2013 and earlier Honda Odyssey Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • desertdog1desertdog1 Member Posts: 6
    I purchased my 03 in August from Russel & Smith
    Honda in Houston for $200 below invoice. I live in Arizona and they saved me over $1000 ( including trip to pick up car) from any deals I could get here. They registered the van in Arizona for me and had to collect the AZ tax and liececes fee. They seemed a little high but was told that they would refund me the difference after they settle with AZMVD. I just received refund check. I figured that money was gone. I would highly recommend any one looking for a Odyssey or any model Honda to call or email the internet department
    at Russel and Smith Honda. They treated me right, are very pleasant to deal with and they say they will not be under sold.
  • watollewatolle Member Posts: 1
    fyi McDavid Honda, Saturday only special 2004 Odyssey ex w/ leather 26,190.... sounds good!
  • dorkbeardorkbear Member Posts: 11
    I also live in Seattle, and purchased a 2003 EXL-RES back in May. I sent e-mails to pretty much every Honda dealer from Bellingham down to Portland, and even Wenatchee and Yakima, and ended up buying from Capitol City Honda in Olympia. I'd be glad to provide the name and contact info for the person I dealt with there - very positive experience with no surprises. Five months later, my wife and I are very pleased with our Odyssey!
  • bryannbryann Member Posts: 54
    Hey Jazzy, yo, thanks for hooking a brotha up!! that sounds like an awesome deal. i guess i will head over there to see what they can do for me. lata.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Please do not post names of individual sales people (or their contact info, etc.). Thanks!

    Steve, Host
  • jasdevjasdev Member Posts: 1
    Thanks Steve- I didnt realize that only posting a first name was too much information. I figured that letting your readers know about nice, friendly service would be a good thing, but I guess not.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Past history shows that allowing names to be posted results in a flood of fake shill posts.

    And even now you have to take some of these glowing dealer reports with a grain of salt unfortunately....

    Steve, Host
  • gac1yahoogac1yahoo Member Posts: 7
    I got 2004 EXL-RES from the Kirkland dealer for $28600. The vehicle comes with the splash guard, trims, door guards and cargo net.

    When I talked to these guys two weeks back, they didn't even want to go below $29000. It looks like that they have a lot of vehicles in the lot and they needed to get rid of them quickly unless they have pay interest to HONDA. So they matched the deal I got from Yakima. The guys at Yakima Honda are the best people to deal with. Becaz of the crunch time for the kirkland guys they met the deal from Yakima. and they didn't charge for the accessories. While I was in the showroom heard that someone bought a new ody. for the MSRP.

    It looks like that if you wait, you can catch a good deal.

    Thanks to everyone who helped me to get a good deal, especially marsdenk.
  • jamestrenjamestren Member Posts: 16
    Okay, this has been gut-wrenching for me. To buy a preowned or to buy new? To buy Toyota or to buy Honda? What about that new Quest? Do I really need the DVD? Can I afford this silly thing? Is it really worth it for a Minivan?.... Well, I guess I just answered the questions for myself. I just purchased a 2004 EXL w/RES (got black). Total out the door was $27,540. Since this is only $100 over invoice and includes the customary doc fee, I feel pretty good about the deal. Best of all, they are only an hour away, so I don't have to fly to Dallas to get it. I bought it from Riverside Honda in Mcalester, OK. I did all of the dealing over the phone and they were hassle free. I told them the best price I found elsewhere (McDavid Honda in this case), and he met it without flinching. Email me if you are in Oklahoma and are interested in the same deal and I'll pass along the guys names. Both the salesman and manager were great. Good luck to those still lurking and thinking about it!
  • tyraaztyraaz Member Posts: 1
    The EX (cloth, not leather). $500 over invoice- price plus destination - $25275

    Salesperson said deal is good through the end of the month...

    Could I do better?
  • chihshengchihsheng Member Posts: 4
    Because NJ dealer is tough to deal, I sent out couples e-mail to Honda Of Nanuet, Herson's Honda,and O'DONNELL HONDA for EX model.
    $25,800 from Nanuet
    $24,784 from O'DONNELL HONDA
    $24,900 from Herson's Honda.
    However, Herson beats O'Donnell for $24,634 to earn my money. However, the sale have to be finished before end of Oct.
    NJ buyer, it only takes a day to travle round trip. I think that it definitely worthy except that you can make money $3,000/day
    I will pick up the vehicle tomorrow. I wish that no issue will come up
  • uamazemeuamazeme Member Posts: 2
    I was offered $200 below Invoice on ANY 2004 Honda Odyssey from Marin Honda Internet dept. manager.
    Can I do better by doing more emailing? Or should I go for it?
  • uamazemeuamazeme Member Posts: 2
    btw, I am in the Bay Area, Ca.
  • phoevephoeve Member Posts: 6
    What's a good deal in the Atlanta area ? What dealership ? I'm willing to drive a little. Thanks !
  • phoevephoeve Member Posts: 6
    Anyone try the COSTCO discount ? Thanks !
  • rbell2rbell2 Member Posts: 180
    I think $200 below invoice is an excellent price. I paid about $500 over invoice about 2 months ago for an EX-L. Just don't let them try and add-on more than $100 for doc fees. I saw on another board where someone was charged an $800 doc fee when they were finishing up the deal and they actually paid it!!!

