2013 and earlier-Honda Civic Prices Paid and Buying Experience

integradriver

Well, went to Piazza by the Airport, they did have a very attractive price ($16100) on the LX 5M coupe, but no car in stock. Went up to Conicelli, and when I finally found Ridge Pike (I hate driving in Conshohocken!) they had one allocated in Atom Blue so after we worked numbers, I put the buy in at $16200 and they gave me the VIN. If I wasn't without a car right now, I probably would have held out for the slightly better price, but knowing that I have an actual car reserved was worth it.

By the way, if a dealer comes in over MSRP (they came in at $17100, counter near invoice (I came back at $15700) and tell them to quit playing around. They came down to MSRP, and that's when I told them the other offer I had gotten earlier. Their next number was $16300 vs my $16100, and I figured to have a VIN and an allocated car was worth $100 extra, so I offered with a deposit in hand (Credit Card) and they took the deal.

jmurman42

*Any ideas on when prices will come down? This is a mainstream compact car.*

Honda says they are going to build 300,000 Civics for 06. I've sold Hondas for a number of years now and have never seen anything like this. At this time of the year we should have rows of Civics...I don't think I have a total of 10 on the entire lot. We are actually ordering slower selling colors, like Taffeta White just to have something to test drive for customers.

I can just imagine what the FIT is going to be like.

integradriver

Roxychick and I each got $600 off MSRP* from Conicelli in Conshohocken. *They started me out $300 over MRSP but I put and end to that right quick. Piazza by the Airport beat them by $100 but didn't have a car.

Out of the five dealers I went to, only ONE had a 5M in any trim level on the ground.

What's "FIT"?

isellhondas

Same thing here. In 11 years, nothing like this.

And for good reason!

visionguy

I heard a few days ago from a Honda sales person that Honda (Ohio plant?) is replacing the Civic LX line with the upcoming Fit (at least for the time being). Is this true and is that the reason for the shortage of Civics?

It was almost impossible to find the color (gray or silver) I wanted for the LX 4DR Auto in the DC/MD/VA area. The few dealers who had the car offered prices way over what I think is fair (5% over the dealer's cost). It wasn't that bad just a week ago. Back then the price quotes were reasonable and they were pretty sure that they could get the car. Now they are saying its impossible to get them. I suspect something happened around last weekend...

integradriver

When availability is tight, locates and dealer trades are going to be harder and harder to manage. Makes having the car you want in stock or allocated to the dealer on their manifest that much more important, and those guys know it. They'll hold their line on price for now, so it's really starting to look like a seller's market, especially for those who really can't wait. I had to weigh in the additional cost of a rental if I waited, so even though a local dealer has a really attractive post purchase incentive, the amount I'd be wasting on a rental would have been more than the value of his goodies.

isellhondas

I love it...a 5% profit is "fair" ?

Sorry, but you need to consider the massive overhead it takes to run a car business.

No, the FIT isn't replacing the Civic.

adprende

I got 16,500 out the door (about 15,800 for the car + fees)from the first delear I talked and he came out with this right away. This is for an LX manual. If they came right out with that, do you think I can get them down to 16,000?

adprende

I have seen several of you quoting the holdback based on invoice and not MSRP...edmunds says to take the 3% off the MSRP

integradriver

Is he including destination?

I can't imagine any dealer going below invoice, so if he's at $15800, there's only another $300 to work with. As much as I like working with them on numbers, it' snot like the Civic is a distressed product.

hondacurafan

I went to buy a '06 Civic Si from Lute Riley Honda in Richardson (a suburb of Dallas). Wow! The salesman said I couldn't drive one, though they had 3 in, and that I could have one for just $2500 over MSRP! Now keep in mind that this is the same dealer I bought my 99 Civic Si from and where my car was serviced at. To make it seem like I was getting a deal, the salesman tells me people have been paying $4000 over MSRP. I told him that was nuts and I could get a new Acura RSX Type S for less.

Then I told him I knew a Honda dealer in Oklahoma and they probably were selling for less. I should mention that I am from Dallas but am currently going to law school in Oklahoma. The salesman thought I was bluffing and said "Why don't you call them and check?". So I pulled out my cell phone, called Eskridge Honda, spoke to the Internet manager, who told me Eskridge's philosphy was to NEVER sell a car for more than MSRP, despite market demand.

