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2013 and earlier-Honda Civic Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    All 2006 Civics are pretty scarce and the manuals much more so. They simply don't sell nearly as well as the automatics so a lot of stores don't order any.

    For every manual we order, that is one automatic we can't order.

    You might want to think about the resale later, down the road. Cars with sticks are much harder to sell as used cars.
  • ritlinritlin Member Posts: 36
    Honda is not making near enough of the manual tranny. Isell is right in that traditionally car buyers buy more automatics, and the resale is better as well.
    However, IMO, there is a significant difference in these two cars, specifically related to the tranny. I drove both, and couldn't believe it was the same engine. The auto felt slow and the car fely heavy. With the manual, I thought there didn't seem to be any lack of power. Ity was smooth, and felt sporty. One of the other things, auto tranny's are becoming(or so it seems) more economical than the manual.
    Drive them both, if you can find the manual, and if you still want the manual, find a dealer with one on order, and put your money on it.
  • nickihaaknickihaak Member Posts: 7
    I agree with some of your response.
    However, Toyota still beat out Honda in the BIG picture!
    (Money) they sold more cars.
    Maybe, I'll look for a Toyota if I cant get a good deal for a Honda?
    Its just a car and they have good resale value also.
    Its just not worth listing to supply and demand BS anymore!
    If you read about any Make of Honda in this forum besides the Accord, they just dont have any? BS
    My guess they have a warehouse down the road and bring 1 or 2 up every time they sell one. Ha,Ha,
    I did look out of state and the eastern states have 1000's . Maybe thats an option?
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    Carsearch...we are in a different situation than Isell. We order every manual we can lay our hands on.

    Honda has for the past few allocations kicked our manual orders...I don't know why, they just haven't produced the manuals in the quantites that we would like.

    We get them in, they just trickle instead of flood.
  • mikey14mikey14 Member Posts: 5
    Got my '06 HCH w/ Navi from Grand Honda in Elmhurst. Had an overall good buying experience with a little bit of pressure to buy that day (wife threatened a divorce if I came home w/car)...bought it the next day for ~$350 under MSRP w/ mats, door guards, mud flaps, etc. that were already on the car at n/c. They were not willing to negotiate much on the price but did give me a very fair trade-in which made up a little of it. Staff knowledgeable and knew their hybrids though be ready to "play ball" if you want to negotiate a deal, especially on a NAVI.
  • ritlinritlin Member Posts: 36
    So, you think you will get a Toyota for invoice or below? Ha Ha! They may be worse than Honda when it comes to valuing the full MSRP of their cars, especially, as you pointed out, they were the biggest profitting company out last year(not the most cars sold).
    Believe me, I am not one to jump on the band wagon and buy the latest thing out regardless of price. I would much rather wait and get the same car a yr later for a lot less than others. But that simply won't happen with the Honda Civic. Think about the Mazda3. They are only now giving discounts of approx. $1000-1500 off MSRP(2.3L). It has been out almost 2 yrs now. Do you se any Mini Cooper S cars discounted? I didn't think so. Try to buy a used one for a deal. Probably won't happen either.
    My point is that there are certain vehicles that have such a following that the dealers don't need to discount them. This is the case(IMO) with the civic, at least certain models. And the reason, not BS, is supply and demand. Demand for whatever reason. In this case, because Honda did it right, and people are noticing, especially with the gas prices like they are.
    It doesn't mean they are gold(which is also at a high). But you can't expect to get this car for invoice. Be happy to get a decent amount below MSRP. You can't blame Honda for not selling these cars for well over invoice, but we, as consumers are the ones ultimately who decide what the value is. So, go out there and bargain, or walk out of a few. Ultimately, you might just help the demand go down as well as the price.
  • bamacarbamacar Member Posts: 749
    My dealer seems to have a tough time getting or keeping any Civic manuals, too. There seems to be a higher percentage of Accord manuals than Civic manuals. That makes no sense to me.