    Deals will probably only get better than this when the '05 Ody is about to come out.

    Good Luck!!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    There are a few Costco posts in here, like this one:

    meyhoed Jul 17, 2003 1:23pm

    Nothing real recent - you can find the older ones with a Discussion Search.

    Steve, Host
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Be sure that this is $200 below factory invoice and not the dealer invoice (with all of their add-on's if any). I bought my Ody from Marin Honda as well (last March). If you are going to get the extended warranty, be sure and negotiate this before you go in. They will probably ask for $1100-$1200. You can get it down below $1000.
  • phoevephoeve Member Posts: 6
    Dosen't sound all that great...
  • mingnguyenmingnguyen Member Posts: 2
    I bought an 04 Odyssey EX-L last Sat(10/25) for 26125 at Vandergriff Honda in Arlington,TX. The doc processing fee was 50.
  • kimo9kimo9 Member Posts: 71
    Any good ones out there offering deals on '04 Odysseys
  • bryannbryann Member Posts: 54
    i bought my van from O'donnel Honda. they are a really good dealership to work with. i take my van there for major service intervals as i do my own changes. i stopped by herson's before i bought my van and they really wanted to gouge me for the van. i bought it in 2001 and all the dealers around in MD wanted $$ over MSRP and i refused to pay that. i really balked at paying MSRP, but the wife wanted this van. needless to say, i stopped by O'donnell and they really treated me right all the way around from the service mgr to the sales person. i can't post his name, but if you email me at bryansna@yahoo.com i will give you his contact info and he might be able to throw in some other stuff like some of the cargo mats and stuff like that to close the deal. good luck.
  • phoevephoeve Member Posts: 6
    Is this a good deal on and EXL

    Invoice (edmunds)
    +200 over
    + 499 doc fee (why so high?)

    Thanks for your input !
  • jamestrenjamestren Member Posts: 16
    Having just bought an Odyssey last month, I can say that there are many dealers that are still trying to stick at close to MSRP price; however, there is also a growing number of dealers feeling the competition from Toyota and Nissan. I was able to buy at Invoice +$50 doc fee. From other recent posts, I think most others can get this deal too if they really wanted to. email jamestren@yahoo.com and I'll provide the name and number of the dealer I KNOW will do invoice. However, you may have to pay to ship it to you (This is an Oklahoma dealer). Your best bet is to call all of the local dealers and say "xxx dealer is offering to sell to me at invoice but I don't really want to drive xxx hours to pick it up. Can you do the deal for invoice?"....

    After 3-4 phone calls, I bet you find someone to do it. Good luck!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It's ok to name the dealer in here. Just no names of individual salespeople.

    Steve, Host
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    er, I forgot to mention, please no bird-dogging either :-)

    Some people have been known to post a bunch of "tell 'em Charlie sent ya" messages to get the referral spiff from the dealer.

    Carry on!

    Steve, Host
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    anything over $50 for the doc fee is insane. You do need to pay the destination charge ($490), so make sure you the dealer states the destination charge of $460 and doc fee (again, no more than $50) as seperate items.
  • phoevephoeve Member Posts: 6
    What is the doc fee for ??? Just a rip off ?
  • prasadperiprasadperi Member Posts: 40
    Hello Folks,
    Just to clarify, what is the true dealer price for a 2004 Honda EX-L with RES. I know there is a delaer hold back (some sites quote as ~$895). Do we take that into account?
    Prasad
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Anything over $50 for a doc fee is unreasonable.

    Take a look at our "10 Steps to Buying a New Car" in the Tips & Advice section of the site.

    Read all about Dealer Holdback - what it is and what it means for you during the negotiation process.
  • jamestrenjamestren Member Posts: 16
    Steve, you mean there are programs from dealers by which I can get referral $$? I seriously am not involved with anything like that, but that is interesting to know - maybe I need to call them up :)

    Prasadperi - The true dealer pricing on the EX L RES is pretty close to what invoice states here at Edmunds. $27,470 (which includes destination charges). Usually there is an additional doc fee they try to throw in. You can negotiate this out if you push hard enough. As far as dealer kick (hold) backs, this is money that does not go to the dealer right away, but rather as sort of a rebate from the manufacturer. This happens on every vehicle from every manufacturer. This is why some dealers are actually able to sell for "less than invoice" and still make money. However, on the Odyssey, I got to think that invoice is about as good as you will do. When a salesman sells at invoice, he makes very little commission (about $50). The salesman is happy to do it (especially end of month), because it gets him closer to a quantity sales bonus (where the money really is for those guys). Dealers also have certain quotas and bonuses in addition to the holdbacks that they get at a certain quantity. Anyway, all that is said just to say this, for an EX L RES - stick to your guns to buy for invoice ($27,470), and you should get a good deal (as long as the doc fee is minimal).
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Lots of salespeople (not just car dealers) give spiffs for referrals. The going rate for car referrals has doubled in most places to $100.

