I have been in the market for a 2004 Honda Odyssey. We are looking at a new EX with leather and rear entertainment system. My quotes have been near invoice; however, in my near final negotiations, my best quote is $27,238.00. This includes some accessories (ex. pin stripes, cargo tray, splash guards, etc.) Also, I have been quoted $995.00 for a 72 month/100k Honda Care bumper-to-bumper warranty.
I am still trying to determine if I want the Honda Care extended warranty. As I stated, the estimated cost is $995 for a 72month/100k. One deal that I have ($100 below invoice) includes a dealer sponsored 6yr/75k powertrain warranty. This is not a Honda Care warranty.
I was told that a transmission rebuild could cost as much as $6000. If a rebuild is required, the Honda Care would be a good investment. Are most folks electing to pay the extra 1K or so to get the Honda Care extended warranty?
Hi. I am new to this site and have spent the last four hours reading old posts. What a GREAT site and community.
Has anybody ever successfully used (and been happy post-purchase) CarsDirect.com to purchase their Odyssey?
I am interested in a EX-L RES. The CarsDirect.com price for area code 30305 (Atlanta) is $26,870. This includes the EX-L RES features/functions and the $490 destination charge.
I'm inclined to just jump on this, and not spend many hours touring local dealer lots and sales offices. Has anybody managed to get a dealer to "beat" the CarsDirect.com price?
At $600 under invoice, your quote from Carsdirect seems very fair. Keep in mind that the current Ody is a soon-to-be extinct model, so deals may get (slightly) better, but color/model choices will diminish. The Carsdirect price for my zipcode (western PA) is an incredible $1,100 more. I'd jump on the $26,870, unless you're the type that enjoys spending a week of your time to chisel off a little more.
I will say this much - get some kind of extended warranty. We got one for our 96 Accord for up to 100K milles. Even though Hondas are reliable, it still had enough repairs that the warranty paid for itself well over. Plus, things that were covered were in some cases minor enough that I probably would have tried to live with them if they hadn't been.
I didn't get an extended warranty on my 97 Chevy pickup and certainly wish I had. It's at 93000 miles and I've probably spent better than $3000 in repairs and that's after saving a few bucks by replacing bad alternators and A/C compressors myself.
Being quoted the carsdirect price by dealer for EX-RES. For now, it's the lowest price yet at $500 over invoice. Edmunds doesn't seem to carry anything on the EX-RES yet. Plenty of pricing games by dealers on this model. One pinhead said $500 under MSRP to start! I had to laugh and hang up.
Another dealer quoted off a lower invoice but asked for $800 over to get it to carsdirect price.
Anyway, I here your weekly bleeding scenario. For the most part, I am going through that but the important thing is that I have a set price and WON't go over that limit.
I'd pay the $500 over but it must then come with extras like a bump to at least a 5yr/60K honda care/$0 ded or no deal.
One thing is for sure, the service level to customers by these Honda salespeople really sucks. I'd honestly do a deal at a 1-200 more than my limit if the sales person was at least "friendly". Haven't had that yet.
There are other options. Fold down seats and power slide doors aren't necessities. Loaded KIA Sedona w/leather w/DVD can be had for $22,579 or less.
Don't go with an off-brand. Unless you plan to drive it into the ground, the Kia's value will drop like a stone at re-sale/trade-in time. Remember, the stingy man pays the most.
If your budget requires, choose the EX w/cloth instead. Either way, at current 'street' prices (including incentives), the Ody is currently the best minivan value considering features and resale value per dollar spent. As I have said before, it's a great vehicle, but is now way behind the minivan curve as far as safety and convenience features. So don't pay more than invoice.
Smug Honda dealers are the reason I've never actually bought a new Honda. I shopped the Odyssey hard in '02, but was turned off by their we-don't-even-have-one-to-drive-and-you-must-pay-MSRP sermons. Makes me want to drive around to all the local Honda dealers in my '04 XLE AWD Sienna and see how many Odysseys are piling up on their lots now. Turnabout is fair play.
Now is the time, before the '05 comes out, and Honda salespeople get their attitudes back.