So sitting at Lute Riley Honda, I gave my credit card number to Eskridge Honda and put a deposit down on a 2006 Civic Si. I highly reccomend Eskridge Honda in Oklahoma City and suggest people avoid Lute Riley. One of my friends, who dislikes Lute Riley thought they should change their name to "Loot Riley". I had always defended LR in the past but not any more, not after this incident.

hondacurafan

The Honda Fit, like the Nissan Versa, is a small 5 door hatchback designed to be a cheap commuter car. Very similar to the Scion Xa or Chevy Aveo hatchback (which is made by GM's Korean partner).

integradriver

What are they, nuts? The only way a dealer could even attempt to hold at MSRP or above is if no one is moving on price.

unclejbird

From the looks of posts on this board, I think I know the answer......a dealer I went to yesterday quoted me $20,500 (MSRP plus destination) for an SI. Does that sound kosher? Once you put down a deposit, can you still negotiate on price when the car comes 2-3 mos. from now (when there are more these damnable but attractive cars on the lot)?

Grazi.

bevvyny

Looking at '06 Honda Civic, LX w/AT.
MSRP= $17110
Invoice= $15643.
Edmunds TMV= $17660.These prices are without the destination charge of $550.

I have 1 quote so far: $16593.74 (I believe this is the out the door price).
Should I just be very bold and just make an offer from $15700 say to $16000. (Not tell them the range, but pick a price).

Never done this before, so would like any help on how to approach things.

Thanks!
(I live in the Syracuse, NY area if that makes any difference).

integradriver

NY State TTL has to be close to $1000, right? If he's giving that to you on a Civic LX AT, take it and run. But I doubt he's doing that, of course, I wasn't there.

Add back destination into any price, no one is going to give that to you. So you're looking at MSRP of $17660 and Invoice of $16200ish, if I'm remembering correctly. The best price I've gotten after shopping five dealers was $600 over invoice. If they have the car you want (or you're willing to wait who knows how long), $16600 including destination but NOT including TTL, I'd do it. Sure you can play the 'bump' game for the extra $400, but it's up to the Sales Manager's mood whether or not they'll give up any of the remaining $400.

Check before you sign though, that the dealer isn't adding any unreasonable 'Dealer Prep' or 'Doucmentation' fees that are compleltely separate from what Gov. Pataki and the DMV want from you.

blane

adprende,

The holdback that I discussed in post #2745 was 3% of MSRP.

adprende

so then on the Manual LX the dealer price is really only 15150, right?

theking

Now think for a second: If dealer says to you that Honda increased car by $500 and now you have to pay more you are going to be P.O. When you order,you usually have price protection. You can try to renegotiate but dealer will keep your deposit and tell you to see another dealer. Be happy with price ! Don't jerk salesman around.. you don't want to be jerked around ! :surprise:

hondacurafan

The 2006 Civic Si is in great demand and Honda is only producing 15,000 this year. Most of the dealers in the Dallas area are pre-selling them, you put a deposit down and have first right of refusal. As I mentioned in a previous post, some dealers are selling Civic Si for $2000 to $2500 OVER MSRP.

When I bought my 1999 Civic Si they were also in short supply and I ended up paying just under MSRP. I had heard back then that the initial 99 Civic Si were selling for $1000 to $1500 over invoice.

At MSRP the 2006 Civic Si is a very good deal. Compare it to the Acura RSX type S and it is a significantly better deal for a lot less.

hondacurafan

>What are they, nuts? The only way a dealer could even >attempt to hold at MSRP or above is if no one is moving >on price.

The Si is in demand and no dealer is moving on price. The best price a dealer will give is MSRP. Eskridge Honda was nice enough to eat the destination charge of $550 so my price is $19,900 + tax and license. Most dealers are charging MSRP and a few unscrupulous ones are charging $2000 to $2500 over MSRP.

As I mentioned, I had bought my 99 Civic Si for just under MSRP, but at $17k it was a great deal. I had been looking at used Preludes with 50k miles for $15k so to pay $2k more and get a new car with the same horsepower was a deal.

Similarly, I had been looking at the Acura RSX type S at around $23k. The Si has a more modern design (drive by wire), limited slip differential, essentially the same engine and horsepower.

My only disappointment is with Honda's 3/36 warranty as oppossed to Acura's 4/50 warranty.

wintertiger

I am looking for a 06 Honda Civic LX AT too. A dealer gave me an OTD price of $19226 saying his profit is $700. I live in TN.

