2013 and earlier-Honda Accord Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • ilusriniilusrini Member Posts: 6
    any one in tri sate area i would preffer to go this dealer sincei di a search of mine for almost one month ...i know what others dealers can do or not...
  • barry70barry70 Member Posts: 20
    Please let us know name of dealer? Thanks!
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    You price looks like close to $1,100 under "invoice" - so I guess that is super.

    Looks like a good quote on the shipping - I paid $425 for about 750 miles several years ago. I would not drive 450 miles twice (or fly/dry) to save $210.

    You may be hosed on the taxes. Where I live (TN) taxes are due when you register/title the car and they expect to either see them paid to a local dealer or a check in your hand. The taxes your dealer is collecting are going to their city - not your state. I am thinking you will be asked for the 3% when you regester the car.

    If you get stuck with the $560 in "city tax" and have to pay your full state tax you still have a pretty good deal - over $500 under invoice.

    Dennis
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Thanks for the info, I though I saw someone post that Swopes would not deal? Maybe that is just with local folks :-)

    I will hit their web page and see what they say - I am in the Nashville area so that is even closer for me. Who did you deal with there?

    Were the accessories ones you chose or were you stuck with them (since the dealer had already installed them) ?

    It looks like "invoice" on a 2.4 I4 EX AT w/leather is $22,651 - so if you got the car with the accessories (wanted) and doc fee for $22,799 you did pretty good. I assume these numbers do not include any allowance for your trade?

    Did you check any of the Atlanta area dealers? Looks like the carsdirect price if you live there is $22,101 for that car.

    The fact that they gave you what you expected for the trade, had the car ready, and quickly got you on your way back home is well worth any (little) extra you may have paid.

    I guess I can forget about calling the HunstVegas area Honda dealers to see if they sell cheap :-) ?

    Dennis
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Just for reference, do these prices include the $515 destination charge or not? Do they included any deal "doc" or other fees?

    Thanks,
    Dennis
  • jagilberjagilber Member Posts: 2
    Hi,

    I have a couple leasing questions on the 2005 Honda Accord sedan EX, 4 cyl, with leather and navi.

    The MSRP is $27,115, and the price a dealer in Cleveland, OH gave me was $25,750. The residual value he gave me on a 3-yr, 15,000 mile lease is $14,099. On the MSRP, that comes out to a Residual Value of 52%. Doesn't that sound low? And if so, what should it be? In addition, do you calculate the residual value off the MSRP or the price the dealer gives you?

    Finally, what's the going money factor for a 3-yr. lease on this vehicle?

    Thanks.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    I see the MSRP of the I4 EX w/nav is $26,315 - not $25,750. But I know Honda had a price increase in Feb so maybe that is an pre-increase car?

    I think that sounds right - the residual is based on full MSRP not negotiated price. I know that right now these are correct and I have seen that leather has a lower residual (for some reason):

    The LX I4 is 0.00038 and 53%

    The EX I4 is 0.00113 and 54%

    The LX V6 is 0.00038 and 51%.

    The dealer can't change the residual, but they can (and do) jack up the money factor. Note the < 1% money on the LX model VS the 2.7% money on the EX. Of course, 2.7% is a super rate - but .9% is better :-)

    Dennis
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Ooops, the numbers I posted are for 12k per year. The residual on the 15k per year lease will be 2% of so lower.

    BTW, CarsDirect show their price for this car as $24,229 (depends on ZIP code).

    Dennis
  • rtc27rtc27 Member Posts: 13
    Any thoughts if I could do much better than $25,800 on the 2005 Accord sedan EX 6 cyl with navigation in tri state area?

    Thanks
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    It looks like the invoice is $26,470 and if the dealer was getting the full $600 promo money it would be $25,870. So you are getting it for cost - the March incentive money - $70. I assume that price includes destination and any other dealer "doc" fees (but not taxes, tags, title).

    FWW, on carsdirect with a ZIP of $25,770 for that car. So "in theory" you could save $30 by going through carsdirect - a little more of if talked to that dealer direct to avoid the dealer having to pay cd the fee.

