2013 and earlier-Honda Pilot Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • dchondadchonda Member Posts: 8
    Secured the following deal today in Wash, DC area:

     

    Pilot EX-L w/RES

     

    $29,600 + Freight ($515) + Documentation ($100) + Tax ($1511) + Tags ($136) - Total OTD - $31,862.

     

    Also, Dealer included wheel locks, mud guards and door guards. (Total - $487 retail).

     

    How did I do?

     

    One question I have is that when I got home I did not see any headphones or remote for the DVD system. My understanding is this is part of the package. Am I correct in this assumption.
  • rtsrts Member Posts: 2
    I'm looking to purchase a 2005 Honda Pilot EX-L within the next two weeks. Anyone have any good quotes below $29200? Please let me know if your price includes the destination price in it. I live in southern New Jersey but will travel to North Jersey, Pennsylvania or Delaware to get a good deal.
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    I am in the early stages of looking into a '02 Pilot EX or EX-L......I live south of Boston...is it 'reasonable' to walk in and offer 'invoice'???
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    woops......I stand corrected......'05 Pilot EX or EX-L....
  • depdep Member Posts: 79
    At invoice it sounds like you would be over paying by $200-$600.

     

    The best price quote I got for an EX-L was $29,000 +TTL.
  • getcargetcar Member Posts: 11
    THe dealer is DCH Paramus Honda.

     

    Now you know the price, I think , you can try to squeeze more (may be some accessories atleast).

     

    If you need salesman info, publish your email.

     

    Tx
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    thanx 'dep'....I would be 'overpaying' if I accepted invoice?...wow.......should my initial offer actually be less than invoice?....thanx again....Bob
  • jse107jse107 Member Posts: 8
    I'm hoping to buy an '05 EX-L in the next month. I live in the DC/MD/VA area. I would like to add fog lights, rear splash guards, running boards, and back-up sensors. How much should I expect to pay for these? Because they're all dealer added, can I even negotiate on these?

     

    If you're in this area and have any tips about dealerships, please e-mail me at JenHagerman at aol dot com.

     

    Thanks so much!
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Hi jse107. This is a message board format and not an e-mail exchange clearinghouse. Asking for information on the boards rather than via e-mail benefits all of our members. Thanks!

     

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  • chuminthewaterchuminthewater Member Posts: 91
    Is 27,125 +taxes, tags, freight a fair deal for the base EX?
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    noxcuses............I live in N.Attleboro MA..where did you buy your Pilot?..I am looking for a EX-L and am considering Herb Chambers in Seekonk or Warwick....did you pay invoice?...or less?..I am in the early stages of 'shopping'..but could use a few tips!...thanx, Bob
  • jse107jse107 Member Posts: 8
    Sorry! I'm interested in whatever information or strategies people have--I've just seen several people post that they would rather e-mail directly, so I thought I'd post my e-mail in advance.

     

    I did get some good information by checking out the Pilot accessories board about buying parts online for less. Even so, can some of the things that need to be installed by the dealer be negotiated in the price?

     

    Any other thoughts about DC area dealers? Criswell is very close to us, but I'm willing to drive for a deal. Is it possible to get invoice or below around here?
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    hockeyguy..did you get your Pilot 'below invoice'?...any haggling tips you can give me would be appreciated...thanx..
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    getcar....below invoice?...any haggling tips you can throw my way would be great...how did you 'start' negotiations below invoice?.thanx
  • chuminthewaterchuminthewater Member Posts: 91
    Here it is, about $500 less than the last, and has a couple things listed that others did not have:

     

    Includes:

     

    Pinstripes, wheel locks, and mudguards.

     

    First 2 oil changes, along with free state inspections for as long as you own your vehicle.

     

    $27,132.00.....Sale Price including Destination and the above mentioned accessories

           289.00.....Processing Fee

           822.63.....Virginia 3% Sales Tax

            46.13.....County .17% Tax

            89.00.....Virginia Tags and Registration for 2 Years

       $28,378.76.....TOTAL AMOUNT OUT THE DOOR

     

    Ok, this seems like I am nearing the end of the road for this model (EX) and I am wondering - how much more room have I got?

