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

stever

Ad fees are legit, although many of us balk at seeing them on the invoice. They don't list other costs of doing business on the invoice, like rent and electricity... but that's a rant for another day.

We don't usually include ad fees in TMV around here because they are regional and vary a lot. Too much to keep up with.

Other fees besides tax, license/registration and the document fee? That kind of goes to what the market will bear.

Some dealers try to charge you for the tank of gas that you'll need to leave the lot. Others want to sell you paint protection, vin etching, pinstrips, extended warranties and who knows what else - maybe loan origination fees?

All fees are negotiable, but if you can live with the final price that lets you leave the showroom floor with the new car, that's really what counts. Let the dealer worry about how to allocate any and all fees.

So just keep telling the salesperson that you want an out the door price, and when they spring a last minute surprise on you, walk out the door. It's just a car and there's another just down the street - in fact, we have a Nissan in our driveway right now because a Honda salesperson jerked me around.

This is all easy for me to say since I don't have car fever at the moment, lol.

Check our 10 Step links for more, and get comfortable with a price you can live with.

Steve, Host

bill_in_phx

Steve,
Thanks for the prompt and thorough answer. You're right, it's time to review the 10 steps again.
 - Bill

mercuryminer

Hi,

I purchased CRV-EX 4-SP Automatic AWD for $21,280 + tax and license at Capitol Honda in San Jose. Fair both ways. Not a steal, but fair. Tim W. Not sure if they have anymore 2003 in stock. The $21,280 is the Edmunds TMV. My experience was great, but I did my homework and knew exactly what I wanted. The Edmunds site was a big help. MSRP is $22,860. Invoice is $21,152, but this probably is not the true invoice due to unknown dealer incentives, hold back charges, etc. Final asking price on the sticker was $24,155, but that is just silly. Anyway, this dealer was no hassle and I am really pleased with my CRV. It had one glitch, an oil leak at 250 miles due to a miset water pump bolt at the factory, but the dealer fixed it right away, cleaned everything back to spotless, and paid for a rental car for me while being fixed. Problems out of the box with Honda are said to be really rare. I drive nothing but for 20 years (CRX, Accord, CRV) and no problems.

mercuryminer

Hi all,

When buying a car, remember, preparation is key. Time, Power, and Information. Know your maximum price. Know exactly what model, color, options, and your "see ya" walk out limit. Check and test drive first, with no intention to buy, then start making offers via internet sales. Create competition- it is your main source of power.

Record VIN # of vehicles you intend to bid on. Make it clear you are bidding on that vehicle. If it is no longer available, use the situation to your advantage. Negotiation is a situation of positions, interests, power, and time. Keep time on your side, don't fall for pressure ploys and remember, you are entitled to something of value for everything you give up relative to your opening offer (if it is reasonable and sound). "Sorry we can't sell it for that" is not a final answer.

kyfdx

I think you stole it.. Not saying they aren't making a profit, but check through this thread and you'll see most people are working hard to get them for $21,800. Congrats.

kyfdx

isellhondas

When someone can buy a hot selling car that's in short supply for 100 plus dollars over invoice and they still think they didn't "steal" it?

isellhondas

Has a Honda dealer now? Wow! Do they have them stacked up! Where ? on PCH?

Craig---who grew up in San Pedro

arizonajoe

How do you pay cash for a car, specifically? Cashier's check?

Also, does anyone know how to arrange upgrading the tires at a dealership before driving away with the car? For a CR-V in particular, I would want the Bridgestone Dueler HL instead of the stock HT. According to reviews on TireRack, the HL is much quieter and has much better traction over all surfaces. A lot of the CR-V's road noise can be attributed to the stock tires.

Do dealer service departments carry tires? Could you ask the sales rep to replace the stock tires with better ones (like the HLs), charge you for the new ones, and give you a credit for the stock tires that they now get to keep? Can the dealer use tires that were on a new vehicle for 10 miles - can they still be sold as new tires?

Joe

stever

Depends on the dealer (and perhaps the buyer). Plenty of dealers will take a personal check.

Steve, Host

gringo1

Hi,
I am coming up from Mexico to buy an EX Manual.

First thought was Texas but most of the dealers seem to be waiting on 2004 models.

Can anyone point me to a dealer in the South or Southwest who has inventory and cuts a good deal?

Thanks.

lucyaria

Hey guys. I'm so glad to find this board as this is my first new car buying experience.

I've been shopping around Phoenix for a 2003 LX 2wd, and it's been an adventure. I would prefer one with the side airbags, but there seem to be none in town. That didn't stop one dealer from lying to me over the phone claiming to have one, so he could get me down there, run a credit check, and attempt to sell me an imaginary car.