    But we are not talking a huge "loss" here if you take the car for $25,800 + ttl. I bet the price expires tomorrow, doesn't it?

    Dennis
  • rtc27rtc27 Member Posts: 13
    Thanks Dennis,

    Well, I wasn't told specifically that the price would disappear after tomorrow - but why take the chance. Don't expect to do much better if at all. BTW, the price does include destination. I have looking at carsdirect and have used that to get my price. Have you had any experience with them?
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    There is an "up to $600" per Accord dealer money deal that ends the 31st. It is also the end of the month and the end of the 1st quarter (assuming they go by actual quarters and not a different system) - so I am sure this would be the best time to buy/lease. I would ask them to see - but I bet today and Thursday would be the lowest price.

    Honda DID extend the discounted lease until May 2, but "no one" knows what will happen to the other dealer money come April 1. Honda had 76 days or so worth of Accords and Civics when the put the money out to the dealers - if at the start of April they are down closer to 60 days then they would probably not renew the incentives. If they find themselves with 80 days worth of cars then they could bring it back even more.

    I have never used carsdirect to actually get a car, but use them constantly to get MSRP, invoce, and a pre-negotiated price. I find that if I put in different ZIP codes I can get even better deals :-) For example, the Honda dealers near me that work with CD will only do $500 or so OVER invoice on an Accord. If I put in a different ZIP I get better pricing. It also helps when someone someplace else asks "is this a good deal" - just use a ZIP in their area and see what comes up. I read some reviews of the service over at epions and they are mostly recommended and most of the complaints deal with trade ins or issues with a certain dealer rather than the process over all.

    I have a couple of decent offers for an I4 LX AT Accord for my wife. I have to hurry up and decide if I am going to do the deal or not. I went ahead and got "pre approved" from AHFC - just can't decide to go ahead and wait. My wife really wants a CR-V but they never discount them (as much), the Accord rides much better and is a nicer overall vehicle. With the $1,100 under invoice (including dealer fees) it is just about too much to turn down :-)

    Dennis
  • louise56louise56 Member Posts: 21
    I live in the San Diego area and want to buy a new Honda sedan in April. Can you give me the name of the dealership in Los Angeles? Thanks. This is my first post and I would love any advice from you experienced car shoppers. We are deciding between the LX 4cyl and the EX 6cyl (we are both tall). Thanks!

    Louise
  • mdx91377mdx91377 Member Posts: 5
    Hi,
    I am looking to purchase an accord in LA area soon. could you please tell me name of the dealership? thank you!
  • buckeyemarkbuckeyemark Member Posts: 1
    I just picked up a new Accord EX sedan, 4 cylinder with Leather, pin stripe, wheel locks, mud guards and interior/exterior protection from Honda of Concord (near Charlotte, NC) for $22,050 total out-the door. This breaks down as follows:

    $21,326 base price
    $300 South Carolina tax (I am a SC resident)
    $399 Doc Fee
    $25 Transfer tag fee

    The sales manager confirmed the $600 dealer payment from Honda. I feel pretty good about the price and experience. They gave me a pretty good internet quote to begin with and I would recommend them to anyone.
  • mastromastro Member Posts: 39
    Weatherman2, congrats on your purchase. I met you and your wife in the parking lot at Swope. You were loading up the trunk of the Accord with your luggage and I was admiring the Redondo Red paint. Small world, huh?

    I am also happy with the deal I got at Swope. I'm a local and used the net to cut a deal. I'm getting an EX V6 with navigation and lid spoiler.

    After I cut a deal yesterday for delivery in April, I called and changed the color (from Redondo Red to Graphite). Well, since they had an ex graphite v6 with navi on the lot they were very much wanting to move it off the lot (and into my garage!) by tomorrow. Only thing was the one on the lot had a few more accessories than I was looking for.

    Here's the deal:

    EX V6 with navigation, lid spoiler, wheel well trim, splash guards, door edge guards, auto day/night rear view mirror, trunk tray, pin striping, simonez exterior protection, simonez interior protection, wheel well undercoating and $450 worth of Swope Cash (good for any parts and service needs - no expiration, can use them to service any make vehicle).

