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Comments
I've contacted three Honda dealers this week and they are all giving me the same song and dance. "We have an EX-L to show you, but none with the DVD installed"
My question is why? Are they just trying to make this sound hard to get because it is the *one* "option" they can grab onto? Or is there actually a shortage of these vehicles?
Wouldn't it be a relatively simple thing for them to installed the RES?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Are the Honda salespeople similar to the jerk that alienated me against the Sienna?
I personally do not like dealer added options. Those built into the vehicle at the factory always seem to work better with fewer problems later on.
So far the Long Island Honda dealers have been relatively pleasant on the phone. Tonight I meet with one of them. Friday and Saturday are other appointments. I will have a much better picture after that.
I will keep you all posted.
The EXL does come with a NAV only. If you tested one with both it is one specially configured. I believe Andrew got the NAV trim and paid extra for his factory DVD as an option since he saved so much money from his 3 1/2% tax rate of OK. Having both items is NOT a normal trim level of the Ody. Options always open a bigger door, if you want and if you have the money why not put it (2) 7" Screens instead of one, etc.....
Andrew, I could see why you would need the rear camera but at $500 bucks, it's just too much. Isn't it cheaper to ask the wife to step outside and tell you...hahaha. Oh wait, it's her Ody, so why don't you step outside and tell her. hahahaha..
There *should* be vehicles around Long Island - shouldn't there?
If a dealer wanted to play "vehicle hard to get" to get me "hungry", "desperate" and then unable to negotiate a discount because "this is the only one" - that might be a ploy. Don't you think?
I'll know more by the end of the weekend.
Tell them, this is what I want if you want my business. Here is the thing, you can always put in your own AFTERMARKET RES system, but it just won't be the same. I was looking at first to do the same and buy the EXL, but after much soul searching and bargain searching, it just wasn't worth it. Wait for the factory trim level you want, you won't regret it.
There are some things that you won't get with aftermarket, rear audio controls so you can listen to one while the rug rats watches his video. Now I believe you can get some with a SIMILAR feature, but it still is not the same. Who to go to if the thing breaks down, YOU go to mfg, not the installer. See what I mean.
If you want just the DVD RES and no NAV, definitely get the Ody w/factory installed RES and do not settle for an Ody EX-L and then add the RES later!
If you want NAV, then you have no choice but to get the Ody w/NAV and then negotiate for the dealer installed factory Honda system for $1,500, not the $2,000 they WANT to charge you for the dealer installed DVD RES.
Now, if you don't want leather for some reasons, then you could get the Ody EX and then negotiate for a dealer installed RES for $1,500. But make sure it's a factory original equipment, not Audiovox, Sony, Pioneer, etc. These aftermarket systems are fine, but you want the original--but you HAVE to negotiate to get it for $1,500.
See, the Ody EX-L w/DVD RES is like $1,500 more expensive than the Ody EX-L without RES.
Like Norman says, don't settle. I told my dealer exactly what I wanted, including the color, and they did NOT have it on the lot. So they went and got it for me! It took them about 5 days, but they got it for me.
Oh, I would not buy the van unless I got $3,500 off MSRP. Some people have gotten $500 under invoice, but I think $3,500 off MSRP is good enough too. The more you wait, the more discounts you see.
Shoot, this is off topic here, but it seems like everyone in Texas is getting $3K off MSRP on the Acura MDX!!!!!!!!
Man, the MDX is hot stuff, and if they can get $3K off on any MDX models, you can definitely get $3K off the Odyssey.
It doesn't matter where you live. Sooner or later, your market will saturate like crazy, especially as more and more Sienna become available.
Since I am planning to buy at the end of June or end of July (want it by vacation first week in August), do you think it's best to start negotiating with one of these dealers now, or wait until I am ready to write a check? Some people think if you bug them too long they get sick of you, versus letting them know if they give you a good deal you will buy today.
I am planning on checking with dealers in Omaha and KC before I buy, just to see if they will match or come close on price to Chicago dealers. Can't hurt!