Have you priced a lower-end Sienna LE or CE? There seem to be plenty of these around.
Ok, I am reading about 04 Ody's and that we are awaiting new O5's with new design. I could swear I saw 05's at Odonnell Honda in Ellicott City MD....What's going on here?
When your selling a $25k product and its associated with a massive recall such as this, you have to wonder what the conusmer is thinking.
You can show me all kinds of lists and data that show the vin#/car sitting on your lot isn't part of the recall but the damage has been done. Honda reliability no matter how blown out of proporation on a website is now in question. Whether or not Honda stepped up to fix, it's still you with a $25K piece of junk and your time and effort to get repaired.
Better to do it now and get it over with than wait until the new and improved 2005 model hits the showrooms. I think fresh excitement will make people forget a recall.
You have to wonder if/how the recall will affect Pilot or MDX sales.
If anyone in Western Massachusetts is interested in a new 04 ody and want to get a good rate on the extended warranty, visit the site below: http://www.curryhondacare.com Just put your mileage, your first name and email address. They quoted me $1135 for 7yr/100k/0 deduc. In five minutes I got an email from them with a promotional code to get additional $90 off if I get it before April 30. Few dealers had quoted me 1360 for the same coverage. Also this extended warranty is from Honda Care and not from the dealer or any third party company.
FYI - Extended Honda Care warranty is just $1000 in upper midwest. I have seem as cheap as $750 to $800 on earlier posts in South Carolina. Maybe the labor rates are that different that they will vary that much region to region. Anything over $1000 seems overpriced IMHO.
All of sudden Honda's site reflects a current lease offer for an Ex-RES, 24 months, $259/mo, $999 down. Total due at signing $1,533.
One part of the offer lists the vehicle as RL1884PKW which is the EX-RES and another part lists it as RL1854PKW(plain old LX). Also, they list the MSRP as $28,980. Now that's $750 more than the MSRP sticker of $28,230 you see on the lots. I know that's the result of not getting the value discount of $750 showing on the $28230 sticker.
With 28980 MSRP and Net Cap Cost of 26278 you get 2702 spread. 2702 less 999 = 1,703 discount on MSRP. Can't say if that's good but $259 is to me.
I've been considering a lease so as not to dump money into the "new" tranny problem and then make a purchase in 2-3 years. Maybe the Sienna will have worked out its kinks or KIA gets a fold down 3rd row and I get a 100K warranty included.
$259 a month is great. Anyone know why it's a 2yr lease and can it be extended to 3yr? This offer isn't showing at dealers around here. Does that screw me over?
Local guys show a $279/month on just the EX/cloth but it's 3 years.
Has anyone ever bought extra miles up front from Honda? What price can I expect?
Tons of questions but I am ready to go. Maybe I will change my username to leaseleaeslease.
In NJ, a dealer is quoting me a price on a 2004 Odyssey EX for $23,874 + $99 doc fee + title / taxes. $23,874 includes destination fees, making the price 900 below invoice. The car is brand new, in perfect shape, ready to leave the lot.
Are other potential buyers running into similar prices elsewhere? This seems to me like a VERY reasonable price, and I am very ready to pull the trigger on it.
The whacky thing is, this is the dealer's original quote to me; I haven't even tried to negotiate a dollar off of the deal.
For those interested, my quote for EX-RES was $24,548 + $99 doc fee + title/taxes.
$23874 - that is an unreal price ($900 under invoice). I would have been real happy with that. I paid circa 23k for an LX two months ago which was a ways over invoice. Short of the gal who posted in California about two months ago - this is the lowest I have seen here. Must be that $500 marketing incentive cash kicking in.
For what it is worth, the local Honda dealers ad that ran today (in Wisconsin) is for RL1854PKW (Odyssey LX not an EX) for 36 months/36,000 mile at $259/mon with $0 down ($275 security deposit for a total of $534 at signing).
I have decided to go with the smart value purchase of an Odyssey over the Sienna. I like the Sienna a lot but can't justify the extra cost, especially with all the deals on Odysseys right now. I was able to get a dealer to agree to sell at invoice price of 30,346 for a Sienna XLE AWD with GK and CF package (does not include standard non negotiable TDA & Destination fees).
