BAIL! Both the dealer prep fee and the coating are worth zip, and as far as I would be concerned, you take 300 over invoice (the invoice before those "additions") as the highest you'll go. If that's the coupe automatic, then take 150 over invoice.
Help with the floor mats, my floor mats are plain but I'm seeing the word ACCORD written in the accessory websites, so do the EXV6 sedan floor mats come with the word ACCORD on the drivers mat.
Also, here's a run down of what I paid when I bought my car in the Los Angeles area. All the dealer prep and paint coating is bull so take it out.
car: $23875.00 ($200 over invoice) doc fee: $45.00 sales tax:$1853.80 (7.75% taking car to north cal)
dmv reg fee: $200.00 Cali tire fee $5.00
total price 25978.80 out the door I financed at 3.49% for 60 months. 3.49% at 60 months
We got the auto-dimming mirror but it was with the car so no telling what we really paid for it. They are fairly cheap on www.handa-accessories.com. I would order it from them and then take the labor fee off of www.honda.com when you have the dealer install it so they don't try to rip you.
We also had the body-side molding installed today but one of the pieces was creased but they still tried to put it on the car. Needless to say they are ordering new moldings and we should have them installed early next week. Kinda infuriating though. Some service depts will try to sneak anything by you.
Bought it for $475 under invoice in Concord, NH. Also got the 3.95% financing rate. Total fees were $119. Negotiating the deal took no more than 10 minutes and was a pleasurable experience. Love the car.
price 23,364, doc fee 45, sales tax 8.5% 1990,cal. tire fee 5,license fee 196, total 25,600. They gave me wheel well trim, wheel nut bolt locks, tank of gas, mud guards.
Received a quote from their internet sales mgr Jonathan Rundlett for $23,014+delivery+tags+tax. Went there last night to pick out a color and was done in 1/2 hour. No surprises, no hassle, best experience I have ever had. Highly recommend Jonathan. Car was 200 under invoice.
I noticed you are from Wa state (so am I) and you went to Oregon for your purchase. I have E-mailed 13 Honda dealers in Western Wash and cant get a deal like yours. My best price quote has been $1,500 over Invoice with no other charges except tax/liscence. That is unsat. I have one dealer (Hinshaws Honda) that says they will sell it $500 over, but when I tell them that is $24,085 for the EX-L 4 cyl with Navi or $25,972 for the V-6 with Navi, they become impossible to get a hold of. They were Johnny on the spot when I first started E-mailing, but lost interest when I tried to get a fair deal. Where in Oregon did you purchase your Honda. What sales person? Would you recommend them to me? You must have paid Wash tax when you brought the car up here? Thanks jtac for the info in advance.
I actually live in Portland. I faxed several dealers in Oregon and Washington (Fleet Managers) to get this price. I had four dealers willing to give me this price for the EX V6 - Portland: Thomasson, Tonkin, Salem: Delon, Eugene: Kendall. The Seattle area dealers were higher priced in general. My best price in Washinton was from Stirling Honda in Longview ($400 over and no Doc fees).
See my previous posts in this discussion for my approach. I can also email you further information on this approach if you like.
skym ... we went to the Build Your Car section of the website and went through the selections to add the accessories we wanted. After you have done this there will be a summary at the end that shows the base price of the car + accessories. Where the accessories are it will show you the price of the accessory and then the installed price. Take the installed price and subtract the base price of the accessory and you have the labor charge. We found the cheapest accessories on the handa-accessories website.
I am looking at a 2003 Accord LX 4cyl AT which has a sticker of $20,460. I am trying to find out if $18,500. which includes all dealer charges, prep., (insp. sticker, 99.95 paper work charge) and mudguards is a good deal. The only thing this price doesn't include is the sales tax.
What a story, you really did your homework. I bought a LX Sedan 5 Speed Manual (4cyl) on Dec 27th at $17200 plus tax and license (3.49%). However, my experience with Honda World in Downey was great, the internet sales manager was professional, no games and sold the car at the price agreed over the final phone call. By the way, 5 speeder in LA area is hard to find. I was glad that Honda World had it in white and most of all, their price was the best price by $300 over nextbest price from Pasadena Honda. I think they were happy to get rid of them, the car was built in August 2002.
