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Well, my wife wanted the Sage brush pearl '05 EX-L, and we got one. 2 left in the state. Hard color to get. Anyhow, the best offer I got was 28k flat. Somewhat disheartening to see others pulling that on the 06 here, but it isnt happening in my state, Arizona.
Trading in my 99 CRV for 8500, on the higher end of what Edmunds here and KBB are calling. Its in real sweet condition though.
So hey, I was just wondering - anyone care to volunteer stuff to look for on delivery? Stuff to remember that the dealers often forget? I would be curious to hear.
I am not ecstatic on the price, but its pretty good nonetheless - and its local, no travel - and, it was the best offer in the state. Kinda nice.
More power to those getting these for 26s, and 06s for 28. You must be better business people than I am!
Eric
Some of these guys, oh I dont sel cars, let me transfer you to the fleet... oh I sell em, but I have to talk to my admiral... whatever. Finally on my phone hunt I just started asking the receptionist to send me to whoever sells the cars and makes the deals - anyone else I dont care about. I still got stuck with people saying well, I gotta talk to my GM, I dunno... which is silly. Why do they work there if they havent the power? Silly games these guys play.
I take delivery as soon as a few hours here, dealer transfer is supposed to occur today. When, nobody knows. But its sooner than I was expecting. Trade in is ready to go as well, trying to get some new floor mats outta the deal though. A good friend of mine always says, never pay for floor mats. Well see.
Eric
Thank you in advance.
Aquisition fee- thats like thier delivery fee, what it supposedly costs them to get a car on the lot. What, they need electricity too, so they have lights on to prepare your documents, and fax machines to use, why not pay that too? In other words, that one is BS. Mandatory accessories- just tell them what you want on the car. If they throw extra stuff on, great! Just dont pay for it, you arent ordering it.
www.cheaphondaparts.com - if you want cheaper accessories...
Eric
We decided to look at the Pilot as a vehicle that would be our family’s first new vehicle ever to replace both an Acura TL and a Nissan Quest in July. August research and visits to several Honda dealerships in two states several hundred miles apart during business trips gave me the feeling we were not going to be able to do this for our proposed budget of $400 per month.
Our local dealership in rural North Florida has little competition and was not willing to discount much on new, or give a reasonable trade value on either of my current high mileage vehicles.
As details about the 06 2WD EXL surfaced in Sept and gas prices surged we realized this was the model we needed that addressed various minor short comings of the previous pilots. Two MPG does make a difference when you don’t need AWD; the seats and head rests are better; side curtain airbags give you piece of mind for occupants; the warranty is better; XM radio; and the projector beam headlights do a superior job of showing the way in the dark. Once the 06 was officially available we sent inquiries out to a couple of the available car finding services. We received a bunch of great offers on 05’s; but only a couple of offers for the 06 model we really wanted. We followed the path of least resistance back to our local dealer with the low internet bidder printed in black and white to try and come up with some savings. The two vehicles I could not trade to any dealer for dirt were sold for 7 grand the first week of October. We carried the available license tag from the freshly sold TL with us for an impromptu meeting with the local internet salesperson and let him know this was his last chance to sell us a Pilot. They would have to do better than the internet offer I had on paper now or never. We finally had their serious attention, but we had to play the numbers game. After some brief price haggling we had to cut to the “out the door” price since the dealers numbers game was not coming up in our favor. Bottom line was to get the prize OTD with rear mud flaps and a cargo tray at the posted factory sticker price ($32395). Deal on the table was $7400 cash with a $25K Honda 5.9% loan making the monthly price about $415. Actual price of vehicle $29650, (invoice is $28652 before TTL and other bogus dealer add ups). We made a successful compromise and I thought this was a done deal. They called my better half later that day to let her know that Honda financing @ 72 months was going to be @ 7% making the payments $430 monthly. She was not prepared to say no so Honda’s finance manager figured he got back the $1200 we had worked so hard to get off the internet managers final offer. Finance manager was surprised err shocked when we walked in the next morning with a credit union voucher for $25 grand @ 5% for 72 months. We finalized the contract with the finance manager’s tears, mud flaps & cargo tray included @ $402 monthly, OTD @$32400. I realize people may laugh about paying anything over invoice on this SUV in a couple of months. You may get a better price, but will you be able to get 5% financing? We are driving what appears to be a rare “Amazon” NOW within 30 days of our friendly Alabama neighbors screwing her together. THANKS AGAIN FORUM YOU RULE!
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them. It is still listed on their website so give them a call. I was quoted $300 over for AAA members. It might be the same for credit union members/Costco/Sam's Club/military members. Good luck and let us know what happens.
I was able to get a 2006 Pilot EX-L w/Navigation (Sage Brush) for $100 over invoice and $300 over my trade in value for my minivan. A week ago the same dealer was offering me a "steal" at $1000 below MSRP.
I spent the week reading your messages and put an order in through Cars Direct.com. I got one offer at $100 over dealer cost but they tried to stick it to me on the trade in. I went back to the original dealer and told him I'd pay $100 over dealer cost and want $300 over my trade in value.I explained that I had the same offer from another dealer, but I would stick with him because he had the exact vehicle on his lot. After some haggling back and forth, and me holding my ground he agreed.