Autofair of Manchester, NH is advertising several EX-L's w/ Leather at a price of $25,772, I am almost sure it includes the destination charge of $490. Seems like the lowest price in the New England area. What do you guys think? Check out their website www.autofair.com
$30,346 for a Sienna XLE AWD with GK & CF? Wow. How can the dealer sell it to you for $1,500 UNDER invoice? Carsdirect invoice for that van in the Pittsburgh area (no Toyoguard or Gulf States crap)is $31,805. MSRP is $35,291, and you were quoted nearly $5,000 off? This is by far the best deal I've read on this board. How is this possible?
Also, the Ody seems to be a 'value' only in the fact that is costs fewer dollars. Sienna XLE AWD vs. Ody EX-L is apples to oranges. The $5K you're 'saving' reflects the features you're not getting (AWD, 17" wheels, side-curtain airbags, power rear door, etc. etc.).
Whether or not it's important to you specifically, the features are there, and they have value. I can't think Joeblow was shopping the Sienna AWD unless he was at least interested in some of these features.
To compare apples to apples, he should look at Odyssey EX-L vs. Sienna LE with leather, rather than a Sienna model with thousands of dollars of features the Ody doesn't even offer.
A Sienna LE does not even have 2 power doors, a power drivers seat, auto-climate control, std. traction control, std. 4-wheel disc, std. side airbags, etc., etc.
Really hard to compare Sienna's with Ody's as far as keeping all options similar.
Well, a base XLE, then. And does an Ody have 3-row side curtain airbags at any price?
And you're right, it is difficult to compare. I heard Toyota is supposed to be simplifying option packages for '05.
$25,800 for an EX-L certainly is a deal if you compare it to what people were paying a year or two ago. But I believe you must factor into the equation that there is a new model on the horizon, and the current model is six-year-old technology.
The free marketplace has a wonderfully effective way of making sure you get what you pay for. Within two months, NADA values will demonstrate that any brand new '04 Odysseys left on dealer lots are basically used cars with no miles on them.
I rarely trust in advertisements in local newspapers, but I found a great deal.
Ody EX at $22,575 plus 249 doc fee and other fees like tax. I guess there must have been huge incentive to dealers. They're saying they have to sell one hundred during this weekend.
Probably a catch some where. $2K below invoice sounds a little too good to be true for an EX. Sound more like a typo in the paper and the price is really for an LX.
DCH Academy Honda in Old Bridge, NJ hooked me up with a 2004 Odyssey EX-RES for $24,548 including destination charge. This was the original quote I received from them through Autoweb. All in all, I'm quite happy with the deal.
I have the option to yet purchase the Honda Care 7 year/100k warranty for $995, but I haven't decided if I want to do that yet.
Kudos to the Internet sales team for their great customer service and handling of the purchase!
I agree with most of what you said except for putting too much stock in the "6-year old technology" comment. Funny, but the new Sienna was actually Toyo's "catch-up" for Honda's "old technology" Ody. Sure, Toyo passed Honda with the split 3rd row, the AVAILABLE (though not actually equipped on many) side curtain air bags, and quiet ride - but that is it. All the other items you can get on the new Sienna are simply amenities that most people can do without and/or do not want to pay for.
Look at what the "old technology" '04 Ody has that Toyo had to catch up with: a 5-sdp. auto, 3rd row fold flat bench, 5-star crash from all angles, 240-hp V-6, available DVD/navi, truly "full-size" minivan (unlike the old Sienna), etc. This is hardly "old technology." It may not be the latest technology - but hardly old or outdated.
That is why I think a heavily discounted '04 Ody is a great deal for someone planning on keeping a minivan for at least 4-5 years. Just MO.
Don't forget this little tidbit as well: the more vehicles they sell now directly affects their allocation of 2005's. Sell more at invoice/true cost, get more 05's to sell at MSRP for a while.