     

    I'd like to get the upgraded auto-dimming RV mirror, and maybe get the luggage rack cross bars (not certain on that).

     

    Could I legitimately ask for those perks or perhaps ask for the mirror and a trim of about $200 off the price? Or cutting the 'processing (should be called profit) fee'?

     

    Thanks!
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Please do not post your email address in messages. Our discussions are indexed by the search engines and you will end up on all sorts of spam lists. Also - sharing is why the Forums are here. Asking to have dealership info sent to you deprives everyone else.

     

    If you wish to make your email address public to other members, mark it public in your profile.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    "Ask" for whatever you want - the worst they can say is "no." In fact, they have tremendous flexibility on high mark-up accessories.

     

    To simplify things, it may help to just treat the "processing fee" as part of the price - ($27,132 plus $289 equals $27,421) and negoitate from there.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    One way to do it is simply ask where their pricing is in relation to invoice and take it from there.
  • depdep Member Posts: 79
    Yes, at least in Chicagoland the going price for the Pilot is $200-$600 UNDER invoice.

     

    Remeber that the dealer really pays much less than invoice for the cars. In addition to other unpublished reductions Honda pays 3% of the MSRP back to the dealer for each car sold.

     

    -D
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    I've had terrible luck with negotiating $X "over invoice" because once you agree to a number, then you'll spend the next couple hours discussing whether a processing fee, regional advertising fee, etc. should be part of invoice. It's a rat hole discussion.

     

    Let them slice/dice it anyway that want - I always try and negotiate for X on a $X + TTL basis, where TTL is just the cut/dried state tax, title, and license fees which should be about the same everywhere in the state. Then it doesn't matter if they want to split out a processing fee or regional advertising fee, because all this stuff should be included in the $X.

     

    That's also why it is difficult to compare $X over invoice numbers on the net, because one person will assume that the $289 processing fee is universal when it is most decidely not. And there's also the complicating factor of trade-ins - many folks will report what they got a new car for, but not disclose that they traded a car in and many dealers will cut a bare bones deal on the new car and then get their profit back on the trade.

     

     
    All this is another reason not to get too excited about meeting or beating the very best deal you hear over the net. You don't know the details and circumstances surrounding the other guy's deal. The best deal is the one you can get at the time/place you're buying a car. You always want to get the best deal you can, but you can drive yourself (and the dealer) crazy trying to match some deal you heard about on the net.

     

    - Mark
  • chuminthewaterchuminthewater Member Posts: 91
    Actually I am only requesting out the door prices - itemized to show where the costs are, for taxes, tags, etc.

     

    In fact, I ask that they also show me what their 'dealer pack' contains so I can determine who is selling what and make only fair and valid comparisons.

     

    Example, 2 quotes are very similar, one about $100 more than the other, yet that one contains a couple more stupid pack items, and lifetime state inspections and a few oil changes. Certainly worth the extra 100 - if they are convenient for my use when I need these things.

     

    But I can at least tell another dealer, here is what I have what can you do for me.

     

    I find here in NO. VA. that there are many many Honda and Toyota Dealers - such that it appears the buyer is better able to get the deal they want or they can walk.

     

    With the American brands there are fewer dealers over a wider expanse, and they (probably because of perception) are frequently ready to sell at invoice with less BS.

     

    Just my observations.

     

    I did get a newer quote, $28,050 - and that is out the door and means the car is about $27,000 (including the $515 for destination), which puts it at about $300 under the so-called invoice.

     

    I am trying to shop that price and if all works out, go from there, and hope I don't get hosed too badly on my trade.
  • depdep Member Posts: 79
    I agree 100%! And, I should have stated that my numbers were based on +TTL only using the 'national invoice price' for the Pilot; the same numbers that Edmunds has.

     

    You always have to define EVERY term, figure, and item when dealing with a car sales person.
  • euzaeuza Member Posts: 10
    I got my Pilot EX-L at 400 below invoice.

