2013 and earlier-Honda Pilot Prices Paid and Buying Experience

cccompson

Just buy elsewhere if Vegas stores are inflating their prices by almost a grand through bogus fees.

dfwhonda

Purchased the above in Dallas area this evening since I couldn't wrap my mind around the lease numbers and didn't want to try to haggle with a dealer without a complete understanding.

Invoice quoted at $31,789 (incl. destination); purchase price was $27,789 ($3,500 dealer cash back + $500 into dealer holdback). Quoted invoice $150 higher than listed on Edmunds. Put 10% down to get 4.9% financing for 60 months on the rest.

Tried to contact two other dealers in the area and couldn't get them to commit to matching the financing terms. I was able to get one of the other dealers to agree to $3,500 cash back + $300 into holdback, but that model had a number of dealer options (wheel locks, cargo mat, splash guards, etc.) that I didn't care to pay for or haggle over the price.

Happy hunting everyone.

trdprerunnerdc

Try Diamond Bar Honda and Rock Honda in Fontana, internet department of course.

needacar41

Many thanks! Will try them as well.

arpadi

Hi, I was wondering if some of you could comment on the lease I just signed.

Pilot VP AWD
Invoice: $ 26896 (inc $635 destination)
Selling price: $25712.05 (inc $635 destination)
Difference: -$1183.95

Fees: Acq/Bank Fee: $595
NJ Lic/Title: 262.50
Dealer Doc Fee: $199
NJ Tire Tax: $7.50
Total: $1064

Cap Cost Reduction: $360

Payments: $259/mo + 7.4% NJ tax = $281/mo x 35mo, 12k miles/yr
Total Fees + CCR + 1st mo payment = $1705

I think the fees were pretty non-negotiable (except the doc fee but the dealer wouldn't budge saying it was standard). Maybe could've gotten away w/o the $360 CCR but then that would've dropped the sale price to $1543 below invoice which the dealer said he couldn't do.
Also, the dealer threw in an "accessory package" (wheel locks, cargo tray/liner, mats) that came with the car and we wouldn't pay for - supposed value is $312.
Thanks.

joeyjoejoe

It seems like a lot of the dealers I'm working with keep dropping something along the lines of "the VP trim is selling out fast....with the leasing option they are being picked up quick". Is anyone else having the same problem? I'm wondering if maybe we should be shooting for an EX or EX-L to get a better deal. Thanks.

hurlbert

I've been looking in the DFW area too. Wanting a 4WD 4dr SE - Dark Cherry. Pretty good price you got. I'm trying to decide on a purchase vs. lease, but am having trouble getting good explanations on the differences with a lease. However, the money factors have been pretty good on a lease, it's just how much of the incentive goes away on a lease. Which dealership did you get the best price from?

Thanks.

Hope to get this decided this week. May make a good Valentine's Day present for wife.

dwynne

With the doc fee included, it looks like you paid right at invoice less the $1k dealer incentive.

With the silly low MF on the lease I would never have put down $1705 into this deal. So what if the payments are higher? Just sock the extra $1,400 or whatever away in the bank for a rainy day and borrow that from Honda at less than 1%.

Dennis

dwynne

It could be true, if folks are leasing them at the "deal price" which is $500 under invoice (or $500 over invoice less incentive) then why would they negotiate a lower price? The EX should be a similar deal - just more money, the EX-L is more money and a lower residual. That said, if they will not deal on the VP and will deal down into the hold back on the EX then your net payment will not be much higher if you get the EX - or it could be about the same.

Dennis

dwynne

From what we know based on prices we see or what dealers say, there is $1,000 in dealer money if you lease and now $3,500 if you buy.

When I checked the lease, then buy at $1,500 buy it was cheaper by a good bit to lease/buy than to buy. At $2,500 it is close to the same, at $3,500 it is cheaper to just buy - if your goal is to own the Pilot long term. Some folks are also reporting cheap money (4.9% for 60 months, etc) on top of the deal price, if you could get that AND $3,500 or so under invoice then no reason to lease then buy.

Dennis

dfwhonda

I got virtually identical prices from Lute Riley and John Eagle (although John Eagle's was about $600 higher due to dealer options like wheel locks, splash guards, etc. which the Lute Riley model did not have), but Lute Riley was the only dealer I could find to give me 4.9% financing (and I was quoted this offer over the phone without offering to put any money down). I did put about 10% down in the end for my own reasons.

