2013 and earlier-Honda Civic Prices Paid and Buying Experience

fishermanbb

Took delivery of my EX-L Navi on Thursday. 2.9% over 60 months......Never even mentioned the plan.....This is in NY........(PS...I bought it at $500 over invoice) They probably won't extend the financing rates but in July Honda always have the "Summer/End of Year clearance"....this usually includes some pretty good lease rates and dealer cash on slower selling models......I'll bet the Accord V-6 will have both a good lease AND dealer cash as they are sitting all over the lots right now.....Civics on the other hand.....May have some incentives but I wouldn't expect a lot....Maybe a nice lease....

isellhondas

Not true about having to buy Honda Care to get the financing.

Also FICO/ Beacon scores only go up to 840.

cody2007

I live in CT and got a internt quote of 18,500.00 OTD. Can anyone tell me if this is a good offer?
If not does anyone know of a good dealship in or close to CT ?

backy

FWIW there are other credit scores that go over 900. Depends on which score the dealer used.

isellhondas

None of the three major reporting agencies go that high.

I suppose there could be others that do?

kyfdx

I don't have a link.. but, some of the agencies have created new proprietary scores.. some described as "auto-enhanced"..

Supposedly, it gives a more specific picture of your ability and likelihood of repaying an auto loan, rather than your entire credit history..

More likely it serves two other purposes..

1) An additional revenue stream for the credit reporting agency

2) Another way for the dealer to obfuscate the price/credit in the F&I room

regards,
kyfdx

backy

Actually the 3 major credit reporting bureaus can go over 900... but not with the Fair Isaac (FICO) scores:

VantageScore is the name of a new credit rating product that is now being offered by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). The new product was announced by the three bureaus on March 14, 2006. It is essentially a way for the three bureaus to rival the current dominant player in credit scores (Fair Isaac with their "FICO Score"). ... Unlike FICO’s traditional 300 to 850 scale, the VantageScore goes from 501 to 990, as reported by TransUnion:...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VantageScore

kyfdx

Or... I could just keep quiet and read along..

dwynne

I would call Honda and report them if that is the case. Right on the Honda web page under current offers:

2008 Civic Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing
1.9% APR for 36 months or 2.9% APR for 60 months
For well-qualified buyers.
Show Details
Special AHFC A.P.R. financing available on all new 2008 Civic models (Excludes Natural Gas Models). 1.9% APR financing for 24-36 months or 2.9% APR financing for 37-60 months available to customers who qualify for the AHFC Super Preferred credit tier. Example for 2008 Civic: 1.9% for 36 months financing at $28.60 a month for every $1,000.00 financed. Dealers set actual vehicle sales prices. See participating dealers for details. For well qualified buyers. Not all buyers may qualify. Higher rates apply for buyers with lower credit ratings.

Offer valid for 05/01/2008 through 7/7/2008, on new and unregistered 2008 Civic Models (Excluding Natural Gas Models) and only on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. Honda Financial Services' standard credit criteria apply. Example for 2008 Civic: 1.9% for 36 months financing at $28.60 a month for every $1,000.00 financed. See dealer for details. Dealers set actual prices. Limited time only.

It DOES say "participating dealer" so I supposed your local dealers could say they are not participating in the cheap financing deal - and that is OK as long as they don't offer it to any customer. By letting you have something Honda offers and that you deserve ONLY if you bribe them (in effect that is what you are doing) is wrong and smells sort of like discrimination and may be against the law. I would call Honda and see what they had to say about it and perhaps the consumer affairs folks in your area. I know there are times when you can take a rebate or the dealer gets some money OR you get a cheap rate, but this is not one of those times.

Dennis

sparkland

The reason Suio, gave the Fico score as 870 is because when a normal person pulls up a credit score from Experian or Tansunion, etc. the score comes out a little differently.

When I bought a new Civic I had just ordered :shades: my score from one of the three credit agencies and it came out 910. But, when I went to the dealership they said our score was 820.

Doesn't really matter, but that is why we sometimes have exaggerated scores.

Brad

dwynne

This IS what many (most?) of them use and the actual formula for calculating the score is a secret and probably varies from company to company.

I think it DOES probably more accurately describe a person's likelihood to repay a car loan or lease on time without problems if they have a long history of on time car loans and leases. Someone that almost always pays cash and has no revolving credit debt should have a super score, but they have never had a car loan so who knows how they will do at paying back a huge payment each month - so they should have a much lower "auto enhanced" score.

You are probably also correct that shady dealers can use this to get folks to overpay for their financing, but to be honest they don't need an auto enhanced score to do that.