The actual invoice price I was quoted (post # 5224) for the XLE AWD Toyota with GK and CF package is $31,005. I forgot to include TDA and the cost of the CF pacakge.... still a very good deal but not enough of cost savings for me to justify buying it over the Odyssey, which I plan on picking up this weekend. :-)
The dealer needs to "get rid of inventory to have a higher allocatation for the 2005 Siennas."
Of course, the Odyssey and Sienna have been leap-frogging each other. But the '04 Sienna was more than catch-up. I think we can all agree that the bar has been raised. To be fair, Honda had two years to leap frog the 'old technology' 1997-2003 Sienna with its '99 Odyssey. However, that same 'old technology' Sienna leap-frogged that truly horrible first generation Odyssey (the one with four conventional doors and abysmal crash test rating).
And it's just my personal taste, but I think the interior of the current Odyssey (even with leather) looks six-years old, and about as luxurious as a Civic's. I enjoy the Lexus-like interior and power rear door of my Sienna, but I realize that many Honda fans look at such things as frivolous.
I haven't posted on this board before but have been reading and would appreciate your feedback. I'm still deciding between the Sienna and Ody and have received 2 quotes on an EX-L RES - one for $400 and the other for $500 > invoice (incl destination) in Indiana. These were the first quotes from the internet sales guys (over the phone). What do you think - more room to move?
After stalking the '04 Ody in these posts for months, I finally pulled the trigger and bagged my first new car ever; today! I owe it all to these fabulous posts and the 'Tips & Advice' section of edmunds. I new nothing about buying a car and yet today I got a great price and did it! Thank you to all who posted before me. I learned so much. I too went to DCH Academy Honda in Old Bridge, NJ and got hooked up with a 2004 Odyssey EX-RES for $24,548 including destination charge. There was also a $99.70 Doc. fee and a $125 DMV fee. With 8.625% (NY) tax. I had my own financing in order already (from Capital One) and did not have a trade in. My OTD price was $26,889.97! Did all my pricing through the internet and when I read that previous post (#5233) I called, they listened,I bought. This is such a buzz! What a great resource this forum is! Can't wait to do it all again...oh wait...it's an Ody...guess I'll have to wait, like maybe....10 years!!!!
PS the internet salesman at Academy Honda was really cool and treated me very well. Though I did have to wait around quite a bit for paper work and stuff which brought to mind the terrific under cover piece written for Edmunds.com by Chandler Phillips in his "Confessions of a Car Salesman." This waiting game seems to be a part of the sales game. 'Confesions...' is must reading for anyone about to buy a new car for the first time, or anyone else for that matter.
The first two comparisons above do represent leapfrogs. The third one is more of a catch-up by Toyo - certainly not a leapfrog. Try to examine this with an un-biased viewpoint.
Rbell2, if you consider the '04 Sienna's availability of 3-row side airbags, AWD, Vehicle Skid Control, power rear door, second-row windows that operate, and a 60/40 split rear seat that DOESN'T require the removal of the headrests to stow away as merely Toyot's 'catching-up,' then we'll just agree to disagree. The Odyssey offers none of these.
Sure - let's disagree. The old Ody still holds it's ground well against the new Sienna. Remmeber when Toyo was having to discount the old Sienna while Ody's were selling for MSRP+? The new Sienna was not out 6 months before the price started dropping (several 1000 dollars). And what model were buyers using as the main competition to get Toyo dealers more honest with their pricing?? The "old" Ody. It is not going to get any easier for Toyo when the '05 Ody comes out.
Persoanlly, I think both the '05 Ody and '05 Sienna will be bought for $1,000's below MSRP because one will not have large advantages over the other one (unlike the old Sienna and current Ody).
I live in Raleigh, NC. I got a quote from Autopark Honda on EX: $500 below invoice. I have not been able to find a better deal yet. Where did you see the $2000 below invoice deal? Thanks.
So despite all the Sienna features I mentioned that are not available on the Ody AT ANY PRICE, you still consider Toyota merely catching up? Is that some kind of logic only Honda owners understand?