John Eagle couldn't go below 5.9% for the Pilot, even when I told them point blank that if they could match the financing terms I would purchase their 2WD Pilot EX-L w/Nav (for geographical reasons as much as anything else). I didn't get a comparable quote from Rusty Wallis with a phone call, and didn't press the issue much.

I guess the main difference is that you are looking at 4WD (whereas I got a 2WD).

Hope this helps.

gohonda12

A dealer in MD mentioned to me that AHFC (Honda Finance) will release a low APR financing special for 08 Pilot on Feb 15. If that could be combined with the current dealer incentive of 3500, the deal would be sweeter.

piloti_sti

I got a lot of that and I believe them as I was checking online inventory some dealers only had 2-3 VP in stock as compared to 10-15 EX, SE, EX- L etc.

I believe most folks just go in and sign the papers on whatever deal they have going without trying for more.

steevo

Wow that would be interesting. But I am currently working a deal to lease. And they only have 1000 incentive to lease so I bet that the 3500 will be reduced if taking a low APR..... I was planning on making a deal Thursday night now I am tempted to wait till the weekend just in case the incentives increase....

vik4

Joeforjob- What was the OTD price? Can you please share the dealer whom you bought it from?
thx

dwynne

I would say that is not going to work. They have had large dealer incentives in the past and they have had cheap money deals in the past, but you could never combine the two. Anything is possible if they really want to move Pilots off the lots. Also cheap money deals are also often regional based on your state of residence.

The 4.9% some folks are getting must be some special dealer deal and not an AHFC deal.

Dennis

joeyjoejoe

When negotiating my deal I've been telling dealers that credit unions have been giving me an offer of 4.99% for 48 months and they all offer to match no problem. My credit score is in the 740's, so that must help. My point being though, is you don't necessarily have to have the option to tell the dealer that you do. If they ask, just tell them that you are a member of Pentagon Federal Credit Union (penfed.org), which is offering for 4.99% for 12-72 months right now. You can become a member for only $25 and don't have to be a gov employee. Message me to find out details if interested. Even if you don't want to make payments for 72 months, you can pay off earlier with only liabilty to pay much less if necessary. Good luck!

dwynne

It is a good idea to always get pre-approved financing before ever starting to shop for a car. The credit union offers a better rate than the place I normally use - CapitalOne. When you are ready to buy you challenge the dealer to beat your rate, if they can you take the lower rate. If they can't you use your pre-approved financing.

I would never walk into a dealership with out the "money in my pocket" to do the deal. If you don't know what your bank, credit union, or online source will do then the dealer could finance you at a higher rate than you deserve and you would never know.

Dennis

tic1

Purchased on 2/12/08 in North Carolina for $24,633 including Doc Fee+Tax+Tag. MSRP $31,780 with destination.

wojkos

Can you please message me how can I become a member of Pentagon Federal Credit Union .
Thanks

dwynne

It is no big secret

Just go their "how to join page" at this link. If none of the free ways applies to you, then click on the link to join the "National Military Family Association" for $20 for the first year. You then qualify for credit union membership but have to open an account and deposit at least $5 in it. So your total cost is $25. Note that they say "You do not have to retain NMFA membership to stay a member with Pentagon Federal Credit Union", so you can let your membership lapse after the first year, if you wish, but still belong to the CU.

Dennis

nagam

Hi, is it 24633 OTD price, my dealer is offering me, 28639(OTD price) - 4WD, EX-L

is that a good price

nagam

is 28639 good price for 4wd-ex-l? including all the charges ( tax,tag, desti,doc,etc)

fagigi

I am thinking to lease a 2008 Pilot 4W EXL w/Nav but there is one thing I really concern now.
Due to 2009 Model coming to market soon, is this will cause big price drop for 2008 model?

thanks

dwynne

I would suggest you read the messages in this forum and the Pilot leasing forum. There are already dealer incentives to move the 07 Pilots and the lease MF is way below 1% effective. Sure they could increase incentives, but you can get a really good deal now for sure. I think the lease incentives will go away before the buy incentives (dealer money and cheap financing).