I found lots of links talking about it, like these:

This one at creditboards

This one at ficoforums

and this one

and this one

So we can't see or know what it is, but in general if you have a good credit score AND you have car credit history with always on time and paid in full accounts then your auto enhanced score HAS to be no lower than your normal score. If you have a shaky score and / or shaky car credit history then you really can't know what your score is until the dealer / captive finance company pulls a report and tells you (honestly, we hope) the score.

Dennis

backy

Maybe the 3 credit agencies gave you a VantageScore, and the dealer used FICO. With the different credit rating systems, I guess now we need to ask which credit score was used. :confuse:

suio

If you go to Honda Cars of Katy web site, they don't list any special financing rate for the 08 Civic. As far as the credit score goes, I am not sure what they really mean. I just know anything over 800 is exceptional. Some banks have their own scoring system. This may be off topic for this forum.

cuyseco

Is June 30th the best day to buy a car?
I am still looking for my civic in dallas-texas

backy

Maybe, maybe not. It's probably better than July 1 though. And the longer you wait, the fewer Civics there will be to choose from. Good luck!

cody2007

I just bought Auto. Civic EX for 18,280.00 OTD.

macno0b

what is the tax rate in your area?

macno0b

Has anyone recently purchased a Civic Sedan Auto LX in Chicago Cook county recently? Could you please let me know your OTD price and the dealer? My Budget would be 17100-17500 OTD firm. I am thinking to buy it sometimes next week, please let me know. Any sales on July 4th?

cody2007

It's 6 %

grabsjoker

Hey guys. So, we just went to 3 dealers today, and called a few more, all in the Houston area. None of them were willing to deal. They had some outrageous starting prices, like 21000 OTD! In the end, I was able to get Honda Cars of Katy down to 18600 + TTL, Goodson West to 19560 OTD, and Gillman to 19790 OTD. I'm thinking to switch to a less "in-demand" car. Maybe a Toyota corolla... What do you guys think?

Also, one dealer, Goodson, told me that since the factories don't warranty the paint or the interior, that the dealers MUST add a warranty for that, which was $695! The dealer told me that it is non-negotable and that "Honda" told them they couldn't sell the car without it. Seems like BS to me, what do you think?

Finally, one guy told me that the 2.9% financing ends today, since its the last day of the month. I told him that it ran until July 7th and he seemed not to know this. Whats the deal?

Let me add, about 1 month ago, we got quotes that were about 1000 less. The lesson to be learned here is, buy early! Don't wait! Just kidding, waiting might have been ok, but then again, it might not have been...

backy

OMG, steer clear of THAT dealer! "Factories don't warranty the paint or interior"--what a load of b.s.! As is the statement that Honda won't let a dealer sell a car without a warranty that is tacked on by the dealer. Warning, Will Robinson!!

As for alternatives (not on topic but since you asked), you may find deals hard to get on the Corolla too--but they are offering 0% financing for 3 years I think. A few other good small cars in this class to check out, for which you may find it easier to get a deal, are the Mazda3i, Versa, Sentra, and Elantra GLS (or SE, but those are hard to come by since CR rated them their Top Pick in the small car class). All of these would be considerably less than the prices you have been quoted on the Civic LX, comparably equipped.

sparkland

That would be considered a steal here in Denver, The lowest we can get for an EX auto, is $18,900 plus TTL. That is if you can find one. The EX auto is a rare commodity right now in Denver.

Brad

cody2007

It is here also. The LX's are really hard to come by, too. I was lucky to get what I wanted all along only at a higher price than I planned to pay. Car poor--5 years anyway.

fayk

It's nice to know that not all dealerships are out to make an outrageous profit on the Honda Civic. My daughter (23 yrs old) bought her first car today. It is a Galaxy Grey 4dr AT Honda Civic LX sedan (with 3 miles on it) from the Willett Honda dealership. She mainly dealt with the Internet Department manager who was honest, forthright and helpful through the entire process. He never tried to pressure her or get her to buy high priced add-ons like dealer incentive packages or extended car care. He quoted her the original price approx. 2 weeks ago when she initially sent inquires to over 20 dealerships - and never tried to change the deal! Her OTD price was an unbelievable $17,768 which INCLUDED TTL and documentation fees with the 1.9% financing. If you live anywhere close to this dealership and are looking for a new Honda - GO TO THIS DEALERSHIP! No one else in the Atlanta area came anywhere close to this pricing and many of the other dealerships tried to use fairly shady tactics to lure her away. I give this dealership a 5 star rating.

harbikay

I got an online quote today from Weir Canyon Honda in Yorba Linda, CA for a Civic 2008 4 dr sedan, AT, for $16,650, not including tax, dest or lic fees. Thought it was pretty good. Emailed the salesman, who said it was just off the truck and sitting in their backlot. He sent me a confirmation quote by email as well as the name of the other "internet sales specialist" he worked with. Drove right over and spoke to his associate. We went out to see the car, but they didn't even have the keys or plates yet. I said that I'd take it, being a long time Honda owner (1998 Accord) and knowing their quality. We went into the office and she wrote up the quote, then took it to the "Sales Manager." About 10 minutes later this dude came in, bad suit and slimey personality, and said the car wasn't for sale anymore as someone had just bought it with "a higher bid." But that he'd be glad to make a deal on any other car in stock. What a load of horse crap! Just another twist on the old "bait-and-switch"!!