    Tell them carsdirect price is invoice with no dealer fee and you want below invoice.
  • shannonhillshannonhill Member Posts: 2
    You got an EX-L for $29,009 ? Please tell me which dealership ! By the way, I am having a tough time getting any dealers to actually quote prices over the internet - they all try to talk in generalities on the phone, avoid any documentable discussions & keep pushing to have me come in to the dealership. UGH!
  • normkolnormkol Member Posts: 135
    I am a regular reader of these forums, but I didn't read this particular forum in time. Tonight, my wife wanted to go look at a Pilot EXL and we went, not planning to buy. When my wife saw the car, she loved it and we ended up buying the EXL for $30520, plus $199 paperwork fee.

     

    I see from these posts we overpaid by about $1500.

     

    I put down $2000 by credit card.

     

    Do I have any recourse? My wife signed the contract.
  • sportymonksportymonk Member Posts: 258
    You may have some legal recourse but the best thing may be to

    A. Recognize you got the best deal at the time for you time frame. Some of the better prices have been worked over the internet and phone for months. Just read where somebody walked away from a deal they had worked for 3 months and then had to wait 2 more months. // Also some of the deals were end of the year deals.

    B. Remember you have a great vehicle, go enjoy it. Or let your wife enjoy it. She loves it, let her, your Valentines to her. Money isn't everything.

    C. Go buy a combat boot and take yoga lessons to kick yourself. (I still do about my decision in 1972 to buy a new 72 Pinto while in college - great car instead of a 1957 Jaguar XK-140 with a transmission that leaked a quart a week.

     

    Go enjoy having a good life, a good wife, and a good car.
  • euzaeuza Member Posts: 10
    I got it for 29000, no dealer fee. I'm in Ft lauderdale, florida, car market is hot here but you can always get a good deal. My closest dealership quoted me 31800, when I told them the good quote that I have, they said "go buy it there". I know most of the dealers don't put quotes over email. I contacted over 20 dealerships and only 4 gave me acceptable quotes.

    You should try fax-attack too. I leased the vehicle, you can find my actual numbers right here in the lease forum. I didn't trade in a car, I didn't pay any other fee at all, just 29000 + tag + florida fees(around 60), and tax of course(added to my monthly payment, I was leasing!).
  • euzaeuza Member Posts: 10
    I don't think you have any recurse now, the contract is already signed. If there is any recurse I would like to hear about it.

    Anyways, MSRP is 32635, you saved 1000. Forget it and enjoy it, it's a great car.

    And, my best advice, don't enter the forums after you bought a car without a research :-)
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,755
    You got $2,000 off. You should not feel bad, you shouldn't complain, and you definitely have no recourse. Heck, you should be pround of having gotten THAT good of a deal with no research. Could you imagine if everyone who found out they overpaid for a car was able to get their money back? Dealers would be out of business. Enjoy your vehicle!

     

    Oh, ya know, rereading your post, you say your wife signed, but did you take delivery of the vehicle? Its not a deal until you take delivery, as far as i know (which isn't saying much).

    '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

  • chuminthewaterchuminthewater Member Posts: 91
    If not get a quote from another local dealer - and show it to your dealer. See what he says. And, also contact your CC company and ask their opinion.

     

    Maybe - just maybe, you can get the dealer to meet halfway - sometimes they can have a heart!
  • normkolnormkol Member Posts: 135
    No, we haven't taken delivery yet. In going over my figures, I see that he showed me his invoice price, including destination, of $29,409. He asked me to make an offer, I offered $30,000, he accepted. My wife then signed the contract, since the car will be registered in her name.

     

    Only after that did I notice he took my $30,000 and added the $515 destination. I objected, he said his original invoice price didn't include destination, and we left it. This is at best a misunderstanding, at worst, intentionally padding the price. He's not in today, I will call tomorrow and insist at the least he deduct the $515 destination. Maybe I can then get him to throw in some things like a cargo net and cover.