One more thing, the fit/finish of the car (Japan built) is not nearly as good as my other Hondas I've had (I am in my mid 40s) before, I guess I have to buy an Acura. But so far, this is the smoothest Honda I've seen.
I was told more than once that the week after Christmas is the best time to buy a car.
Since we were looking to replace our 2000 Accord EX with the 03 EX-V6 I thought I'd give it a try.
Without any hassle, I got 100 over invoice, and got a decent (not great, although I could have pushed it harder) deal on my trade. Doc fees including reg, title, etc. were 90 bucks. I also took advantage of Honda financing at 3.49 percent.
So, I feel I got a good deal. It took all of 10 minutes to cut the deal and about 2 hours to show the car and complete the paperwork the next day.
Ohh, I live in Western Mass., and purchased from a local dealer here in Mass.
It appears that dealers, and not just Honda dealers, are willing to make a deal and this dealer said that his sales were up 24 percent this year over last. So, cars are being sold.
Yeah, I had a hard time with Honda World Downey, I think the major reason for my problems with all the dealers was that I was looking for an EXv6 in graphite pearl with less than 10 miles on it. That car didn't exsist in the LA area last week. They should of got a bunch in this week. Also you bought a manual tranny, this is LA you were probably the only one looking for one haha.. The only manual I never saw was the coupe six speed but they may be coming out in January.
Great deal form College Park Honda in MD. This dealer was trying to earn the President's Club award and was selling every single car $200 below invoice. I think that they sold about 65 cars between Dec 28-31. My 2003 EX V6 with Navi cost me $25272 (excluding tax and tags) + $25 processing fee.
I think we have a new winner. I was wondering how people were doing on the NAVI systems. That's a great price. Enjoy! Oh, and tell me what you think of it. I have it and love it.
The deal was REAL. I picked out the car myself (of the 6 that were my color choice). Brand new, 0 miles, my choice, off the lot for 17,100. I picked up the vehicle this afternoon. This was a volume dealer, looking to move as many units as possible (end of month, end of year). I knew the vehicle was being sold at a loss and so did the dealer.
I just bought an EX-L, 4-cyl, blue with charcoal leather. It had 95 miles on it.
Price including destination charges was 21,722 + TL. I did it mostly over the phone and via email with the internet fleet manager at Dublin Honda (Bay Area, CA). Interest rate is 3.49%
I didn't get any extras. I thought of getting the acrylic moon roof wind deflector but when I was on the test drive, I took the car on the freeway and at freeway speed there was no wind in the front or the back seat and I didn't get that "thumping" wind noise normally encountered with a moon roof, so I figured I didn't need the deflector. It appears the new design eliminates the interior wind and the thumping noise. And the car accelerated nicely even on the uphill grades. The 4 cylinder appears to be pretty peppy.
Anyway my wife and I arrived at the dealer at 4 PM on New Years Eve and didn't close the deal until around 6-ish. So, it was dark by the time I really looked at the car. The next morning, I noticed some swirls and surface scratches on the paint, probably from the person who "detailed" the car for us -- nothing deep so a good buffing will probably eliminate this. I called the salesperson and he said they would take care of it at no charge, plus a ding in one of the door panels.
Moral of the story: go early enough in the day to ensure a good inspection under daylight conditions... its easier to inspect the car with good light.
I also said no to the extended warranty at $699. For 40 bucks a year instead, Geico Ins will provide bumper-to-bumper warranty as long as I own my car, so after the 3 year Honda warranty expires, I will still have a warranty as good as Honda's but at 40 bucks a year. Since I keep my cars for about 8 years, that equals 320 bucks for a little peace of mind.
