2013 and earlier-Honda Pilot Prices Paid and Buying Experience

poodog13

In regard to the guy who can't get a quote without an appraisal, just tell them you changed your mind on the trade in and are either keeping it as a beater or selling it third party. You can always go back the other way afterwards. The only downside to this is that it leaves you open to a low-ball trade in amount.

Bottom line is that a dealer needs to make money somewhere. If you want below-invoice pricing, you're not likely to get above-blue book trade in amount.

golic

Couple of thoughts:

Dealers make money on financing. If they finance you at a bank, they get some sort of fee for set up the finance. One way to counter this, is to ensure there are no prepayment penalties. It will cost you about $100 p/m to finance 30K at 3.9%. So, if you are getting an extra $500 off to finance, then take the financing and pay off the note after 30 days. This will save you $400.

As mentioned, don't bring up the trade in, until the very end. What I would always do prior to car shopping is take my vehicle to a carmax and get an appraisal, They are often good for 7 days or 500 miles. This way I had a benchmark. If the dealer was too low, I would tell them no thanks - I had a firm offer elsewhere.

Remember though, you do save some coin by trading the vehicle in, as most states will charge sales tax on the net of the purchase price and the trade in. So know your sales tax rate.

cjofpa

Looks like a pretty good price $38,500 is invoice. I could no t get below invoice.
I did get the low interest deal.
How much are the running boards? is that the installed price? I received invoice then with 15% off Accessories and installation.

cjofpa

I always make the deal on the new car first, then hit them with trade in last. I have had salesmen really angry with me over this. I tell them up front a cash deal, and then you get a real price on the trade in.

www.edmunds.com get the invoice price of what you want, then look up what you can get for your car, and shoot for retail. You pay more to trade in period. Depends on what it is worth to you.

I had a 10 year old Monte Carlo 178 K miles very clean. Dealer wanted to give me $800.oo trade in, (edmunds was $750.00 trade in) TMV was $1400.00 Retail was $1700.00 I sold it in two days for $1600.00 (with a extra set of winter tires), out in my front yard. That usually doesn't happen. Selling yourself is a pain.

lxpaddy

I just got a quote for EX AWD for $28930+tax+fee, Is that a good price?

thechris

I would say NOT a bargain. I am looking at this same vehicle and have been haggling with dealerships, internet managers, and w/e else they can throw at me. The invoice is NOT 38500- this is about the MSRP. The posted invoice on this vehicle is 34,770. I assume the real invoice price to be 1-5% lower than this. I have been using this as a guideline for purchasing. I have gotten dealers in the Bay Area to come in at or very close to this price. I am offering $1k below invoice though, no bites, but with the $2k dealer incentives that we lost in August, I cannot justify spending any more. I have gotten quotes around 34500 though.
I would say hold out til the first of the year, maybe Honda will wise up. Don't let OPEC trick you into buying a car hastily. :mad:

thechris

34500, ex-l

too high--- use these as a guideline for bargaining
msrp invoice dest
2WD EX-L 4-door wagon $33,595 $30,433 $670
AWD EX-L 4-door wagon $35,195 $31,878 $670
2WD EX-L 4-door wagon w/DVD $35,195 $31,878 $670
AWD EX-L 4-door wagon w/DVD $36,795 $33,324 $670

its YOUR $$ dont let them push you around

hanzero

So, no incentives in Dec? Anybody heard of anything?

cjofpa

Your right, I looked again. 2009 Touring AWD with Nav ( no DVD) invoice is $34,770 + $670.00 Destination, and they hit you with a $100.00 advertising fee.

I was at $35,525 best I could get, before accessories, warranty, plates and taxes etc...

thechris

$100 adverstising fee??!!!!

WTF

by 'advertising fee', they mean drop yer drawers son, and grab yer ankles, and take it. Offer them invoice, which would include the destination fees.

They will be releasing the '10 in a few months.. keep that in mind.

cjofpa

Thats funny!

Dropping my drawers would cost more than a hundred Big Boy.

I did call them on the advertising fee', told them it was left field, not the first time I have heard it.