    MSRP with accessories and installation was $31,905 (excluding $450 Swope Cash).

    Swope waived their documentation fee ($389) and gave it to me for $26,500 plus tax and $34 license and transfer fee. Net the $26,500 by the $450 in Swope Cash and your down to $26,050 plus TTl.

    Invoice, with destination and before lid spoiler and all the accessories, is $26,471.

    To move my delivery date from end of April to tomorrow I think Swope took a good deal and made it a great one by throwing in the auto day/night mirror ($449), the trunk tray ($199) and $450 in Swope Cash.

    I found Swope to be very friendly, responsive and willing to cut a deal. They'll be putting the lid spoiler on the car in the AM and I'll be picking her up about noon to enjoy for years to come - God willing!

    Thanks for everyone's help on this forum. It was much appreciated and I learned a ton about my new Accord.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    It looks like on your deal the invoice (without the incentives) is $26,470 without any accessories. If you figure some folks are getting $600-1,000 under invoice + probably the doc fee then you have about that much in accessories and the "cash". If you price the stuff and Handa and did the install yourself, you STILL got a good deal (and would have to drill holes in your trunk yourself). I am not sure what the "Cash" is, but that just makes it better.

    If you are at Swope Thursday night you MIGHT see my wife and I :-)

    They made me a decent offer on an LX I4 auto for my wife. They are a little more than Shreveport (but 3x closer to home) and about the same or a little less than the Atlanta price.

    I faxed a letter to all the local dealers to see if they could beat the deal or match it. I have heard back from one and they were a little more than $500 higher. For $500 I will drive to KY :-) Anyway, once I hear back from the dealers here or I get tired or waiting, then I will decide what to do. If they are not close to the Swope price then I guess we will be on the road after work.

    The discount finance and lease specials have been extended until May - but the up to $600 in dealer money runs out on the 31st. Honda might renew that promo or make it even sweeter next month - or (more likely?) if they have moved enough cars to reduce inventory then they will not renew it. So they can make you a better deal (by $600?) now rather than next month. Also, if they are close to hitting their number then they can afford to give really sweet deals now. If they use your sale to hit the number, then they get the max money on EVERY Accord they sold for the month - that could be a ton of extra bucks.

    Dennis
  • theking1theking1 Member Posts: 2
    EX V-6 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
    added mudguards and wheel locks
    total price = $26280.00 - -
    this is the the full price and tax title and tags to be added.
    Any thoughts?
  • weatherman2weatherman2 Member Posts: 4
    Mastro,
    I remember...small world. Sounds like you got a good deal as well; you'll love the NAVI in your V6 once you get the hang of the voice commands.
    My '05 Accord EX-L purchase from Swope Honda was nearly $2500 less than the best-and-final price from my local Honda dealer. The Swope Business Manager told me that they sell 350 new Honda's each month, allowing them to provide the significant discounts. Combined with end of month incentives to make sales volume and 2.9% financing, they are offering some outstanding deals.
    Before we had the Internet and forums like this to help our research, we had very few tools to help 'negotiate' a good deal with one dealership, let alone multiple dealerships around the country. This forum enhances competition and saved me money.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Invoice (ignoring the locks and mud flaps) is $26,470. If you could get the car for invoice AND the full $600 March incentive (runs out today)it would be $25,870. Then add dealer fees (doc fees HERE run $100-400) and that puts you pretty close to the price they gave you.

    Did they tell you the price was only good today? Just curious, since all the rock-bottom deals I have been given are expiring today when the extra dealer money runs out.

    You might beat that price, but not by a lot - I don't think.

