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Comments
Furthermore, it's pitiful that you try to paint most (if not all) messages in the "Prices Paid..." forums as a hoax just because they "MAKE NO SENSE" to you.
I, for one, choose to believe the dozens and dozens of messages about deals near invoice and I have received quotes from MP and Carrs to confirm the same.
For those who don't believe or choose not to investigate, pay what you will - the dealers will be smiling all the way to the bank.
Sorry if I was a little harsh, but I wanted you tto re-think the economics about what you were about to do before it was too late. The price on a used 2003 LX with aftermarket leathe was within $1,000 -$1,500 of what you will likely be able to buy a new 2005 one for in about 3-4 months. Although I've always bought new, I do agree with an approach to buying a slightly used car to save the original depreciation IF you are getting a very good deal. Clearly, the price you were quoted, and perhaps the market in general, does not qualify as a good deal.
I'll make you an offer to prove my point. I will pay the difference between a brand new LX and the used one you were considering. 0% interest $0 payments. All I want is the 50% of the difference in the book value between a 2004/5 Pilot in three years vs. a 2003 one at with an extra 26k miles in three years. It would be a win-win situation for both of us. And, notwithstanding the skepticism of "isellhondas", I will guarantee you that the absolute worst we will do is $500 - $1,000 over invoice on a new 2004/2005 LX, your choice of color (Ohio or PA delearship). I just bought a 2004 TL 6-speed w/ Navigation at $1,000 over invoice ordered from the factory to my exact specifiications and color from my former hometown dealership in Pennsylvania. And that is a much more limited production vehicle than a Pilot LX.
Look at it another way. If you are willing to concede 1-2 years and 26k miles for only a $1,000 discount on a new vehicle, you would have to drive it 50-60 years and about 650k miles to get your money's worth out of it.
Saving money and minimizing car payments is an honorable objective. But you need to run the numbers a little more carefully to really evaluate the cost benefit trade off. Honda Pilots are are very good deal as new vehicles, but perhaps not as overpriced used vehicles. And I will put my money where my mouth is on the offer. It would be a better $1,000 to $1,500 investment for me than most of my broker's past stock picks.
Good luck.
Some are believable even though they seem too low for the marketplace, and others aren't.
People quickly forget what they paid, they had trades that distorted things etc. This is why I usually stay out of those forums.
Then there are those countless posts where someone claims a great deal they got, but when asked for more details, it suddenly becomes very sketchy or they don't post ever again. there was actually one just a week or so ago on the TL vs. Accord board, as a matter of fact, where the poster claims something like $3500 under invoice. A couple of people (including myself) inquired further and have received no response. That's just one instance (and happens to be recent, so its fresh in my mind).
They are good if you take a large enough sample, but the problem is so many folks tend to concentrate on the anomalies rather than the norm.
'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
I am not an unreasonable guy. I admit that there are some unbelievable stories on Prices Paid - but those are the outliers (not countless - at least for Pilots). They are never confirmable and cannot be duplicated by another.
However, what I take offense at is when a new person legitimately comes to these boards for some information and someone (usually isell) quickly responds "don't believe everything you read in Prices Paid". For this new poster, that message translates into you can't really believe much about Prices Paid - and provides absolutely no help.
Unfortunately, this happened twice in the last few weeks.
The sheer number of good deals posted here regarding MP & Carrs tells you that it is worth checking out. These deals can be replicated and that's truly what is important.
The marketplace is getting smaller and smaller when it comes to the Internet. Most people who look here for info would probably like to purchase locally, but will travel 500-600 miles for a much better deal (or have it shipped). After all, this is a large purchase.
If people want to concentrate on the outliers, they will be disappointed and frustrated. However, if they look to dealers who consistently provide prices near invoice they will be satisfied. Furthermore, it may provide the impetus for pricing structure changes at the local dealer.
If I tell someone " Don't believe everything you read in Prices Paid", I am hoping they will realize that this information, while quite helpful can be tainted. Quite frankly, some of the so called "prices paid" are impossible and I KNOW they didn't happen.
then there are those who love to rain on a person's parade. New owners come to these forums and ask " Did I get a good deal?"