I could have hammered them for a few hundred more dollars, but at what cost. Dealer is right up the street, they give loaner cars, 15% off accessories.
Honda salesmen have to make a living too. I was happy to pay $200 or $300 hundred over invoice for a Chevy, or Ford. I know about hold backs 2 to 3% MSRP, and yes they are probably hidden bonuses they get.
I think invoice is a great deal. This is a tough crowd, lighten up Scrooge.

jwalls

I was not hit with a "advertising fee". I paid $35,900 with the lighted running boards installed. Then tax, lic, reg. They did not hit me with any other "fee's". The Honda price on the running boards is $ 710.00 (Im sure the real price is much lower). I feel I did pretty good figuring the advertised invoice with destination is $ 35,440 and got the running boards for $460.00 installed. Got the car at South Bay Honda in Los Gatos, Ca.

Jim

cdolan59

I am looking to get a 2009 Pilot, 2wd possibly 4wd EXL.
I am in Boston. Most dealers do not have 2wd, but if I could get good enough savings i will travel out of state to get the car. 4wd is an option too, but prefer 2wd. Sales tax in Massachusetts is 5%.
My lease on a Ford is up in february. Should I wait?

Can anyone tell me what my best price should be? I had quote in Boston area for $30,715 with destination 4wd, 29,889 with destination 2wd. This does not include TTL.

bigdadi118

2009 Pilot sale in Nov went up about 5% than Nov last year. Probably not a good Dec month to make a good deal as Honda will hold on the incentive on Pilot for now.

I think the only incentive was $1,500 discount on leasing last month. Even Boch Honda took the Pilot away on Weekly Promotion this week.

quasarba

If that 29,889 is for 2wd EXL, that seems very good, my initial quote was almost 2K more.

duane10

My quote only included destination. Tax + license were separate. Hope that helps.

nfusion770

I went quote hunting the other day and the best I got on a Touring with RES, lighted running boards, wiring harness, and cross bars was $37,306 (plus TTL). I intended only to add gap insurance at 7 bucks a month or so, but finally agreed to the extended warranty at $1000 when I told him I could get it online for $700. I think a few of my accessories were on the high end of quotes, but the base of the car was a pretty decent deal I think. I could have saved a few hundred on the warranty, but it is easier just to get it at the dealer. Amazing how convinced they are in the benefits of seal coating everything- $100 says they'd decline these inflated add ons on their personal vehicles.

All in all we are happy with the experience. The sales person was very understanding of the fact that we owned a previous generation Pilot and were not interested in being taught how to use the shifter and the steering wheel- I give him a lot of credit for that. He was also the only salesperson (out of 6) that actually read my quote request and directly quoted me the options I requested- that was nice. The others took anywhere from 2 to 5 emails to give me quotes on 2 models and various add ons- one didn't even respond to followup emails.

thechris

bah humbug

do i want to help the economy?
sure

will i do this by willingly paying more than I have to.... ??

would anyone?

i dont care about honda. if they want to trick the public into thinking they are for the community by giving loaner cars and 15% off accessories (that are already marked about 200%).. fine.. but I work hard for my money.. I pay taxes on my money. I spend my already taxed income on new goods that i get retaxed on.. so if haggling over even a penny makes me a scrooge..

BAH HUMBUG

Ask the sales manager this.. "Tell you what, if you give me 1k below invoice, how about I take all your kids to school and pick them up everyday for a year. Not only that I will mow your lawn twice a month"

See if he gives a rat's [non-permissible content removed] about you or anything else you can do for him except pay your money.

its my money... I will not be taken advantage of anymore than i have to.. I will bet you are somewhat the same, otherwise, you wouldnt be on this site trying to find the best deals. What do they care anyway? I only costs Honda like 4k to make one of these cars.

I will bet Mr Honda himself lives in a solid platinum house on the moon with a pool filled with Cristal Champagne and he uses $100 bills as the lining for his Lion Cage.
while his harem of playboy centerfolds and pornstars sleep on pure chincilla matresses and feed solely on kobe beef prepared from the real Morimoto (the one they abducted. the one on earth is a robot, for cover)

BAH HUMBUG

and happy holidays

Unknown

Hello

Does anyone know if I am getting a good deal on the quote I received for a 2009 Honda Pilot 4Wd/w/Res. The price the Dealership is giving me includes destination charge and is $33,500. I am also getting a price for installed premier running boards of $522. Can anyone offer me any help as to whether they think this would be a good deal. I have shopped around to get to this price. Is there more negotiating room?

zorkon

Was quoted a price of $30,200, with $1500 down to get 60 month 3.9% financing.

