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Comments
I bought mine at Muller Honda in Highland Park. I think it's best to get Internet quotes (so they're in writing) from dealers in advance and then use the lower quotes as bargaining chips.
Depending on what you think is a reasonable profit for the dealer, you might want to try for a price about $500 above the CR Wholesale Price for the model you want.
Also, as in my case, if you agree to Car X at a certain price, but the only one they have has add-on accessories already installed, I would not pay for them. I would ask for one without all of the stuff instead. They probably will just give you the accessorized car for the price you originally agreed on.
I hope that helps.
If I'm not mistaken, I believe that the dealer hold back profit that you are referring to, goes to the dealer and that anything over invoice is split 50/50 between the dealer and the sales person. I have heard in these hard times that the dealer may be giving part of that hold back to the sales person but I'm not sure if that is always the case.
My deal was $125 over invoice. Quite honestly, these are rough economic times and haggling the hard working sales person over a couple of hundred dollars seems like a waste. The first dealer I approached gave me a price of $1500 over invoice as his best deal and I had no problem walking out on that one. He knew I had the correct numbers for the car but decided to insult me instead.
I found them through Edmunds/NY Times' "Power Shopper." Their initial e-mail from the HOA internet manager came in $100 over incvoice, and down from there after two phone calls.
Honda of Annapolis was easy to deal with (in and out in 1.25 hours including car inspection and test drive). They even had a junior salesman drive my old car home (followed by a shag boy in a used Civic on the lot), so my wife didn't even need to drive me down there - a 30 minute trip!
Very easy, no hassle, pretty good price. Ironically they had the same car on the showroom floor for $1,000 over MSRP!
Thanks to this board for the buying info, you guys are great.
.
$24,670 for the car (He talked fast, I do not know where he arrived at that final number)
$52.57 in document fees
Taxes at 6.5% = $1606.97
Transfer plates from old to new car = $80
Grand Total = $26,409.54....Graphite Pearl, no accessories.
I'm really upset that I spent $12 for a CR new car report and found out THERE that the price I was trying to negotiate was for a FOUR cylinder, not a V6...the report did not include V6's! Made me feel like a fool.
hmurphy - where did you get the CR wholesale price at $22,901? I have no problem with $500 over that, your $23,400 sounds like an excellent deal. How should I go about approaching Highland Park? Think I can get a similar deal?
I feel pretty well singed right now - is this a common experience? Thanks!
I'm up north, but just thought I'd share. I bought my EX-L for $23,100 before tax & license and that includes destination...
It was a couple months ago, and I'm still feeling pretty good about the deal. AND the car is totally growing on me. I didn't like the looks too much at first, but I love my car now
t
I was verbally offered $1000 under invoice on an Accord EX V6 Coupe W/Navigation for $26,800 tonight. The salesmanager had already left (cuz I told them that I was definitely not buying tonight) and when I told them that I would take it home tonight if they gave me that price....the finance manager said it looked like a doable (is that a word?) deal, but the salesmanager had to put the final stamp on it.
I hope this is not some "trick of the trade" and then tomorrow they change their direction.....ya know, to get me to come back in.....cuz, I would love to be driving this beauty this weekend!
Only thing that could make it better, if it were a sedan. But, beggars can't be choosers...huh?
So, have you got your fingers crossed for me?
Thanks, all these posts really gave me the confidence to go in and negotiate.
Alex
I think that your best bet is to get a number of quotes in writing. Whether you do this by phone or e-mail, make sure you get exact quotes that detail the starting price, any fees, and the final ("out-the-door") price. Ask them to e-mail or fax their quotes to you (don't accept what they tell you over the phone).
If you get quotes from six or so dealers (and let them know you will be comparing their responses), you should get at least one rock-bottom price (mine came from Jacob's Twin Honda). Then, you can either go with the rock-bottom quote, or use it as leverage with a dealer that is closer to you.
That's how I got $23,400 from Highland Park Motors/Muller Honda. Their original quote was over $24,000, but when I told them I would go with them if they beat Jacob's Twin ($23,544), they agreed to reduce their original quote.
I then asked HPM to confirm their quote via e-mail. Everything went smoothly from there.
I really think it's important to get a handful of quotes in writing, so you have an idea of what's out there and can use low quotes for leverage.
Good luck!
"I am running a special right now through the Internet Department on any in stock Accord. If you come in to Purchase your new vehicle by
Wednesday the 30th & you will be able to buy it for 4% over invoice."
4% over invoice?? Amazing how they make is sound like its such an incredible deal. He also said they have a limited supply, so I'm betting there are plenty of Green and White Accords out on their lot (lol)
Thanks for your advice - I'll start the emailing campaign and see where that goes.
My cheapest internet quote has been $17,500 + tax + fees.
Any thoughts?
ultratech2@yahoo.com
Graphite Pearl EX-L with 5-speed manual: $20,668.72 (car has to be ordered - not on the lot)
Add Rear Deck (lip) spoiler: $340.
