2013 and earlier-Honda Civic Prices Paid and Buying Experience

blueiedgod

$15,108.00 your price
577.00 doc fees (includes 199.00 for 5-year theft protection fee, we do this on all cars when rec'd)
1097.95 7% sales tax
19.00 Title
3.00 Lemon Law
$16,804.95 Your Drive Out Price

Doc fee is kind of high. The "Theft protection" is just a $20 window etch. $199 for a $20 job, damn they are good!!! Tell them that you don't want a vandalized car found if it is stolen. And trust me, you don't want to see your car found after it has been stolen. Even if they removed the "Theft protection" $300 for doc fees is kind of high. Tell them you want to meet the secretary that makes $300/hour. $150 is the most I would pay for doc fee. If they don budge, offer them to do your own paperwork as long as they give you the certificate of origin. It will take you an hour at DMV to get the car registered and title issued with the certificate of origin. The price already lists the Certificate of origin under "Title $19.00"

jjgalass

I agree with you on the high doc fees. I have another quote that is as follows:

$15,499 Sale Price
$929.94 6% Sales Tax
$21 Title

$16,449.94 Drive out Price

I guess dealer #1 cuts his price so he has almost no profit on the sale price but tries to make it back with the excessive doc fees.

What do you think about $16,450 for the drive-out price? Carsdirect.com lists invoice as $15,423.

blueiedgod

$15,499 Sale Price
$929.94 6% Sales Tax
$21 Title

$16,449.94 Drive out Price

I can't understand why one would have 7% sales tax and the other 6%. You pay taxes where you register, not where you buy. You will pay whatever tax is in your district or county.

What do you think about $16,450 for the drive-out price? Carsdirect.com lists invoice as $15,423.
I can't help you with the drive out price, as there is confilicting information on taxes. It just seems that the second dealer is more honest, if those fees are th eonly fees you will be hit with. What is carsdirect.com selling price, not invoice for your zip code?

jjgalass

Tax in my county is 6%. The first dealer has corrected his drive-out price since then to be $16,648.10.

Cardirect.com lists their selling price as $15,522 for my zip code.

3c3

I just got a quote:

2005 Honda Civic LX sedan, auto transmission
MSRP: $16,825
invoice: $15,422
carsdirect: $15,397
quote: $14,822 ($600 under invoice)

3% holdback is $505, so this is under invoice-holdback. Here in Calif, doc+tire fee is limited at $50, so it's $14,822+$50=$14,872 + tax/registration.

blueiedgod

If you are not a good negotiator, go with the more honest, second dealer. If you want a challenge, good at negotiations, and can confuse the most currupt financial guy then go with the first dealer, stick to you guns and keep low balling him. In other words, turn the tables on him. You know what you can get the car for at the second dealer. Plus you already know that there has to be some sort of "manufacturer-to-dealer" incentive. This would explain other people's qoutes that are under invoce+holdback.

klbrmb

NE Ohio
2005 Civic EX special edition - Magnesium color
Automatic

$17,600 plus tax, title

How did I do? It is $100 over the car directs price that I saw.

bae

What is the fair market value for a 2001 Honda Civic DX today? I'm thinking of buying one from a used car dealer. Since I'm living in the Middle East, I'm buying a car in this market. So the car market may be different but prices shouldn't vary that much.

I'm left confused by different things I'm reading. One reliable car website quoted the trade-in value: US $7190. But buyers on this msg board quote around US $10,000. What's more reliable? I thought a 2001 car would've devalued from US $13,000 (new price in 2001) to around US $7000 (used price in 2004).

bae

I am buying the car in the Middle East. Car prices appear to be cheaper here than in the US or Canada.

Actually, a Civic EXi is for sale. The seller wants US &8800 (QR 33,000 (local currency)) and I want to give him US $7500 (QR28,000). Does anyone know the true market value of this car in the Middle East market?

rhuss

Has anyone purchased a 2005 Civic Sedan VP?

I have contacted a few dealers and got prices ranging from:

$13,960.00 plus tax and license - Dealer #1
$14,097.00 plus tax and license - Dealer #2

3c3

Too high. Invoice is $13,826. Carsdirect.com for me is $13,751, and that's still about $400 too high, IMO.

glockaxis

lowest price I've received in Southern California was 16,684. Is that decent?