    Dennis
  • theking1theking1 Member Posts: 2
    No it was a fluke really- the actual holdback seems to be $866 on this particular model.
    We have had accords from 1991 on - they are still in the family just going to my kids. My wife is giving up hers (1995) as my daughter is now driving. (the only reason we held out till now to buy). Anyway we had it in for a full safety check-up based on new driver and I told my wife let's do another test drive. The coupe is too small - my head always hits the side of the sun/moon roof opening when we hit small bumps - plus the ride is stiffer and the car may be more youthful than we want. So the salesman was eager and very nice but not a good listener. I said we were still up in the air because of the Acura TL was the only other car we were still looking at. He gave me MSRP and said to make an offer- I said $26,000 and he padded the $280 for the two add ons.
    I wasn't buying that quick- and they approved it - and didn't really say it would expire today - just that it would be still be good today. I know it may have gone a little less but I purposely selected that price to walk. They have me thinking though. I knew all the figures but can't quite make up my mind - so since the car is for my wife - I'm letting her bite her lip. We really like the Acura though.
    Jerry
  • mastromastro Member Posts: 39
    Jerry, you can't lose with either car. I was on the verge of a TL purchase (auto, anthracite with navi) when I took a look at the EX V6 with navigation two weeks ago. I've got young ones and I figured this car will be the starter car for my now 11 year old.

    If the Acura dealer didn't annoy me with a marketing scam (sent me an email invitation from the owner saying I would get the same price his employees do thru March...and then quoted me $120 more than the deal I already negotiated with them!) I probably would never have taken a serious look at the Accord.

    Once I did, I just could not justify all the additional $$'s for the TL. The TL's stereo and looks are definitely worth something, but the Accord is all the car I need and the TL is a little more than I truly need.

    If I could have gotten the out the door difference down to about $5,000 I may have endulged myself, but the best I could do was a difference of about $7,500.

    Good luck with your decision and, most of all, enjoy your purchase!

    Regards,
    Tony
  • mastromastro Member Posts: 39
    Weatherman2, I hear you. Local dealers did not come close to Swope once you figure the out the door price. Two of them not only told me that they couldn't match the deal, they encouraged me to make the purchase with Swope and be happy I got a good deal.

    Two hours till I pick her up....I'll provide an update of my experience later today.
  • svec7186svec7186 Member Posts: 56
    what dealer in the tri-state area is selling this car for $25,800?

    thanks
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Gotcha - and it still sounds like a good deal for you. The dealers don't LIKE to get into the hold back as their ONLY profit on the deal.

    I like the looks of the TL as well, heck even enjoyed the test drive in the new RL. When I look at the TL sticker I couldn't help but think - why wouldn't I just get the Accord Hybrid instead? Not as lux as the TL, but still pretty trick and if driven "properly" gets good mileage - and if driven "spirited" still returns decent numbers. Looks like a few thousand cheaper than the TL as well.

    In my case there is one Acura dealer in "town" and they are 20 miles away - one way. So the Acuras keep on being tough for me to settle on. Ditto the Infiniti dealer.

    Dennis
  • greggdogggreggdogg Member Posts: 8
    Where did you see that the 2.9% was extended?
  • hivickshivicks Member Posts: 2
    I got a quote of $23369 ( including dest) for a Honda Accord EX V6 Sedan in NJ.

    Is this a good quote or can I do better?
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    >> Where did you see that the 2.9% was extended?

    Oops - the special Accord lease rate was extended until 5/2/2005, but the 2.9% finance rate still says 4/4/2005.

    Sorry about that....

    Dennis
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    That looks like $1,304 under invoice. There is $821 of hold back and up to $600 in dealer money that expires today. So dealer cost less $600 incentive less all of hold back would be $23,252.

    So while you might could do a little better, it would probably be a "little" better :-)

    Dennis
  • nora2nora2 Member Posts: 1
    Any thoughts on the quote below are valued (even if you are not in Minnesota):

    Richfield-Bloomington Honda sent me an internet quote of $18958 inculding destination and handling for a new 2005 Honda Accord LX. The quote is valid through April 9, 2005. Is this a good price according to what others are seeing out there? Thanks very much everyone.

    Nora
  • rtc27rtc27 Member Posts: 13
    There are a few that gave me quotes as low as that. Keep in mind that it was end of month. Greenwich Honda and Rushneck Honda - but those were for cars in stock. I just used the carsdirect price to get the lower quotes. I still have not purchased yet myself.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    For the I4 LX?

