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Thanks!
MSRP: 27,015
I paid: 23,700 plus TTL
I negotiated the following thrown in for free:
trunk liner
wheel locks
mud guards
I love, love, love the car and love the deal too. The voice recognition is just great, but a bit of a conversation breaker. I find myself always blurting out commands to the car!! We also held firm for the 1.9% financing--would have walked without it even though we did not have the 720 Beacon score. Don't remember who posted it, but my mantra was we deserve it for "heavy cake down." Love that saying.
Good luck everyone and thanks for all the info.
$24,628,
which is $600 over invoice according to Edmunds.
I have to add 6% MI sales tax, but I think this is a pretty fair price.
I'm purchasing from Brighton Honda. They have been low pressure and straight forward.
http://www.hondanews.com/CatID1000?mid=2004120151841&mime=asc
Consider that MSRP on a 2005 Camry LE-V6 with the side/curtain airbag option is $745 LESS than a 2005 Accord LX-V6 sedan (and that includes 15-inch alloy wheels on the Camry). There is also a Vehicle Stability Control option for $650 that the Accord doesn’t have.
Similarly, a loaded Camry XLE-V6 has a sticker $1,270 LESS than an Accord EX-V6.
I bet that I could have gotten a price quote on a Camry that was less than my best quote on a comparable Accord. I could have taken that lower Camry quote to my Honda dealer and told him; “Beat this price or I’ll go with the Toyota. I need a reason to skip an important safety feature like VSC that you don’t even offer.” I didn’t do that and I should have.
That tactic might not work as well on 4-cylinder models because the Accord sedan’s sticker is anywhere from $175 to $580 cheaper than a comparably-equipped 4-cylinder Camry. Still, you won’t know until you price the competition. It’d be worth the time to send another dozen e-mails to get Toyota quotes you could work into your negotiation.
We will compute a price like this: invoice + transportation + dealer profit.
Then we will add on sales tax (3.1%) and $50 for TTL.
How much should I allow for dealer profit? When we bought our Accord in 1998, we added about $250. What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Bob
Your assistance is appreciated
Do the rest of you agree that I should make an offer under invoice?
Good Luck!
Exactly how much should I add, or subtract, for the 'dealer profit'?
If you start talking about holdback like one poster suggested, you may get a very cold response. Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT bottom line profit.
Good Luck!
Skipper I should offer $100 to $250 below invoice.
3c3 suggests I offer about $600 below invoice.
These prices seem very low because in the past I have offered about $100 to $300 over invoice.
The Edminds TMV is about $900 over invoice.
No, I would never mention the word 'holdback' when buying a car. As you know, I just make an offer and wait to see if it is accepted.
Invoice Price: $24,538
Price Paid: $23,993
Only additional charges were Tax, Tags and Doc Fees. No games played and a very quick process. Also took advantage of the 1.9% financing.
Thanks to everyone's input as it has been very helpful. I am sure there were a few dollars left on the table, but based upon other postings, I feel this was reasonable.
Prices are as follows:
M.S.R.P. $26,890
Invoice: $24,244
Edmunds local selling price: $24,923
Dealer's discount: $3,768
Doc fee: $89
Final price with a full tank of gas, and absolutely no haggling was $23,211
To save you doing the math, that's $3,768 under MSRP, $1,122 under invoice, and $1,801 under average sales price for my area. (I'm a few hundred miles from Waukesha)
I walked in and met the saleman for the first time the day I got the car, did a test drive, spent a half hour filling out papers, refused all add-on services, was handed the keys and drove off.
12,000 miles and 7 months later, I'm still very happy!
And the kicker is that I could have saved another hundred if I had bought the coupe!
Cloth is good in that it remains cool. (although the leather does not get excessively hot, such as would be the case with vinyl)
However, cloth will wear out (eventually, though they no doubt last a long time) But they become worn much more quickly than leather. They can also get stained from spills, etc. requiring some tough scrubbing and shampooing. But if you do get a small tear or stain, it's not a great loss. No one expects immaculately clean cloth seats in a used car.
I currently have leather for the first time. At first the seats were rather uncomfortable, but after 7 months, the seat fits me like a glove. This is one advantage, in that much like a good baseball glove or shoe, the leather conforms to your body and creates a custom fit.
The leather is a bit colder in the winter, but with heated seats, this is really not a factor (and even without using the heater, the seat warms up quickly when sitting in it.)
The leather in the EX is really quite durable. I bought some leather conditioner/cleaner wipes and wipe them down from time to time to keep grime from building up, but other than that, they don't require much effort. As a matter of fact, they're easier to clean after spills, as they don't absorb liquid very fast and you can get it up before it stains. (I just dumped a cooler over in the back seat while driving yesterday and was able to sop it up with towels and the seats are perfect.)
Over time, the leather may dry out and crack in high stress areas such as the outside bottom edge of the drivers seat or top of console, but if you wipe them with conditioner from time to time, this can be avoided for many years.
In my opinion, the leather interior also looks far superior than the cloth. As I said, this is my first leather interior and I would get it again.
Hope that helps.
You can save probably $40 or much more.