They seem to still have the 03 LX's at every dealer I've checked and the best deal I seem to get from them is around $18.4k tax and license.
I was hoping someone could tell me when the 2004 CRV's are coming in. I get varying reports from dealers, some saying not until November.

Do you think if I wait for the 04 (in which case I could get the side airbags) that I would pay a whole lot more? Should I try to snag an 03 now?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Lucy

gringo1

Thanks for the info about Phoenix.

One dealer in Houston told me he is getting his last 03 delivered first week of October that shipped from Japan Sept 5th.

By that standard, 04s shipping from Japan would take 3 or 4 weeks to arrive to the dealers stateside.

So any more discussion about availability in the South or Southwest, 03 and 04, would be appreciated.

tigerinroc

My local dealer in Rochester, NY told me that that the 2004 CRV should come out on Sep 15 so I keep checking honda.com to see when the 2004 really comes out. But the 2004 won't arrive at the dealer store until late October. The dealer also told me that they won't deal with the 2004 model if they still have 2003 model in stock.

There was not any 2003 model at the dealer facility in July so I placed an order of a 2004 LX 4WD Autotmatic and the dealer made deal with my order at the price of 2003 Invoice - $700 for the 2004. They called and let me know that my car has a production date of late September and should arrive during the first week of October.

So in your situation if the dealer does not have the car you really want, try to place an order. In my opinion, it is better to get a 2004 than a 2003. If you have to sell the car later, you cannot tell the seller that you bought a 2003 but in late September!!! And technically, the 2003 is already one year old although it is brand new. The MSRP for 2004 Civic and Accod is about $100.00 more than 2003. So there would not be more than that amount for 2004 CRV vs. 2003.

Hope this helps.

rforducla

Just bought a 2003 Silver CRV EX (MSRP $22,860 (including $460 destination charge), Invoice $21,151) from Harbor City Honda.

Paid cash. No financing.

Auto Price (including Destination Charges) $21,251

Options Prices (including installation):
Leather Steering Wheel Cover 78
Base Carrier (Roof rack) 361
Splash Guards - Front 113
Cargo Liner 176

Cost of Vehicle 21,979

Sales Tax (8.25%) 1,817
Fees (Document $45, Tire recycle $5) 50
Calif. Registration 187

TOTAL OUT THE DOOR PRICE $24,033

Harbor's initial bid was $21,250 for the car but the accessory charges were higher than the competition. They reduced them and we agreed on the new price. Drove it about 150 miles Friday and 170 miles today and absolutely LOVE the car. It really handles well and I actually dragged a BMW 530 for fun. OK, OK, I didn't come out ahead, but it really was a kick challenging with a 4 banger SUV and not being totally embarrassed. Also climbed a steep long grade, where my old Explorer couldn't get past 55MPH and soared along comfortably at 70. So my concern about the lack of power has evaporated. Gas mileage was 24 mpg on the first tank compared to the 16 MPG I was getting on my 6 cyl Explorer. Only negatives are that you do get some road noise. I have a feeling if I had Michelins on, it would be a lot better. And 2 areas of concern I had seen on this board - radio is kind of weak and the arm rest that pulls out is really skinny and offers no support. But this is really reaching to come up with something. By the way anyone put in the optional sub-woofer? Did it help?
I am even more enthusiastic about the car now that I've taken it through its paces.
Good Luck!

gringo1

Did you buy manual or AT?
I assume 4wd?

deadlyvj

Just bought a 2003 LX AWD at $19,950. Initially the dealer would not buldge for less than 19,900.I made a deal for $19,600($100 over the TMV here) plus a keyless entry ($350).They still do not have the 2004 here in long island.Was that a good deal?

rforducla

The EX has AWD standard

desertman

My local dealer adds a $5 tire fee. I've heard other posters - from other states - mention this. What is this?

desertman

Tempe Honda offered me the following deal on a 2003 CR-V EX Auto.

Vehicle: $21652 (CarsDirect.com price was $22001 and MSRP is $22860)

Dealer doc fee: $249.00

Arizona Vehicle License Tax (VLT): $392.07

Tire Fee: $5.00

Sales tax (8.1%): $1753.81

Arizona prices seem to be higher than the prices I've seen people get on this list (in CA and elsewhere). I wish I knew why that is the case.

stever

Desertman, I believe this is a disposal fee charged in a lot of places to make you pay upfront for when your tires are ready for the landfield. It's intended to pay for the cost of recycling although some states try to use the money for police or other budget items.