Also is asking 17,600 Out The Door tax (7.75%), license etc.. possible? Will a dealer go for that? How low can I get away with out the door?

watdall

Just paid $17,100 plus tax (7%) plus doc. fees, tags, and title ($125).

glockaxis

Wow that was good. Where did you get yours? In So Cal?

watdall

Purchased in central Ohio. John Hinderer Honda.

3c3

Your price is 16,684. Watdall's price is $17,100. Why is the other price "good"?

glockaxis

because I thought he meant out the door. After I posted the message I then thought that maybe it didn't include tax and license. My price of 16,684 was just for the car w/o tax and license and other fees.

tayl7784

Just purchased a 2005 VP Civic, suburban Philadelphia area, paid $13,899 no arguement great dealer. Have seen another dealder offer as low as 13,849 but that was in Philadelphia and would have been an extra 1% sales tax.

blueiedgod

Just purchased a 2005 VP Civic, suburban Philadelphia area, paid $13,899 no arguement great dealer. Have seen another dealder offer as low as 13,849 but that was in Philadelphia and would have been an extra 1% sales tax.

Congrats on the purchase. Sales tax goes by where you register not where you buy. If you buy in Philly and register in the suburb, you pay the suburb tax.

kange

That is not entirely correct. Different municipalities have different tax rules.

mindy

Aren't they too high?
I got an email quote on Sedan VP with side airbags recently. The lowest price was $12,800 plus tax and license. I am in Virginia.

ckshep

Are you guys getting these prices for vehicles on the lot? Am wondering what difference in price I could expect if a dealer had to go find a particular color/style of vehicle. E.g. he has no EX's w/ side airbags and has to find one. Should I expect very little flexibility in price in that instance? Thanks a bunch.

jaa37

It shouldn't mean much less price flexibility, but some dealers will try to tell you that they can't give you as good a deal if they have to find the car (at least, that's my experience). If the dealer can find you the car you want, chances are you can find it too, by extending your search to other dealers.

 

Unless you feel committed to using one particular dealer, I would keep looking -- if you can't find the car you want, then you can always ask the dealer to look, though they probably won't be able to either.

rogueknight

Anyone know any dealerships that are willing to deal? The one in Chillicothe wouldn't deal with me at all and wanted $14,900 for a 2004 Civic VP (after 2 hours of negociating). I'm sure any place is better but anyone know a good place and some pointers in getting a good deal?

3c3

For $14,900 I can get get a LX. Check carsdirect.com and autonation.com.

nguyen18

Hi, I'm new to the site. I am planning to buy a used 2001 civic ex. Is the seller able to include the price that he invested into the car with the value of the car? The KBB I went to (kbb.com) qouted it at $12855. Edmunds and NADA qouted it at $11-11800. The dealer however said that their KBB qouted it at $18885, because it has turbo, rims, intake etc. Is there really another KBB that has prices for aftermarket parts to be included in the car's value. Or should the car be sold at the original value $11-12k, and not $18885

Kirstie_H

Whoa, there! This car sounds like it has been heavily modified. If so, I would be very wary of purchasing it, and most experts on this site would recommend against it.

 

Since this is not a new car and it has lots of add-ons, you should first get a list of all of the options & aftermarket parts, then post a request for value in our Real-World Trade-In Values discussion. However, in general, modifications not made by the dealership decrease the value of the car rather than increase it.

 

kirstie_h

Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

isellhondas

That extra equipment can actually DETRACT from the value of that Civic! Most buyers will be scared away because of that crap. I know I wouldn't touch that car!

 

I would proceed with EXTREME caution since that car has probably been abused!

john500

Absolutely not!!!!!

If anything, the price should be lower due to the engine stress from the addition of a turbo. There is no way that the owner of a car should expect to recoup costs associated with modifications. Don't even buy this car. Look for another one and do the modifications yourself or pay someone else to do them if you want a turbocharged car. Better yet, buy a factory-assembled fast car. The amount of money that is needed to convert a Honda Civic into the acceleration league of something like a Mustang GT is on the order of 6-8 K.

blueiedgod

Hi, I'm new to the site. I am planning to buy a used 2001 civic ex. Is the seller able to include the price that he invested into the car with the value of the car? The KBB I went to (kbb.com) qouted it at $12855. Edmunds and NADA qouted it at $11-11800. The dealer however said that their KBB qouted it at $18885, because it has turbo, rims, intake etc. Is there really another KBB that has prices for aftermarket parts to be included in the car's value. Or should the car be sold at the original value $11-12k, and not $18885

 

You are on the right track. The car's resale value does not increase with modifications. If this were a trade in, the dealer would have charged you, by lowering the trade in amount, to bring the car to factory specifications. Are you sure you are talking about a Honda dealership, or just a used car lot? As far as I know, not too many OFFICIALLY LICENCED HONDA DEALERSHIPS would get even close to taking this car on a trade. And if they did, they gae the previous owner about $9000 for it, if not less.