     

    I'm not scheduled to take delivery until 2/22/05, so I have some time.
  • chuminthewaterchuminthewater Member Posts: 91
    If this helps am closing on a base EX - for about $400 + or - under invoice. It will have to be reversed, but I am paying $28K flat out the door. In my area about $1K is Tax, tag, etc.

     

    Mine invoices around $27400 (w/dest).

     

    Good luck, you will have some strength if you can put a legit quote on him from another source.

     

    Don;t you get 48hrs just to walk away - in most places? Right of recission? or something?
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,755
    not after you've taken delivery. That's something of a common misconception (urban legend? old wives tale?).

    '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

  • chuminthewaterchuminthewater Member Posts: 91
    But this fellow has not taken delivery.

     

    And that law may vary from state to state.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Almost all laws regarding commerce vary from state to state. Also, you need to check the contract very carefully.

     

    You might want to check in our Questions for a Dealer discussion on the Smart Shopper board. You can get there using the "browse by message board" feature at the left.

     

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  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    I notice many people are purchasing their Pilots for up to 3% under invoice, many including dest. charge, TLL, etc.(I am assuming no one is including sales tax).....many of these 'deals' appear to be in the Midwest, West, and Southeast.....does anyone know my chances of landing the same type of deal in the Northeast? (just south of Boston)...I've done research for a few weeks.......I'd love to 'start' tomorrow, but is their any advantage in waiting until the holiday weekend?....should I start the last day of the month due to the 'quota advantage'?..I am very much a rookie at this, but always try to be an informed consumer.......my plan is to walk into my first dealer, inform them I am 'shopping' and will visit 4 dealers in my area (true statement) and will purchase a Pilot at the lowest cost. I will inform them I want an 'out of door' cost. (Should I make the first offer?...I realize I can ask them 'where their price is in relation to invoice', as someone here suggested)....is it reasonable to offer 3% below invoice right off the bat, along with a towing package for $700?..list is about $1125. ...and how should the discussion/negotiations progress?)...I do have a trade-in..('clean' 2002 Camry)....I know my line of questioning sounds very 'rookie-like', but I am just looking for some specific suggestions about negotiating)...thanx
  • chuminthewaterchuminthewater Member Posts: 91
    And then email your quote requests - don't go in until you have them in at least email form, get ITEMIZED out the doors - and find out what packs each includes.

     

    Then pay a visit.
  • sportymonksportymonk Member Posts: 258
    "In going over my figures, I see that he showed me his invoice price, including destination, of $29,409. He asked me to make an offer, I offered $30,000, he accepted. ...

     

    Only after that did I notice he took my $30,000 and added the $515 destination. I objected, he said his original invoice price didn't include destination, and we left it. This is at best a misunderstanding, at worst, intentionally padding the price...

     

    As I see it, you knew that invoice was 29400. You offered 30,000 allowing him $600 over invoice. You have a fair deal. The delivery is not negotiable no matter what or who.

     

    I used to live in Atlanta Georgia about 5 miles from where they assembled Ford Fairmonts. I bought one from a dealer in Dahlonega Ga about 70 miles away. I tried to get them to take delivery at the assembly plant in Atlanta and waive the delivery charge. No go. The union mandates that charge and even if I took delivery in Atlanta at the factory, I would still pay. (Also if there was anything wrong, the dealer said he could not be responsible since he did not get to prep the vehicle.

     

    Bottom line is that you made an offer and he accepted. The matter of delivery was not clear by either party, he assumed you knew it would be added on and you assumed it was already in. You may be able to POLITELY negotiate an agreement but to be honest, I see it as you paid $600 over invoice. The delivery charge is like taxes, they have to be added on.
  • chuminthewaterchuminthewater Member Posts: 91
    He offered $600 over what he thought included dest fees.

     

    Not $600 over + dest fees - they are different numbers by $515.

     

    I urge you to get another quote or, simply say we are off byt $515 - based on what I know you are able to remove this and still make profit, he may do so, or you may be forced to keep going over 'his level of authority'

     

    But in th end, your offer was for $30K not $30K + dest?

