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Now, have you actually spoken to any of the dealers that sent you quotes and asked them what they have in stock? Or when they will be getting one in? I can assure you that a dealer that has one, will not dealer exchange one.
This might be something that you would want to do asap. You might find that a dealer that has one might not be the lowest price and they might not drop their price either. So, thats a decision you might have to make.
I get inquiries for EX Navis all the time and my price, even though I'm about $300 over invoice, I wouldn't drop my price one cent "to match another dealer"
The "retail" salesmen here get full MSRP for this car FYI, however we do have a large enough inventory so I know that other dealers are backlogged for months...as we tend to be too.
Good luck to you.
Freight: 550
Tint: 157
Gravel Guards: 166
Total With Acc: 17550.26
Document Fees: 299
Sales Tax: 1333.82
Tire Disposal: 5
Title Reg Fees: 311.92
Total: 19500
I think I am getting a decent deal considering that this civic is coming in 3-4 weeks... I am buying this car at DOBBS HONDA. My buying experience is so-so. I had to go two times to the dealer because of a contract problem (Not really the dealer’s fault.)
I went there in the morning (5/1/06) with the intention to buy. However they did not have any civic lx autos so I deposited $500 for a Galaxy Gray Metallic Civic auto LX for $19,650. I did not want the EX due to the sun roof (Had a nasty experience with the Scion TC’s sunroof.) I felt a bit down cause I wanted to buy one today and drive away... and was carrying a ton of cash. I then went back home and saw that I did not sign my contract. (Had a copy of the contract... There was an X but no signature! lol)
Now the fun part! I checked my email and found out that another dealership was offering me a better deal. (More accessories and 400 less) I called them and found out my deal was sold and they would not give me a deal at all. I went back to DOBBS Honda and talked to a sales manager... I had printed the offer on the internet and asked if he could match what they were offering me. He put on a show by counting my deposit and putting it on my table... Then he tells me to go to the other dealership cause he can’t match it.
Boy was I pissed! He acted like I was saying that I did not want the car. I blew a fuse and yelled something with sherlock at the manager and the manager promptly walked out. (I basically said I did not come here to be pissed on and that I saw that I did not sign the contract... of course with lots of bad words... and probably incoherently) If my mother was not there, I would have probably ripped the manager’s head off. (No ride so parents were there).
I went to the desk and asked to see the head manager. Desk tells me that the head manager is gone and that the manager I was talking to IS the main manager. I was about to leave to buy another Toyota product when my mother insisted on talking to the manager. Desk called the Manager we were talking to and he did not come out - which totally pissed me off. So the desk called the Internet Sales Manager (AKA ISM from now on)(She was with the main manager so we picked up her name) My mother told the ISM that we never said we wanted our deposit back and that the manager did not need to put on a show and make us feel bad. The ISM told me that since I SIGNED a contract, trying to changing it would piss the manager off. I told the ISM that I did NOT SIGN the contract, which was one of my primary reasons I came back. (Didn’t want them to change prices on me cause I didn’t sign) The ISM asked me who signed and insisted that she saw a signature... Well the ISM walked back and after 5 mins or so both managers came back out looking apologetic... The main manager called me Sherlock... lol guess I'm a smart [non-permissible content removed]... The main manager said they would drop the price to $19,500 and that they could not possibly match the price of the other dealer. They changed the price, I signed, paid the deposit again and got a copy of the new contract.
Jeez, I actually wrote a story.
Thanks.
purchase price $ 17000
tax 1020
doc fee 167
tire fee 7
dmv/tags - 4 yrs 229
total OTD $ 18423
The doc fee is a rip-off but the only way around it was to try and get them down on the purchase price. Doc fees should be outlawed, it is just another way of making more profit for the dealer when it should be part of their normal overhead of running a business. Other wise, the deal went smoothly, no problems. One of the better dealers I have dealt with. They did try to sell me a series of extended warranties, but I passed. New Jersey rakes you for four years of registration on all new cars.
