2013 and earlier-Honda CR-V Prices Paid and Buying Experience

maynerd

I understand what you are saying but comparing a car to a house is a bad example. They aren't even remotely in the same ballpark.

mrather

Hi -

Just bought a CR-V EXL and turned down the $600 Security System the dealer tried to sell me because according to Honda.com the CR-V EXL comes equipped with a Security System. But now, looking at the manual, i can't find any details about what it is.

The guy trying to sell me the 600 add-on said that the built-in alarm ONLY sounds if you press the panic button on your ket, NOT if the car is being broken in to. I didn't believe him and was tired of talking about it so figured I'd turn down the add-on and research it later - but now, I'm thinking maybe he was right.
1. Was he?
1a. How can Honda get market that as a securty system? That's not a security system!!
2. Where is this documented in detail?

Thanks,
Mike

dash5

I get what you're saying completely isell. If the guy after me will pay invoice +2000, why would they sell to me for invoice? Simple supply and demand. Makes sense to me. I mean hell the local Honda by me didnt even have one to test drive so they're scarce here in NJ.

Of course that doesnt change the fact that i wont pay invoice +2000 or even +500 so I'm sure each dealership will judge if they want my sale or not. I'm guessing if they happen to be in low supply but more are on the way soon, they'll take my money. If supply is not expected to catch up then maybe not.

We'll see! If I pick the CR-V I will only pay invoice +200 tops.

wandafonda

Dear Dash,

Hang tight in NJ. From all my indications the CRV EXL with nav are on the way to NJ in the next two weeks. I've got at least 3 different South Jersey dealers saying that and that matches the info that was reported in September saying that that trim line was coming in late November. I have an appt. with a local salesman tomorrow to see what he has to say and how much he is willing to let one go for.

I'm figuring that there will be an initial demand since people interested in this trim line have been 'waiting'. After that, who knows. The EXL with NAV is the most expensive option in CRV's and it's not the best seller for the whole CRV line so keep that in mind, no matter what the sales person says. If you are shopping at a dealership in an affluent area this may affect demand for that trim line so keep that in mind as well.

Personally, I plan on being patient and waiting until I get my price. Keep in mind that the supply won't stop coming in and the holidays are traditionally slow for cars sales. Also don't be afraid to cast your net wide and far especially for information gathering purposes. What's the big deal about taking a ride for an hour or two to pick up that car that you want at the price you want it at?

In addition to shopping for the best prices on accesories from web businesses also be sure to compare dealership incentives that each individual dealer offers to get you to use their dealership for service issues and such. All this can be done with a phone call.

Also remember that you can always find out if a dealership will install accesories that were purchased on the web. It's a phone call and it's valuable information when you go in to negotiate.

Items to take to a dealership.: a list with all the options/accesories that you want and the prices that other dealers, web suppliers will charge for them including labor.

A list of dealerships and prices that you have accumulated as you gather info.

A question sheet asking that dealer what dealership incentives they will offer you if you buy there. Write this information down and keep a file so you can compare 'offers'.

The key is to be infomed and patient and pick the fruit where and when it's ripe.

:shades: Smoochies, Wanda Fonda Honda

dash5

Hey Wanda,

Thanks for that, very helpful indeed. I'll definitely be patient and informed. I actually found out a friend has a contact at Denville (sp?) Honda where he purchased his 2005 CRV for under invoice. So hopefully more luck there.

As far as I'm concerned Honda may have an excellent product but they also have very stiff competition in the Rav4 and CX-7 so there is no reason for me not to hold out for the price I feel is fair.

Thanks again!

cp999

Relaxed. All about the security system is covered in the owner manual. For EX/EX-L, there is a security system (in addition to the immobilizer) that will sound the alarm when somebody try to open the door/hood/trunk without the key. However, there is no shock sensor that will detect large body motion and sound the alarm, like in most security system. That's what the dealer was trying to convince you to install, I guess. However, $600 seems too much for installing that, IMO. Even places like Best Buy will only charge a few hundreds dollars, especially in this case, there is no need for the remote access which is already in.

trex08

Using the Edmunds DI price of 25,400 (ish off a few $$) then U did well.
Did your posted price include dealer ad-ons (if any). If you found a dealer without a rediculous Doc fee etc then that was another stroke of luck. In the Memphis area dealers shoot for a $395 Doc fee ( simply an insult to the consumer).
I recently purcharched a 08 EX-L Navi for 27,100 + tax. I managed to elimiate the Ad-ons and Doc fees. so the above was the taxable price (no trade.