I stood up and marched out. I work in this area, and you can bet this little incident will get around to my colleagues. I'm also reporting this to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. If they want to sue, go right ahead, I kept all those papers, quotes and emails they sent. BAD MOVE, HONDA!!! Watch out any of you looking for a good deal. Civics are definately a seller's market, and yes, they are taking BIDS!

isellhondas

The CA DMV won't care. They have nothing to do with this.

I'm from CA and this doesn't surprise me.

It wasn't "HONDA", it was the dealer. Too bad. I hate stories like this.

suio

18600 + TTL from Honda Cars of Katy? I bought at invoice last Monday. I didn't even had to negotiate and they offer me this price.

backy

It would be more effective to complain to 1) Honda, 2) Better Business Bureau, if the dealership is a member (although in retrospect that seems unlikely...).

soonerforever1

I have had quotes from dealers all over Houston (most not legitimate)....although I did receive an offer of $22,100 from Goodson Honda on an EX-L Sedan.....couldn't come together on trade in price on a 2005 Toyota Solara Convertible SLE with 78K miles......they offered $7800.....a complete joke (did a nationwide scan and the only thing close was a car with 90K miles that was wrecked front and back with a salvage title).........I think I'll be waiting for the 09's or look at something else...BTW...Gillman quoted me a price of $21,385 back on June 7 without having the car (no prospects of gettting it either) and would not honor the price with any of their other dealers...Good luck in getting any response from Honda Motor Corp on any of this other than a lukewarm "sorry".

donsur

I bought a new 2008 Civic EX-L - black with gray interior from Honda Carland in Roswell Ga on June 6, 2008. I paid $20,200 for it. This dealer only had one Civic coupe with leather and this was it. Turns out that it was exactly what I was looking for. I also looked at the VW Jetta but I had a hard time communcating with that dealer. They were very stuffy. Everytime I asked them for a price, they kept saying well how much do you want to pay? Not very friendly. At Honda Carland, the sales associate communcated with me via email several times and when I went to the dealer he had everything lined up for me to see. I hate buying new cars, but this was very painless. I was there less than 2 hours total. I think I paid just where the price should be for a scarce leather coupe. Other dealers in the area didn't have any and searching the Honda Carland computer showed none available in the southeast.
What do you folks think, did I do OK?

backy

No, I don't think you did very well at all. I think you should have told that VW dealer that you would like to pay $100 for that Jetta, and then write them a check on the spot.

macno0b

I just had the email quotes from dealerships within 50 miles where i live for a Civic Sedan LX auto. Their prices are ridiculous around $19800 OTD or over invoice $1000. Has anyone been able to get below invoice price for a Civic LX sedan recently? Especially, those in Chicago? Please reply.

Thank you

macno0b

Hi Tiff_c

"OTD mean including taxes of your county
The best offers in Chicagoland Cook County so far based on this forum data is I believe $17,750 OTD ( All money you pay including taxes Dealer figure it out for you You don't care of what it is) for New 2008 Civic LX Sedan Automatic "

Do you know what dealership it was? Does that price still stand now?

Thanks,

nikulb

Honda of Serramonte, Daly City
El Cerrito Honda

Both of these dealers were giving me a deal of $18500 OTD. Paid $100 more for my choice of color.

kravon

Heres an idea folks - Buy something else? Nissan Versa, Hyundai Elantra, Saturn Astra (0% 72 months).

blipp39211

Can you tell me what the TT&L fees are in your area, individually? Thanks.

fayk

Hi Blipp39211 - happy to provide the information.

My daughter lives in Fulton County so the tax rate for the new car was 7% ($1,161)

The title fees were $18 + a $3 lemon law fee

The documentation fee for the dealership was $599.99

And the base price of the car was $15,987.00 for a total of $17,768.99 OTD.

Hope this helps. The internet manager she dealted with is Mr. Tryan B. I'm sure if you ask for him by his first name they can put you in touch with him.

bacchuswng

I am new at this buying car business, and I've been reading up on how to avoid spot delivery when buying cars.

I was wondering: does this apply to Honda when they approve you through Honda Financial Services? In other words, if they approve me and I drive the car off, will they potentially change the terms later?