A little story: The LAST time I had work done at Merchants, it was to replace a bulging radiator hose. I was living in an apartment and had a long commute the next morning so I didn't have the place or the time to mess with it. They "hosed" me for the hose, clamps ($12 a piece) and everything else, but the thing that really burned me was $15 to de-grease the engine (he said he won't let his guys work on a "dirty" engine and it was a standard charge on all cars) and $8 for rags. I gave him three choices: a) don't charge me for the de-greasing since they have rags, b) don't charge me for the rags if the engine was recently sterilized or c) I could just hit him in the head.
He took the $8 off the bill.
anyway, i'm having a really hard time locating my car in black or royal blue, both sedan and coupe, here in southern california, and i've checked dealers within 150 miles. I can't stand automatics for my own reasons, and trust the manuals better and just really want a manual too. I know that some dealers do have the car I want since some other dealer says they can trade for it, but all the dealers are not honed in on each other's inventory. I'm actually very shocked that there are not more manual transmissions.
Can I ask, those who have been looking for manual transmissions, what area of the country are you from? I guess I'm getting too obsessed with this, but if demand is high in certain parts of the country, wouldn't they just make the car and send them out to the dealers? Maybe some of you dealers here can give a little enlightenment on the topic. It would be helpful. Thanks.
The sedan is very, very similar to the coupe. The only real difference is 2" in overall length, the number of doors and 4" of legroom in the back seat. They both have really easy, smooth clutches- I haven't driven a car with such a smooth clutch ever- it enables me to keep the seat further back and sit back in the seat. The shifting seemed a little smoother on the coupe than the sedan, but I tested them at different dealerships on different days, and I may not have a very clear recollection.
But when driving the coupe, it wasn't jerky at all, and with the sedan, it felt like even releasing the clutch just a little, makes it go a lot, which makes the shifting feel very noticeable. And shifting the 3rd to 4th was noticeable- normally I wouldn't feel that, the way that I drive. But it could also just be me getting used to the different car- my last car (Ford Escort LX which recently had its funeral) had a heavier feel to it, but it sucked.
These manual civics are really sporty this year- both of them. Fast pick-up, great on the freeway, and easy to maneuver around traffic on city streets and overtake someone, which prompted a big cheer out of the dealer.
Here is the best deal so far:
(06 EX sedan auto w/navigation in galaxy gray)
$20,181
$18 title
$3 lemon law
7% tax ($1,412.67)
OTD: $21,614.67
I have been set on 20k + TTT. This quote is $193 over that. I'm going to give it a couple days and see what other offers I receive.
Does anyone know how often cars come in to the dealerships. And how do they choose which ones come in? If the manufactorer is making cars and decides to send a particular style to a dealership randomly, but another dealership calls in asking for that style to be sent, why doesn't that work? Somehow this is how I understand it to be, because I'm not asking for a specially outfitted car, I just want a color and transmission combo that is standard and even if they make less of those, they're not going to get to a point where they're just not making any at all. It doesn't make sense. But this is how I understand how this works since I'm completely making it up in my head, since no one really gives a straight answer about it. Anyone out there know how it works? I'd appreciate the info.
To answer your question, once a month we receive from Honda our allocation. This allocation is for delivery two months from now. So what is received today started two moths ago. First Honda allocates us the overall model. For example "Civic Sedan" They wil say that we have 30 Sedans available. Within that number they can place restraints, for example "no more than 5% Navi units" So based on that requyirement we can order 30 Sedans and 1 Navi. Understand?
The next step in the process is for the dealership to choose the sub-models and colors for their allocations and submit this back to Honda. They take about 10-15 days to accept the order and to give us "build dates"
Once the cars are built, they will go to transit complete with VIN and estimated delivery times.
Hope this helps.
Really? Why????
We were all saying..." Who would ever want a NAVI system in a CIVIC???"
Only five percent are NAVI and I think they are scrambling to increase this a bit. Still, most people have no use for a NAVI. I know I wouldn't.
Maybe the same reason so many put a $10k A/V system and $4k rims on them. Hell, Honda should be offering as many extra options as they possibly can. They would double their profit margin.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Here are the numbers:
$16,193 Civic Price
$ 321 Document fees
$ 1,000 Payoff loss on Honda Accord
$17,514 Drive-out price.