Steve, Host

bill_in_phx

Steve,

Would you please comment on the dealer doc. fee of $249 paid by desertman in PHX. rforducla says he paid $45 in CA. You've said $50 is reasonable. The is one fee I can't get a handle on and it seem like a lot of dealers here in the PHX area charge $250 - 300 (they advertise doc fees in the paper so I'm assuming these aren't finance fees).
I can estimate a fair price for the vehicle, know about all the dealer add-ons, know sales tax and tags but it's anything else that may come up when it's time to sign the contract, especially this "doc fee". Any ideas what gives with a number this high?

I'm about to dive in (re-read Edmunds 10 steps and more) and seems like internet and telephone are the only way to go but I'm still wondering if the dealers won't be holding something back.

BTW, other than the doc fee, $21652 paid by desertman sounds like a fair price - exactly Edmunds TMV.

Thanks in advance,
 - Bill

tidester

Documentation fees involve expenses related to state fees including registration, tags and title. These charges vary widely from state to state and some dealers pad the charges so watch out! Check with your local DMV to find out the actual costs and have your dealer break down the cost for you in detail.

You can save yourself some cash by transfering tags from your old car.

tidester, host

keyymann

I just bought an '03 CRV LX from Tempe Honda. They were awesome...total time in and out of the dealership was 45 minutes, and it would have been shorter, but their printer got jammed and they had to take about 15 minutes to fix it. I also shopped at Arrowhead Honda (they seemed to cater to the Sun City crowd more), Honda of Mesa (rude), and Bell Honda (warning--DO NOT deal with them--they give you the typical run-around). Let me know if you have any questions about the process I went through...

desertman

keyymann - Who did you deal with at Tempe Honda?

They seem like a great dealership, with good business practices. For some reason, I'm not getting a response to my e-mails right now - maybe the sales rep is off.

gringo1

From my experience this week, the lower bids are around $20,600 for EX Manual in the Houston area, but finding a manual EX is not easy. The lowest EX Auto bid is around $21,200.

The EX Automatics in California you all report to be selling for $21,280 and $21,251.

That is about a $600 to $680 delta for Automatic.

Honda says the Automatic is an $800 additional expense. Edmunds at invoice shows $738 difference, or at TMV a difference of $769 for the automatic.

But the EX Automatics are only getting $600 to $680 more than the EX Manual. We wanted a manual, so not relevant to us.

Anyone doing any better for EX incl dest than the above?

Grand Honda out of Chicago has their EX prices posted at 20,203 manual and 20,941 but i don't know if that includes dest. If it does not, then Grand is slightly higher than CA and Houston by $100 to $125.

lucyaria

Hey guys, thanks for your help. I would have preferred to wait for an 04, but ended up buying and 03 LX 2wd on Monday. (Someone bought our old car and we needed another immediately).

I bought one from Earhhardt in Glendale. Not sure I would recommend them, buy they did give me my price and had the color I wanted.

Here's the scoop:

Vehicle $18,001.97
Tint $100.00
Tax $1471.26
Tire Tax $5.00
License and Reg $331.27
Doc Fee $295.50 (Ugh!)

Dealt with Showcase Honda and Arrowhead also. Got lots of attitude visiting Bell Honda from "Beth Ann" when I tried to negotiate a price close to invoice. "Why are you even here?" "You're going to be shopping for a long time because noone will sell for that."
Low and behold, I get a call from Earnhardt the next day "Well, we've got this quota to meet today, so we'll go ahead ..." Yeah, whatever!

I couldn't escape that stupid doc fee either. I just tried to negotiate around it with an out the door price.

Thanks again.

keyymann

Yeah--the dealers don't seem to want to part with their precious "doc fee"...

I guess that's their way of making profit.

stever

Please, no names of individual salespeople on the boards (otherwise we have problems with shills packing the discussions).

It's fine to name the dealer/location.

One way around the doc fee is just to focus on an out the door price and let the dealer allocate the payment how it wants to. As Tidester says, dealers do like to pad this fee.

And I purchased my last new car back in '99 before most dealers were net savvy. I did a lot of my negotiating by fax, and even today many dealers think if you send a fax you are more serious about buying.