Is the Edmunds' invoice price accurate in most case?

integradriver

Edmunds pricing has been accurate on all the models I've looked at, but keep in mind that on a lot of their pages they've backed out the Destination charge of $550.

chickenhawk

I just purchased a Civic LX AT in Richmond for a pretty good price - $16,450. Out the door price was $17,250. I got the deal after sending a bunch of quote requests to dealers from Williamsburg to Northern Virginia. I got replies from a low of $16,393 to $17,760. I tried to get the local dealer who I worked with to get close, but he would not go below $17,300. I went back to the closest internet dealer and asked them for a better price, giving them the low price from Northern Va. They can back and beat the 'out the door' price, had a lower processing fee. From there the deal was great - the internet sales mgr was a pleasure to work with. She made the purchase real easy - and wants us to call her if we have any questions or problems. The dealer was Colonial Honda.

dcv_2002

Anyone care to say what kind of prices they've been getting on Long Island recently for a CIVIC LX/EX. I've been getting around 660 off MSRP for the LX as the best. (Haven't really been looking for EX). Stock seems rather low, especially in Suffolk County.

rutger3

Okay Honda dealers, you have lucked out and have yourself a nice car, but let's not go overboard here. You would think the new Civic had wings, got 100 miles per gallon, and had a built in expresso machine. Honda just happens to be the first one out of the blocks with their new model changeover. All dealers play this game, but Honda is the best at it. They did this with the Odyssey about five years ago when that was redesigned, until of course Toyota came out with their new Sienna. They also tried it for a while with the new Accord a few years back. If Honda thinks they are going to sell 300,000 Civics at or close to msrp, they are dreaming. When Toyota remakes the Corolla, this will change. Also, when Honda stops playing the "Oh we cant make them fast enough" supply game, it will end. Do you really think their are that many people buying small economy cars in the middle of winter? Their marketing folks are good using the 'car of the year' ads to boost sales. Once we the buyers stop rushing to get these popular mainstram compact cars, the supply will increase and the prices come down. For now, the dealers have the upperhand, but if history and economics are an indicator, this will have to change. By the way,do not expect to get 40 miles per gallon, EPA sticker is deceiving. Also, the Civic Hybrid gets a much lower federal tax credit than the Toyota Prius for 2006.

mikefm58

Would you like some cheese with that whine? Did you get your feelings hurt this past weekend trying to buy a new 06 Civic?

Don't associate American Honda Motor company with the arrogant dealers you're working with. How can you fault American Honda just because they happenned to win some awards for car of the year?

If you don't want to pay the going rate for the new 06 Civic then vote with your pocket book and go buy something else.

isellhondas

Honda now as a 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty.

isellhondas

Sounds like a bit of sour grapes?

roxychick

Yea, I guess we did about the same. I got mine at Conicelli for $16,900.00. The cost for AT is, what, $800.00 more? When do they expect your car in?

travis77

I bought my 06 ex for $20,009 when it was all said and done. I had an 04 gmc sierra i was trying to trade in on it but they wouldn't do it because i was like 7000 upside down in it,, so they kept trying to talk me into leasing the car and i told them i didn't want to drive it for 2 years and then give it back ,,,lol,,, my credit score was really low and the finance manager said i could not have 2 vehicle loans on my credit unless my score was like 720 or higher. So i went back to the drawing board,,, the next day the general manager called me and asked me if he could get me into that civic without leasing would i do it? I told him i would,,, so i'm now on a lower monthly payment than i was with my truck,,, btw,, the truck was a lemon :lemon: and i tryed to get GM to buy it back and they wouldn't,, so i just gave it back to them,,, it's gonna hurt my credit but i already have my new honda and i'm much happier.

integradriver

Yep, AT is $800 more. I ordered it on Thursday off of their incoming vehicles list, they said that it could take up to two weeks. I picked it up about three hours ago!

mikefm58

Good deal travis. You got a new car AND a lower monthly payment. That's aaallllllll that matters.

But I'm curious, how long is your loan and what's the interest rate?

travis77

loan is for 6 years at 11%.. considering what my credit score was ( low 500ish) i'm pretty happy. I was looking for any way possible to get out from under that truck,,,, everyday i got in it,, i wondered what was going to go wrong with it next. The general manager at The Honda dealer really pulled some strings for me and was over-all happy with the buying experience. I guess he wanted to work with me considering we got my wife a new Accord the day before i bought mine there.

kyfdx

While 6 years at 11% might seem like a death sentence to some people, at least you are buying a car with excellent resale and a reputation for reliability... and, you got rid of a car you hated... Seems like a good deal all around..