Seriously, though, I think you're correct in your prediction that both models will see quick discounting in '05-- especially since Toyota will sell about twice the number of Siennas as they did of the previous model. Those sales are being stolen from somewhere--maybe even the occasional die-hard Honda loyalist!
Congrats on your purchase, glad to hear that you got in on the deal at DCH, too!
Like you, this was my first time buying a new car; in fact, it was my first time buying a car at ANY dealer. The price was great, and the Internet sales staff at DCH treated me very well.
[As an aside, I bought mine on Monday night, after which there was only a beige and silver left on the lot - one of which is yours!]
Like you, the process seemed to take a long time, all of the paperwork, the sitting around... it wasn't price negotiating, just slowness.
The finance manager came down from $1900 --> $1300 --> $995 on the Honda Care extended warranty 7year/100k 0 ded, but I didn't know if I should get it. From what I understand, I can still call him back to get it in the next 2 weeks, I really want to learn about what it covers.
If you are willing to drive a little, I have found the internet sales departments in Lima and Toledo, Ohio to offer very good deals. I don't know about the Odyssey, but I was able to get a V6 Accord close to invoice when it first came out. The Indy dealers wouldn't deal at all. Being a GM/Chrysler town, the dealer in Kokomo came close to the Lima deal. Good luck.
as a '02 oddy owner, I am totally envious of my neighbor who purchased a fully loaded Toyota AWD minivan. Both Honda and Toyota are known for quality and I'll give it a push, but the Toyota has many more cool features and offers a quieter ride where you can hear the radio without having to blast it.
I think Honda could of incorporated many more features two years ago, but the Japanese are very conservative in doling out new features so that they can make the same model look fresher each year.
Comments
I have been in the market for a 2004 Honda Odyssey. We are looking at a new EX with leather and rear entertainment system. My quotes have been near invoice; however, in my near final negotiations, my best quote is $27,238.00. This includes some accessories (ex. pin stripes, cargo tray, splash guards, etc.) Also, I have been quoted $995.00 for a 72 month/100k Honda Care bumper-to-bumper warranty.
I would consider a new 2004 instead.
I'll keep your information around for the final.
Shelly
I am still trying to determine if I want the Honda Care extended warranty. As I stated, the estimated cost is $995 for a 72month/100k. One deal that I have ($100 below invoice) includes a dealer sponsored 6yr/75k powertrain warranty. This is not a Honda Care warranty.
I was told that a transmission rebuild could cost as much as $6000. If a rebuild is required, the Honda Care would be a good investment. Are most folks electing to pay the extra 1K or so to get the Honda Care extended warranty?
Has anybody ever successfully used (and been happy post-purchase) CarsDirect.com to purchase their Odyssey?
I am interested in a EX-L RES. The CarsDirect.com price for area code 30305 (Atlanta) is $26,870. This includes the EX-L RES features/functions and the $490 destination charge.
I'm inclined to just jump on this, and not spend many hours touring local dealer lots and sales offices. Has anybody managed to get a dealer to "beat" the CarsDirect.com price?
Thank you in advance
And welcome to Town Hall!
Steve, Host
I didn't get an extended warranty on my 97 Chevy pickup and certainly wish I had. It's at 93000 miles and I've probably spent better than $3000 in repairs and that's after saving a few bucks by replacing bad alternators and A/C compressors myself.
Another dealer quoted off a lower invoice but asked for $800 over to get it to carsdirect price.
Anyway, I here your weekly bleeding scenario. For the most part, I am going through that but the important thing is that I have a set price and WON't go over that limit.
I'd pay the $500 over but it must then come with extras like a bump to at least a 5yr/60K honda care/$0 ded or no deal.
One thing is for sure, the service level to customers by these Honda salespeople really sucks. I'd honestly do a deal at a 1-200 more than my limit if the sales person was at least "friendly". Haven't had that yet.
There are other options. Fold down seats and power slide doors aren't necessities. Loaded KIA Sedona w/leather w/DVD can be had for
$22,579 or less.
T
If your budget requires, choose the EX w/cloth instead. Either way, at current 'street' prices (including incentives), the Ody is currently the best minivan value considering features and resale value per dollar spent. As I have said before, it's a great vehicle, but is now way behind the minivan curve as far as safety and convenience features. So don't pay more than invoice.