Fog Lights: $404.
Splash Guards: No charge
Honda Extended Warranty for 7yrs/100,000 miles: $850.
Total with all fees and documentation (excluding sales tax)is $22,432.72
I am looking to buy an EX-V6 auto with leather, satin silver.
Thanks for your help. My '01 EX-V6 was stolen last month.
Dan
BTW, how was their selection on both coupes and sedans like your's?
There are much better deals out there. I bought in November and got the same one (but sedan) at 25,569. You can easily come close to that, if not beat it. I'm in MD if that's of use (went to Jim Coleman Honda).
I started out by getting a Costco members price from two dealerships. The price I was quoted through the Costco plan was $18941.00. So I had a starting point for price. Then I went through the litany of the websites plans (Carsdirect.com, vehix.com, etc) for their price quotes. All the
internet prices were the same as the Costco plan or more.
I then physically went to several dealers from Tacoma to Seattle to Bellevue. The price was always the same or higher than the Costco price
at all of these dealers. A local salesman called and told me he could get me a car at below invoice (but he wouldn't give me a price over the
phone, only would say the price was below invoice) if I came in that day. I had a late meeting and he was not going to be around when my
meeting was over. We agreed to meet on his next scheduled shift. When I called him 3 days later to see if we were still on to meet, he denied he
ever made me that offer. I politely told him I was done dealing with him and hung up. Ten minutes later, he and his manager called me back with and offered me a '03 Accord LX, auto, 4 cyl, white car for $18,600.00 BUT ....we had to do it that day. I didn't give him an answer. Ten minutes after that I received an email from another dealership saying they would go down to $18,500.00.
The following day was a weekend day and my wife and I set out to test drive a variety of cars to make sure we still wanted the Accord. These other vehicles included the Jetta, Volvo S60, Nissan Altima and a couple of others. I think we hit 7 or 8 dealerships that day. The last two stops were Honda dealerships. One Honda
salesman gave us the entire sales pitch even though we told him we had driven the car and it was now just a matter of who was going to give us the best price. We told him we had an existing offer of $18,500.00 and he came back with a statement saying that was " very aggressive" for this area and he quoted us something closer to $21,000. He defended his price by saying his
dealership has a car loaner program and has an award winning service department plus he deserved something for his time with us. We left him our
number and told him to call us when he was closer to our existing offer. The last Honda dealership would not go below $18,941 no matter what.
Then on Saturday night, I was reading in this discussion area about Honda of Stevens Creek in San Jose CA. Somebody said they had good prices.
I sent Honda of Stevens Creek an email as well as a couple other dealerships in that same requesting a price quote. They came back with an offer of $17,288.00. I was in shock; I
thought it might be a loss leader ad for one car only and that was it. I was wrong, the next I contacted one of their Internet managers, and he
verified it was on the up and up. The two other dealers that responded were @ $17,887 for their prices. With this information I went back to the last 2 local dealerships I was working with; one being the guy who offered me $18,500. At that dealership his manager called me and told me that the price of $18,500 was not authorized through him but he would honor it since it was sent to by one of his salesman on email. He also told me that,"Nowhere in this state will you find this price on this car", which lead me to believe that Washington State Honda dealerships have some sort of an agreement not to go below a certain price. Then the same bad salesman who offered me the car at below invoice, called me and said he would do
$18,350 but we had to close the deal that day. When I called him back to confirm, he said his manager said he couldn't make that offer and unless I was willing to "step up" (his words) and pay $18,600, then they didn't need my business.
Next, I called six dealerships in eastern and southern Washington and one in Las Vegas. They all confirmed what I was told by the manager I spoke to on the phone about not finding a price below $18,500. All prices were in the range
of $18,541- $18961, plus one salesman quoted me above $19,000.
All roads lead me back to Honda of Stevens Creek in San Jose CA. I dealt with a salesman (whom was very diligent, honest (can’t list names or phone numbers on this discussion page), helpful, and had integrity. If this makes it past the editors, his initials are V.K. He made me a believer just from our telephone discussions. He drew up the sales agreement, faxed it me for my
review. Soon enough, we had an agreement, the next day I flew down to San Jose via Southwest airlines where I was picked up at the airport by V.K. and in less than half an hour the papers were signed I was out there and on my way home. 24 hours later I was home with my brand new '03
Honda Accord LX.
The process stinks, but it was worth it to find Honda of Stevens Creek. Next time I shop for a car, I will definitely look outside the state.
Hope this helps you guys looking in and around Seattle.
Most of the Bay Area internet sales are pretty good about honoring their prices. I did my internet shopping on several bay area dealers and some sent out invoice as their offer and when you call them, it stands. (Plus tax and registration of course) There are still some dealer's around this area though that acts like how you described it in your Seattle experience.
So how was the drive from San Jose to Seattle with the new car?