One watchout, when we agreed to $100 over invoice, he tried to write down a higher invoice and used the excuse that after October 1st all invoices had been raised by $500....I almost walked out. I gave him the figure $32,357 and said take it or I'm leaving....he took it.
Lastly, I told my Bank that Capital One had a 5.19% (60 month) interest rate and I wanted them to match it. They agreed as well, plus game me another 0.25% off for direct withdrawal of my loan from my bank account.
Lessons Learned:
1. Read this website before buying a car.
2. The deals are out there but you have to play hardball and stand your ground.
3. Play one dealer off of another.
4. Know your numbers and watch what the dealer writes down!!
When I picked up my Pilot I asked him why business seemed so slow and his reponse was, "no one's buying cars anymore. Between the employee pricing the American manufacturers offered in August & September, the price of gas and the economy, October has been one of their worst months and they don't see it getting better in November and December".
By the way, love the Pilot and the Navigation system is really fun. It's like having two new toys.
Again thank you to all of you who write on this mesage board, you made this process a lot easier than it could have been.
I also read from a local business article that American Honda sales are projected to be down 8% this month. I think I'll wait a bit more.
Thanks,
Eugene
I always carry my pocket calculator to the dealer before I buy. And since I always calculate the cost BEFORE I go to a dealer to purchase a vehicle, I noticed the difference and called him on it.
And NO he did not just make a careless error. I have talked to several other customers and they too were careful and watched the numbers.
I have had this experience about four times in the span of many years. I never shop again at the dealers that tried to be dishonest. .
When we purchased our new 06 Pilot ex-l with nav, we purchased it from Berkeley Honda. Most courteous and most honest. (JMO). (They deserve a plug here.)
Caveat emptor certainly applies to customers. I believe the dealers get a built in profit compared to their actual cost on the 06 cars of about $ 1000. So I suggest that interested buyers look at the invoice, which is No. Cal. most likely will be about 11-14 % above invoice. I paid invoice and was quite happy with the trade in value of grandma's 85 Oddessy.
Just my experience here.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
Any advice or guidance would be appreciated!
ngvincent
Few of my friends ( and myself) had great experience buying vehicles from them.
Of course, do your DD and negotiate.
Dobbs Mendenhall quoted me the price - but I had to push hard. I test drove with them a week and half ago, but all of our negotiating was handled over the phone - I wanted to wait til closely to the end of the month. (Side note - I highly recommend negotiating price over the phone instead of in person - it has worked very well for me. You will be surprised how much you will stick-to-your-guns and not let them push you over. I must have asked my salesman to go back to his manager 4x yesterday.)
Anyway - they are anxious to close by end of month, as they said they are not moving them and they must have 50+ units on the lot. I think I am going to see if I can work them down a little more - our goal is to get our payments to $400. They are offering 1.9% financing, so with that, my trade-in and a decent down payment, we are REALLY close. I will post the end result - wish me luck!!
The $1500 incentive is on the remaining 05's. If you want to stay in your price range then I think the 06 EX-L 2WD might be up your alley. But based on the region of the country you live in you may want to think about the AWD model.
But that one is going to cost you more$$$....Holdback is something that Honda Corp. gives to it's dealer for every auto sold. It is based on the MSRP of the vehicle not what the vehicle is sold for. So if you were to get this Pilot at invoice, the dealer is still going to make 3% of the MSRP on that vehicle. Now, this profit goes to pay for overhead and opening the doors of the dealership everyday. But the bottom line is this, if they couldn't sell it for invoice they won't. But just about every dealer around will sell at or very close to invoice. Again, it is based on where you live and how many dealers are in your area. Don't be afraid to expand your search out a bit....you may save allot of money.
One note on your trade.....it is good to hear that you will stand your ground for it's value...but the way it goes in the car buying business....they will give you what you want on your trade.....but not move on the price of the new vehicle. And if they do....it won't be much. If you have a high mileage SUV.....GM type.....it's off to auction for that one....especially because of the fuel prices. Stick to your guns on the price of both (your trade and the new one). Make it a fair deal to all concerned, and things will work out. But remember, your the customer, and you have the two most important things in this world when it comes to buying a new car. They are called your feet!!! Remember to use them if you feel that they are taking advantage of you! Best bet, if you can, take someone with you that has experience in doing this....perhaps a relative, co-worker, friend, whatever.....it may pay out in the end.
Good luck!
I hope you don't mind my butting in, just trying to help.
Good luck on your deal.
TC
Good luck.
TB
Honda Village was very easy to deal with during the process, and didn't mess around with any games. I don't have my VIN yet, but hopefully will have it this week. They've called twice already to check in & let me know thay they are working on finding the car. The original offer was for a silver (in stock) Pilot, but they agreed to find me one in sage. This is my second Honda from them & I've been using their repair service since 1990.
But remember, use your feet if you have to....trust me....if you are close on the numbers.....they will call you....assuming they actually let you leave the lot....they don't like customers to do that because there is a high chance you will shop somewhere else....you can be firm and nice at the same time.....good luck!