    The Civic is a far better perfomer with the manual as I tested both transmissions last week.

    It seems the first allocation of Fits had a decent percentage of manuals. I hope it continues as I continue to debate between a manual Civic EX Sedan and a manual Fit Sport.
  • jph3006jph3006 Member Posts: 49
    Ritlin: I am very sorry, but the only thing I will agree with you about is that Toyotas are much more difficult to buy than Hondas, mostly because of the distributoship middleman that exists.

    I have bought personally, 6 different 2006 Honda Civics for myself or other people. My math works. My math works every single time. Without exception.

    If you are in the car business, I have no respect for your advice. If you are a fellow car enthusiast not in the business, may I invite you to study my math.

    Best to you in Honda Civics. JPH
  • ritlinritlin Member Posts: 36
    $19828(your price)
    + $1239 (tax TX)
    = $21067(total price not including tag and licence)
    $21067>$20000(your price with math done correctly)

    If you have a college degree I ahve no respect for the school where you went. You stated not to buy that specific car for more than $20K. Yet you contradict yourself with your total plus tt&l.
    Why don't you enlighten us as to what dealerships are giving these cars away to you. I don't believe any Honda dealerships(unless the owner is your father-in-law) will discount their kick back on a civic right now. I wonder if Isellhondas would agree with me.
    I have done nothing but let others be realistic in their endeavors. If you are telling people they can get these cars for kickback minus invoice plus 5%, then you should also tell them where they can get them. It won't happen in Dallas! Most dealers are doing exactly like Vandergriff, which is adding accessories and marking them above MSRP.
  • jph3006jph3006 Member Posts: 49
    EX 4 door, automatic with Nav
    Invoice 18982
    - 3% holdback -622
    -----------------------
    dealer "cost" 18,360
    your +5% deal 19,278
    + destination fee 550
    -----------------------
    19,828
    + tag, title, reg in TX
    + TX sales tax

    DO NOT pay more than 20,000!!!

    Ritlin: I copied and pasted from the posting; I fail to see your question.

    19,828
    + TTL
    +TX sales tax
    =??????????? OTD (out the door)

    I live in Florida. I cannot speak for Texas demand for cars but I would not hesitate to travel to a small dealer to get the deal I want.

    Now, 4/25, is an excellent time of the month to shop. Dealers stretching for volume bonus goals will deal. For example, if a dealer is not close to a volume bonus goal, they will not deal the last days of the month. If a dealership is stretching for a goal, they will deal. I recall allowing cost deals to achieve volume levels for bonuses back in the day. At the end of some months, I nearly prayed for customers to buy cars for deals to move them. Remember, I never paid cost, I financed floorplan (inventory) at about $170 a month on an $18,000 car. A combination of luck and timing is needed and you will find this going to and offering deals to many different dealerships. Each one is different in how they are managed and where their monthly sales volume stands.

    Cost + 5% deals are out there with persistence and an understanding that you must go through the numbers to find them. A car is one of the biggest purchases people make so it's worth the effort.

    JPH
  • ritlinritlin Member Posts: 36
    cost plus 5% is one thing, but most dealerships will not play with their kick back. This is a little known secret except to people like you who have been in the business and people like me who have kept their ears open, as well as learned a lot by trial and error.
    I agree that timing is very important, but, as we can see, if you don't act quick enough, there can be an increase in price as there was with the civic back in March. I was able to buy a 2006 Dodge Charger(certified used) for less than invoice just because it was the last day in the quarter. So, I understand. Your numbers aren't that far from reasonable, especially when you consider special circumstances, but that is probably what it will take to get that deal.
    I was saying that in your math(including taxes) that car is over $21k! Your figures are around $1500 under MSRP including destination. But, I don't think it is realistic to think a dealer will discount his kick back. It is good to know about the kick back so when the dealer says "I'm losing money on this deal" that we, as consumers. know that he really isn't, even when he turns around his monitor to show you that negative figure!
  • ritlinritlin Member Posts: 36
    ...and when you consider fuel costs and other price increases, such as interest rates, it is not always the best idea to wait!
  • shufflesshuffles Member Posts: 50
    jph, I am also in Florida. The local dealer is offering 0% financing and "will beat any offer by $300". I have an offer of $950 below msrp (excluding Navis/hybids/SIs). With $300 less, that would be $1,250 below msrp, or not very much above invoice. My salesman is out of town, but it looks like I am close to a deal. (I was thinking I might have to get an Accord.)