     

    If that is correct, then work it out, if I am wrong then you are hosed.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    Take it up with the dealer. Based on your description there was a mutual mistake here which, legally, renders the contract voidable in most (if not all) jurisdictions. Yes, they have your deposit but the charge can be disputed with the issuing bank (although just how successful that may be is an open question).

     

    First, urge them to sell at the price you thought had been agreed to. Failing that, offer to split the difference. If the dealer rejects that, well, then you have a tough call to make.

     

    Good luck.
  • shannonhillshannonhill Member Posts: 2
    If you want to dig into this, I'd say gather up all of the documentation from the accepted sources (Kelly Blue Book, Edmunds, NADA, etc) every one of them is going to state that the "invoice price" is $28,898 , the destination charge is $515 and the total of "invoice plus destination" is $29,409.

    Just like: MSRP is $32,120 and Destination is $515 and "MSRP with Destination" is $32,635.

        You are going to have a battle on your hands because the dealer not going to want to accept the idea that he effectively put the "destination charge" in to the deal twice - but he really did - first when he called the $29,409 the "invoice" price and then again when he added it on to the deal. Good Luck!
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    does 'out of door' include sales tax?
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    For the gentlemen who wants to re-negotiate his deal, some of you are not seeing the forest for the trees. It doesn't matter what invoice is or whether the deal you got is "good" or not.

     

    What matters is what you agreed to when the contract was entered into. If you agreed to $30K and the deal was later written up for $30.6K, then there might be grounds to say that the deal was mis-represented to you prior to contract signing or that the contract you signed did not represent your verbal agreement. Fair warning though: This is a difficult argument because written documents typically carry a lot more weight than verbal agreements. For this to work, you really need to show some kind of collaborating evidence that the deal changed between your verbal and written agreements.

     

    If you offered $30K and the contract was written up for $30K, then it matters not one whit whether the $30K is under invoice, over invoice, or $10K over invoice. The goodness of the deal is irrelevent.

     

    The other aspect is whether the laws of the state you're in allows some kind of "cooling off" period. If so, then you might have grounds to simply back out of the contract all-together. You need to move quickly on this.

     

    These are the two salient points: 1) Did the contract reflect the verbal agreement?; and 2) Do the state laws provide for cancelling the contract? The actual amount in the contract is unimportant.

     

    Personally, I'd suggest you "do the right thing" - if the dealer was deceptive, deliberately changed the deal, or in some other way was unethical, then go discuss it with them and attempt to work out a resolution. But don't look for an excuse to re-negotiate a deal just because you think you could have done better.

     

    I think the advice to just go in and make a stink on the off-chance they might throw some money in the deal to placate you is not necessarily bad, but I'd have trouble sleeping at night. But I see this advice being offered a lot these days.

     

    Good luck,

     

    - Mark
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Please do not post your email address in the messages. The discussions are indexed by search engines and you will end up on SPAM lists. If you want other registered members to see your email address, mark it public in your profile.
  • fm008fm008 Member Posts: 6
    Getcar,

     

    Can you email you me the name of your salesman at DCH Paramus? As per the request of the moderator, I have enabled my email address in my profile and not post it here. Thanks.
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    So far as I know, no state has a "cooling off" period applicable to a new vehicle purchase.

     

    Being licensed to practice in Ohio, I can definitively speak only about this state's law and there is no such period here.
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    I have heard that a few states do have "cooling off periods" that can be applicable to certain kinds of car sales. But I have no idea if they'd be applicable to this situation.

     

    - Mark
  • dchondadchonda Member Posts: 8
    I purchased a Pilot EX-L w/DVD on Sunday. While completing the paperwork they offered me 2.9% financing for 60 months but told me that the financing would not be available until this Thursday (2/17). I am supposed to go back tonight to finish the paperwork. I just hope they live up to their promise. Has anyone else heard about this financing offer. I am assuming it is probably part of their promotion for President's Day weekend.
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    yes..I talked to an F+I person from a Honda dealership....2.9% from the 17th through the 22nd.
  • pilot seekerpilot seeker Member Posts: 36
    can anyone help me with my prior 'negotiating question'?
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