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Of course, I am still going to try an whittle them down, so any further advice would be welcome.
Before I contacted any dealers, I made up my mind that it will be a TL type S. I debated on getting the 6 speed manual or the Auto with paddle shifters. Keep in mind that I live in Southern California where traffic can be brutal. I had just sold my 5 series BMW 5 speed manual. I really enjoyed driving the BMW especially with the manual tranny. My concern is/was that it would be difficult to sell because not that many people are interested in driving a manual in So Cal...Oooops I digressed a bit.
The one advantage we have living in Southern California is that we have about 15 Acura dealers just in the Los Angeles/Orange County area (within ~30 miles). I contacted all of them using this site requesting a price quote for a TL type S. I received several (7 or 8) online quotes. Keep in mind that the MSRP including destination is $38,795 with an invoice price of $35,638 (again this includes dest). Most quotes received were $500 - $800 above invoice ($36,138-$36,438). Again, all of these include destination, only extras would be Tax, title, license and your documentation fees which are typically $45-75. There were two dealers that responded with more aggressive quotes of $34,999 +TTL from South Bay in Torrance and $35,100 +TTL (this included the pro package) from Sierra Acura.
Now the fun begins. I contacted all of the dealers via phone and ask for the internet/fleet managers. I asked them if the had the vehicle I wanted which had to be a manual tranny, with the Ebony/Silver interior, and I was somewhat flexible on exterior color. First exterior color choice was Kinetic Blue, then Carbon Bronze, then White. Most dealers didn't have manual tranny cars. Some had one or two in black or silver which I didn't want. Black too hard to up keep as well as too hot in the summer. And I already had a silver color car. Most dealers said it would NOT be a problem for any TL type S to be had at $500 over invoice. Just a matter of finding my preferred color combination.
When I was contacting the dealers, there was only one that had the TL type S with 6 speed manual in Kinetic blue with Silver/Ebony interior. I figured that my chances of getting the lowest price possible for this specific vehicle will be slim. I will probably end up paying more than I have to get the color combination that I want.
During my communication with one of the dealers, the internet manager warned me about a couple of dealers in the area that send out these low quotes through e-mail just to bring in customers. She kept on saying that customers that receive lower quotes from these dealers, when they go there, the dealers add on additional charges and markups to raise their profits, or do a bait and switch. Those customers end up in her dealership afterwards buying from her instead. I am aware of these tactics as I typically help friends, family, and coworkers buy new vehicles.
I am NOT a broker, just a person that tries to help and enjoys the car buying experience. On the average, I help buy about 15-20 cars per year (again not for me but for others). I do NOT make any money out of this; I just do it for fun. I know you think I am nuts...Sorry I digress again.
I Called South Bay Acura last Friday night and asked if I could come in and check out the vehicle I was interested in. When I arrived, the vehicle was already pulled up for me. I met with the internet manager and his assistant promptly escorted me for a test drive. They were both very pleasant and courteous. After the test drive, I asked the internet manager if he could include the pro package for the price of $35,100 (this included destination). He agreed, and walked with me to the Parts dept. to check if they had the painted mud guards in Kinetic Blue. Parts had them. I told him that I wasn’t ready to purchase that night as I was waiting to sell my old car the following day (Saturday). I told him that if everything went OK with my old car, I would be back Saturday afternoon to purchase the vehicle. He said no problem, and went ahead and authorized the service folks to install the wheel locks, and the painted mud guards so the vehicle would be ready for me on Saturday.
On Saturday, I completed selling my car and called the Internet Manager to tell him I would be coming in the early afternoon. He indicated that the car is ready and all the accessories (wheel locks, painted mud guards, and trunk tray) have been installed. When I arrived, the vehicle was sitting in the delivery area cleaned up, detailed and ready to go. I was greeted by his assistant. We talked for a few minutes regarding financing and the typical stuff. Few minutes later, he introduced me to the finance manager. Finance manager asked if I was interested in any of the extras, lojack, paint protection, gap insurance, etc. I declined. Again no pressure from the finance manager to buy any extras. How refreshing was that. Completed filling out and signing all the paperwork in about 20 minutes.
From the time I walked in the front door of the dealership until the time I was handed my keys was just a little under an hour. This was the fastest and smoothest car buying experience I ever had. This statement really means something, keeping in mind that I am involved in about 15-20 deals per year for the last 4-5 years. In addition, I was able to buy the exact car I want for an EXCELLENT price. Everyone I dealt with at South Bay Acura was very professional, courteous, respectful, and not PUSHY. It was an awesome experience.
Final numbers on the deal for my Kinetic Blue 6 speed manual tranny Type S with Sliver/Ebony interior is $35,100. This price includes destination, installed painted mud guards, wheel locks, and trunk tray. Additional fees I paid were: $2,902 LA County Taxes, $281 DMV fees, $55 doc fees, for a total Out the Door (OTD) price of $38,338.