This dealer is a BS artist. KBB does not list non-factory optional equipment. It may have cost the previous owner $3-5K to install the turbo.

 

Problem with buying someone else's modified car, it takes the fun out modifing. The most rewarding part of modifing the car is to actually pick and install upgrades your self. What's the point of buying someone else's modifications? It is not your creation. It may still be "one of", but it is someone else's "one of" not yours.

nguyen18

So, how should I confront the dealer, can I just straight up tell him that he lied about saying that KBB's qoute was $18885? he is selling it for $13995

alpo

2005 Civic EX Sedan, 4 dr, auto (no side airbags)

 

MSRP: $18725 (from carsdirect.com)

Invoice: $17156 (from carsdirect.com)

 

Purchased 12/15/2004:

Odometer: 6 Miles

Exterior Color: Eternal Blue Pearl

Interior Color: Grey

Price: $15985

Dealer Process Charge: $100

Wheel Locks: $0

Pinstripes: $0

Destination Charge: $515

5% Sales Tax: $830

Tags&Title: $208

Out the Door: $17638

 

Question: Dealer tried to get me to buy some sort of Undercoating, Clearcoat for the paint, Rust protection, and carpet protection. I didn't pay for any of this stuff since I haven't done any research on it. Is any of this stuff worth the price? They add 10yr Warrenty for all of the above plus liftime warrenty for the undercoating.

 

Undercoating: $374

Paint + Undercoating: $600

Paint + Undercoating + Carpet + Rust Protection: $1100 (and they add Lojack for free)

john500

Advice: Do not buy the car and do not confront the dealer. Buy a car somewhere else.

 

However, it sounds like you are quite determined to get this car. If you take the ill-advised route (i.e. buying the car), don't verbally confront the dealer at all. Say it with your offer. Offer him $7,000 if the owner/dealer can provide receipts on everything and proof that the rest of the car has been modified to handle the increased power. This would include changes to the inside of the engine (there is a book entitled Maximum Boost), a different clutch, transmission and possibly differential. Furthermore, ask him if he will give you a one-year warranty and make him to give you at least a one year vehicle inspection. You should understand that the statistics that the car will last a long time without major investments are against you.

blueiedgod

So, how should I confront the dealer, can I just straight up tell him that he lied about saying that KBB's qoute was $18885? he is selling it for $13995

 

You don't confront. Simple give him the amount you are willing to spend. If he says no, move on. This is not the only Civic out there.

Since it is turboed, I would offer less than what "edmund's official" price is. Do you know if the vehicle has updated fuel pump, ECU with turbo fuel maps, brakes? Simply bolting on a turbo is not enough. Does it have an intercooler? If not, RUN AWAY from this car. The engine probably has very little life left in it. Does it have lower compression pistons? Does it have forged connecting rods? There is a whole bunch of things that need to be updated when someone turboes a car that was not turbo before. What is the boost rate? Ask for some kind of dealer warranty, if you do go through with the purchase. Make sure the warranty is for a Turboed car. The dealer may give you warranty, but when you have a claim, they will deny it by stating that it has turbo. As far as I know, there are no Honda warranties in the US that cover forced induction egnines, excpet for NSX.

Kirstie_H

Thanks john500 & blueiedgod. Calling the dealer a liar won't increase your chances of getting a good price, it will only make the situation more hostile. Your best option is to pick a price you're willing to pay and stick with it. If the dealer overpaid for this car, he's not going to let it go cheaply. However, that's his problem, not yours.

 

I'm not quite sure we can help you, though. All of the advice on Edmunds.com, including some from those who have spent a long time in the car biz, is to run, run, run away from this vehicle. If you haven't yet, check out the responses to your post in our trade-in values discussion:

nguyen18, "Real-World Trade-In Values" #23663, 13 Dec 2004 6:42 pm

 

kirstie_h

Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

isellhondas

Nguyen,

 

If it sounds like we are trying to scare you away from that Civic it's because we are!

 

That car has had a hard, abusive life!