Steve, Host

rpcarbuyer

I bought an 2003 CR-V EX automatic(standard equipment, invoice 21,151)yesterday in Berkeley,CA for $21,100. I asked for quotes via email, using the edmunds and carsdirect services. There are a lot of dealerships in the greater bay area, so I varied my zip code on the quote request forms, because I found that my requests were being sent to the same two or three dealers, within 8-10 miles of my home. You can also email the internet managers directly. I returned emails and phone calls and got a best quote of 21,152 (less than a dollar over invoice). I then called a showroom salesman who had taken me on a test drive a few days earlier, because I liked him and agreed that I would give him an opportunity to meet or beat whatever price I found. He beat it by $52, and I'm doing business with a dealership 10 minutes away instead of an hour away. He also agreed that we work out the deal on the phone, and that I wouldn't spend more than 30 minutes in the dealership. It was probably 40-45 minutes but generally pretty painless. No trade in. I financed half the cost with no loan fees and no pre-payment penalty. The car was just delivered (still on the truck) when I made the deal, so it will be inspected and detailed today.

I hope this helps any other CR-V shoppers.

gringo1

Any tips on taking delivery from you recent purchasers.

We go in tomorrow to take delivery.

Also, though there is a separate discussion thread for this topic, what are some of you finding the dealer charging for accessories installed.

Like cargo cover, cigarette ash tray, moonroof visor, and roof rack.

I am finding $260, $190, $130, and $370 respectively, and am having a hard time with this gouging.

lucyaria

I bought a base model and the only thing I added was window tint which I paid $100 for. I don't know what that costs the dealer, but I figured $100 was cheaper than having it done myself.

I can't really comment on accessories and pricing, but I would think, again, that negotiating an out the door price would help you avoid some gouging.

I can tell you in my case that right up until the bitter end the dealer was trying to add things to the bill. Mainly, a security system that started out a bargain at $699, then $499, then $250 ("at cost, so we don't have to remove it"). I still declined, so then there was a $195 fee to enroll me in some kind of anti-theft program or something. Had them remove that, too.

I don't know if it was because of being a female negotiating with men, but hearing them out and then saying "No" didn't work at all for me. They would just get more aggressive. Cutting them off mid sentence and saying "The answer is no" worked very well, though. (Maybe a tip for other women out there).

Good Luck.

stever

Here's a timely story about Lucyaria's experience:

LET'S Make a Deal (Smart Money) (scroll down a bit to the F&I info)

Steve, Host

cbr600

Just bought my CRV EX this week. Paid $100 below invoice! ($21,052) Documentation fee $45. No destination charge. $5 tire fee. I went directly through the fleet manager, no hassles, straight to the point, everything. I shopeed forever and thought I'd never get it. I was getting really discouraged from all the Honda dealerships around the bay area. Salesmen are soooo sleezy... well, most of them anyways. I caught most of them just in lies. I'd walk into the dealership and if they came at me wrong or I just felt too much pressure, I was gone within a couple minutes. What does everyone think about the extended warranties? Did you get one?

kyfdx

You can buy the warranty up until your original warranty runs out... It really doesn't get much more expensive until after 2 yr/24K miles. I'd take the time to think about it. The only downside is you can't finance it then.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

Also...great price!! I hope not everyone on the board gets their hopes up for that. I don't doubt that you got it, but sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time.
If you plan on keeping your CRV for 100K miles and you drive 14-16K per year, then the 7yr/100K warranty doesn't look like a bad deal for around $900. I haven't bought it, but I've been tempted. I put 59K on my last CRV in 3.5 yrs, and had a grand total of $11 in out of warranty repairs though, so you have to decide for yourself if its worth it.

regards,
kyfdx

sreiss

I've pretty much found that in Western CT that CRVs are selling at MSRP. I have found a deal by using the Costco Auto Buying program where I can get one for $800 over invoice, with only destination, taxes, and plates/registration as the other costs. I'm fascinated to hear these stories of people getting a CRV EX for $1 over invoice ... there's generally no discussing anything less than MSRP in this area. Anyone have any better luck in the Connecticut/New York area? I've tried the Edmunds Dealer Pricing service, but pretty much ran into MSRP only there as well.

cbr600

I feel like I got an excellent price too... I also feel that I paid my dues. I shopped for a WHILE, and did my homework! I went to almost EVERY dealership possible and I had people trying to give me the best deal possible...I also delt with a LOT of BS if you know what I mean. So I just took the best deal from one dealership and went to the next and would actually make the deal better than what they said, but tell them this is what this other place will do for me. So I kinda sold them you know. I was getting so impatient, because right now most of the dealerships don't HAVE any of the 03's anymore. they're getting a few here and there. So that was some of the salesmens pitches as far as price goes. Like, this is the last one blah blah blah...This is the best price. There is no such thing as a destination fee! document fee should be around 45-50, tire 5...Don't accept anymore fees than that! These guys are still getting paid! Patience is everything...

isellhondas

2003 CRVS are very scarce. They have been scarce since their introduction.

The above post is a good example why a smart dealership won't give a customer their "best deal" to go shop.