Anyway, I think I got a good deal, as the 21,722 was basically invoice plus destination charge. The 95 miles made me think this car had been around the inventory for a while... but they did have to get it from a different dealer
Thanks to everyone here for posting their experiences. It was really helpful and I gained a lot from it. We love the car, and hope it performs up to the reputation Honda has.
thanks everyone on this board for sharing their buying experience.. I got the car with cargo tray and mudguard and carpet(generic ones though).. Out of door price about 257000..(CA tax almost 2k, yuk!!)
working with the fleet manager @LarryHopkins directly and closed the deal in about 10 mins and 60 mins for the 3.49% finace.. no ext. warranty...
Hi Jan, I'm interested in a the accord sedan and invoice in this area seems good for one. I was just wondering if the salesman, John, said how long he was willing to offer invoice to anyone who mentioned your reference. Thanks a lot for the very useful info! MC
Even those who get the car at night, have no fear, just ask the dealer to write on the contract that you have 24 -72 hrs to check it out. I picked up my car at night and asked them to put it writing and they happily agreed, as they already had a 72 satisfaction guarantee that covered the whole car. Basically I think any dealer worth anything would agree to at least give you 24 hours to check it out. I appreciated the 72 hr period as it was over Thanksgiving and I was in no rush to worry about the car. They even made it a 72 business hour guarentee so that I wouldn't have to worry about losing Thanksgiving day as a day to inspect it since nothing is open that day. It was Jim Coleman Honda in MD. I think they were great. I got the NAVI $100 over invoice its second week out with no hassles... if that helps. Email them and ask for Jonathan Barnswell... tell him Ben says Hi!
...in determining how much downpayment to give for installment purchases.
If personal cash reserve levels and savings on credit card interest are priority, consider minimizing downpayment to take advantage of ongoing low aprs on cars.
For example, instead of giving $8k downpayment, give $3k instead and keep the $5k for other minor purchases where credit cards would otherwise be used.
With credit cards now at, say, 21.9% and car purchases at 3.9%, one is saving 18% in interest for every dollar used for a cash purchase instead of a credit card purchase.
If the money is kept in an interest-earning checking account, this saving could improve further.
My friend bought an Accord LX 4 cyl Auto for $17000 plus tax, tags, proc fee for a total of 17900 out the door in Northern VA area. New car with 17 miles on it, silver. I was with him when the deal was done, so i'm not kiddin'. There are some incredible deals on the Accord if you are willing to find them. I was looking to buy one too, but bought a Camry. By the way, my friend got quotes from other dealers as well that were in the 17200-17500 range.
They will be on certain models. The LX is the volume seller for Honda so there are usually always good deals out there for them. Coupes will probably be slightly higher in some areas.
I want to warn honda buyers AWAY from Miller Honda in Culver City. Their entire sales tactics are distasteful. They will low ball you on your trade (give poor trade value to a car in excellent condition with low miles despite KBB values in writing), refuse to negotiate from MSRP and tell you that they NEED to run a credit report on you even though you have your own financing and a BLANK check waiting to be filled out. Do not fall for it. The sales manager ,Ariel I believe, is smug, rude and insulting. The Closer will chase you to your car(however, he didn't like my conversation) and offer you inflated promises. Please be smart, and avoid this dealership. Also be aware that dealerships make 1% of your purchase price if THEY finance you. There are a number of scams each dealerships tries to get past the consumer. It pays to do your homework and stand firm when they try to charge you fee's that are optional(aka vin etching, credit reports, dealerprep fee's) Get internet quotes. Much luck to all.
I've owned my 2003 Accord EX-L V6 Sedan with Navigation for a month now. I have to say, it's really a great car, and a very good deal for the money. (As a previous Maxima owner, and Camry user, I looked at them all and the Accord won out).
I paid 5.4% over invoice, slightly higher than I would have liked, but still well below MSRP and the dealer mark-up. (So those of you out that don't get a super-duper deal like other people post, fret not.) Bought in the SF Bay Area, CA
A couple reasons I think I paid what I did: - Price was within budget - Wanted to get car immediately that day (had done two weeks of pre-work). i wanted to spend as little time as possible going to dealers. - The fully loaded Accord (EX-L V6) is scarce (or was when I bought it) - Got the best color/interior out there (IMHO), Graphite Pearl. -Cars in CA tend to cost a bit more, even higher in the San Francisco Bay Area - Dealer/service was a consideration
However, there were these benefits: - Process took only a couple hours from start to finish, which was nice. - Received $2600 more on my trade-in than I would have received on the open market. - A few extra options throw in.