    That's another reason to take some "email me for contact info" posts with a grain of salt.

    Steve, Host
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    from our editorial team:

    Basically, a doc fee is a charge to cover the dealer's preparation of the documents. Why would they want to charge $50 to fill out a document that benefits them? Well, dealers look for anywhere to make money (but doc fees are common in mortgage too). In some states the doc fee is a set fee regulated by the state. In other states it can be whatever the dealer wants to charge. There have been reports of $300 doc fees! So if you live in a state where it is unregulated, ask what the doc fee is before agreeing to a deal.
  • hwkishwkis Member Posts: 1
    After the third and final installment to my family we are in the minivan market. Like jamestren, I was torn between new, used, Toyota, Honda, and have decided the best deal to be had for the minivan product is a new Honda - Thanks to everyone who participates in the townhall discussion. I live in Phoenix and recently went on a testdrive. The negotiating in Phoenix as shown by desertdog1 in earlier posts is difficult. I plan to expand my search to the whole state of Arizona and neighboring states. I have seen a number of posts that indicate a blanket email program has been successful as have telephone contacts. In these contacts which has been more successful
    1.) Requesting a rate from them and indicate the best three will be considered; or
    2.) are you straight-up and say I'm looking for a Silver EX-L with RES, want to pay invoice ($27470), with no funky add-ons (i.e. paint sealant and pin striping) and a reasonable doc fee.

    Thanks for the help, the town hall discussion on this site has been invaluable!!!
  • phoevephoeve Member Posts: 6
    Doc fees are 400-500 around here ! Please send dealer/contact info on good priceed dealers in the Atlanta area.

    Thanks !
  • uncletruncletr Member Posts: 8
    Its a done deal so I'm not sure why I'm looking for reassurance I did good on the deal. Most of current posts seem to include L, RES, and or NAV. I emailed offers to some dealerships for 25,000 except tax and tag. I settled for 300 more and had no hassles at the dealership. My only surprise was that it was a grey van. I think they have the wrong picture associated with "sage" on Honda's site. Ford and everyone else seems to thing a color that refers to a green spice should have some green in it, but, no matter. I'm really pretty flexible on color.

    24,798 - 24 over invoice
    500 -- "dealer fees"
    -------
    25,298

    I've heard some "200 under invoice" references and that other fees should be "50" where I paid 500. How did I do?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Document fees shouldn't be more than $50. Maybe your fee included destination?

    Steve, Host
  • uncletruncletr Member Posts: 8
    They never tried to call them doc fees --- called them dealer fees and I took that to mean the markup they wanted to get the profit they wanted. No, the invoice was the same as Edmunds which includes 490 for destination. I shouldn't bother with the breakout. In the end I paid 25,300 before tax and tag for an EX. It seemed like a fair amount under MSRP.
  • uncletruncletr Member Posts: 8
    For anyone who has seen the 2004 Sage and thinks it looks dark grey (maybe same colors as 2003 -- I don't know) ......... do you think the picture on the site looks anything like the Sage you buy at the dealership. Or am I crazy?

    http://www.hondacars.com/models/exterior_colors.asp?ModelName=Ody- ssey
  • prasadperiprasadperi Member Posts: 40
    I recently saw that in a gas station. It doesn't seem to be a Sage Brush. Some sort of green.

    Prasad
  • kimo9kimo9 Member Posts: 71
    Price before tax, title, and doc fees. $22,820......
  • tcasboytcasboy Member Posts: 214
    Uncltr: $524 over invoice is a pretty good deal. You definitely got the best minivan out there for that kind of money. Enjoy the van. I paid MSRP for an LX in Mobile Al 4 years ago, only thing I could bargain for was remote keyless entry thrown in, so I might be able to say I paid 300 under MSRP. What a difference a few years makes.

    There should be no such thing as doc fees, any money you pay other than the tax and tag type fees is just the cost of the vehicle in my book. They can call anything they want a fee and tack it on, as long as the bottom line before the tax, title and tag are what you are willing to pay. In other words, if I want to pay 25K and they say the car is 15K but there are 10K in fees, what do I care?