Dennis

joeforjob

The list price of Pilot I bought is $28,995. I need to get the dealer's permission first before I release their information in the internet. Since I bought several Honda cars from them in 20 years, I know them very well. It is why I could get a great deal from them this time. If it is OK for them, I will release their information tomorrow. I could get this number from this dealer, I believe that you should get the similar number from other dealers because the number is nationalwide. Right?

fagigi

Thanks for your suggestion.
I check Honda's site
http://automobiles.honda.com/2009-prototype-pilot/

2009 model seems a big upgrade, so 2008 will be the last model from original? that's why I worry about if I bought now then price drop after.

hurlbert

Which dealer in NC? I'm working on a 2008 Pilot SE-AWD - Black Cherry. Adding: Cargo Mat, Splash Guards, Wheel Locks & Window Tint.
Additional Equipment: Towing Package & Running Boards

MSRP is around $35,271 depending on how add-ons are priced. I'm working with a few dealers here in DFW area and Denver area. If the price is right, could be worth a road trip?

Thanks.
Bill

dwynne

No one knows, probably not even Honda, what they will have to do to move the Pilots out. Pilots have always been slow sellers and seem to have nearly constant dealer money, cheap leases, and/or cheap financing.

If you are scared, buy a dog . Otherwise, jump in a buy or lease a Pilot. The deals now are really good. They could get better later, but you never know.

Dennis

normkol

Why don't you just post the price of the car, including all fees but NOT including tax, tags and license.

Those charges vary by state and are really not relevant to discussions here.

gohonda12

At this time a good price for 08 Pilot would be anything that is $4000 below the listed invoice price. 3500 factory incentive plus 2% holdback (~$600). So check with the dealer what the sale price is and deduct it from the invoice price to get the difference. Also beware of some dealers who might give you a very attractive price only to tack on huge processing fees or dealer installed accessory fees later on.

fagigi

Your answer does not help at all!
The reason I am asking is I need advice from someone have this kind of experience, not a puppy sales!

robsdad

Break out your price paid and maybe someone will help you. We need the details.

parviz

Are you referring to the selling price drop or the resale? As for the selling price, I don't think it is going to go down much more than what it is now, tghey are being sold at great prices. As for the resale, IMO, with the huge discount you are getting below invoice that would offset any price drop of the older model year because of the introduction of the new model. Also, looking at some other posts, not everyone is going to fall in love with the new 09 model, so the current generation may as well keep up as good.

slamtaz

25,631 - invoice
200 - nevada honda ad association fee
----------
25,831
3,500 - dealer cash
300 - excess value of trade over kbb (i.e. at least but could be more)
----------
22,031 - net price

other than the above, i paid 7.75% nevada tax plus dealer & title fees which i found out were standard in nevada even the ad association fee, give/take a couple $$$.

i was already content with the 3,500 incentive below invoice which i got thru email and the internet manager told me if i could come in for a test drive. but when i came in the dealership, they offered to trade-in my beat up/junk 88 pathfinder at 300 over kbb fair value instead of none (i.e. poor value) :surprise: . i was surprised because i offered to trade this vehicle when i bought my wife's car last year but dealers (i.e. each and everyone i asked) refused to accept it and said i'm better off donating it, that's why i didn't even mention that to the internet manager in our email correspondence

there were only 2 VPs on the lot (i.e. fresh-off the truck when i came in) and at least a couple dozen of EX & above models. i got even more excited when one of the VPs was in the color combo that i like (i.e. silver with gray interior) and the manufacture date was only Jan 2008!

I was actually tempted to get-off some more $$$ from the price but i was already very satisfied with the deal being:

1. hassle-free, no pressure, courteous service
2. took me less than an hour at the dealership
3. unbelievably low price on a Honda at more than $6,000 below MSRP
4. 5.69% APR for 72 months
5. got the color combo i like
6. fresh off the truck delivered with Jan 2008 mfr date
7. turned my junk/beat up car into additional cash savings
8. my wife and kids love the Pilot and it rides real smooth for a 2 tonner SUV.

i could've played hardball and save a couple hundred $$$ more but may end up not getting all of the above. :sick:

as a side note: i think i wont mind the mileage that the Pilot will give me because the pathfinder gives me a standard 13-14 mpg only. so, whatever the Pilot gives me will be considered a bonus already :shades:

gohonda12

OK got more details on the Low APR financing offer from AHFC (American Honda Finance Corp)

Starts on 2/15 and it is 2.9% APR for 60 mnths (qualified customers only). This special offer (as per a dealer) will run till 2/23/08 and can be combined with the $3500 marketing incentives currently being offered.

piloti_sti

WOW...where are you located? I wonder if this is an regional offer only. $3500-$4000 off invoice plus 2.9% would be awesome...

fagigi

That's a very good opinion.
it's a good timing to buy or lease, probably I will go for a dealer this weekend.
thanks

kyfdx

Dang!!