Based on my experience, I would highly recommend South Bay Acura’s Internet Manager. You can find his name from the Acura.com website, top of the page, locate a dealer, near Torrance, Ca.
Good Luck to all,
Spyder.
PS, I will review the car later after the break in period.
Only thing I'd like to add to the car is the spoiler - does anyone know what the markup on those usually are and how negotiable accessories like that are? I'm thinking it's best to have it on the car when I take it home - but I could be wrong. Would I get a better deal buying it after the fact at someplace other than the dealer??
Thanks
I'm not sure if you are referring to the 2007 TL, but I will share my advice regarding my 2006 Acura TL w/ Navi purchase (5 speed, AT).
I, too, was considering several accessories (primarily the spoiler and underbody kit). The cost for these items was significantly higher than I expected relative to what one would pay for after-market products.
The problem? Well, my new TL was my baby, and I couldn't stand to think of someone else installing the after-market part and making a mistake. And for what, to save a couple of extra bucks?
The decision: I decided that as much as I was into the look, that an Acura is primarily a luxury car and that my black beauty looked just fine without the spoiler, saving me both money and a hassle.
I bought the 2006 Acura TL with Navigation System (5 speed Automatic Transmission) from Acura of Boston for $32,750 before any fees/applicable taxes. That was the final quoting price.
Here is the breakdown of all the costs incurred leading up to the Out The Door (OTD) price that many like to discuss:
Final Offer: $32,750
MA 5% Sales Tax: $1,637.50
Title Preparation & Doc. Fee: $299.75
New License Plates: $84
FINAL OTD PRICE: $34,771.25
My current car is a 95 Honda Accord - after 12 years of driving something very plain looking I'm more interested in going for something alittle interesting looking. I'm looking at the Redondo Red and I love the way that color looks with the spoiler. The quote I received was for a 2007.
I paid $33,807 + TTL which came to $35,210 OTD in VA.
I had a fantastic buying experience at a Northern Virginia dealership. I'm happy to share the details with anyone looking in that area. Just email me at nnd6a at hotmail.
I love this car!
-Acura Music Link (for iPod) - $214 on the Acura website
-All-weather mats - $132
I am not sure about dealers cost but Curry's price for the all season mats are $99, not sure about the ipod link.
Spyder.
I have agreed in principle to a TL for for $33,956. I also got the dealer to throw in all-weather mats and to install the ipod link at cost (whatever that means) when the new design comes out. However, now he is saying that he only wants to sell me what's on the lot. I think I want blue with ebony interior. He said to get that, he'll have to work a dealer trade and that the car likely will have the propack, in which case he'd charge me more.
The propack sounds good, but I am not sure I really need it.
my question is this: how hard is it for the dealer to order my color from the factory if it's not on the lot? Am I out of place for walking away from the deal if he can't do it for the price I was quoted?
As always, thanks.
It is absolutely easy to order your car to spec for their next supply. Just tell them you want that, at their agreed upon price. Do not let them try to charge more for this, as it isn't any extra charges to them.
Good luck, and if they get hostile, then definitely walk.
Had I not prefaced with that information, most likely the quote would have been more. I did receive another quote from a different Acura dealership (it was their "Internet" price) of $33,100.
Let me know how you make out. Best of luck!
Is $32,000 a good offer or a bit too high or low? Once I make up my mind, I'm firm and willing to walk to another dealer, but I want to know that I'm making a reasonable and fair offer.
I told by a dealership that the TLs have "new invoice" prices and in order to give me the 2007 TL that I want for the price I want, they can give me a TL with an "old invoice." What's the difference between the old invoice and new one? What does that mean exactly? Thanks!
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Is the current price posted here before or after? Sorry, I don't know.
regards,
kyfdx
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My trade in was an 03 Mercedes 240 with a KBB trade value of 12,100. They gave me 12,600 on the trade. They will make a few grand on the trade in. The vehicle was not a demo, 1.6 miles and they had to remove the shipping plastic as I waited.
Goodluck!
2004 Acura TL with Navigation
26,000 miles
Automatic
Certified Used Car
Things I don't like about 04 TLs are:
1, first year in the model change, many manufacturering problems.
2, the dash board meters look so cheap, look like some plastic sticking out of the surface with blue LEDs hidden under. Totally different from the 07 ones. 07 ones look very good.
3, navigation interface looks not as good as the new ones
Things I like about this car are:
1, low miles
2, certified
Dealer is asking for $28,995 which I think is way too much. Friends from the forum, how much do you think I should offer for this car?
As a side note, the STICKER price for an '04 Acura TL with Navigation System I looked at was $24k with 50,000 miles on it.
Additionally, an '05 TL with Nav. with 25,000 miles on it for $30k.
I believe the few extra grand spent on a new car is a better value, and definitely helps with the peace of mind.
My idea was to buy a used luxury for the same price of a brand new accord.
Hope this helps.....I live in NY