Steve, Host
Best price I`ve found so far is Houston, then Chicago, and one more which equals Chicago,which I will refrain from mentioning now, as I may fly there tomorrow to pick one up( ~1000 miles from my home). I`ll let you know what I find out if I go tomorrow or next few days to get it.
By the way – are you aware of the lease board here on Edmunds? Just type in “lease” in the search area on the front page and it will take you right there. I am surrounded by BMW, Lexus and Audi seekers. Would be nice to see a fellow Ody user there. ;-)
Your payment would also be lower than the one quoted me because you took it for 48 months rather than the traditional 36. Any reason why? Did you purchase (or be given) an extended warranty in your deal? Otherwise, you will be liable for any repairs no matter what, in the 4th year of your lease.
I met with a dealer last night, and after an hour of pussyfooting and negotiating, he would have agreed to lease it for me for $489. per month. That is with the tax and acquisition fee already rolled in. He was willing to waive the security deposit as well. All I would have to come up with was the first month at signing. That would put the total cost for my usage of the van for three years at $17,604. Yours works out to 18,240.00 (but with the additional year). Heck, my 2000 Caravan SE worked out to $16,068.00 total cost for the three year lease, due to high interest rates at the time (money factor) and a lower resale value (Caravan’s don’t have much) – ie, the residual.
Would be interested to hear your thoughts, jscottg64
I am certainly not going to "settle" on anything but the exact features I want. Color is not important to me as I think all of the colors are fine. Fortunately, car manufacturers don't make bad colors anymore (remember that certain brown color they used to make cars in?) Yuck.
As for the RES, I would never go the "aftermarket" route. I haven't the time or cash flow of Andrewtran ;-)
I will get one factory installed. End of discussion.
More comments to follow.
"I told my dealer exactly what I wanted, including the color, and they did NOT have it on the lot. So they went and got it for me! It took them about 5 days, but they got it for me."
Glad to hear that. The dealer I met with last night did not have a RES model for me to test drive. I drove an EX-L without it anyway, just to get the feel again. I must say I really enjoyed driving it. It really is an extremely nice vehicle. One thing that was explained to me by the salesman was that with the factory installed RES, that there are connectors built into the back (in the side storage area) that allows for video game hookup. I don't recall you mentioning that, but it's sure good to know.
you continue:
"Oh, I would not buy the van unless I got $3,500 off MSRP. Some people have gotten $500 under invoice, but I think $3,500 off MSRP is good enough too."
Those deals are in places other than the New York area. My situation is a bit different because I am leasing and not purchasing. See my earlier post about what was offered me. The sales manager appeared firm about not moving off of MSRP. Remember, this is for the *lease* calculations. A direct purchase may be different. But I am not buying - only leasing.
"The more you wait, the more discounts you see."
Unfortunately, I don't have time to wait. I need the vehicle in two weeks. Of course I am not letting them know that - just you guys. ;-)
The dealership I met with last night seemed very professional. Of course the salesman played cat and mouse with me for the better part of an hour. Once he realised I knew all the details of what the leasing rates should be, it was *he* who got "hungry". He quickly brought in his sales manager to talk to me as well. They both thought they could close the deal right there. But they didn't have a car for me! "One would be coming in, in a week or two". Pah! I want to see and drive the car I might buy now! Not some other vehicle and the promise of one in two weeks.
I have an appointment to meet with another dealership on Friday and another on Saturday. It sounds to me like these other two actually have some RES models on their lot. I will fill you in on how it goes.
havasu4me - good luck. Let me know how things work out for you. If it is 1000 miles from where you live, it's still probably not close to me! I think I will start contacting some dealers tomorrow. The Dodge Stratus is making some wierd noises.
Hopefully, I can recommend an internet manager for anyone in Houston looking for a very good deal from a straight-forward salesman. With a little negotiating, we should be picking up on Saturday a DX-L for $26,111 plus tee's and fee's. Best part is he laughed when I asked where he was hiding the $279 for etching! Every other dealer insisted it was not negotiable.