Usually, someone will quickly come along and them them how they paid too much.
People really need to look at the "Prices Paid" forums as useful information and not gospel. That is my only point.
'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
Isell's comments are always measured in depth and breadth. He does not try to offend folks (even when I first started giving my 1/2 cents worth long ago and others and he responded -- many attacking with nasty putdowns.
He's an honest source of information. If I were buying a Honda, I'd want a salesman like him. If I asked a direct question, he'd give me an honest answer I could understand without having to deClintonspeak it!!!
He's 10 steps up from the salesman for that brand I've encounted in shopping the last 12 years in Western Ohio!!!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Thank you for those nice comments.
Nice mutual back- scratching.
Keep it up.
"I think most of these people honestly try to be helpful but their advise is worth the price you pay for it.
Pilots are not distressed merchandise. I hear of the 400.00 over invoice etc deals but they make no sense. Do not believe everything you read in the 'Prices Paid' forums."
The first paragraph directly stating that most advice in these forums is worth nothing!!
The second paragraph being a direct jab in the direction of Carrs & MP Honda where pricing is at invoice or at $400 over invoice.
The height of desperation and self-delusion, truly knows no bounds for these gentlemen!!Its becoming a comical farce,reading their desperate posts, on this otherwise dull forum.
Elliot
I am in the process of a purchase ('04 Pilot EX) from Mike Pruitt Honda in Ohio. Quote was $489 over invoice, which I'm satisfied with. All the comments on the forums are appreciated. Even those that say "there are no good deals" (paraphrasing there)...b/c you need to be able to take feedback from a lot of sources and filter. Then based on your own independant research, come to your own conclusions.
This board has been very helpful to me in my search. Thanks to all.
I hope the sale goes through without a hitch.
exactly right!
congrats! hope all goes smoothly and you enjoy your new pilot!
'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
I am truly glad that you were able to gather some useful information and find a good deal. I hope that the final transaction goes smoothly and you enjoy your Pilot.
I guess the crash puts the important things into perspective...a bit of fussing over a few hundred dollars matters not as compared to walking away from a serious crash. Glad to hear that the Pilot protects its occupants well - hope the lady is doing better.
You have already lost 60% of its normal resale value,especially after a full frontal accidental damage.
As far as warranty claims, I would think that if the vehicle is repaired by a Honda dealership, you are protected one way or the other. I suffered a similar accident with an almost new Acura back in the late 80's and the other party's insurance company tried to get me to have the car repaired at a less expensive independent shop. My insurance company, to their credit, advised me to have it repaired by an Acura dealership and took care of getting reimbursed by the other insurance company. I had a couple of warranty claims down the road, and none were questioned.
Also, for what it's worth, a friend of mine who is an attorney was successful in getting compensated for the diminished resale value following an accident he was involved in. The other driver had run a red light and there was a police report to back up the circumstances. I forgot the details, but believe he was reimbursed approximately $5,000 based upon the actual diminishment in market value as a result of the accident (which would be disclosed on a carfax report). His was a 1-2 year old 528i at the time.
Glad to hear you were O.K.
Glad you are O.K. Must have been scary.
A properly repaired car is not a "threat" to the safety of someone's family either!
Lose 60% of it's value??? Where did you ever get that?
Can I drive 2, 7 hour days worth of driving (or 1 14 hour day) without worry? (we don't yet know if we're going to try to do it in one day). I will obviously take it easy on acceleration and braking.
However, I've heard varying reports:
--"keep it under 55 for the first X miles"
--"vary your speed for the first X miles"
--"no hard braking or accelerations..."
--"just drive it away, it'll be fine"
And then there's the oil (which I'm not as concerned about:
--"keep the break in oil for X miles"
Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'd really loev to not be driving my Civic up there, however, if I'm going to screw up my new car somehow...I'll downsize for the trip.
And split it over two days of 7 hours each without stressing yourself.14 hours in a day is asking for trouble unless you are truck driver!
best is to get it shipped.