    In the Memphis Commercial Appeal there is a dealer advertising a new 2004 LX for 22950 that includes a 279 doc fee. According to the fine print the price is before, tax, title, tag and license fees, whatever those are. I haven't actually been to the dealer to see how much bait and switching might be going on or whether or the not the vehicle is actually there.

    I'm looking at trading up for an EX, but that deal on the LX is pretty hard to pass up. I'm still sitting on the fence however, because my wife says she doesn't want a new van. In 4 years the have added 35 horsepower, a 5 speed automatic, traction control, and rear disc brakes, while the price has actually stayed about the same and the selling prices have dropped $1500-2000 easily.

    You got a great deal and you can hardly go wrong with these vans now days.
  • kimo9kimo9 Member Posts: 71
    ....I felt pretty good about it. Although I would've liked to get it a invoice. My original offer was 23,703 out the door (via email). I really laid it on the line a listed the reasons why this was a reasonable offer. I think I came up with 5 good reasons.
          But they said the best they'd do was 24382 (this includes tax 5%, doc fees, title fees, and a lemon law fee of $1). I believe this was $2000 off MSRP. I came back with $23,804, but he said he'd have to decline my offer, but would sell me the vehicle for his original counteroffer. I did have another dealer say he'd match the 23382, but he didn't have the color we wanted and I was getting antzy because we need an Odyssey quick -- our 94 Accord doesn't fit 3 well. So, I emailed the original dealer back and said that I'd split the difference with him...... He went for it and I'm picking it up next week.
  • danogdanog Member Posts: 318
    The above with Env Pkg ($395), splash guards ($199) and floor mats ($99) for $30000+TTF.
    They let us drive it home for a test until tomorrow.
    To be honest, we've spent more time researching the '04 Sienna and think we like it better but for the money the Odyssey is a great buy. We'd have to spend at least $33000+TTF for the similarly equipped Sienna. I'm going to read back a few pages and see what others have paid and continue to compare. If I had to decide right now it wouldn't be easy.

    Dano
  • oddrideroddrider Member Posts: 2
    Just bought an EX-L (without RES or NAV) in Sage Brush Pearl. I live in Richmond, VA, but had to travel to near Baltimore to get it for a good deal.

    Local dealers and Virginia Beach dealers were dealing from MSRP. When I mentioned the following deal, they said they couldn't touch it and for me to "go get that van."

    Invoice 26122 (includes 490 freight) + Markup 101 + VA Tax (3%) + Tag ($15 for 60 day temp tag)
    No dealer processing fee. No dealer add-ons. No hassles.

    For now, it remains to be seen how much additional problem buying from out of state will be for licensing as our VA-DMV offices have limited hours due to budget cuts.

    The dealer was O'Donnell Honda and they were excellent to work with. I am recommending them to my friends who are interested in getting vans.

    This is how it worked: I called the dealer last weekend. They faxed me the buyer's order and saved the car for me until I could pick it up this weekend. - NO HASSLES. In fact, they offered but didn't hassle me to buy their extended warranty.

    Beware any dealer who will not fax you the buyer's order as they probably will change the price on you or have additional fees or add-ons. I did not like Rosenthal Honda or who apparently is their sales mgr. If you want to stay in VA, Fairfax Honda claimed by phone to be able to sell for a couple of hundred above my price but have ~300 dealer processing fee as well.
  • prasadperiprasadperi Member Posts: 40
    Danog,
    $30000+ taxes is way too much for a Honda Odyssey with RES. I was able to get it for 27500+destination which is $500 profit (above invoice). Shoot for 27500 including destination and you might end up getting it if the dealer is really interested.

    EXL for 26,100 is a good buy.
     
    In both cases you are not considering a dealer hold back of 895 whioch is usually a profit for the dealership anyway.

    Prasad
  • danogdanog Member Posts: 318
    I figured totals b/w the Ody and Sienna using the better Ody's numbers that many seem to be getting. The difference is $5800. This really puts the favor on the Ody.
    We're just making this harder than it should be now.

    Dano
  • prasadperiprasadperi Member Posts: 40
    Dano,

    Hence due to the high Sienna price (head to head comparison) I bought a 2004 Honda Odyssey with RES for less than 30,500 including the 7 year 100,000 warranty out the door in Maryland last month. Loving it since it arrived. Only gripe is there is no conversation mirror to see the kids.
    Hopefully next year the Sienna will be back to ground level prices if Honda and Chrysler really bring out great models and gives Toyota a run for thier Money. Chrysler/Dodge is supposed to come out with the new model as well.

    Prasad
  • jraycsjraycs Member Posts: 1
    Two Honda dealers in Denver had ads in this weekends Denver Post for $2000 off MSRP on '04 Odyssey.
  • mnanamnana Member Posts: 3
    How much does the extended warranty cost? I was offered $1000 for 5 yrs and $1400 for 7 yrs. Is this a reasonable price?
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