Congrats on your purchase and I hope you enjoy the ride..

szer

Anyway, the EXL with Nav has the lowest percentage of production compared to the rest of the trim, probably due to the market predictions by Honda. Being the most expensive trim doesn't make it a worse seller compared to the other trims. Prove me with data to show that it is a bad seller among the trims.

PS: if it's so "unwanted", why are many still looking for it? :confuse:

trdprerunnerdc

Interesting, a Honda Dealership I visited had an off site lot for their new vehicles. I was blown away by the amount of Honda inventory they were holding, it was massive. I only paid attention to CRV's and I was floored. I also saw a computer screen of arriving EXL inventory within 10 days.

I felt so pressured because from what i can see the 8 crv's on display at the dealership was swamped by customers checking out the features and figuring out seating configurations. But my salesman told me to relax, and we headed out to the promise land, a peaceful lot full of massive inventory.

You make it sound as if it's okay to over pay for these cars. Thank god, I'm not buying at your dealership.

wandafonda

"PS: if it's so "unwanted", why are many still looking for it?"

Perhaps because when the 08's were released in September there were hardly any to be had ????

Remember, all along we were told that this trim line wasn't going to be hitting the showrooms until late November so of course there is an artificially high demand for that trim line right now.

After this first flush of buyers and when the cars come rolling in along with the holiday bills we'll see what the real supply vs demand is then....

nortsr1

I completely agree with you about supply and demand and I believe (from reading a LOT of your posts and other posters as well) you work at a large Honda dealership. When I bought my 2007 CRV EXL, I also purchased it for invoice in Florida where the "famous" $499.00 dealership fee is ALWAYS added on. (in fact most of them have it printed right on the final sales sheet). They deleted that fee when I began to walk (by adding $499.00 more to my trade-in).Of course, they probably still made a good profit on the resell of the trade.
I don't know how Honda reimburses their dealers, but I have to assume that if a Honda dealership makes a certain "volume goal" they probably pay "extra money"' to the dealership or offer some type of "worthwhile incentives". From what I can read into a lot of the salesman's posts...this is a common practice with other auto manufacturers. Perhaps that is why some dealers sell at invoice or near invoice....to meet certain type of goals.
As you stated, it doesn't make much sense to sell a CRV at invoice when you know full well the next customer will pay MSRP on a "hot" seller, such as the CRV.
That is why I personally believe some dealerships do sell the CRV at invoice.
When most of these people who post on the "Prices paid" forum, they never seem to say what the dealer paid them for their trade-in...and there is the other reason I think they sell at invoice, as the trade-in is low-balled enough to make up for the so called invoice price.(especially on a hot selling vehicle)!!!
Of course, if the customer has NO trade-in and pays cash...that's a different story.If a customer has no trade-in and is "financing" there is also money to be made in the F&I room.

nortsr1

Well, I misspelled "Question" but could not correct it with spell check. Sorry, Isell.

NORTSR

isellhondas

With Honda there are no volume discounts. We all pay the same.

We charge 50.00 Documentation Fee on all new and used cars. I can't believe how much I see other stores charging! a person really needs to figure that into the price of the car.

A store can sell their cars for as much or as little as they choose to and I realize that demand can vary considerable depending on location and you are correcting about the trade in aspect. They may cheap sell the car and underallow on the trade in.

Some places push near worthless "security systems" that they pay next to nothing for and have VERY aggressive F&I departments.

For some reason, the NAVI's are really gaining in popularity recently and Honda needs to ramp up the production on these. I'm not sure why people feel the need for NAVI but they have definatly picked up!

szer

It's available since late October to early November... the late November stock isn't the first batch

Supply vs Demand??? I don't know... I got mine $433 below invoice (last quota for salesman). It is not always about supply vs demand or striking at the right time. It's about luck too. Good luck to you. Even in Dec its going to be hard getting the EXL with Nav

szer

Yes Isell,

I agree that the demand for navis are increasing, in contrast to someone's belief that the navis are not popular. They forgot that it is a highly rated navi system that the CRV has.