    I have just one question for you or anyone out there. My salesman says that documentation is $400 and includes dealer prep. But he is the kind of guy who sounds vague and claims to not know much about the details (yeah, I really believe that). And he is out of town for a couple more days. I had been thinking dealer prep was something else in addition to documentation. I just want to know what the real deal is, or should be. If we are talking $400 and not $950 ($400 documentation plus $550 dealer prep), I will be jumping on this one. Even with $400 to $500 dealer prep and $218 Florida tag, title and registration, I will likely jump on it.
  • jph3006jph3006 Member Posts: 49
    You may be right......One additional thing you may want to think about if you seek a purely good deal: you can get excellent (3-4% over cost) deals on Honda Accords in 2006 and probably some cost deals on the 2007s since this car will be redesigned in 2008. When the Accords are redesigned in 2008, it will likely be car of the year, huge demand, et al. Sound familiar? The car business is absolutely predicatable. You can bet the Honda Accord people are watching the 2007 Toyota Camry introduction very closely for their 2008 car intro.

    Ritlin and others following this posting: I posted for the first time somewhere after March 15 when my wife knew what she wanted to drive and told me to buy it.

    I am about out of things to write about at this point in time. I listed many topics with insight about the entire buying process including my specific deal, it will give many who do the research excellent background material about how to pay a fair price for a Civic sedan or coupe (not an Si or Hybrid). I read ALL Honda Civic postings from the beginning from people buying 2006 cars, thanks to all who posted.

    I hope something I wrote helped somebody in the buying process. I wish success to all future purchasers of these fine cars.

    JPH
  • jph3006jph3006 Member Posts: 49
    Shuffles: A couple of things here. Honda's $550 destination fee includes dealer preparation which is unwrapping the car and washing it, 1.5 hours max for 1 man. Who pays $400 for 1.5 hours of unskilled work??? Not you I hope. Florida's "documentation fee" is $218 for tag, title, and registration on a car the weight of a Honda civic sedan. Period. It's a dealership's cost of doing business and documentation fees are an attempt to make the deal closing department a profitable one.

    Dealerships usually deal in % not $ off MSRP. Some really old school car men used dollars but most are long gone now from the business. You will get a better deal using % and showing them your % deal above cost. Change the focus from $ off for you to % profit for them, see what I mean? You'll want to work in % UP from invoice, never DOWN from MSRP, especially if dealing in $ off MSRP.

    If you are loyal and wait for a particular salesman to get your deal, he owes you! Tell him that or walk. Your walking away after he's worked with you for the deal is your greatest leverage and few buyers recognize this.

    Heads up: You'll need that deal you are trying to beat by $300 in writing. If you have it in writing, great for you! If not, it's more rhetoric on their part trying to maximize their profits at your expense.

    Good luck, it's a really great car. JPH
  • ritlinritlin Member Posts: 36
    JPH,
    I agree with the walk thing. In fact, I have said it a couple of times in my past entries as well. Actually, I agree with most all of what you have said in the past couple entries. As I have said, I am a consumer learning by keeping my ears open and trial and error(less on trial and error as I get older).
    As far as the "beat any other deal" remarks? They are mostly B.S. You call it rhetoric, but let's face it, it helps define how most dealers do business-by lying to consumers so they can get them in to the dealership and pressure them in to ripping them off.
    I can tell you know your way around a dealership and I think you may have even stated being a salesperson. From what you have said here, you are probably one of the few honest ones around. So, I am sure there are many who appreciate your advice. I will be looking for you when the 2008 Accords come out. I will not have a laptop fpr a while after this, so, I too, will not be on anymore. I hope this helps someone save some cash.
  • eaw7100eaw7100 Member Posts: 4
    1) Looking to get a Civic EX with automatic transmission and navigation system for $20,000 including destination charge in NJ. Is that possible?