    I have gotten for car, destination, and doc/dealer fee: $18,000, $18,200, $18,317, $18,515, and $18,702 (so far).

    One dealer told me they would honor the price through 4/4 - so I didn't HAVE to sign the papers today. The rest of them have a close of business today restriction on them. Last day of the month, last day of the dealer cash, last day of the quarter.

    Dennis
  • slcguyslcguy Member Posts: 1
    We have 3 quotes from around SLC. One at 18999 for the LX with destination & doc fees included. Also including fabric protection, under carriage protection and a free bike!

    Another quote is 18500 same stuff as above except no bike or undercarriage protection.

    The third is a no-hassle dealership at 19550, not including the $199 documentation fee. None of the other extras included either.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    I would just as soon they didn't "undercoat" or "fabric protect" my cars. I know you are not really paying for it (not if you deal UP from dealer cost as you should) - but I have no confidence that stuff does not do more harm than good. I got a "paint sealed" car one time and it never would wax properly - for example.

    Dennis
  • richk1richk1 Member Posts: 51
    EX V-6 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
    added mudguards and wheel locks
    total price = $26280.00 - -
    this is the the full price and tax title and tags to be added.
    Any thoughts?


    you should be able to do much better than that - esp at the end of the month/quarter and with a 0-600 incentive out there....as best as I can calculate invoice cost (before holdbacks and incentives) is 24158 for the car plus 515 dest...."cost" on the mudguards and wheel locks is 156+65. All of that gets you to 24894 before tax, title and tags. In MD, that's 5% + $195 for T&T (I bought the same car at the end of Feb). Says to me that the OTD price for invoice should be: $26,333. Keep in mind that this excludes doc processing fees that run $60-$400 (and I think they are taxed as well).

    Now, keeping mind there is 2% or 3% dealer holdback and dealer incentives up to $600, AND that it is the end of the quarter, you're bound to find a local dealer looking to make a deal to move product (if you buy today!)......If you have the time/desire, I'm guessing you could walk in and offer $25,500-$26k OTD for the car on the spot and get a dealer to take it. You may have to go to a second or third dealer, but someone will bite - i'd bet on it. Let us know what you decide!

    Rich
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    You looked up the wrong car - the dealer cost you list is not the NON NAV car and he is getting a quote on a NAV car. With NAV the dealer cost is $1,797 more than what you said.

    The hond back on a Honda is 3% of the base MSRP.

    If you go in ask for a totally unrealistic price - they pretty much ignore you after that :-)

    Dennis
  • pman5pman5 Member Posts: 11
    I received an online quote of 22099. for an ex auto(4 cyl) with leather. The offer stated for purchase by 3/31. I am going to purchase an accord on Sat. 4/2. Should I stand my ground for this price? Or are dealer prices that much different in April? Any thoughts?
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    Worst case? Tell them to date the paperwork 3/31 and honor the price :D

    The up to $600 in dealer cash was supposed to end 3/31, but I had one dealer tell me he would honor the price through Monday. I can't see him being able to do that unless he could still get the cash - since his quote was rock-bottom.

    BTW, based on what dealers are telling me about their sales I would be surprised if Honda continued the dealer money for April. Just about every dealer I talked to had made their number and moved a lot of Accords and Civics for the month. Surely we should see a big spike when Honda reports the March numbers - and if so then may not need to offer dealers extra cash.

    The funny thing is, none of the local dealers or TV ads seemed to take advantage of this money. No low-ball prices in MY local paper or on TV other than the $199 Accord LX lease (which was in place before they started doing the dealer cash - and called for the price to be $600 over invoice). Honda never gives rebates or customer cash and I think they frown on dealers who advertise low-ball numbers I guess the dealers were supposed to just be able to give more on trades or cut better deals - maybe called all the folks back who walked and offer them a better deal?