Anyhoooo, the world is round... :shades:

03honda

I got all weather floor mats thrown in...as for the doc fee, $125 wasn't the lowest I had but it seemed like the dealers with low doc fees had a higher tag transfer rate. I was informed by a dealer in PA that dealers in NJ are can charge up to $300 for doc fees, the car was purchased in NJ. When it came down to it this dealer was the friendliest, easiest to work with and has a good service dept for down the line (loaner cars, etc.) I was pleased...happy driving!

On a side note, has anyone had the Honda remote start system installed on their CRV (or other Honda vehicle?), or any after market remote start system for that matter?? I'm considering it, but the price tag is a little steep for the Honda one. Thoughts? Thanks!

dash5

Hey there 03honda,

So you got it for a couple hundred over invoice basically if I'm reading you right? Plus tax docs etc. That's encouraging if so. Can you share where you got it? I'm in central NJ. Essex county.

nortsr1

Isell:
You replied that there are no volume discounts, we all pay the same.I realize that you all pay xxxx same amount for a CRV or whatever from the mfg.What I was referring to was not volume discounts...but do dealers receive money back for meeting certain sales goals? For example, if your dealership sells 300 CRV's in December, and Honda has set a goal of 250 for your store, does the MFG. then pay xxxx amount to the dealership for making over and above a sales quota as set by the mfg.?????
From what I have read from some of the salesman's posts, dealerships pay bonus money to salespeople for selling xx amount of cars per month over and above a number that is set beforehand. Therefore, I am assuming (and only assuming) that manufacturers pay bonus money to dealerships for goals that the mfg. has set for them.

isellhondas

I learned today that we will recieve exactly ***two** NAVI CRV's in December and one of those is already pre-sold.

We are the largest volume dealer in nine states and the stores that sell the most cars GET the most cars.

Even I didn't know that were that scarce.

isellhondas

Honda did this recently with 2007 Accords but never before and never with CRV's.

If we hit a certain volume level with Accords (we did) we got some extra dollars.

They had never done this before.

szer

Isell,

Are those your only allocations for Dec. If it is, the EXl w/nav production is still way too behind schedule. The Ohio factory gotta to start producing this trim line

isellhondas

I couldn't agree more with you.

All of a sudden everybody wants NAVI CRV's and I think Honda was blindsided by this?

matrixva1

What's the availability of AWD EXs (no L or Nav)?

szer

I really can understand why people like the Navi... I am enjoying it very much. So far i've clocked around 200 miles... 150 miles journey back home and the rest in city usage

szer

Hi,

I think for the EX AWD you should be able to get a good price on it. the Ohio factory is already producing a stable amount and more from Japan are coming in... shouldn't be a problem if you live around my area... IN, IL and surrounding states

03honda

Dash, you are correct...I got it from Willis Honda in Burlington, NJ (off Route 130)

jaynew

Was quoted $460/mo (no $$ down) for a 36-mo lease on a new 2008 CRV EX-L (no options), and told that I could get a much better deal if I took the car by this Friday. I'm willing to take the car by this Friday, and I also have a 2004-CRV/EX to 'trade in'

By 'trade in' I mean that the balloon term is up, with a buyout of $12,600, and Galves/Kelly's says the car is worth $14-15k.

Also worth noting is that I'm located in NY (Long Island)..

Thoughts on my best strategy here? Thanks!

dash5

Many thanks 03. I will definitely add that to my list should the need arise to go outside my immediate area.

So on another note, in searching around, it's kinda of amusing to see the different sales approaches. One place in particular just makes me chuckle. They call and send emails with things like "Happy Honda Days!!" with "special deals!" and "free car wash with test drive!". That's verbatim and not and exaggeration. I dont mean to sound obnoxious or condescending but ... come on. Maybe this sort of thing appeals to people but geez. I appreciate enthusiasm but I cant deal with super perky high energy sales people like that.

szer

I think the worst promotion campaigns are the ones that advertised 1 penny above "invoice", while their invoice are like +200 above edmunds' invoices . Really cracks me up! :P

yakultspits

A couple of dealers have placed me on their email lists and mass-email me those perky promotions - meanwhile, they never respond to any of my inquiries. I guess their servers work harder than their sales staff.

isellhondas

Sometimes the car manufactures nudge their prices up during the year and it can take the car sites awhile to find this out and adjust their numbers.