    2) Also, does anyone have information as to any possible Memorial Day "sales" or 4th of July "sales"? Any rebates coming or deals on financing?

    3) Also, what's the best place to finance? Is www.eloan.com any good?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,188
    I'd appreciate it if we could stick to some actual buying experiences for this specific vehicle...

    There are plenty of forums to discuss general opinions on pricing and buying strategies..

    And.. when I write: "I'd appreciate it"... what I really mean is: "Future off-topic posts will be deleted without notice".

    regards,
    kyfdx

    Edmunds Price Checker
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    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

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  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    You are dreaming.

    First of all, there are hardly any NAVI Civics out there!

    The dealer invoice has NOTHING to do with what the cars sell for! The MARKET dictates that!
  • jph3006jph3006 Member Posts: 49
    Son: You are indeed a passionate car salesman by virtue of your postings. Many of your postings are helpful as you write from the perspective of the business you understand, car salesman. I owned a dealership and post from my perspective of evaluating deals from a profitability standpoint to my business. My postings are different from yours written from the floor, not necessarily better, so keep this in mind as you read postings written from the 30,000' altitude perspective.

    I wished I had a group of salesman with me as passionate as you.

    Best to you in sales, JPH
  • ritlinritlin Member Posts: 36
    Ok, this is going to sound a bit goofy, ut I have been looking for a change in careers, and wondered if going into car sales would be a good idea. What is your perspective?
    Oh, and my civic Si rocks. If anyone wants to know specifics, just ask.
    David
  • beernutbeernut Member Posts: 329
    Do you want to change up or down?
  • shufflesshuffles Member Posts: 50
    jph, yeah assuming there are no nasty surprises, it is looking like I will be buying this weekend. I will let everyone here know how it turns out. Maybe the deals are because west central Florida is Toyota country. You see maybe one Civic for every five or ten Corollas around here. I can't believe that so many people volunterally submit to Toyota dealers. Remember, Toyota stands for:
    Toyota overcharges you on their accessories.
    :)
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Unless you REALLY enjoy spam, don't post them in internet msg boards. Robots scan these boards and pick them up. Simply make your profile "public" and tell posters your email addy is in your profile.
  • jph3006jph3006 Member Posts: 49
    To Overcharge You On Their Autos...Same idea, great point. Yes, I will not buy a southeast distributor Toyota because of unapologetic price gouging.

    Yes, would love to read how your deal went. I posted mine on 3/27/06 or so. You might want to have as a basis for your deal. Have fun.
  • shufflesshuffles Member Posts: 50
    jph, one other thing I really like about the Honda buying experience (besides it being such a great product) is that there are just a few cars in each category. Most other auto companies have seemingly endless options that just confuse and obscure price comparisons. But I really like the Accord LX SE option. If the Civic had something like that Accord SE option, I would surely buy it. As a matter of fact, when I bought my 2003 Accord LX, I more or less ended up with something like an SE - no rear rotors, but 17 inch alloys. Around here everybody says it is the best looking Accord they have seen. Thank you TampaHondaLand!

    jph, you were more than kind to Isellhondas. I would have told him that this forum is for buyers to relate their buying experiences and prices paid. A dealer or Honda salesman would seem to more properly be on some other forum. Buying experience and prices paid seems to me to be plain enough English, even in Lebanese.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,188
    "Unless you REALLY enjoy spam, don't post them in internet msg boards. Robots scan these boards and pick them up. Simply make your profile "public" and tell posters your email addy is in your profile."