Monthly payment of $575 after TTL

It's a lower price quote than I got a few months back back when they were giving me BS quotes of 1000 off MSRP, but is this a good price? Got a feeling it could be 1k lower.

fornov

That is the exact price I got on a 2009 Pilot EX-L 4WD with RES. 33,500, including destination, and they installed the premium running boards with that price as well. There was a $185 documentation fee, so the final price was 33,685 + TTL. I'm pretty happy with this overall.

What's funny is that they offered this price without the running boards, and I'm not really one to haggle a lot, so they said is was their best offer. I told the salesman we really wanted the running boards, so he suggested we try to get those added on at the same price. He went and asked his manager, and he said he couldn't do it. I brought up the underbid they gave us on the trade in (which they had already increased by $700, but was still pretty low), and he went and asked again, and the manager agreed to put the running boards on. I knew they'd do it because the salesman brought it up himself! There is no way he'd make that suggestion if he didn't know they had the ability to absorb that extra cost.

We'll take delivery tonight. I was kind of hoping my wife would like the Acadia better, but she liked the Pilot, so the Pilot is what we're getting (she'll be driving it 95% of the time).

Unknown

So it sounds like the deal may be fair. They are giving me a really favorable deal on my trade-in so I guess I am ok with not having the running boards thrown in. My wife too is driving the vehicle, although I was trying to persuade her away from a used 07' Sequoia with low miles and onto the new Pilot with a clear history. Thanks for your help.

nowakj66

There is $2000 dealer cash available on the Acura MDX this month. Any word on similar support for the Pilot?

jboogie2323

Hello Everyone,

I just recieved a quote from a dealer in NOR CAl for a 2009 honda pilot touring model with nav only. Let me know what you guys and gals think.

Selling Price: $34,086.00
Sales Tax (estimate): $2,645.93
Tag/Registration Fees: $267.00
Other: $28.00
Documentation Fee: $55.00
Flat Add/County Fee: $30.00

Out the Door: $37,111.93

This is exactly what the dealer sent me an a email. Im not sure what the other fee is for, and also the flat add/county fee. Im going to email them back today to find out what those are exactly. Other than that, should i try and get them lower or is this a good price???

nucargurl

I have been making notes of what others are paying (I'm interested in EXL). I have seen a price of $34,890+TTL in Oregon & thought that was worth making a note of. It sounds good to me - but it can't hurt to ask for more!!
Good luck - let us know how it goes.

pilot21078

I'm beginning my internet research for a 2009 Pilot EX-L AWD and we got a quote for $31,901 as an internet price. From what I've seen online so far, the invoice price for this trim level is around $31,878. To me, this quote sounds pretty good but I was wondering how it looked to everyone else. Does this sound like a reasonable price?

Here's the text from the e-mail quote I received:

Here is the pricing information you request:
09 Honda Pilot EX-L with 4 Wheel Drive
$35,865 MSRP
$32,472 Internet Selling Price
$670 freight/destination
$99 Maryland processing fee
$31,901 Final Internet Price
As before, above pricing does not include tax, MVA fees or dealer installed accessories, if any. Pricing valid through 12/20/08

jeremiastan

Where in Maryland? We live in VA, but could drive there.

pilot21078

This was from Heritage Honda in Parkville, MD off the Baltimore beltway.

shopper20

I have also begun my shopping for a 2009 Pilot. So far the best quote I have been given is from a dealership in VA for $30,257 - below factory invoice according to Edmunds which is $30.433 for this model. They want to add the $670 dest fee and $399 processing fee, that plus TTL makes the $32,364. I know the processing fee is ridiculous but isn't the dest fee already supposed to be included in the factory invoice? I am also thinking about waiting to see what Honda offers for incentives since their November sales dropped by 32%.

shopper20

Just checking on the price you were offered and how you came to the $31,901 final. Are they telling you that they are subtracting the $670 dest fee from the original Internet selling price of $32,472 because everything I have seen in my quotes so far they expect you to add it which would bring the final Internet price to $33,241 I am still waiting for someone to answer my question about whether the dest fee isn't already included in the factory invoice and they are trying to increase their profit by acting like it isn't.

pilot21078

I don't know how they came to that final internet price of $31,901. I've e-mailed them asking to clarify whether the final internet price is before destination/freight charges and the Maryland processing fee. I'm guessing that it is but I'll let you know.

bigdadi118

For 2009 EXL 2WD MSRP $33,595 is before $670.00 destination charge.
If they show you this then they can add the dest..