    Dennis
  • rtc27rtc27 Member Posts: 13
    Honda Posts Higher U.S. Sales in March As Greater Truck Sales Offset Slump in Car Volume

    TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) -- Honda Motor Co., Japan's third-largest automaker, said Friday that sales of U.S. vehicles rose last month, helped by improved truck volume while car demand slumped.
    Overall sales of Honda and Acura vehicles totaled 128,548 in March, an increase of 6.9 percent from 115,849 units the year before. Truck sales advanced 19.4 percent to 55,764, as car sales waned 1.1 percent to 72,784 automobiles.

    Sales of Honda brand vehicles amounted to 109,949, up 7.4 percent from 98,564 the year before. Meanwhile, Acura volume gained 3.6 percent to reach 18,599 units.

    Year-to-date, total sales inched slightly higher to 308,182 from 311,801. Truck sales were 12.2 percent higher at 135,207, while car volume plunged 7.6 percent to 172,975.

    Honda shares fell 14 cents to $24.90 during afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    It does not look like they have released the by-model brakedown yet, but on the Feb 2005 report cars were down 9.5% VS Feb 2004 and YTD was down 6.9%.

    So it sounds like the 1.1% was VS March 2004 and YTD is now down another 0.7% percent.

    Maybe more incentives for April after all?

    Dennis
  • midnightcowboymidnightcowboy Member Posts: 1,978
    Today is the last day to get multi-year contracts on XM radio before the 4/02/05 price increase to $12.99 per month.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    They just posted the by model numbers here:

    http://www.hondanews.com/CatID1007?mid=2005040151858&mime=asc

    Accord sales were 33,075 up 2.4% over March 04 and 77,371 YTD - still off 5.8% for the year. Note that March lone made up almost 43% of sales for the first 3 months.

    Civic (except the hyrbid), S2000, and Insight sales dragged the car sales number down.

    Assuming they already counted it, my wife drove one of the 33,075 Accords to work this morning :D

    Dennis
  • ricopsuricopsu Member Posts: 2
    Here is some info, I bought an automatic 2005 Accord EX-L with Navi (4 cylinder) last night (last day of the month/quarter) in Northern Virginia. I showed up to the dealership at 8:15 (they close at 9pm) on my way home from a different dealership.

    Here is the breakdown of what I was able to negotiate:
    2005 Accord EX-L w/NAVI (4cyl, automatic) and appearance package
    Retail: 22594.40
    Freight: 515
    T,T & PF: 1074.23
    OTD Total: 24183.63

    This was financing through Honda Financial @ 2.9% (which the helped me get).
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    auto or manual ?

    Either way - sounds like you did good. The invoice on the manual is $23,729 and the auto is $24,448 - both numbers including destination (freight). You paid $23,109.40 - which would be right at $620 under invoice if manual or $1,338.60 if auto. Assuming no dealer padding in the "T,T,&PF" (tax, title, and ??).

    We know they had a $600 incentive that expired on the 31st - so both numbers are into the holdback, either a little or a lot. Anytime you buy into the hold back that normally indicates a good deal :D

    Dennis
  • jpla49jpla49 Member Posts: 13
    Sometimes deals fall through!! I had two good deals on the table for an 05 Accord EXL 4cyl 4 dr with navi. One for $23361, this was done on Wednesday but it was out of town dealer (Phoenix.) I never received the Fed Ex package the following day. I called the salesperson the last few days to no avail. I finally got a hold of an associate at the dealership and he said he would check into it (my salesperson was off for a few days.). So I went to to plan B the other dealer who said he'd match the price. I've called him for past four days and finally got a response late yesterday. I had to speak to associate. I had been communicating (negotiating)with the first person for over a week. Well he finally called me back today and said the GM will no longer do the deal because we are at the beginning of a new month. I asked him for a current price (he said he would find out and call me back) but have not heard back. Two good deals , unfortunately no Accord, and 2.9 expires Monday. The sad part is two local dealers both have the car I want but wont budge from $24998. Oh well I guess I'll keep driving my 95 Accord with 247000 miles!
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    In the market for an Accord for my wife, I faxed and e-mailed offer sheets to all the area dealers. I had gotten good quotes from dealers out of state, but figured I could about as good closer to home then I would not have to travel to get the car. The deadline (for me) for the deal was the 31st to make sure I got a car with the $600 incentive. In my e-mail box TODAY (April 2) I got a reply from the PRESIDENT of one of the dealerships (they never contacted me at all previously). I will post it below, but leave out his name and e-mail address. I am still thinking of my reply, but I will point out to him that I DID get the car from a different local dealership on the 31st for "my price". I will also point out that I will not "waste his time" in the future when I am in the market for another Honda. Maybe I will fax him a copy of my paperwork showing the prices?