So overall, I am quite happy, even it wasn't below invoice, etc. I feel like I got a bargain compared to what is charged for other vehicles.
Options added that I consider useful:
- Door edge and wheel well guards - Trunk liner (one spill and it pays for itself) - Mud flaps - 7 yr./100K HondaCare extended warranty (you can transfer when you sell it, which boost resale value enormously) - Exhaust pipe accents (pure vanity item)
All just had the windows tinted as well. (not at dealer, but separate shop thatI've used before) Looks very, very sharp. Garners lots of comments. Also the voice activated controls and Navigation are awesome.
So far, I am very pleased. Now that break-in is done, I can open it up once in a while, and it moves like the wind. So fast that it scares some passengers...
Anyway, that's my .02, and I hope you find it useful.
I really do not know but John is a great guy and I think he would honor that price as long as you tell him that I referred you to him.His name is John Scapatullo and he is at DCH Academy Honda on Route 9. Good Luck
I received the following qoutes from College Park Honda in MD for Accord 2003 EX V6
Accord EX V6 - $23140(+ tax, title and freight) Accord EX V6 with Navi -$24905(+ tax, title and freight)
Both appear to be under invoice, any comments? Also, I am finding it difficult to decide whether or not to gor the navigation system. Is it worth the extra $1800?
I am planning to close the deal tomorrow, please post your comments.
I purchased 2 new Honda's in May 02...both Accords .. a 2dr and 4dr both EX V6. The 2dr is for my 19 year old daughter and the 4dr for myself. we paid cash so we got a great deal for both cars. with alot of extras thrown in to sweeten the deal. we are both basically happy with our cars. however I wish we would not have gotten the black. and my leather driver seat in the 4dr squeaks..from the springs in the center of the seat. sent to the dealer 3 times. soon getting a new seat.. I love the performance for the price
Thanks to everyone that has posted on this message thread.
I lurked on the board for several weeks gleaning pricing info. I just consumated my deal today and want to pass on the numbers.
In Omaha, I leased an 03Accord EX-V6 for $323.51 per month for 48 months. This price includes the 7% state sales tax. $0 down and and only a $10 doc fee.
My best estimate is that I leased at approx $300 over invoice.
To all those that are contemplating an Accord purchace/lease, I hope this info is helpful. Good Luck!
Accord (voice) Nav: I think if you can make use of such a system it would be worth it, and you are located in the right region to make it a worthwhile purchase.
I travel the Balto-DC-VA corridor and often feel it would be justified to have a voice activated nav system. However, it goes against my grain to spend a lot on built in electronics like DVD & Nav.
I have used handheld GPS for auto nav and just upgraded, but there are limitations. I'm aware that a laptop and Delorme Street Atlas 2003 to connected to handheld GPS can yield a relatively inexpensive, portable, auto-routing, voice activated system, but it won't be convenient. I was briefly enthused about connecting the GPS to the new Dell Axim PDA, but, assuming you can get a cable (CF slot GPS are abundant) for GPS to Axim, autorouting must be created on the PC then uploaded to the PDA - not too flexible. A more sophisticated aftermarket system like an Alpine, or Magellan 7500 would cost as much as the Accord's Nav. Even a Garmin Street Pilot III would cost you about $900 and would not be voice activated.
Did I just rationalize the purchase of Nav for you? By the way, care to share your salesman's name at College Park Honda?
JANUARY INTERNET SPECIAL 2003 Accord LX with Automatic Transmission ONLY $18, 499 Plus Tax & Tags Dealer installed options extra In stock only 25 to choose from
This is only a couple of bucks over invoice in Reading, PA
I agree with the above poster, stay away from both Miller Honda's in Culver City and Van Nuys. At least some dealers are more tactful with their scamming, these guys are all out.