Just hang on to that car for four or five years... Serial trading for cars with poor resale is what gets most people way "under water".

Congratulations on the new car!

rutger3

Okay, so I was whining a bit, but my strategy now is to wait out the dealers until the prices come down. I am a patient person which is not the type of customer the dealers like. I think one area that some Honda dealers forget to consider is the type of customer who is buying. I have always owned Toyotas, drive 35,000 miles per year and have my cars serviced at the dealer. This means alot of money for the service dept and a new car every 3-4 years. However, the Sales dept probably does not care about this, even though it is good for the dealership. Also, I would think that Honda would want to bring me over to their side and away from their number 1 enemy. This could reap rewards for years to come, but again this does not satisfy the instant gratification most salespeople and even buyers want.

isellhondas

It sounds like you are going to do a Voluntary Repossion on that GMC?

If your credit is in the low 500's now, you have no idea how bad it's about to become if you go through with this!

bevvyny

That OTD price sounds high to me. The suggested MSRP is $17110. here in my area, according to Edmunds. Think I will enter different zipcode to see what prices come up.

mikefm58

Most dealers treat their sales and service depts. separately, each one has to be profitable on their own, so even though you'll have the car serviced their, the sales dept. doesn't care or have any financial stake. I agree with you though, doesn't sound logical to me either.

mikefm58

" It sounds like you are going to do a Voluntary Repossession on that GMC? "

Yikes, I didn't catch that one.

Travis77, can you say "How looowww can it gooooo". And legally, they still can come after you for the negative equity. That is assuming you have assets and income they could garnish. No dis-respect intended, but people with a credit score in the low 500's "usually" don't have much.

roxychick

Aww, I bet you're so happy. See, I told you that Conicelli was a "nice" place to do business. No, but seriously it was the best Honda dealership I went to. How's it driving? Can you fit your golf clubs in there?(Or whatever other piece of sports equipment you were talking about earlier).

integradriver

It drives great, haven't tried to fit stuff into it yet, but all of that stuff fit into my Integra, so it shouldn't be a problem on the Civic. Glad you had a good experience there, by the time I got up there I was talking numbers only so I may have missed out on a little of the dealership experience that you got, but they were the only place that could gurantee me a car within two weeks (and with a rental at $150 a week, that was a huge deal!)

jmurman42

Prices will come down eventually, they always do. Now the dealership isn't going to give you any break because you would service with them, although the owner or GM might, but the salesman won't.

We are starting to see those 5% margins here on the east coast, but cars are in very tight supply. I got a truck in last night as we were leaving, 5 LX's 3 Nighthawk Black, 2 Alabaster Silver. I came in this afternoon, both Silvers are gone and one Black is working as we speak. Crazy...but a good crazy.

travis77

Actually i already gave the truck back,,,, and the low credit score was my fault,,, because i got a wild hair on my [non-permissible content removed] and decided to see how many credit cards i could get in a short period of time,, so there is alot of dings,,, never used any of them,, just wanted to see how many i could get and what kinda credit i would be offered,, i know it was stupid but it's done and over with now,,,,so i'm dealing with the set backs of that decision.

travis77

yes the resale is very excellant i've gatherd,,, considering the dealer was selling an 03 ex for $900 less than the 06 i got.

isellhondas

You can cancel all of those unneeded credit cards which will help. If you truly just walked away from that truck, it's a Voluntary Repo. Not as bad as a forced repo but almost.

Oh, well...you will recover given enough time.

travis77

Yea,,, they are already all canceled,,, i did a voluntary repo on the truck,,, i bought the truck new in 2004 and was in over 50 times for warranty work... just don't have time for all of that,,, I went and bought the Honda before i took the truck back just so i wouldn't have the returned truck on my credit report before i purchased,,,, So my credit is not gonna hurt me as far as a vehicle purchase goes because i already got one,, lol,,, now it's just time to sit and wait for things to improve,, (could be a long time),,lol :sick:

dell11

a dealer just accepted my offer of 16,300 for a 2006 civic sedan automatic. It might help to wait till the end of the month to make an offer. I'm from ma. so that have an affect on the price.

integradriver

Good deal! Is that including Destination?

euglee25

I'm in the San Diego area looking for an 06 LX Sedan Auto Trans w/out any other additional options. I'm willing to drive up to the LA area if prices are reasonable. Anyone know what prices I should be looking at? The lowest offer I've gotten so far is 18.5K OTD. Still seems pretty steep to me, but maybe it's not too bad considering how well the Civic is selling. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!