If they show you MSRP 34,265 then you can assume they are doing double-dipping on the dest chg.

bigdadi118

The MSRP 09 EXL 4WD is $35,195 + 670 dest charge = $35,865
All depending on how MSRP amount that the ad. or the quote was based on.
if all the negotiation started with $35,195 then it is OK to add dest., if it started with $35,865 then the dest should be included.

bigdadi118

http://www.realcartips.com/articles/carbuying/how-to-buy-a-new-car.html

They do have a good thorough post on How To Buy A Car For The Lowest Price.
It is just like the Donkey Punch method but more detailed ...

rexf

That's a really good article. I would add one thing: recent research has shown that offering to pay 'cash' for a car does not result in a lower price. You should explore all options that the dealer has available for financing. Even if you intend to pay cash, do not disclose that until the end of the process. Also, some low interest loans allow you to prepay them anytime, without a penalty, which is basically a cash deal. So, if the price is lower if you take that kind of financing, you should explore that option. Armed with that article and other advice readily available on Edmunds.com, you should get an outstanding deal.

rexf

According to Honda, November 2008 sales of Pilots were up 4.5% over November 2007, although down 16% from year to year. Given the stringent production controls that Honda has in place, I think it's unlikely supply will be allowed to outpace demand; thus, it appears unlikely there will be incentives (apart from the odd lease deal) on the Pilot anytime soon. However, Honda dealerships have been hit with large downturns in the sale of every other model, so they need to sell any car they can, and should be willing to deal on Pilots. Happy shopping.

jwalls

Well, if this helps you any, I just paid 1K more base price than you were quoted and thought I was doing pretty good.....not happy about that !!!

My final price before tax, lic and the such was $35,900.00 with lighted running boards installed.

Where did you get that quote ?

Jim

thechris

what dealer gave you this quote?

i would have them cut out the 'other fee' and the doc fee

offer $100 less

keep in mind though, the invoice is 34770 on this vehicle plus 670 dest

please post the dealer, i will call them asap
maybe they will give us a better deal on two!

blufz1

Go to the edmunds site and compute the dealer cost of the car in question. Then check for any incentives from MFG to dealer. Deduct the incentives from dealer cost and that is the MOST you should pay. Start lower and use Dealer cost less incentives as you max/final offer. Walk away. They're going to call you back the next day.........if you even get off the lot before a "call back".

VT314

Planning to buy the above this week. Got a qoute for $35,899.

Is that good? or should i wait.

nikbert

Is this with TTL+options? And where? Plz let me know too. About to buy it too.
I think I've seen similar prices before on this board.

Good luck.

jwalls

I got the Touring 4wd with nav but no RES. I got the car for $35,900 with the lighted running boards installed. Seems like its a decent deal with the RES since they want around $1,600.00 for it. There was a thread not far back that they got a quote just over 34K somewhere in N. California.

Jim

pilotsahm

just got a phone call last night (during dinner of course :sick: ) from a Honda company asking about my latest honda experience at a local dealer.. after telling them that my experience was great ( i didnt buy a car but just test drove a pilot) they then offered me employee pricing. which she said was $1000 over dealer cost. (which i assume is invoice) now cars direct is telling me i can get my vehicle for $36785. invoice being $36,216.

question is this... has anyone else gotten this phone call for employee pricing? or is it a local thing? IE: nj?

mplshondadlr

I have never heard American Honda offer employee pricing. My guess is that it's a company the dealer you visited to follow-up with customers who didn't buy. Just my guess though.

kyfdx

I think that's probably a good guess..

pilotsahm

did a reverse number lookup. it comes up Butler NJ. we went to route 23 honda in pomptan plains. (same place really grrr) trust me when i say i wasnt excited about the "employee pricing" i was reall hoping that the honda corp was starting its december incentives...
now i know that route 23 honda is pulling some very schmucky strings...
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

bigdadi118

One of good reason to get quotes via email only, no phone calls.

eddie

started looking at pilot ex for next car . dealer quoted price for ex at 29,350.00 out the door. is this a good price. maylook at ex-l also.

Fox019

I was just quoted $31,533 internet price for a 2009 Pilot EX-L AWD. The MSRP was $35,865. This sounds like the going price. The dealer told me Honda doesn't have incentives. Does this sound reasonable?

lufaca

That seems like a reasoble price. What part of the country do you live in?
I live in southern California and the best price I've seen was 28,200 without taxes Licence and other fees? I am sure this will add up to way more than 29,350