I shopped around on-line and received quotes from 5 dealers. I had my trade-in appraised by 3 of those. I'll be glad to answer any questions people have. Just email me!
Now, I'm off to browse the forum to find out how in the world to program my name into the radio display!!! :confuse:
$20,181
$18 title
$3 lemon law
7% tax = $21,614.67
$193 more than the $20,000 (+TTT) I was going for so good enough for me at this point.
Only problem this dealer is about 120 miles from me. I'm also single so I have no idea how I will pick the car up. But first I would like to know:
1) Is there anyway I can do the deal through a fax machine?
2) I could use a credit card (or debit card) over the phone to cover the deposit or mail a check to the dealership.
3) I was told the vehicle would probably take 2-3 months to arrive from the Honda factory. Another dealership I was working with as well said this is a trick to get your money (deposit). The dealer hopes an incentive comes up in the 2-3 months, if so they get more of a deal. If not, they give you a refund stating they can not get the vehicle.
Thanks for any help with this :shades:
I had to write a check for $500 for them to look for my car, but I received the check back when I purchased the vehicle.
Why is the dealership ordering the car? Why don't they do a dealer trade? :confuse:
Based on past deceptive practices, I had my sister call a few hours after I spoke with him ostensibly searching for a car and eager to buy now. Guess what - my silver honda lx had been apparently UNSOLD and was sitting on the lot and they told her she could come in and buy it right away - - for a higher price.
I cannot take this. I work long days, my husband works 80 hours a week, there is a limit to how much time we can spend being jerked around. What would you do? My current ideas are to: call Honda, write a letter to the dealership's local paper, start a blog detailing all the jackass car salesman moves I have seen in Chicago, and/or drive my unairconditioned beater cross country next month for our family vacation . . .
But, if you are in Chicago, there must be at least a dozen Honda dealerships..
Just move on, and find a better one..
Unless the blog would provide therapy...
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Since your time is very limited, try the email approach, but be very convincing in your email that you are a serious buyer. Dealers get tons of email requests for quotes and won't waste their time.
The sales contract that you took over night, was it all filled out or blank? I'm surprised they let you take it.
WHY did you wait? Why didn't you give them a deposit right then and there and lock the car up for your delivery at a later date?
When you left the dealership, they KNEW they did not have a deal. Now, since the first of the month selling prices have changed as NOBODY has any decent selection of inventory. I have also had to raise the prices on our Civics, I don't like it, but to deeply discount non-existent inventory doesn't make sense.
You had a $333 above invoice deal...the dealer knows they can do better than that.
You might not like it, but the next time you go anywhere to buy a car...be prepared to buy it or to walk out...but don't give anyone the "I need 24 hrs to think about it", because once you walk out of the door, your car could be sold, dealer traded etc.
Sorry to sound harsh.
They may have been annoyed you wanted to "review" the contract. It really only takes ten minutes to do this.
jmurman is correct, inventories are very thin on these.
Unfortunately, due to our work schedule we did not get to the dealership until 30 minutes before closing so it was 9:10 pm by the time we first saw the contract and we really needed to look it over since the deposit was nonrefundable. To our host and other kind posters, yes this is partially therapeutic but also there is a question in there: I have been through most of the dealers in Chicago - - this is not uncommon. Do I have any recourse against deceptive dealer who did actually give me a filled out contract with the price and then didn't honor it the next morning? Any suggestions for honest dealers in Chicago? If not, is there any hope this situation will improve for 2007 model year, I cannot buy under these circumstances . . .
Why would one year model change the dealers in your area?
If you wanted the exact car that the dealership had and wanted to press the issue, I would contact the General Sales Manager for that dealership and explain the situation to him. That's what I would do.
You have the two most important resources against deceptive dealers--your wallet and voice. Don't buy from them, make a point of letting everyone know about the dealer, and send a letter to the top person at American Honda outlining your complaint.
Going to the GM and explaning what happened may help.
Bought Civic LX sedan automatic trans for $16,080 plus $550 freight last week. OTD price was $17,222 after tax/tags/proc. fee.