Also, the 3.49 was suppose to end Jan 2nd but who knows.
At initial glance I thought the Navi system would be great, but thinking about it and discussing it with my wife we decided against it. Reason: (1) cost--can print out many maps using mapquest.com for free! (2) does your job require you to drive to unknown destinations on a frequent basis? My job does not. (3) can think of better things to do with $1800--car accessories, furniture, clothes for the baby, vacation, etc. Therefore, I got the EX-V6 without the navi.
In the end, I think the navi is awesome--voice controls, ect. However, I believe it is truly useful for a select group of individuals where it may justify the cost...unless you like to hear yourself talk to your car!
Hey dwoolman, where did you get that deal? Olson, O'Daniel, Bellevue, Superior? I'll be getting one soon and I'm curious as to where you got yours. Thanks!
I just bought today the EX-V6 today from Miller Honda. I went through the carsdirect.com program and paid $23,749- $75 over listed invoice price of $23,674. Dealing with the internet division was a joy and I was out of there in two hours including looking at several cars.
I had gone to Santa Monica Honda and Airport Marina Honda to see if they would be willing to do better. At SM Honda they pulled such underhanded moves I would never, never go back there. Untrustable as far as I'm concerned. Airport Honda wasn't much better. It was funny but I also was using the Costco car buying plan and the Consumer Guide car buying program and neither one could offer any dealers in the area offering discounts.
When driving into Miller Honda I was greeted by several sales people who looked dismayed when i told them I was going to the internet division.
The carsdirect provided a no haggle price and a set amount (usually $50) over their listed invoice price.
todl, you are the smartest of us all, I should of used cardsdirect and saved myself all the time I wasted going to 20 dealers but I still hate the salesman at Miller Honda.
Comments
Also, here's a run down of what I paid when I bought my car in the Los Angeles area. All the dealer prep and paint coating is bull so take it out.
car: $23875.00 ($200 over invoice)
doc fee: $45.00
sales tax:$1853.80 (7.75% taking car to north cal)
dmv reg fee: $200.00
Cali tire fee $5.00
total price 25978.80 out the door
I financed at 3.49% for 60 months.
3.49% at 60 months
We also had the body-side molding installed today but one of the pieces was creased but they still tried to put it on the car. Needless to say they are ordering new moldings and we should have them installed early next week. Kinda infuriating though. Some service depts will try to sneak anything by you.
wheel well trim, wheel nut bolt locks, tank of gas, mud guards.
See my previous posts in this discussion for my approach. I can also email you further information on this approach if you like.
The only thing this price doesn't include is the sales tax.
Sales price:-17,100------MSRP:20,460
MA sales tax:---855
Prep/Doc fee:---198
Plates:---------------68
Total OTD---:18,221
I bought a LX Sedan 5 Speed Manual (4cyl) on Dec 27th at $17200 plus tax and license (3.49%).
However, my experience with Honda World in Downey was great, the internet sales manager was professional, no games and sold the car at the price agreed over the final phone call.
By the way, 5 speeder in LA area is hard to find. I was glad that Honda World had it in white and most of all, their price was the best price by $300 over nextbest price from Pasadena Honda.
I think they were happy to get rid of them, the car was built in August 2002.
One more thing, the fit/finish of the car (Japan built) is not nearly as good as my other Hondas I've had (I am in my mid 40s) before, I guess I have to buy an Acura. But so far, this is the smoothest Honda I've seen.
Since we were looking to replace our 2000 Accord EX with the 03 EX-V6 I thought I'd give it a try.
Without any hassle, I got 100 over invoice, and got a decent (not great, although I could have pushed it harder) deal on my trade. Doc fees including reg, title, etc. were 90 bucks. I also took advantage of Honda financing at 3.49 percent.
So, I feel I got a good deal. It took all of 10 minutes to cut the deal and about 2 hours to show the car and complete the paperwork the next day.