Heck, I was using an outdated sheet myself for two weeks last summer!

Nobody informed ME!

szer

An ex dealer told me their invoice for the incoming EXl w/Nav is $27297(with dest). I find it hard to believe because it is the law that every dealer gets the same "invoice" as the others. It is really weird and hard to believe. I always knew the invoice as $27033(with dest).

szer

I happen to receive such mails too. I think the salesman/ woman are not really hungry for commissions :P

crvng

08 CR-V EXL Front Wheel Drive with Navigation. Green Tea

After negotiations for a couple of weeks I put a deposit down for this vehicle. I negotiated with multiple dealers in two states. Purchase is in Kentucky. Multiple dealers searched for this vehicle. It was not available in a 5 state area, therefore had to be ordered. The day I placed the deposit, I was told December maybe January for delivery. My deposit was placed at the end of October. The day before Thanksgiving I called the Sales Manager to find out if they had recieved a "build date". The Sales Manager informed me the vehicle would be coming from Japan, they should know something in a week to 10 days. Could be a February delivery. Suppose to talk with her again next week.

Helloooo Honda.

Arranged my own financing. As far as the dealer is concerned it is a cash buy. No trade in either. Pretty easy transaction for the dealer.

Best price I could work out was about 1500 off MSRP on the base vehicle.

Accessories, paid full retail, however no installation costs:

Tailgate spoiler
Fog lights
Roof rack
Mud guards
Chrome exhaust
All season floor mats
Cargo tray
Wheel locks
Plus, $500 for the more extensive coverage kit from 3M for paint protection, Installed. It will cover the mirrors, front nose above and below the grill, wrapping around the front fenders and the painted part of the front bumper.

I realize I could purchase the above Honda accessories online for up to 30% off MSRP. However, I would have to install them. Agreed, some are easy to install but, they would not be covered under the full new car warranty like the rest of the car. I believe the warranty is only 1 year on parts not installed by the dealer.

Probably will purchase the extended 8 year 120,000 mile warranty online for 1/2 of what the dealership offered it to me. I believe it can be purchased online for just under $1000.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

szer

parts installed by the dealers are covered by 1 year/ 10000 miles warranty, not the full one I believe.

kyfdx

I think if they are installed, pre-purchase, on a new car.. then, they get the 3yr/36K warranty..

The 1yr/12K is for accessories installed afterwards....

Of course, as always... I could be mistaken..

regards,
kyfdx

szer

Ok, I quoted this from automobiles.honda.com, so this should be correct:

Honda Limited Warranty Information

* Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty (years/miles) = 3/36,000.
* Powertrain Limited Warranty (years/miles) = 5/60,000.
* Corrosion Limited Warranty (years/miles) = 5/unlimited.
* Accessory Limited Warranty - All Honda accessories are covered up to 3 years or 36,000 miles, depending on time of installation.

Additional Limited Warranty Information

* Replacement Parts Limited Warranty - Genuine Honda parts, when installed by a Honda dealer, are covered for 1 year or 12,000 miles. Parts purchased from, but not installed by a Honda dealer are covered for 1 year.

Since the fog lights, and other accessories are dealer installed 101%, I think the replacement parts limited warranty comes into effect: 1 yr/12K

kyfdx

* Accessory Limited Warranty - All Honda accessories are covered up to 3 years or 36,000 miles, depending on time of installation.

This tells me that accessories installed at time of purchase are covered for 3yr/36K...

Part warranties are for repairs, generally...

regards,
kyfdx

szer

ok now i get it...

dash5

Got some email quotes for well under invoice for the 2008 CRV EX-L 4WD without NAV in the Essex County NJ Area via Costco. I have not spoken with anyone personally yet. Intending to go to a dealer tomorrow for a test drive but havent made the appt just yet.

maynerd

That's odd...