Thanks!

blipp39211

WOW. That's $994 below cost. If you factor in holdback, it's still $639 below cost. GA/this dealer's doc fees are high, but she still did $600 better than me on the same vehicle. Good for her!!!!

blipp39211

I know of a dealer in NJ that is willing to negotiate on deals like this. I picked up my Civic this past weekend. Send me an email: blipp39211@email.com for details.

aaron16

I bought this car at Honda of Oakland, it's really badly services of Honda in the world, and I could not believe Honda is the best car that I have ever believed before, it‘s now having such as a bad after sales services and poor product as the manager of HONDA of Oakland. I hope anyone like me, my friend and my family members or whoever wants to buy HONDA car should not to come and buy any more HONDA car if they are not changing anything. I got it in branch new, and I just bought it in several days only, the engine check light was on after the second day. When I brought it back to put in the leather seat in as inside my contract and check the engine, they said it would take five days to install. And I came to pick up the car, there was a scratch and they broke my lovely car, I don’t know whoever took my car out for a drive. They said they would not have any responsible for any faults of them. It made me very disappointed. It hurt my feeling a lot. They said the only thing they could do for me is fixing and paint again to cover, and they said it’s my car now, it’s my responsibility. And it’s not their problem. I was wondering how Honda treated their customer like that. How did Honda advertise to get more potential customers to make them crazier and headache? I don’t feel happy to see their car anymore. I don’t even want to look at it again. The Honda that I have ever believed makes me very sad. They said I had to take the car out of their dealer immediately and coming back to fix it when they call, otherwise they would give me a ticket for towing my car out and I have to pay for rental parking, how do I know such a thing like this when I bought Honda and not any others branch name like Toyota. I don't want to look at Honda anymore, such a bad service that I ever got.

macno0b

Its the dealer ripping you off not HONDA. People are just not wise enough when it comes to this.

dwynne

Just about every dealer will have you sign paperwork saying if your financing does not go through then you have to return the car (no duh). Many will have provisions in them where you have to pay so much per day and so much per mile when you return it. This is normal, but there to protect the dealer and many honest dealers will not charge it if the car is returned in a timely manner with few miles. Some crooked dealers have high rates and intentionally mislead customers by promising low rates and payments, then calling back in a few days with the old "bank would not go for that rate, it will be x% higher and your payment will go up $yyy per month". When the customer says no and tries to unwind the deal, the dealer hits them with the full penalty from the paperwork so the customer is stuck with a high pay out and no car or a high car note.

I would not think that many Honda dealers would operate in this manner.

What *I* would do is get financing arranged through your bank, credit union, or online at places like Capital One. Then with that OK in hand you are ready to go. If the Honda dealer can prove a better rate, then take it. If something goes wrong you always have your backup plan. To avoid disappointment give the dealer time to run your credit during a business day. If you just show up at a dealership ready to buy 30 minutes before closing you may leave with a car but could be called back if there are issues.

Dennis

sandman46

Please try to use proper grammar and paragraphs when posting. Your post is very difficult to read and understand the 1st time. Much easier to read with proper english.

The Sandman

backy

Although it is possible that English is a 2nd language for Aaron, and he is doing the best he can. As I am not fluent in any language but English, I appreciate it when people who speak other languages do their best to communicate with me in my native tongue.

sandman46

My comment was directed at Aaron to try to help him post better in these forums, nothing more or nothing less. Thanks for chiming in here, but I think if Aaron has a problem with my post, he can speak for himself...thank you very much!

The Sandman

ethorne

Anyone have guidance on purchasing the Honda Extra Care Protection Package?

ethorne

What is a good price for the 7yr-84,000 mile extended warranty?

Is it negotiable?

sparkland

Sure, its negotiable. Best way to do it, is buy online from Saccucci Honda or Bernardi. There prices are about the same and it will cost you around $575 for the terms you mentioned. You can get 96 month-100,000 mile warranty for not much more on your Civic, about $805.

There is no rush to buy the Hondacare warranty except that your new car has to have less than 6,000 miles on it when you buy the warranty. So you can wait a few months with no problem. You cannot however live in California.
Honda is going to court to attempt to prevent these discounted online sales, but as of now they are still available and are the very same ones sold at the local Honda dealer.

Hope you get what you want. The local dealer will probably want around $1200-1400 for that same warranty.

I bought online for my Civic and my Ridgeline. :shades:

parkway1

I live in the New England area and can't seem to find this car. I am ready to buy. I constantly search Bock, Herb Chambers, Kelly, Atamian, Bernadi, Commonwealth Motors. There are many other cars in lower trim levels but not leather. I resisted putting a deposit down with dealers because I didn't want to limit my options. What's up. . . .not many EXLs manufactured? Any suggestions?