Ohh, I live in Western Mass., and purchased from a local dealer here in Mass.
It appears that dealers, and not just Honda dealers, are willing to make a deal and this dealer said that his sales were up 24 percent this year over last. So, cars are being sold.
jg
p.s. Love the V6!
The invoice price is 18,462
Dealer hold back is 3% of MSRP => about $613
Real dealer cost = 18,462 - 613 = 17,849
Thus if the dealer sold the car for 17,100
it will lose about 750 bucks....
(not include dealer over-head and expense..)
Unless there are some rebate..., the 17,100 sound impossible...
Anyone can explain why, how dealer can sell the car as such way below their cost ??
(demo car, something wrong with the car ???)
My 2003 EX V6 with Navi cost me $25272 (excluding tax and tags) + $25 processing fee.
Price including destination charges was 21,722 + TL. I did it mostly over the phone and via email with the internet fleet manager at Dublin Honda (Bay Area, CA). Interest rate is 3.49%
I didn't get any extras. I thought of getting the acrylic moon roof wind deflector but when I was on the test drive, I took the car on the freeway and at freeway speed there was no wind in the front or the back seat and I didn't get that "thumping" wind noise normally encountered with a moon roof, so I figured I didn't need the deflector. It appears the new design eliminates the interior wind and the thumping noise. And the car accelerated nicely even on the uphill grades. The 4 cylinder appears to be pretty peppy.
Anyway my wife and I arrived at the dealer at 4 PM on New Years Eve and didn't close the deal until around 6-ish. So, it was dark by the time I really looked at the car. The next morning, I noticed some swirls and surface scratches on the paint, probably from the person who "detailed" the car for us -- nothing deep so a good buffing will probably eliminate this. I called the salesperson and he said they would take care of it at no charge, plus a ding in one of the door panels.
Moral of the story: go early enough in the day to ensure a good inspection under daylight conditions... its easier to inspect the car with good light.
I also said no to the extended warranty at $699. For 40 bucks a year instead, Geico Ins will provide bumper-to-bumper warranty as long as I own my car, so after the 3 year Honda warranty expires, I will still have a warranty as good as Honda's but at 40 bucks a year. Since I keep my cars for about 8 years, that equals 320 bucks for a little peace of mind.
Anyway, I think I got a good deal, as the 21,722 was basically invoice plus destination charge. The 95 miles made me think this car had been around the inventory for a while... but they did have to get it from a different dealer
Thanks to everyone here for posting their experiences. It was really helpful and I gained a lot from it. We love the car, and hope it performs up to the reputation Honda has.
MEC
working with the fleet manager @LarryHopkins directly and closed the deal in about 10 mins and 60 mins for the 3.49% finace.. no ext. warranty...
enjoying the car very much :-)
MC
If personal cash reserve levels and savings on credit card interest are priority, consider minimizing downpayment to take advantage of ongoing low aprs on cars.
For example, instead of giving $8k downpayment, give $3k instead and keep the $5k for other minor purchases where credit cards would otherwise be used.
With credit cards now at, say, 21.9% and car purchases at 3.9%, one is saving 18% in interest for every dollar used for a cash purchase instead of a credit card purchase.
If the money is kept in an interest-earning checking account, this saving could improve further.
I paid 5.4% over invoice, slightly higher than I would have liked, but still well below MSRP and the dealer mark-up. (So those of you out that don't get a super-duper deal like other people post, fret not.) Bought in the SF Bay Area, CA
A couple reasons I think I paid what I did:
- Price was within budget
- Wanted to get car immediately that day (had done two weeks of pre-work). i wanted to spend as little time as possible going to dealers.
- The fully loaded Accord (EX-L V6) is scarce (or was when I bought it)
- Got the best color/interior out there (IMHO), Graphite Pearl.
-Cars in CA tend to cost a bit more, even higher in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Dealer/service was a consideration
However, there were these benefits:
- Process took only a couple hours from start to finish, which was nice.
- Received $2600 more on my trade-in than I would have received on the open market.
- A few extra options throw in.