All Honda accessories are dealer add ons, so depending on your mechanical ability, you'd always save a LOT of money by ordering and installing them yourself as dealers often (well always) jack up both the price and the installation charges incredibly. (example, ashtray was quoted at $65 from dealer, bought for $15 online...exact same item, and no installation involved, just pop it in one of the cup holders)
In the past, I have not gotten good results when I asked the dealer for a price. Therefore, I would simply offer a price and see if they would accept.
This time, I will go thru the internet and ask the dealers for their best offer, kind of like you guys suggest.
Heck, it can't hurt. If they give me a good price, that's fine. If they give me the run-around, I can make an offer and see if they will accept.
I guess it is time for an old dog to learn some new tricks.
Most smart dealers won't give you their "best price" over the internet in writing. Most of those requests get tossed and for good reason.
Instead, make an offer like you jhave done in the past. You'll get a lot of "expert" advise in these forums.
Remember, it's always the prevailing MARKET that determines price. If a dealer is choking on Accords, they will take a skinny deal.
Car dealers are like any other merchant. They need to make a profit and pay their overhead.
I added a front underspoiler with fog lights and half bra--these items dramatically change the whole look of the front of the car and makes it look SO much more sportier! I also added mud guards and a rear deck lid spoiler (didn't like the look of the lighted raised lid spoiler). On the inside I opted for the complete aluminum trim with auto day/night mirror. The aluminum trim is so sporty/classy/smooth looking. I was able to purchase all of these along with installation costs for $1202.10
The total price of the car without the accessories was $26,335 (including destination fee). Dealer, tire/battery, tag and title fees were $580.50
Tax was $992.57
Total out the door was $29,110.70
I am extremly satisfied with my total purchase price.
I had an '02 Accord Sedan SE that I traded in which, of course, brought down the total price mentioned above. Compared to my '02, I notice with my new '05 that the rear seat head and leg room seems a little smaller and the trunk seems a little smaller, too. Even the storage compartment under the armrest is smaller. The roof liner/cloth on the interior seems much cheaper than the cloth used in my '02 Accord. I miss the pull-out coin box of my old '02. The the new coin box in front of the shifter is so small that is it almost useless.
I will say, though, the ride is smoother and quieter. The seats are more comfortable and the interior, overall is top-notch (minus the roof cloth). The navigation is superb overall, but you do have to fumble about a little to get it to do specific functions in the air-conditioning or radio modes--but I love buttons, so who cares. I am surprised at what good gas mileage I am getting. I'm almost getting the same gas mileage as I did with my '02 4 cylinder. Laslty, the new brake light design looks so much more better in my opinion.
Overall, with a few MINOR complaints, this car is such a step above in quality, ride, comfort, looks, and safety than my old '02. I am very pleased with my purchase.
Sorry if I wrote too much! I am just excited!! :-)
I know this modern way of doing business without ever seeing another human being rubs us semi-old timers the wrong way, but that's how things are these days.
In some ways, the internet reduces personal human contact, but in many other ways it helps people with common interests (like hiking the Appalachian Trail) communicate better. I like this new world.
___As I was trying to pry from you in the “Any Questions for a Car Dealer” thread, how are Honda dealerships selling Accords for darn near Holdback pricing day after day, week after week? You and I have both seen brand new Accord’s (04’s and 05’s) being offered at these seemingly impossible prices from around the country tens of times in this very forum in the last few months. What kind of behind the scenes incentives are being passed from American Honda Motor Company to the Honda dealerships on the Accord’s that we (the vast majority of the membership) don’t know about? This cannot be explained away by a “Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet” statement because it is right here in front of you and its happening on a daily basis. You already know about the 3 offers I received at darn near Holdback pricing on brand new 04’s. So what is really happening between AHMC and the Honda dealerships themselves in regards to the Accord’s?
___Thanks in advance.
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Sure it is. If you are in Illinois, this is just one Honda dealership in the Chicagoland area that will easily beat your current quote I know of a Honda dealership in NY and MA that might be able to do the same.
http://grandhonda.com/images/weekly_specials.jpg
___If you are in a hurry to purchase an automobile, you will be lucky to receive whatever.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Sure it is. If you are in Illinois, this is just one Honda dealership in the Chicagoland area that will easily beat your current quote I know of a Honda dealership in NY and MA that might be able to do the same.
http://grandhonda.com/images/weekly_specials.jpg
___If you are in a hurry to purchase an automobile, you will be lucky to receive whatever.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
The manufacturers and dealers know that consumers know about invoice and holdback prices, so I think they're doing something else behind the scene.
___Yes, we know this as it has been shown and discussed many times here and in the “Ask a Car Dealer” thread. The key is if we (the consumer) don’t know what this internal incentive is, we cannot readily bargain without knowing what the actual cost of the Accord, Civic, whatever really is. In other words, if the Honda dealership is receiving a $1,500 incentive/vehicle to move Accord’s that we don’t know about, we are all getting fleeced even at below hold back pricing! I have asked Isellhondas directly but I haven’t heard back from him with an answer so far?
___Maybe it’s like a Government - “Top Secret” - “Need to Know” only information and if he were to tell us he would have to kill us ;-)
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
Who are the dealers in MA and NY?