The Dealers here in Los Angeles are ranging between $17,500-600 Including destination charge... But I'm looking at $17,300 as my Target Price in order to get $19,000 Out the Door with 8.25% tax.
(This is for a 4-door LX-automatic)
When signing, they included a $45 doc fee and a $5 California tire fees (?) whatever. I just let it go, so in effect it is invoice (with the destination) plus $50. So you are close. Give us an update on how your negotiations turns out.
Since Edmunds has already sent me an email about using names, I can tell you to ask for the Internet sales at Honda of Stevens Creek in San Jose, CA. and then ask for the sales manager whose intials are V.K. You can trust him. The office assistant is also very honest and helpful.. obviously for the same reasons above I can't mention her name. For what I could tell when I was there, she is the only female in that department and she has a spanish name if that helps. Her first name initial is "E".
The drive from San Jose to Seattle was great except I got off and on the freeway quite a bit to aid in the break in period of the engine & for the same reason, I didn't use cruise control.
Transaction was very easy and non-stressful, salesman was very responsive and car was fresh--built the week before I bought it.
My deal for an EX-V6: $23,335 + 199 "doc fee" + tax + mv fees.
Total was $25,013 [Central NJ].
My recent experience was light years better than at a local Lynnwood Acura dealer who was a pain to negotiate with (this was in 1993, for an Integra LS). I paid $500 more than I wanted to. Guess what?...a month later an Acura dealer in San Jose was selling 10 of 'em for $500 less than what I paid (just pick your color!) Was I annoyed! Internet information is power!!
4-cyl on the lot. FYI-had I waited 3 months I could got a fully loaded EX-V6 for $69 more a month. Anyway, consider a lease, & if you like it then buy it later.
The best information that you can contribute here, and the most valuable to anyone looking for information that they can use in their deal, is HOW MUCH OVER OR UNDER DEALER COST (invoice) that you paid for your specific model Accord (including the $460 freight charge that everyone pays).
http://www.car-prices-costs.com/2003-Honda-Accord.html, that is the base cost for the dealership.
That combination for such a car is either hard to find (he said that is 100 to 1) or hard to sell. One dealership in the bay area wouldn't give me any discount but the other sold it to me at the cost :-)
Can anyone pls guide me on the best price I can quote for a 1992 Honda Accord LX 4 Dr Sedan which is on sale. 50476 miles, excellent condition with all power options + airbag + ABS installed. The dealer has quoted a price of $4995. Kelly Blue Book Values range from $3255 (trade-in) to $4355 (private party).
Would appreciate ur responses. Thanks...
Re your Post #2195, actually, the dealer cost is Invoice plus Freight minus Holdback.
According to that formula your 4-Cylinder EX with Leather but without Navigation, depending on configuration, cost the dealer:
2-Door Manual $20,469
2-Door Automatic $21,163
4-Door Manual $20,382
4-Door Automatic $21,077
Any good dealers?
What's considered a good price (how much should I pay above dealer cost, or below cost in CDN $$$).
Look forward to your posts ...
Thanks in advance - Robert
example:
Price paid : $
+ 8.25% tax
+ $45 Doc Fee
+ $5 Tire Fee
_________________
$ ... Out the Door
While it's important for any INDIVIDUAL buyer to know their OWN "out the door" price. It would probably be meaningless to someone else who is shopping,
1. Whose local tax rate is different from yours. Some states have none on the purchase, but you pay a personal property tax as part of your annual income tax.
2. Who may be charged a totally different "documentation" fee, if any at all.
3. Who may or may not pay a "tire" fee (none that I've ever heard of in my or neighboring states).
Other than the sales tax, other fees appear arbitrary, like those for "documentation," etc. and accessories like visors, mudflaps, et al are overpriced to provide extra margin.
How OTD might work (as it did for me): get the best OTD price someone else has obtained, even if in a different state. If accessories are similar (and most are, like roof visors, mudflaps, pinstripes, etc.), recalculate based on tax differential to arrive at the equivalent OTD in your home state.
Inform local dealer that the same car is available out-of-state and say you're willing to buy the car from him at that OTD plus plane fare.
Exactly what I did, and got my 03 coupe for $24.5k OTD with visor, flaps, wheel locks and trunk net for something like $900 below invoice.
also i'm thinking about asking for $25000 OTD for an accord ex-v6 with auto/night mirror and fog lights. 5% tax here in md.
Is this a good price too ask for or should i go for lower?
Dealer Ad price $22,497
Tacked on Cost $1,000
Doc Fee(profit) $360.50
Tax $1,490
Tag $149
Total $25,497
It takes more time, but please provide the breakout of what you paid. This is ultimately the most helpful. Note that the tacked on cost above was because only some of the accord V-6's were on sale, not all. The top two costs + the doc fee are just about invoice.
Is anyone else finding Accord V-6s in FLA at or below invoice?
Thanks