Costco's pricing is never below invoice. I guess they are just disregarding the Costco pricing.

dash5

I was surprised myself. Here is what I was quoted, and again via email. I havent spoken to anyone at this dealership yet but I'm assuming it's legit. Note this is before destination, tags and tax:

Thank you for your inquiry on the 2008 Honda CRV EXL 4wd. This vehicle is currently available for immediate delivery. Below you will find the information you requested:

Make: 2008 Honda
Model: CRV EX-L 4wd
New MSRP: $26700
Our Price: $24326

maynerd

Sounds like a good deal. Go in there and talk em down some more!

dash5

Scheduled to go there tonight at 7pm. So I dont see any option pricing on either Edmunds or NADA.com. But I know Honda has a ton of stuff you can add like Fog Lights, Spoiler, Chrome Exhaust, Mats, Cargo Nets etc. Where can I find invoice pricing on those options? Help!

charles12

It is a very good price. Please post your final deal and let us know which dealer you went and who you talked to.

wandafonda

Dear Dash,

I don't know where you could find dealer invoice pricing but I would start with what prices are being charged by internet suppliers for those accessories. That would be your starting point for actual retail value. Then when the dealer says that the cargo tray is going to cost you $300 dollars plus and install charge of $20 you'll know that the tray goes for $70.35 retail and "install" is dropping it in your trunk!

You have a lot of home work to do before you go into the dealer!

Enter in the term Honda parts on you favorite search engine. Then comparison shop from amongst the sites for best prices. Keep in mind you may not have to pay tax but you will have to pay shipping. Figure out that in your pricing so that when you negotiate for the $70.35 cargo tray you have to decide what amount to say to the dealer that also covers state and possibly local taxes. For example maybe you say that you can get the cargo tray for $65.42 which is $70.35 - $4.92 (7% sales tax) Then when he/she adds up the prices and adds in the tax you are still getting a competitive retail rate for the tray with out having to pay shipping and building the tax cost into the retail price of your offer. (Sneaky like a dealer eh? :P )

Some sites Majestically post PDF files from the technical manual so you can see how involved the install is. For instance, to install the roof rack on a CRV is surprisingly easy and if you can handle a screw driver and you have a home depot near you for the T40 TORX socket screw driver (less than 10 bucks) then you can do it! That screw driver comes in handy for tightening up things in the car.

So find your prices on line and make a list. Now that you've decided which things you can install and which things the dealership can install, call around to various dealers and auto shops to see how much they will charge for labor to do those install jobs.

Now you have a competitive idea of how much all these things are going to cost you.

Take an itemized list into your dealership and break it down for them. Make an offer to see if they will sell you the accessories at the price you want to buy them for AND the labor charge you are willing to pay for the installs. Keep in mind that you are getting your figures from other commercial entities so the dealership will still make money on the deal despite what they may say.

Now that the dealership has made you a counter offer for the pricing on accesories and installation you have to decide if it is worth it. There is also the warranty issue so be sure to see what, if any, warranty the parts supplier you are using offers. For trim pieces and mats a warranty probably isn't as important as for electrical parts etc.

As for the negotiation on the labor I would make it an all or none deal. You will buy all of the parts from them if you get the prices or labor rates you want or be serious about going elsewhere..... and you know where else to go because you called around and got competitive prices on the installs... right?

Let us know how you made out and I wish the best of Luck!
Wanda

maynerd

Excellent advice wanda!

dash5

Thank you again Wanda! I've been doing my homework and you've suggested some things I hadnt thought of.

So here's what the wife would like, after all this will be hers heh

Front Splash Guards
Color Matched Door-Edge Guards
Moonroof Visor
Door Visors
Wheel Locks
Rear Armrest Tray
All-Season Floor Mats
Fog Lights

I think I've talked her out of the door visors because I didnt like them, and I added the fog lights because I like them... anyway, MSRP on all of those items comes to $1,049.00. I found them all on www.handa-accessories.com and the total was $692.00, plus shipping. So I have a good starting point!

amukherjee

Just purchased a new 2008 Honda CRV EX AWD at a price of $22246.00.
Total cost:
$22246.00 -$2300.00 (triad-in) = $19946.00+$997.30 (MA sales tax)+$354.00(title transfer, registration etc) = 21297.30
Is this a good price.

maynerd

Sounds like a good price.