Smug Honda dealers are the reason I've never actually bought a new Honda. I shopped the Odyssey hard in '02, but was turned off by their we-don't-even-have-one-to-drive-and-you-must-pay-MSRP sermons. Makes me want to drive around to all the local Honda dealers in my '04 XLE AWD Sienna and see how many Odysseys are piling up on their lots now. Turnabout is fair play.
Now is the time, before the '05 comes out, and Honda salespeople get their attitudes back.
Have you priced a lower-end Sienna LE or CE? There seem to be plenty of these around.
not scheduled to be seen until Sept. 2004...
You can show me all kinds of lists and data that show the vin#/car sitting on your lot isn't part of the recall but the damage has been done. Honda reliability no matter how blown out of proporation on a website is now in question. Whether or not Honda stepped up to fix, it's still you with a $25K piece of junk and your time and effort to get repaired.
Odysseys for sale.....cheap.
You have to wonder if/how the recall will affect Pilot or MDX sales.
Steve, Host
If anyone in Western Massachusetts is interested in a new 04 ody and want to get a good rate on the extended warranty, visit the site below:
http://www.curryhondacare.com
Just put your mileage, your first name and email address. They quoted me $1135 for 7yr/100k/0 deduc. In five minutes I got an email from them with a promotional code to get additional $90 off if I get it before April 30. Few dealers had quoted me 1360 for the same coverage. Also this extended warranty is from Honda Care and not from the dealer or any third party company.
One part of the offer lists the vehicle as RL1884PKW which is the EX-RES and another part lists it as RL1854PKW(plain old LX). Also, they list the MSRP as $28,980. Now that's $750 more than the MSRP sticker of $28,230 you see on the lots. I know that's the result of not getting the value discount of $750 showing on the $28230 sticker.
With 28980 MSRP and Net Cap Cost of 26278 you get 2702 spread. 2702 less 999 = 1,703 discount on MSRP. Can't say if that's good but $259 is to me.
I've been considering a lease so as not to dump money into the "new" tranny problem and then make a purchase in 2-3 years. Maybe the Sienna will have worked out its kinks or KIA gets a fold down 3rd row and I get a 100K warranty included.
$259 a month is great. Anyone know why it's a 2yr lease and can it be extended to 3yr? This offer isn't showing at dealers around here. Does that screw me over?
Local guys show a $279/month on just the EX/cloth but it's 3 years.
Has anyone ever bought extra miles up front from Honda? What price can I expect?
Tons of questions but I am ready to go. Maybe I will change my username to leaseleaeslease.
Thank You
T
In NJ, a dealer is quoting me a price on a 2004 Odyssey EX for $23,874 + $99 doc fee + title / taxes. $23,874 includes destination fees, making the price 900 below invoice. The car is brand new, in perfect shape, ready to leave the lot.
Are other potential buyers running into similar prices elsewhere? This seems to me like a VERY reasonable price, and I am very ready to pull the trigger on it.
The whacky thing is, this is the dealer's original quote to me; I haven't even tried to negotiate a dollar off of the deal.
For those interested, my quote for EX-RES was $24,548 + $99 doc fee + title/taxes.
- Alan
Autofair of Manchester, NH is advertising several EX-L's w/ Leather at a price of $25,772, I am almost sure it includes the destination charge of $490. Seems like the lowest price in the New England area. What do you guys think? Check out their website www.autofair.com
Also, the Ody seems to be a 'value' only in the fact that is costs fewer dollars. Sienna XLE AWD vs. Ody EX-L is apples to oranges. The $5K you're 'saving' reflects the features you're not getting (AWD, 17" wheels, side-curtain airbags, power rear door, etc. etc.).
To compare apples to apples, he should look at Odyssey EX-L vs. Sienna LE with leather, rather than a Sienna model with thousands of dollars of features the Ody doesn't even offer.
Really hard to compare Sienna's with Ody's as far as keeping all options similar.