Our son's BRAND NEW Accord V-6 six speed coupe was rear ended when it was a month old. 6000.00 in damages. Somehow the trunk lid didn't get touched. All of the VIN stickers are intact, the car looks perfect in every respect. I wouldn't think there would be any diminished calue at all in this case but I suppose I could be wrong.
Howver, as a practical matter, I can assure you that a diminished value loss has occured. We could debate how much, and it highly depends upon when you would have tried to sell the vehicle. At 7+ years and 100k+ miles, perhaps not much. But at 2-3 years and 20k-30k miles, a boatload.
A business associate of mine learned an expensive lesson a few years ago when he had some dings taken out of his black Mercedes E430 that he was trading for a new S500. He had them done at one of the best body/paint shops in the DC area. When he went to turn in the trade, the appraiser was able to determine the passenger door and front panel had been repaited. Otherwise the car was absolutely pristine and had never been in an accident of any type. The reduction in trade in value was over $5,000 ($24,000 to $19,000), because the delearship, would have to reveal that the car had been partially repainted. Had the door dings been repaired by Dent Wizard or another "painless" method, no adjustment in trade in would have been made.
Anyone that thinks an accident doesn't affect the value of the car should ask themself if they would knowingly buy a car that's been in a major accident for exactly the same price as a pristine one that hasn't. If they would, I've got some "almost beachfront" property to sell them.
My son had a similar full frontal head-on collision in his BRAND NEW Pilot with $12000 k worth of damage and after HONDA repairs ,when he tried to flog his pilot ,they wouldn't give him even 30% of the resale vaue.
Thanks.
tidester, host
I know that's a dirty job that I wouldn't want to do myself.
Why would you not want to use Honda coolant?
I don't know what effect non-Honda coolant may have. someone else here may be a better source.
Still, even if it's 2.00 more a gallon, I would use what they reccommend.
120K does seem excessive. Most manufacturers I know of who put the long-life stuff in there at the factory suggest 100K (and that's also what it says on the bottle of that long-life stuff in the parts stores).
oh, and i always use what is recommended because I'm afraid of what might happen if you mix 2 things that aren't the same (there is always residual left over, so the mixing will happen unless you flush it out). But maybe that's just my personal paranoia.
'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
I need to re-read an owner's manual because 120,000 sure seems like a long time.
I know I would probably do it sooner than that just because I like to baby my cars.
Thanks.
I was told by a rival dealer that my dealer was not selling me a true EXL and that they were probably pulling this bait and switch tactic.
Is there a way through serial numbers or some other mechanism that I can verify what I am buying is what it's supposed to be?
The cup holders for the pilot, as you know, is a 1 piece formed plastic (that holds 2 cups) that lies in the middle island between the passenger and drivers seat. It appears this plastic tray can fit into two positions on the island, one that butts up to the fold down phone carrier, and the other more in the middle. Does anyone know if you can buy an additional cup tray so you can make a total of 4 cupholders up front?
Thanks, jesse
The car is a 2003 purchase the first day they were on sale and now has 45,000 miles.
Thanks
Paul
Message #645 by calg May 23, 2004 (9:56 pm)
I just took our 03 Pilot in for it's 30,000 mile service. It was part of the tranny recall, but ... to install a new rear spoiler (under warranty) since ours was warped and we could not open the rear hatch. No sign of any leaking. My husband just drove it from Vermont to New Jersey today and all ...
Message #235 Clock, et al.... by 01r1 Jul 25, 2003 (6:56 pm)
No, haven't ask about the clock, it doesn't bug me. I'm currently trying to get a replacement rear spoiler since mine gets pinched in between the hatch and roof. Also waiting for a new driver's seat track since my seat moves side to side. ...
Message #226 iceranger- by 01r1 Jul 22, 2003 (1:27 am)
I have that same problem too. The plastic spoiler not only rubs on the roof when the hatch is open, but is sometimes gets caught in the gap while closing. It only happens to mine ...
'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
anyway, I'm sure you can order it through your dealer since it is a separate part and all. maybe even call or email some of the online parts distributors like hondacuraworld or the sponsor link at the top of this page.
'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
Thanks!