 

So many other (much better) choices!

kelbo

TAYL7784, Do you mind if I ask who your dealership was? I will be in the market for a 2005 Civic EX in the next few weeks in the Philadelphia suburbs. It sounds like you had a good experience. Thanks!

nguyen18

Yeah, thanks you guys I didn't buy the car I was just wondering ...you know...I culd tell when i asked him some questions about the internals of the car that he didn't know what he was talking about so I did RUN fromthe car...thanks again

4dizzy2

I am planning to purchase a Civic (ES1635W) in Cincinnati within the next 48 hours.

The best price I got (in writing) is $13,505 plus tax & title. Has anybody seen a better price ??

thong24k

I just want to let anyone know that I got my Civic back in Oct from Garden State Honda, NJ. My experience there after purchase was absolutely perfect. I shop around for service before I buy the car because I'll be the one who take the car for service. I have two young childrens that I have to take them with me. I decided to buy the car from them. Now I just went to do the oil change for the first time. The service was very excellent. They have waiting room with big screen TV, game room for kids, internet access and free food and drink. My kids loved it and want to go back there again. The price I paid wasn't that bad,too. I paid $14335 plus tax and other fees. The doc fees is too high, but it seem to be in that area around here. After all I loved this place.

ghulet

Those dealer add-ons (nickname 'Mop & Glo') such as undercoating, fabric and paint protection, etcetera pretty much exist for the dealer to pad his pockets. The only thing on that list remotely of any value is the LoJack, and I'd probably even pass on that (if my car is stolen, I likely don't want it back, y'know?). The car is already rust-proofed, buy some ScotchGard at the grocery store for $5 if you want the fabric protected, done.

gator3

Just hoping to get some soul-searching answers as to why you went with a hybrid over a standard Civic. To help save the environment? Purely for economic savings on gas? Other?

 

I did a very rough calculation to determine the "break even" point for Hybrids vs. standard Civics with the following assumptions:

 

Hybrid: cost $19000, 51 mi/gal

nonHybrid: cost $13500, 37 mi/gal

cost of gas $1.80 (south carolina)

 

If my calculation is right, the money saved due to less fuel consumption makes up for the higher purchase price at 43000 miles.

 

Has anyone else seen similar estimates?

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

KL

john500

Something is wrong with your calculation:

 

Hybrid

43,000 miles (1 gal / 51 miles)($ 1.8/gal) = $1517 spent of fuel

 

Civic

43,000 miles (1 gal / 37 miles)($1.8 / gal) =

$2091 spent on fuel

 

=$574 savings for buying the hybrid at 43,000 miles

 

Break even

5500 = X (1.8/51) - X(1.8/37) = 409,000 miles if fuel stays at $1.80/gallon

haterz

The price in central valley california, at Stockton Honda is $14,450 for Civic LX. They are selling Civics and Accords at $1000 below invoice.

heyheyhey

$1000 below invoice!!! how could that be? honda (and toyota) never has these huge sales such as GM and Ford's Red Tag sales with all their rebates and 0% APR for 72 months. are you sure it was a $1000 under invoice? did you forget about the $515 destination charge? i want to make sure i will get a price as good as your price.

bottgers

I work with a woman who is selling her '93 Civic. It's a sedan with about 130k miles. It's an automatic and is in very good shape. The interior is flawless, and the only thing wrong with the exterior is one small door ding in the driver's door and a few small chips in the paint on the front end. The engine compartment is also very clean and there appears to be no leaks. It has new tires and belts and it's a very nice driving car. I drove it a few miles down the road. I noticed it does need a new speedometer cable as the speedo works intermittently. Other than that, I couldn't find anything wrong with the car. She said her daughter bought the car new and drove it for about 1 year, then this lady I work with has been driving it since. She said her husband has maintained the car maticulously since it was new. I can't varify this, but it looks and drives like this is true.

 

I don't think she'll take any less than $1500 for the car. Does this seem like a good price? I've checked used car values in Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book, and NADA and their prices on this car range anywhere from $1100 to $2200. I'm looking for a car for my daughter and I need something reliable, but I can't spend more than $2000. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

bottgers

?????????

isellhondas

If you can get her to take 1500.00 for that Civic I would grab it immediately. It's worth a lot more than that unless it's got 200,00 miles.

ghulet

I can rarely find any Civic made after 1988 for less than $2k. What model (DX, LX, EX) is it, anyway?

bottgers

I think it's an LX. What makes these cars so expensive? It used to be when a car rolled up over 100K miles, they could be bought relatively cheaply.