me what they had. It appeared
nancymenn> that he didn't much care one way or the other.
Of course I am just guessing here because obviously it would be impossible for me to know the actual reasons for his attitude. Having said that I would guess that since he didn't have a vehicle like you wanted on the lot in the color you wanted and none on order as well as it wouldn't be profitable or beneficial to trade with another dealer at the rock bottom prices you had obtained.
He likely knew from experience (or lack thereof) that you were probably not going to go for any salesman games or be downsold to a different vehicle so he knew he couldn't help you so he thought he would rain on your parade by dissing the competition. What did he have to lose. If he convinced you (by discouraging you about the other offers) to wait to purchase in September he might have a another bite at the apple.
In any case this is an example of why I recommend that you are very specific in the "Request For Bid Letter" that you send to the multiple dealers. For example in my own request letter I told them that I want their very best ROCK BOTTOM quote only on a specific model that they currently have in stock in one of my acceptable colors and that is not a demonstrator and has less than 30 miles on it.
In fielding the offers and deciding which one to accept, I also will not leave the house to go to their dealership until I have confirmed every aspect of the deal by telephone with the salesperson (and confirmed by their salesmanager.)
You can tell your salesman that you want to accept their offer but you have been burned before and that you want to request that they fax you a completed, signed by the salesmanager, Buyers Order with the complete purchase info spelled out (i.e Vin Number, Stock Number, Color Make, Model, price, doc fee, TT&L) before you make a trip to the dealership to conclude the deal.
nancymenn> OR go to the $200 lower place and see what they would do
nancymenn> since they usually offered that but didn't usually come
nancymenn> through.
I would look into that. The dealer I bought from offered the same thing (i.e. to beat any other deal by $200.) They came through for me. I suspect that the $200 is the local/regional advertising fee that they will get from Honda for that vehicle that is built into the Invoice Price and they are givng it to you to get the deal.
nancymenn> I'm even thinking of putting it all off until the fall
nancymenn> and getting an '05!!!
I wouldn't let this dealer experience discourage you. If waiting til Fall is in your best interest then by all means wait but if you want to buy now or in the new future just stick with it. You can always widen your number of dealerships contacted. You can wait a month and start all over. Circumstances at dealers are constantly changing. Ones that won't deal today may be falling all over themselves in a month.
I wouldn't share this dealer experience with other dealers. Let them think that you've got folks competing like crazy for your deal. Don't make anything up (especially something that can be checked like dealers inventory)just play it close to the vest.
It did annoy me to have to buy more car than I wanted to get the curtains--leather, sunroof, XM, etc.--but now I'm glad I treated myself to those features that make the Accord a near luxury car instead of an economy mid-sized car.
And it's still very economical with the smoothest 4 cylinder engine out there......Richard
selling price 19470
dealer processing 100
tag & title 148
MD tax 978.50
total 20,696.50
Dealer also gave me a coupon book with unlimited free car washes, free oil changes and coupons for discounted service, parts and accessories.
It's only a guess, but based on the number of Accords on the lots around here, there's a good chance the deals will get better in a month or two. But, I think I'm going to get something else. As hard as I've tried, I can't warm to the sedan's styling.
(EX 4cyl sedan AT with side curtain airbags)
Base: 19,350
Dest: 490
Proc: 100
MD Tax: 997
titling, etc: 161
OTD: 21,098
We were pleased with this price, at 1,169 under invoice. Didn't contact the Bowie dealer, they were just outside my geographical range. Oh well...
We purchased from Brown's Honda City in Glen Burnie, and unlike your experience, we were quite happy with the treatment we received. They were very good about working everything out on the phone or by email ahead of time. When we got there, no surprises and the car looked great (only 2 miles on it). I'm sure some of it has to do with luck of the draw, but we had no complaints (no experience with the service department yet).
Hope this is helpful to someone, because I feel we really benefited from the information on this board in the previous month.
Buy a 2004 EX sedan/auto/side curtains Now , or wait and buy a 2005 LX with side curtains if available latter in year.
On the other hand, you will lose a lot of options that come standard on the EX such as the 6-cd changer, the alloy wheels and the moonroof.
1. Is the bumper being repaired (patched i guess) sufficient that I won't even know it was there?
2. Should I complain enough to get an entire new front bumper or is that taking it too far??
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
I have a black background with a chrome H logo. Looks very nice on the front of my silver Accord.
If the dealer doesn't have one you like you can also find them on the internet.
I am trying to decide when to solicit quotes as I am moving soon and hope to buy immediately after moving. I am wondering if I should solicit quotes a couple of days before I move, so I can buy right away, ideally? Or should I wait until I arrive to solicit quotes, realizing this way that I might not be able to buy right away, but perhaps a couple days later? I will need a car ASAP after arriving, and I am also anxious to get this over with since I have researching and test driving long enough (and am quite looking forward to the day!) Thanks.
This is one of my pet peeves. I live in Kentucky, where we also don't have front plates, but I buy almost all of my cars in Ohio. Let them repair it first, then you will have the option.. Those Honda logo plates are relatively cheap, so if you need one later, the expense is minimal... I can guarantee you they won't replace your bumper, no matter how much you complain.
regards,
kyfdx
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I hope this is the case since it's a nightmare trying to balance inventories.
Funny, the vast majority of shoppers I've run into have little or zero interest in side curtains. I recently lost a sale on an EX cloth Accord. It was the right color but the customer wouldn't pay the extra charge for the curtains.
What is important to a few means nothing to others.
I mean, I respect your efforts in getting the "best" price, whatever that is but, there often comes a point when a nothing deal just isn't worth it especially when the car has to be located and traded for. A lot of time, paperwork and expense for a next to nothing deal.
This is even more the case when it's a low supply high demand car.
It's so much easier to ask a friend, relative or neighbor for a referral. Have them send you to a quality store and salesperson they know and trust.
Will you pay a bit more? Well, perhaps, and perhaps not. The OVERALL EXPERIENCE will usually be much better and withot the high stress level.
It really doesn't have to be that hard.
I paid much more for an Accord EX-L last August because curtain airbags were standard on that model but have no regrets because I like the extra luxury anyway--good excuse to enjoy life a bit more.
What's surprising is the low price charged for side curtain airbags--just $300 at retail. That's only $150 per side on a purchase price of $20,000 or more.
Considering the number of SUVs on the road and how damaging a run-in with one of those monsters would be, anyone rejecting that much crash protection for so little in added price must have a room temperature IQ......Richard
I believe the reason most people don't appear to care about them is because they may assume they come standard; or think well that type of crash will never happen to them. Or maybe they just want to save money, I mean if you made front airbags an option, some people would save the money, heck you could make a spare tire an option and save $50. Regardless, I still do not understand why safety features have to be an option . Why does BMW/mercedes/Lexus/Infiniti and the like make these items standard and couldnt sell their cars without them? Is it because only well paid people care about safety, and does that mean that Accord/Camry buyers do not?
One idea is that airbags are not glamorous, you cant show them off like fancy wheels or a sunroof. Plus you may never use them. Kind of like life insurance, if you never use it, i guess you could say the money was wasted, but if you need it, then what a difference it can make.