It always amazes me what some people will put themselves through in their quest for the "best deal".

lucyaria

Um, I'm not an expert on auto sales, but what is wrong with a consumer searching for the best price? I assume that a dealer would have a bottom line profit and no dealer is going to sell the car at a loss if there are other buyers.

Dealers will sell based on what the local market dictates, and frankly if consumers are more informed and shop by price than dealers are going to have to accomodate that to be competitive. I would assume that if there were lots of buyers walking in and paying sticker price, dealers wouldn't be giving out "best deal" prices.

stever

Don't mind Isellhondas - he really does sell cars and thinks it's better to for a customer to stick $50 in his pocket than for her to ask the dealer down the street to beat his price.

Fair summary of your position Isell?

Steve, Host

rachel88

$19,000 + tax, lic, doc. And the dealer will install Roof rack, Door guard, mud guard for free. I figure the total package is around $400 below invoice. The $460 destination charge is included in the price, I'm really amazed CBR600 can get it waived though. But I'm pretty happy about the price except I had to drive 1 hr to the dealership...

I had been searching mainly through internet, along with phone call, fax, etc. Only went to the nearest dealership for a test drive before hand. I've given them chance to match up the price, but unfortunately they only have one left, and just wouldn't budge for the price... And the dealer I bought from had 3 in stock same color.

If you want to buy 2003, better be hurry, the supply is getting smaller.

isellhondas

It's not real smart for a dealer to give out a price quote. Any quote can be beat by a few dollars. I always encourage my customers to make an OFFER instead.

I have nothing against shopping for a good deal.

A lot of salespeople have spent half a day, demonstrating, test driving etc. thye will give the customer a decent price. The customer will then take that price, drive 50 miles to buy it for 100.00 less from a salesperson who basically did nothing.

Chances are, the first store could have matched or beat that price anyway.

Funny business this is...

tidester

...that $100 would be vastly outweighed by the dealer's record of support and service after the sale and his forthrightness in providing me with the "bottom line" up front. I won't base my decision on a few tenths of a percent difference in price.

tidester, host

lucyaria

First of all, if any quote can be beat by $100, then it's probably not the bottom line quote, is it?
Look, I understand that the dealer needs to make a profit. In my case, I needed the car fast so I calculated Edmunds TMV with tax and license and shopped that as an out the door price. My main goal was not to get hosed in the deal. I started on a Thursday and a couple dealers were very cool with telling me they only had one or two and thought they could get a better offer over the weekend. Fair enough. Other dealers gave me attitude, the run around, and some outrageous BS.
I made it clear that the first dealer to give me my price got my business. I got a call Sunday night and bought the car on Monday (not without some last minute BS, though). Incidently, I've also had subsequent calls from all the dealers that held out for a better price over the weekend, those CRV's are still sitting there.
Obviously, dealers would rather not compete with eachother on price. I'd love to run a retail business that didn't have to compete on price. Excluding the hottest cars, however, I think that in most big markets they will have to suck it up or lose buyers to the dealers who will. Also, I would assume that demographically your most informed consumers also have the best credit profiles.

isellhondas

Is how it should be!

And I feel the same way. Trouble is, most of the time the "bottom line" price will get shopped and the sale will be lost for a few dollars.

I wouldn't have believed it until I got into this business.

isellhondas

Lucy...it's a balance. Speaking only for myself here...each offer has to be weighed.

If it's a low offer on a car in short supply, a low offer will probably be rejected since there is little fear of loss.

If it's a car a dealer has fifteen of, it's a different story.

But, there is never an excuse for rudeness by a salesperson.

kyfdx

You are never going to know exactly what the bottom dollar is. And you are never going to know for sure if a dealer will sell at your price unless you make an offer. And if its accepted, then you can't shop it, if you have already offered to pay it. So, in his defense, there is a limit to how much shopping you can do, and the benefits you derive from it.
So, in summary, its not likely that a dealer is going to give you his bottom price, unless you offer first to pay it. It would be futile on his part. Thats why its so important to do your homework ahead of time, so you know a good deal when you see it.
NOW, take everything else he says with a grain of salt!! (just kidding)

regards,
kyfdx

isellhondas

And...I'm not the enemy here!

lucyaria

But I think it goes both ways. I had dealers that held out over $150 and they lost my business. They're still sitting on those cars this week.

isellhondas

Sounds like a small amount of money to get stubborn over and that applies to both of you.

Sometimes egos get involved. When it's a lousy 150.00, it's not the money.

Life is short...