Deal did not start out too smooth, but they eventually worked it out. Patience is key...
What dealer in DC? I live in De.
Bill
When I see 5 speeds all around me on the freeway and in town, I am baffled by why more aren't currently being built?!
Here's why....most people don't like them and they are very poor sellers compared to the automatics.
As far as no transmission repairs, manuals can and do break about as often as automatics do on Civics which is very rarely. With an automatic you will never have to replace a worn out clutch either.
In my neck of the woods, I blame our horrible traffic for the decline in manual sales. That and we have a lot of hills to contend with!
Please, try to use a few facts next time. Show us this data on how manual transmissions are no more reliable than automatics. How many Honda recalls have there been on Autos? How many recalls on manual transmissions? I have only heard of one failure in my 25 years of driving from any friend with a manual transmission. I would say most of my friends have had at least one automatic transmission failure during the time I have know them.
Even clutches these days last well over 100,000 miles. I just had a 16 year old truck die with the manual transmission working great and with the original clutch.
Traffic is a problem, but in general people are lazy and don't like to drive -they like to ride. Hills are perfect with a manual transmission and terrible with an auto. With a manual you can anticipate or shift when you like. With an auto the hill comes then the transmission shifts down, the engine makes a racket, and then shifts back and forth.
Manusl transmissions wear out too. I've had to replace balky syncros and once a cluster gear that happened to break a tooth off. It happens. Not often, but transmission shops work on them every day.
The life of a clutch can vary depending on the driver and the conditions. A person who slips their clutch (as many do)and works as a courier in downtown San Francisco can burn through a clutch in short order.
"Hills are perfect with a manual and terrible with an automatic"
We have HILLS out here! I would like to see you on Madison St. in downtown Seattle starting from a stop with another car on your bumper!
Just leave out any individual contact information..
Thanks,
kyfdx
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That's funny, because here in California everyone's telling me that the manuals are in high demand and going very quickly, which I guess they are. After reading what someone wrote about her experience in Chicago, though, I'm beginning to feel like I'm totally being jerked around completely. EVERY SINGLE DEALER has had the car I wanted and I'll get back to them immediately asking for the VIN # so I can buy the insurance and come and get the car, or if they're trading telling them I'll put down the $500, and for some reason, they don't get back to me for two or three days, and then of course they say, "you know what, I'm sorry, it's already been sold. I have one in galaxy gray in the EX model" which I guess is everyone's favorite color in California (except for me!). Well, I'm willing to go higher than their very cheap quotes for the civic LX manual (16000- dest. incl.) from a lot of them, but not $2500 more for a bunch of useless cosmetic features and an extra window so the strong california sun can burn me more. It's odd, but apparently there were so many of the car that I wanted in southern california this week (like 6-7) and I didn't get one of them, even though I was right on top of it every second of the day, with my checkbook on me everywhere I went. And all these dealers can say is the manual is a really covetted car. I don't see any dealers here ordering manuals, though, so what gives? What's really going on? I had all these people call me at night yesterday, but right before they left work, so when I called they weren't there, but I found out when they were coming in. I set my alarm clock and woke up early and called immediately, and then the fleet manager will go out for a walk on the lot and call me back with the bad news. But if they didn't want to sell me the car for 16 000 in the first place, why quote me that much? Just quote me higher. I've had a very frustrating day. I was so sure I was going to have a car today, and after 5 or so leads, still nothing. They all really want me to come down to their dealerships before we get anything figured out even though a lot of them are 50-100 miles away, and I have no car, so I have to take the train. I don't want to come down and find out it's not what I wanted, or they won't honor their quote, it's a rude thing to do to someone.
Anyway, I know what you all mean when you say you need this place to vent. I feel- well, just a little better, but it's something.
http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4884
What sort of pricing have you been getting for this vehicle? Last year I purchased same car, but 05 model new for my Mom, it was nearly $1700 under MSRP, but I realize there were more units available then.
Thanks for any input.
She just decided to make a left turn in front of an oncoming car. Nobody hurt but probably 5000.00 in damage to the Civic.
And, while she was out driving the car, another salesperson was writing up a deal on the same car.