$4K off invoice
2.9% for 60 months.
$9K for my trade (from RWTIV)

Might be shopping this weekend!!

sophiak

I checked with my local dealer and she said the APR is only for Certified Used Cars only. Can somebody verify with this?

Thanks.

dwynne

Your answer does not help at all!

That is because you are asking a stupid question. No one here knows what the future will hold and someone from Honda if they saw your question would likely not know either. If the current promos move enough Pilots they will probably not increase the discounts and could drop them. If they still can't move product, then they may have to sweeten the deals.

I did say now is a great time to buy or lease a Pilot. If you are scared the price will be lower later, then so be it. You could wait and the deals be worse or the selection be worse, or you could wait and save - perhaps. We don't know.

Asking us to guarantee what the future holds is not very smart, since we can only give you a guess.

Go buy/lease a Pilot and quit worrying about what may happen down the road. If you can get a new Honda for $3,500 and more under invoice I don't know what else you are waiting on, unless you need one of us to stop by and give you a ride to the dealership .

Dennis

dwynne

Nice deal.

If we were in the market this month, even with the cheap lease numbers, we would probably just buy as well. With the $3,500 dealer money (vs $1k for leasing) it just makes more sense. It IS nice with the lease that we can just turn the Pilot back in should gas prices skyrocket or we just want something else. I would say resale value on Pilots will be and will stay in the tank, though. With folks getting them for $3,500 or more under invoice you would have to price a used Pilot dirt cheap to get anyone to buy it. If you are planning on keeping your Pilot until it wears out, like your trade in, then you will not care.

My wife is reporting 18mpg commuting to work and back in here 2WD VP compared to 23-24mpg in here 05 I4 AT Accord sedan. She loves the Pilot a LOT more so does not mind (much) the lower MPGs .

We liked the silver color as well as the steel blue, but the dealer with the best prices did not have either so we went with mocha.

Congrats on the new Pilot!

Dennis

steevo

Also any advance word on the lease incentive increasing...

qbrozen

My wife is reporting 18mpg commuting to work and back in here 2WD VP compared to 23-24mpg in here 05 I4 AT Accord sedan.

Wow! 23-24 in a 4-cyl Accord. Heck ya she should be impressed with 18 in the Pilot!! I get 29 mpg in my 6-cyl Accord. Hope you get her a helmet for Valentine's Day to protect her when she's doing all that racing. ;b

kyfdx

According to the previous poster, the 2.9% starts on February 15th..

If accurate (always a big if), it's possible that your dealer didn't want to disclose it early, or that person wasn't aware of it..

Or, it could be inaccurate..

gohonda12

I'm located in MD

dwynne

They are not likely to know that. I would think once the current round of cheap leases is done they may go away and there will just be cheap financing and/or dealer incentives?

Why?

Think about it. Honda can't sell the Pilot (for lots of reasons), if they keep doing killer lease deals then they will more Pilots, but what happens in 3 years? Yep, they get all these used Pilots back - and have to sell or auction them all over again. With a cheap finance offer and/or $3,500 dealer money for sales they get rid of them and don't get them back.

With the near free money and $1k current incentive it makes for a nice deal, $3,500 off for buying one turns out to be cheaper.

Dennis

gohonda12

Another dealer here in MD confirmed that the low APR offer can be combined with the current $3500 incentive and even said that 2.9% is for excellent credit rating and 3.9% is for very good. Now only if I knew how to these translate to actual credit scores.

dwynne

It could also be regional, some of the Honda cheap finance deals can be. Once this hits (if it does) you can check on the special offers page by trying your and other ZIP codes to see what comes up. If regional, it depends on your state of residence and not where the dealership is located. When they had cheap money a while back on the Civics it was good for TN residents but not got KY residents, but someone that lived here could buy a car from a KY dealership and get the cheap rate.

Dennis

dwynne

Man, I would hate to be behind YOU when the light turns green .

I think a lot depends on the nature of the commute but it IS a lot on driving style too. She could get 30mpg or a little better on a road trip in the Accord and 24 mpg on so just doing the slow roll commute thing. Our daughter (who has more of a lead foot like her father) gets 28mpg or so commuting in her 06 Civic sedan - imagine what she could do if she putted around .

I got 15-16mpg in commuting to work in an M5, then the same or LESS in an RX-8 (what a guzzler), and the G37 looks like about 17mpg right now. I expect things in my car and my wife's Pilot to go up a bit as the cars get more broken in. I get about 23-24mpg commuting in my S2000 (with the top down) and 28mpg or so on road trips (top down).

Dennis