$25,800 for a brand new 2004 Ody EX-L is a deal.
And does an Ody have 3-row side curtain airbags at any price?
And you're right, it is difficult to compare. I heard Toyota is supposed to be simplifying option packages for '05.
$25,800 for an EX-L certainly is a deal if you compare it to what people were paying a year or two ago. But I believe you must factor into the equation that there is a new model on the horizon, and the current model is six-year-old technology.
The free marketplace has a wonderfully effective way of making sure you get what you pay for. Within two months, NADA values will demonstrate that any brand new '04 Odysseys left on dealer lots are basically used cars with no miles on them.
Ody EX at $22,575 plus 249 doc fee and other fees like tax.
I guess there must have been huge incentive to dealers. They're saying they have to sell one hundred during this weekend.
I have the option to yet purchase the Honda Care 7 year/100k warranty for $995, but I haven't decided if I want to do that yet.
Kudos to the Internet sales team for their great customer service and handling of the purchase!
Steve, Host
Look at what the "old technology" '04 Ody has that Toyo had to catch up with: a 5-sdp. auto, 3rd row fold flat bench, 5-star crash from all angles, 240-hp V-6, available DVD/navi, truly "full-size" minivan (unlike the old Sienna), etc. This is hardly "old technology." It may not be the latest technology - but hardly old or outdated.
That is why I think a heavily discounted '04 Ody is a great deal for someone planning on keeping a minivan for at least 4-5 years. Just MO.
The dealer needs to "get rid of inventory to have a higher allocatation for the 2005 Siennas."
And it's just my personal taste, but I think the interior of the current Odyssey (even with leather) looks six-years old, and about as luxurious as a Civic's. I enjoy the Lexus-like interior and power rear door of my Sienna, but I realize that many Honda fans look at such things as frivolous.
PS the internet salesman at Academy Honda was really cool and treated me very well. Though I did have to wait around quite a bit for paper work and stuff which brought to mind the terrific under cover piece written for Edmunds.com by Chandler Phillips in his "Confessions of a Car Salesman." This waiting game seems to be a part of the sales game. 'Confesions...' is must reading for anyone about to buy a new car for the first time, or anyone else for that matter.
'99 Ody Vs. '99 Sienna
'04 Sienna Vs. '04 Ody
The first two comparisons above do represent leapfrogs. The third one is more of a catch-up by Toyo - certainly not a leapfrog. Try to examine this with an un-biased viewpoint.
Confessions of a Car Salesman
Steve, Host
Sounds like you're a biased Honda lover to me.
Persoanlly, I think both the '05 Ody and '05 Sienna will be bought for $1,000's below MSRP because one will not have large advantages over the other one (unlike the old Sienna and current Ody).
Seriously, though, I think you're correct in your prediction that both models will see quick discounting in '05-- especially since Toyota will sell about twice the number of Siennas as they did of the previous model. Those sales are being stolen from somewhere--maybe even the occasional die-hard Honda loyalist!
A lot of people actually liked the size of these and have no use for more room or a V-6 engine.
When we are lucky enough to get one turned in, it will quickly get snapped up by an eager buyer.
Crash tests weren't that bad either.
Congrats on your purchase, glad to hear that you got in on the deal at DCH, too!
Like you, this was my first time buying a new car; in fact, it was my first time buying a car at ANY dealer. The price was great, and the Internet sales staff at DCH treated me very well.
[As an aside, I bought mine on Monday night, after which there was only a beige and silver left on the lot - one of which is yours!]
Like you, the process seemed to take a long time, all of the paperwork, the sitting around... it wasn't price negotiating, just slowness.
The finance manager came down from $1900 --> $1300 --> $995 on the Honda Care extended warranty 7year/100k 0 ded, but I didn't know if I should get it. From what I understand, I can still call him back to get it in the next 2 weeks, I really want to learn about what it covers.
Enjoy your new Ody, my wife is enjoying hers!
Of course the 99-04 model IS highly rated. No question there.
I think Honda could of incorporated many more features two years ago, but the Japanese are very conservative in doling out new features so that they can make the same model look fresher each year.