So overall, I am quite happy, even it wasn't below invoice, etc. I feel like I got a bargain compared to what is charged for other vehicles.
Options added that I consider useful:
- Door edge and wheel well guards
- Trunk liner (one spill and it pays for itself)
- Mud flaps
- 7 yr./100K HondaCare extended warranty (you can transfer when you sell it, which boost resale value enormously)
- Exhaust pipe accents (pure vanity item)
All just had the windows tinted as well. (not at dealer, but separate shop thatI've used before)
Looks very, very sharp. Garners lots of comments.
Also the voice activated controls and Navigation are awesome.
So far, I am very pleased. Now that break-in is done, I can open it up once in a while, and it moves like the wind. So fast that it scares some passengers...
Anyway, that's my .02, and I hope you find it useful.
Accord EX V6 - $23140(+ tax, title and freight)
Accord EX V6 with Navi -$24905(+ tax, title and freight)
Both appear to be under invoice, any comments? Also, I am finding it difficult to decide whether or not to gor the navigation system. Is it worth the extra $1800?
I am planning to close the deal tomorrow, please post your comments.
Thanks,
Mahipal
I lurked on the board for several weeks gleaning pricing info. I just consumated my deal today and want to pass on the numbers.
In Omaha, I leased an 03Accord EX-V6 for $323.51
per month for 48 months. This price includes the 7% state sales tax. $0 down and and only a $10 doc
fee.
My best estimate is that I leased at approx $300
over invoice.
To all those that are contemplating an Accord purchace/lease, I hope this info is helpful.
Good Luck!
I think if you can make use of such a system it would be worth it, and you are located in the right region to make it a worthwhile purchase.
I travel the Balto-DC-VA corridor and often feel it would be justified to have a voice activated nav system. However, it goes against my grain to spend a lot on built in electronics like DVD & Nav.
I have used handheld GPS for auto nav and just upgraded, but there are limitations. I'm aware that a laptop and Delorme Street Atlas 2003 to connected to handheld GPS can yield a relatively inexpensive, portable, auto-routing, voice activated system, but it won't be convenient. I was briefly enthused about connecting the GPS to the new Dell Axim PDA, but, assuming you can get a cable (CF slot GPS are abundant) for GPS to Axim, autorouting must be created on the PC then uploaded to the PDA - not too flexible. A more sophisticated aftermarket system like an Alpine, or Magellan 7500 would cost as much as the Accord's Nav. Even a Garmin Street Pilot III would cost you about $900 and would not be voice activated.
Did I just rationalize the purchase of Nav for you? By the way, care to share your salesman's name at College Park Honda?
Thanks
2003 Accord LX
with Automatic Transmission
ONLY $18, 499 Plus Tax & Tags
Dealer installed options extra
In stock only
25 to choose from
This is only a couple of bucks over invoice in Reading, PA
Also, the 3.49 was suppose to end Jan 2nd but who knows.
Alex
At initial glance I thought the Navi system would be great, but thinking about it and discussing it with my wife we decided against it. Reason: (1) cost--can print out many maps using mapquest.com for free! (2) does your job require you to drive to unknown destinations on a frequent basis? My job does not. (3) can think of better things to do with $1800--car accessories, furniture, clothes for the baby, vacation, etc. Therefore, I got the EX-V6 without the navi.
In the end, I think the navi is awesome--voice controls, ect. However, I believe it is truly useful for a select group of individuals where it may justify the cost...unless you like to hear yourself talk to your car!
Hope this helps.
I had gone to Santa Monica Honda and Airport Marina Honda to see if they would be willing to do better. At SM Honda they pulled such underhanded moves I would never, never go back there. Untrustable as far as I'm concerned. Airport Honda wasn't much better. It was funny but I also was using the Costco car buying plan and the Consumer Guide car buying program and neither one could offer any dealers in the area offering discounts.
When driving into Miller Honda I was greeted by several sales people who looked dismayed when i told them I was going to the internet division.
The carsdirect provided a no haggle price and a set amount (usually $50) over their listed invoice price.