    AMEN!!

    Thanks!!
    kyfdx

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • roger29roger29 Member Posts: 2
    Purchasing 2006 Civic Coupe EX AT at Clinton Honda, Rt 22. East, Annandale, NJ.

    Unit price: 18,265
    Freight: 550
    Total unit price: 18,815
    Splash Guards: 134
    Total Vehicle Price: 18,949
    NJ sales tax: 1,136.94
    Motor Vehicle tire fee: 7.50
    Title & Registration: 239
    Documentary fee: 167.50
    Grand total: 20,499.94

    I used Edmunds to get a internet quote which I received the same day.

    I pick it up on Saturday.
  • jph3006jph3006 Member Posts: 49
    Roger: You negotiated a fair deal for all and did not get ripped off, enjoy your new car! JPH
  • rutger3rutger3 Member Posts: 361
    Sounds like you got a pretty good deal, it appears to be $650 over invoice. The doc fee does seem too high, just extra profit for the dealer, but still a good deal. Did you check out any other dealers in the area. I am also from central N.J. and looking for sedan/auto/lx. How was this dealer to work with? Did you use financing, and if so at what rate? Are they locating the car or is it in stock?
    thanks.
  • gwriegergwrieger Member Posts: 2
    My EX Sedan (no nav.) is coming in the 1st at latest. I know the saleswoman has a personal goal she wants to meet this month so I am hoping it comes in today or tomorrow. I could not get her to divuldge if the dealership was stretching for their month. Just communicating over the phone, I have her down to $19,210 (or about 600 below MSRP). I know the supply is catching up some with the demand - but I was looking for advice if you think I should go with this, if no budge, or try and press a little more. I was competing it with another dealerhip, but they have started to drop out so I dont want to run the chance of loosing the car as it is exaclty what I want.

    I have not got an official OTD price but I know the dealership and they are reputable so I am 99% confident that it wil be the $19,210 (or whatever we settle on) plus TTL. I made sure they would NOT put any options or accessories on it when it got there.

    Does this look and sound good?

    I have learned a great deal over the last few days. I've owned both a Prelude and Accord - back in the day, but this will be my first Honda purchase in probably 9 or 10 years.

    Thanks for your help and all your advice.
  • gwriegergwrieger Member Posts: 2
    Not sure if location matters that much, but this car will be purchased in the Houston area. Thanks!
  • roger29roger29 Member Posts: 2
    No I did not check out any other dealers. I live 10 minutes away from Clinton Honda and I have a 2001 Accord EX sedan that I have serviced there with no complaints. The salesman was fine, no high pressure but firm on his price and would not negotiate on accessories. He just gave me the keys to the car I was interested in and let me test drive it by myself. I got the price quote by email even before I made an appointment to visit the dealership.
  • tofu118tofu118 Member Posts: 2
    Just got my white 2006 Civic Ex Coupe AT @Hyannis Honda in Mass. Drove 2 hours to get it.

    $18,995 With Destination was my offer. (friend of a friend was sales manager)
    $949.75 MA Tax 5%
    $86.00 Title and Reg
    $130.00 misc fee for vehicle prepping, sticker, registering at dealer etc
    $20160 OTD

    I had a sales manager friend search all over new england for this car WITH navi for about a month, but thats like impossible, cuz all the navi's are in the sedans. I even waited until the middle of the month so i can order one and he still couldnt get one with navi for me. so i settled for the white one without navi, and that took about another 2 weeks for a WHITE EX one. Civics are in demand lately cuz of the gas prices and the so called "Car of the year" bla bla.. so whoever wants one better get it before the price will go up, cuz they are already. hope this helps, cuz the other posts helped me before i got it.
  • slowpedalerslowpedaler Member Posts: 62
    $17,831 with Dest.
    $45.00 Doc.
    $1318 CA. tax
    $179 title and Reg.
    $8.75 Tire [whatever that is]
    Total: $19381.75
    Oakland Honda

    Good experience, little BS. I think it was clear I knew what I wanted and what I should be expected to pay for it. I got a quote from a salesman in another town, took that to Oakland and they beat it by a lot. Based on my research here I knew if I really wanted to bang on the table I might get another hundred or so out of them but, it didn't seem worth it. They treated me very well and made me a fair offer, why should I turn around and harass them to save, what, another 3 bucks a month? Nah, life's too short.