Let us know what happens!
I live in Las Vegas, and most of the dealers I initially contacted weren't willing to go for less than $1000 over invoice, excluding their exorbitant doc fees. It took a couple of days for me to get the deal that I wanted, but I'm sure it was worth it.
Personally, I would offer them 23,100 plus your Tahoe and see what they say. They are trying to move 05s off the lot and clear the way for the 06s. You are essentially buying a one year old car with very low miles, so invoice or so is probably fair. The deal gets sticky with the trade. They will want to make something on that if they don't on the Pilot, which I think is fair too. IF you can go up to 23,400 plus your Tahoe, keep that number in the back of your head, because that would be about halfway between your offer and their price (again if the 5000 for the trade holds up) and if you really want the Pilot and they won't take 23,100, maybe you can say lets split the difference and knock this deal out. I've got to believe they would take the deal. In either case, fix the bottom line number in your head, and make sure that when all is said and done that that is the number you see at the bottom of the contract (since everything else you will be paying when you register the vehicle). Beware of any covert attempts by anybody to put some kind of fee or charge on there that adds anything to the bottom line that you didn't agree to. Focus on the bottom line.
I would take the Tahoe in for them to evaluate, tell them your offer (23,100), and if they don't agree politely tell them thanks for their time and please call you by the end of the week if they change their mind. If I really liked the car and they didn't accept 23100, I MIGHT say 23400 but then I would definitely walk if they didn't accept that. I would probably even wait a day before making the second offer and I would call them to bump it up if I really wanted the car. I can almost bet that they will call you back by the end of the month if it hasn't sold (and assuming that the 5000 is reasonable for the trade).
Be ready for them to low ball you on the trade and remember that if the bottom line isn't what you determine ahead of time, take a walk, go home, regroup and try again the next day. (I'd just use the phone after they have assessed the trade and you have test driven the actual Pilot you are buying).
Stand firm and it will actually be an enjoyable transaction.
Let us know how it goes.
TB
Price: $29272.75 (includes destination)
Doc Fee: $399.50
Title Fee: $28.25
Tax (7.75% Nevada): $2299.60
If I was you....I wouldn't pay more than invoice on a leftover 05 Pilot and here is why...Honda has a $1500 incentive on them....which means....if they sell it to you at invoice....they will get the $1500...plus the holdback (3% of MSRP), so as you can see they are going to make some serious money....even though you have a trade...stick to your guns....and get what you think you deserve....they will act like they are doing you a great favor but in the end they will not only make money on the new car...they will make money on your trade....if you look back at some of the previous posts you will see people getting the 05 EX-L in the $27ish range....but that's with no trade....every single car I have bought has been at invoice and below...no problem....it's all about timing and supply and demand....
picking the right time is everything....and based on the number of 05's I see still sitting on the lots and November is fast approaching....the time is now.
Remember, stand your ground.....you can be nice.....and still be firm.....
So.....pay invoice or less.....get what YOU want on your trade.....and don't finance more than $23K...that's what you want right? Don't keep edging up to $23,100, $23,200 etc....stick to your $23K....if they see you are willing to move up a bit....they will stick it to you....it's the nature of the beast! From what you have said in your previous posts....it sound slike you are offering a more than fair deal....the dealership should and will accept it.....and finally...beware of the dealer add on stuff....i.e. protection package.....that's where they make their money....here where I am at....they want to charge anywhere from $495 to well over $1K for wheel locks, mud guards, door edge guards, pin stripes....add all that stuff up if you bought it yourself from the sponsor on this site (HANDA) and it would come up to maybe $150 bucks....and this stuff you can put on your self in about an hour....no kidding!!! Good luck....let us know what happens!
Can't wait to hear how her deal works out.
TB
Hope you enjoy the new Pilot.
But you know what they say.....dealers will not make any type of deal unless they can afford to (in the big picture)....i.e. sold the Pilot at invoice....but sold the new Civic for $2K over MSRP....(which they were doing down here in my neck of the woods)...they didn't make much on the Pilot sale....but the Civic sale was big profit!
It's all about supply and demand as they say.....but at the end of the month, if the dealership makes $$$...they stay open for another day.....the salesman may not make allot of $$$$....but I know the owners do!
Hope she can post some good news about her deal....and soon!
Thanks
My best offer from the most direct dealer via internet sales is:
$32,187.70 Out the Door
(with an additional $200 discount for purchase prior to 31 October)
The price is $30,969.00 inc freight (+ VA 3% tax, tags, and fees)
Only one other dealer will match so I think I have reached a fair price. I defer to your expertise for comments and recommendations. Thanks!
My goal is to obtain the Pilot for 32,500 OTD which seems to be do-able based on posts on the board. Initial quotes have been from 33,400 to 34,900. Unfortunately, it seems that there is only one 2006 AWD Navigation on any lot in the entire city of Indianapolis, and that dealer won't move much off of MSRP. My question is this: if the dealer has to order/barter to get you a car, how much leverage do you lose in negotiations (i.e. will I not be able to get as close to invoice as I would like). Will I likely not be able to get much below 33,000.
Any thoughts appreciated