___Chalmer’s offered a brand new PZEV based 04 4-door EX-L w/ NAVI for $22,500 over the phone ~ 2 months ago now. Ray Laks in NY is just one Honda/Acura/others dealership(s) I have dealt with to receive spectacular deals on Honda and Acura parts for the Insight and MDX.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
Again, do not believe everything you read on the internet.
A leftover 2004 that's been sitting around forever, yep, a dealer might just take a loss and lick his wounds afterwards.
Hey, if that's the car of your choice, you did well!
___I hate to harp on your replies but they don’t answer anything in regards to below invoice and even HB pricing? Here is the latest below invoice Accord deals in a major metropolitan area (Chicago) for all to see. This same ad appears every Sunday in the Chicago Tribune like clock work with changes to the list on a week over week basis.
http://grandhonda.com/images/weekly_specials.jpg
___Grand Honda’s phone number and contact information is right there on the sheet. I have spoken with a salesman from Grand by phone and Rosen in person myself. How can all 3 of these dealerships I have discussed offer Accord’s for less then invoice and even less then HB in some cases week after week after week and yet we “shouldn’t believe everything we read on the internet”? Is Invoice minus holdback the only price your dealership receives from AHMC for Accord’s or are there more behind the scenes that we don’t know about? Both Grand and Rosen in Illinois as well as Chalmer’s in Massachusetts are receiving more from AHMC or they wouldn’t be offering these kinds of deals by all appearances? Any number of below invoice deals posted in this very forum (maybe 10 in the last 2 months alone?) cannot be explained away with what you have posted to date. A simple yes or no in regards to if AHMC offers your dealership (hidden/non-published) incentives that we don’t know about would be fine. Afterwards, we will ask for the bloody details ;-)
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
I received a quote for only $200 more than the Chicago dealer after passing on his pricing. That, as explained to me, was for the extra transportation cost to So Cal and CA emissions. That's almost $700 lower than yesterday. Thanks,
muzik
Any dealer can sell any car for whatever price they wish to. they could even give them away, I suppose.
Usually with screamer ads like that it's a "one only" deal or there are strings attached. Probably not a fun place to buy a car from. You would be lucky to find a salesperson who had been there four months.
Trust me, there is no free lunch. However, if you are the lucky one to be there and you get the advertised loss leader, great!
The deals shown in your screamer ad are possible.
Others posted here are not.
And, no, there is no secret cash or anything.
___Thank you
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
I read constantly in these forums how people were lied to and mistreated by screamer ad stores.
But, they continue because for some shoppers, PRICE is the only thing that matters!
***rant mode off***
Frankly, any Honda dealer can sell a 2005 Accord LX sedan (automatic) for $18,333. But if they tack on $515 destination and $500 in other fees plus a $200 appearance package and $149 more for splash guards it's not such a great deal anymore. Grand's advert doesn't say what their add-on fees are.
Here in Atlanta, in mid-November I purchased a 2005 Accord LX sedan (automatic) for $18,393 plus a $384 "processing and prep" fee (plus tax & tag). That was the best price I could get cross-shopping Atlanta area Honda dealers via E-mail. Now however, with all these posts about pricing below invoice, it seems possible that I could have done a little better.
I received a quote for only $200 more than the Chicago dealer after passing on his pricing. That, as explained to me, was for the extra transportation cost to So Cal and CA emissions. That's almost $700 lower than yesterday. Thanks,
muzik
___Nope, dest. is included. No junk add-on’s. Just TT&L afterwards. Call them for yourself. If you are in the hunt for an Accord, there are dealerships on the East and West Coasts as well as the Midwest that offer these kinds of prices every day.
___I don’t know much about Hotlanta except I almost purchased our MDX in a Group Buy through an Acura MDX forum from an Acura dealership down there (Baranco) when they were selling at MSRP or MSRP + almost everywhere else. You guys were stuck with some kind of crazy $399.00 fee or some goofy thing down there 2 years ago when I was shopping that vehicle. We bargained that add-on away pretty quickly with an order for 5 brand new X’s.
___Muzik, Congrats on the savings and make sure you send a small portion of that savings to a charity near you ;-)
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
18,400.00
with ttl it was 20,055.00 1.9% financing. This was in So. Cal.
I read in these forums where some dealers are adding 3-500 dollars for doc fees. That is WAY over the top.
But, again, they have to make a profit one way or the other.
I was very relieved that the dealer with the best reputation in my area, and the closest to my home, was also the dealership that quoted the lowest price. If a scream-ad dealer had quoted a much lower price, I'd have been in a bind trying to figure out how much money it'd be worth to buy somewhere else and then go back to this nearby dealer for service.
In theory, for service and warranty work, it shouldn't matter where you bought the car. However, in reality I think it does matter at many dealerships. If the dealer is serious about customer relationships and their name is on your car, they're going to work harder to be good to you.
Some service departments aren't good to anybody and it doesn't matter where you bought your darn problem - ahem, car. Fortunately, Honda seems to watch their dealers more closely than other brands do, Mitsubishi for instance. The dealer experience is part of why a chose a Honda.