    I would suffer another huge traffic jam to work with them again.
  • chejo28chejo28 Member Posts: 34
    I was reading the posts and I am wondering if anybody can actually verify that the prices for the Civics will actually go up because of its high demand. I also read that Navi system is hard to find in Civic coupes. Is this true? My husband is planning on buying in November to get the '07 Civic Coupe AT with Navi that's why I'm pretty curious on what's going on in the market. I appreciate any replies! Thanks! :shades:
  • casifancasifan Member Posts: 7
    just got a 4 dr civic lx mt last night.
    $15450
    $550 destination charge.
    $268.30 reg/doc fee
    Total = 16268.30
    NO TAX ;) b/c my trade in value was more than what this car was worth...
  • alexander_g90alexander_g90 Member Posts: 4
    Hi, I was going to buy a Civic tonight in Seattle ($17,100 was the best I could do on 2006 LX Sedan AT), and the dealer wanted me to sign a loan application "for verification" and do a "collateral loan" thing because I was going to pay with a personal check. I said - no, I will get a certified or cashier check. They said - fine, but you will still have to sign a load application so we can verify your identity. This doesn't make sense to me. Is that a normal practice?
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    in Oregon. Is this a reasonable deal?
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    Do they have the Civic in stock in the color that you want?

    If they do, then buy it.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    I don't know if it's normal or not, but I would walk away from the deal if they insisted on that.
  • brupopbrupop Member Posts: 63
    Hi Scott,
    Could you tell me which dealer in the Portland area you are looking at for this Civic and where you got your Accord?
    We are in the market for an Accord and would appreciate your input into which dealer(s) you've found have good prices, are honest, and that you would use again.
    Thanks,
    GregB
  • dimon12dimon12 Member Posts: 10
    Just bought 2006 Civic Ex AT Sedan InterGalaxy Gray Metallic:
    18263 - sale price (incld dest)
    45 - doc fees
    191.75 - DMV fees
    1602 - tax
    20102 - OTD car price
    1000 - 72 month/100,000 miles platinum warranty
    21102 - total OTD price

    Paid cash at Dublin Honda, didn't have to haggle but came prepared. Outstanding service, email me for salesman's name, really great experience...
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    I bought the Accord in April '04 from Kendall Honda in Eugene, afer getting several prices on the internet, and making them beat it.

    The best price I've seen so far on the EX-5M civic came from Capitol Honda, in Salem I think. I will take the best price back to Kendall once again, and if they don't beat it, Salem isn't very far...
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    Why don't you just take it to the dealer that gave you the best price up front and given them your business?
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    I would prefer to spend the money locally, and this dealer is 25 miles from home, vs Salem, roughly 75 miles away.
  • fslaugtsfslaugts Member Posts: 36
    Total price out the door was $20,850. I offered $20,000. Was told tomorrow (monday) they will speak with head man and give me a call if he approves. This was Tampabay, area Florida.
  • jph3006jph3006 Member Posts: 49
    Obviously the salesman didn't close properly, did he?
  • jmurman42jmurman42 Member Posts: 675
    sounds to me that he received his price via email.
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    Yes.

    Cars.com sends an e-mail to 3-4 dealers, and I use that as leverage with the local guy. The lowest price is in McMinville, over 100 miles from my house, so if I had any issues, I'd like the local dealer to deal with. Kendall in Eugene can be a real pain to negotiate with, so I get a quick quote on line, and have them beat it(worked on the '04 EX-V6 I bought 2 years ago).
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