The $1,050 for 7/100/0 Hondacare was not lowest offer I received, but it was close enough. He also provided the greatest trade-in value for a 1994 Chrysler T&C; $500 more than most others.
If I'm dreaming, please don't pinch me.
I just hope I am as happy with the car as I am with the buying experience. Thanks again!
Accessories are truely a rip off. You are right, my wife or whomever is sitting in the 3rd row can look for me back there! A little bitty camera for $900 installed! Can you believe that?
Now if the camera were factory installed, it would probably be around $200! For example, the NAV system is $2,000. And on the MDX, which has the rearview camera along with the NAV, the price is $2,200! So consumers have to pay an extra $700 if they want the rearview camera added?
Same with RES. The Ody w/RES is like $1,500 more than the Ody EX-L, which tells you the RES is $1,500. But, if the dealer adds RES, they charge you $2,000 PLUS tax, which pretty much comes to about $700 more than the factory installed RES!
Accessories are truly a pain in the rear.
Thanks!
Ken Martin
kbmartin@us.ibm.com
FYI
I ended getting an EXL-RES Midnight Blue for $1900 below also in March.
dave, glad to hear it. Keep at it, you'll get your car.
I met with another dealer last night. He was more of a straight shooter and I liked that about him. The deal was essentially the same so I think I'm very close to the mark.
He told me he can get me a choice of two colors (the silver and the red) any time I want it.
I'm meeting with two others today.
I'll probably make my decision at the end of the weekend.
Will keep you all updated.
Dave
Going to Chicago to pick a 03 Odyssey EX/L with leather.
Gonna wander around coming back home.
We did quite a bit of online research and solicited bids via e-mail from practically every Honda dealer from Canada to Oregon, including some in the middle part of the state. After several weeks of back of forth, we ended up buying at Capitol City Honda in Olympia.
We dealt solely with the internet manager (email me for his name if you'd like) and the entire experience couldn't have been more straightforward. Took maybe 1.25 hours altogether. All terms were exactly as we had agreed to via e-mail prior to driving down, and they were even able to get us a better interest rate than the non-Honda financing we already had lined up.
We ended up paying $28,460 plus TTL. Although we probably could have saved more if we had aggressively played dealers against each other, we felt this was a fair price to pay considering Capitol City treated us an intelligent adults. No games, no shenanigans, no surprises.
And now it's time to go for a drive!
As far as NY, I was born and raised in western NY and actually did some internet shopping in Rochester, and it looks like there may be deals to be had there. Your probably downstate, but just FYI. Good luck.
Your lease payment looks real good. I presume that has the tax rolled in?
Yes, I am on Long Island. On leases, the dealers do not seem willing to move off of MSRP.
I could be out the door with a 3 year 36K lease - tax included in payment - for $479.00 First month only due at signing.
Seems there is a grey area regarding security deposit. Looks like it's something that dealers try to add - but if you act like you will go to another Honda dealer - they all say they will waive it. Did they try this with you?
Thanks for the good luck.
They also refused to sell the car without their sticker on it. I told them we did not want their logo on the car.
I am glad to hear that they are now starting to realize that consumers know the real market price of this vehicle. I was disappointed that I didn't get it from them, but I am very glad to hear you got yours. Way the go, CONGRATULATIONS.
I saw the other week at their lot on County Road, they had a black and a Midnight Blue, maybe one of those was yours.
See, Norman, you gotta use reverse psychology:-)
But for $900, screw the camera! I'll get it next time on my future vehicle. Hopefully, Toyota will come out with a much improved Lexus RX so that I can use it on the Acura folks to drive the price down below invoice :-) Go Toyota go! I love Toyota!
Thanks for advices and good info on this site.
***********************************************
Why did I go for Odyssey instead of Sienna 2004 or Quest 2004?
1.)
I didn't have time and patience to wait for Quest 2004. Also I didn't like some spec details, like 5.8inch ground-clearance, only one power door for 3.5SL package. And wasn't sure in quality of fresh new model, which didn't have years of testing by other customers.
2.)