    Since this is a "buying experiences" forum I thought about posting the dealership's name as well - but I figure with this attitude no smart shopper will be getting a car from them anyway.

    Dennis
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------

    Dennis

    I appreciate your inquiry, but I am not interested in selling you a car at your price. If someone has actually offered the prices you say they have, you are wasting the time and efforts of other dealers, as well as your time. We believe in customer service above all else. If I sell you a car and only make a couple hundred dollars profit, I have essentially lost money. I am not sure of your business sense, but there are other factors, such as overhead costs, that must be considered when pricing anything. I will promise you this. If a dealership sells you a car for little or no profit, they will have no intention of taking care of you after the sale. Why should they? If there is a problem that requires "good will" on their part, they will have no motivation to do so. I will also assure you of something else. When there is a deal "to good to be true," it generally is.

    My advice is go buy the car where dealers have offered "low ball" prices and quit wasting time. You may find, however, there is an agenda you were not told about up front.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
  • greggdogggreggdogg Member Posts: 8
    Bought a 2005 EX-L Sedan/MT for $20,800 (including dest.). Just gotta hope the financing comes through.
  • richards38richards38 Member Posts: 606
    Many years ago when I lived in Cleveland where the streets were salted and cars routinely rusted through after 3 winters, people would have their cars undercoated for protection.

    The trouble was that the undercoating dried out and pulled away from under the fenders, etc. to create pockets where salt water from the road entered and remained all year--including during the hot summers when chemical reactions are faster.

    One of the worst examples of that was my brother's '59 Saab that was undercoated at the factory in Sweden. After a few years there were rust holes coming through everywhere because the heavy coating of tar (or whatever) was holding all the bad stuff against the sheet metal.

    In later years, claims were made for coatings that didn't dry out and stayed sticky enough to be protective--I don't know if they worked or just made a mess. Most cars now have zinc plated panels in the areas most likely to rust.

    The bottom line is: Don't undercoat your new car--you don't need it, and it'll probably do more harm than good........Richard
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    There is no need to respond to the dealer who sent you that weird, nasty Email. Go enjoy your nice new Honda.

    I think people who go into sales get pleasure out of controlling other people's emotions. They want to control your behavior to get you to buy their product.

    If they fail to get you to buy their product for a price they will accept, then they try to get you upset. The dealer just couldn't decline to accept your offer and be nice about it, could he? Instead, he had to insult your "business sense" amd imply the dealer who sold you the new car would not take care of you after the sale. What a jerk!

    On the other hand, Dennis, you could send a response like : "Thanks for being so straightforward and honest, Fred. As you suggested, we bought our lovely new Honda from the other dealer and we were pleased with the whole experience. We appreciate the time you took to reespond to us and we will keep you in mind when we are looking for another new car."

    That response really tells Fred that all of his insults and disparaging remarks had no effect on you. That should really irritate him.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    I wasn't going to make an angry reply, since it really didn't make me angry - just more stunned I guess I would say. I DID forward a copy of his e-mail to the guy that worked with me in getting the deal I wanted (leaving out the guy's name and the name of the dealership he runs). Pretty much 180% opposite from this guy, I must say. I figure he would appreciate the "humor" of how his competitor treats potential customers. And to come from the president of the dealership too, how strange.

    I figured I would thank him for his belated replay to my request for a price, and we already have our new Honda. Sorry to have wasted any of your valuable time.

    Dennis
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