I did test drive Sienna 2004 LE, and Odyssey 2003 EX , and liked Odyssey more in handling and car-like feeling. Also I knew that with Ody will get extra power door, and power seat, also will be able to negotiate good price with dealer.
***************************************
1.)
I saved good, and it was so easy to negotiate and convince dealer.
Spent Saturday night reading "Confessions of a Car Salesman " at http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/article.html?- tid=edmunds.a.landing.buying..4.*
then yesterday morning, 5 min before they opened doors, came to dealership with confidence to not overpay.
2.)
Took Edmunds Price estimate printout with Invoice numbers and TMV price,
and Local newspaper with other dealer advertisement with "Fathers Day Sale for Invoice offer".
3.)
I told sales person: "I will buy car from you and only you today and immideatelly if You will sell it to me just for $800 over INVOICE". (I gave $1000 over invoice limit to myself) . It took 4 hours to convince him and his sales manager. But I got it for $814 over Invoice($25,477 with destination fee included). Why over Invoice? Everyone need to have profit, question is just in amount of this profit. Rockville, MD.
Thanks everyone for the great info. I was ready to pay much more to finally get rid of my aging Chrysler T&C.
Would you email me at khuynh@statesman.com
Very appreciate your mail.
I would like to talk to me about your van. I'm looking for
one like your too. Hope to hear from you soon.
I bought my Odyssey w/NAV back in March, and I got it for $28,860, which is $2K off MSRP in OKC. Now people are bragging about getting it for $3,500 off MSRP in Texas.
Good luck.
Read back a few mesages (in this topic) and you'll see.
Good Luck!
2004 Honda Accord EX-L Graphite Pearl
2007 Honda Civic EX - Atomic Blue
2013 Honda Civic LX - Crimson Pearl
They did not even bring up a security deposit with me and didn't charge me one.
Mostly, the salespeople have told me they don't need to go below MSRP to sell the Odyssey. Since most of the Odysseys are EX trims, it is harder to find an LX. Today, a salesman told me that checking inventory (online) is useless because they are sold before they make it to the lot.
One dealership in NJ did have an internet special of $1000 off MSRP ($23,860). That's the best offer we've gotten ($24,360 is the next "best"). That Jersey special was good for 72 hours only.
It's not urgent that we get our Odyssey immediately, but it sure would be nice before I have our baby (mid-July). Edmund's TMV is $24,181 for my zip. I see what you have gotten them for in TX and IL, but can anyone give me hope for a better offer here in the Midatlantic? The Rockville, MD deal is promising. Anyone else?
Thanks for the input!
"You may include the dealership name and city/state where you purchased, but NO direct links to the dealership site. Also, please do not post salespeople names, phone numbers or email contact information."
we didn't take financing from them (got good from other source),
Here are our final numbers for Odyssey EX:
*******************************
$25,477 with delivery($460) included.
********************************
$1138 under TMV by Edmunds,
$814 - 3.3% over Invoice
$1883 - 6.88% under MSRP
$26,899.99 - drive out(with 5%tax, tags and processing fee - $461 under MSRP)
If you have some other questions about sales person, you can send me email, I'll give you his name and phone.
In NC, they handle sales tax a little different. They tax 3% per month on the base lease payment. So my base lease payment is about 369 plus the 3% per month tax, to get 380/month. We also have personal property tax in NC, but that's typically paid annual and not rolled into the payment.
Yeah, of course the tax situation is better down there. It's probably better everywhere.
I don't know what they call Massachusetts "taxachusetts" - New York *has* to be the origial "tax 'em till they drop" (or move to Florida eventually) state.
Here if you don't agree to pay the tax upfront (always a bad idea on a lease, since if car is totaled you do not get refunded on the tax you paid) - and you roll it into the lease - all of that is part of the Capitalized Cost *before* the payment is figured against money factor (interest rate).
I could probably teach a class on this by now.
Hopefully, my brain will be freed up for other more important things (like baseball scores and stats) after I cut my deal.
"They did not even bring up a security deposit with me and didn't charge me one."
That is true. AHFC doesn't seem to require one.