2013 and earlier Honda Odyssey Prices Paid and Buying Experience

03oddity · May 2004

We bought an 03 Ody EX-L DVD RES in Los Angeles 12/02 at the height of the mania for $29,860 plus $2467 sales tax. Had to--twins, you understand! Got 3.5% financing from AHFC. We hardly drive it; just 7500 miles on the clock. Monthly payment is $543 and payoff now is $21,950.

Recently some SOB "customized" the left side doors while it was parked in front of the house. Scraped and dented it to the tune of $2500. It's in the shop now. We have to pay the $500 deductible because it was a hit and run, insurance covers the rest. %$#%@!

Just for fun I called our dealer, who will lease a 2004 EX-L (no DVD) for a cap cost of $25,000 even, or $1100 below invoice. With $1200 driveoffs, the payment is $300/mo including tax for 24 months on a 12K lease.

Now--the current van to me is damaged goods, but functional as ever. We have $12K in it already and would have another $23K in payments to go. Warranty expires in a year and a half. Terry on the Real World Trade-in Values board thinks it should trade for $21-23 even after the recent asteroid strike. If $23 works, we could be in business. Private retail is not an option--I'm too busy.

The logic of trading in on an 04 goes like this: payment drops by $240 a month, we lose the DVD but so what, if we really like it we can buy it in 2 years for $19700 with a year left on the warranty, if not, adios.

The fallacy is that the total cost to own the 03 will be around $35K; assuming we can get away clean on a trade and start over, the total of our current $12K "investment" (ha!) plus 2 years of cheap lease payments plus the residual plus sales tax is around $41K. And the little ones like the DVD on those occasional road trips.

My question: keep the 03, or trade in for the 04?? (All by itself, the 04 would make all the sense in the world!!) Opinions, please!

vinnyny · May 2004

If you're happy with the 03 and can live with the thought of it being "damaged goods", then keep it. Financial reasons aside, you might want to wait to see how you like the 05 once it comes out.

vinnyny · May 2004

I bought my EX RES from Showcase Honda in PHX for $1,000 under invoice ($24,449). I paid $300 for stripes, tint, tire pressure monitors, and the standard "mop & glo" treatment (they wanted $995). They threw in mud guards too.

The trade-in was a 2003 Mazda Tribute with 26k miles and a dent in the tail for $16.4. Edmunds lists it at about 15.4 trade-in and 16.7 private party.

The salesmen were great--helpful and courteous. The overall experience was excellent with none of the BS back and forth with so-called "managers". I had to tell the finance guy to get off the extended warranty pitch three times before he gave up, but he was great otherwise. I'd definitely recommend these guys to a friend...

rbell2 · May 2004

You should be able to negotiate between $500 and $1,000 below invoice on an EX-L RES. I would not pay a penny more at this time. I recently checked on an extended warranty for my '03 Ody and the pricing/negotiating seems to be about the same as at the time of purchase.

Curious . . . what did you get for your '96 T&C? I traded my '96 DGC-LE with 114,000 miles in it this past September for our Ody. I tried to sell it for about 6 weeks and had zero luck. I took $2,700 for it on the trade. Originally paid $25,200 for it in 9/96. OUCH!! Being previously a Toyota owner only, this was major depreciation shock for me.

We have 12,000 miles on our '03 Ody EX-L and really like it. You might pick up the latest Car & Driver magazine for the minivan comparison test if you are still trying to decide between a Sienna and Ody. The old Ody edged out the new Sienna!!

Good luck with your purchase.

gismap · May 2004

In regard to the T&C, I put an ad in the local paper for 3 weekends. I got one call on Easter Sunday, but the person did not come by. The price at that time was $5500. Three weeks after the first ad, I put another one in and listed it at 5100. After no calls the first week, I dropped it to 4550. I also posted it on Autotrader.com. I began to get some calls and finally, last week, two people came to see it. I sold it for 4200 in the end. It was a very clean van, in good shape having had a transmission and brake system overhaul. Interestingly, in about 4 weeks now, I did not have one call from the Autotrader site.

I have asked for prices from about 10 dealers, including the Sam's Club representative. The requests were sent this morning. So far, the best offer is the invoice price, including the destination charge, which comes to about 500 below invoice.

cpu · May 2004

I found out a dealer has 9 2003 Odyssey's. Amazing to me. What would be an acceptable price, anybody have an idea? When 2005s come out they would be 2 years old, but new!
Thank you very much!

mcbski · May 2004

Well, keep in mind the immediate depreciation on 04 models, let alone 03s. When the 05 Ody hits the market, those 03s will be even harder to get rid of and I suppose they still count against the dealer's allocation of 05s. If a good deal on an 04 is $500-$1K under invoice, maybe shoot for $2K under invoice on the 03? All IMHO, of course...

robr2 · May 2004

I don't think I'd trust a dealer with 9 leftover 03 Odys. IIRC, they were still selling at MSRP in certain areas last year.

"Yep - we found 'em out back. Can't believe we lost 'em either!!"

lj225 · May 2004

Hey great deal you got there. Who is the person I should call? Can you give me the info? I live in SI, NY and was thinking about going a little out of my way for one BUT this is a BETTER deal and closer :-). If I can get the same deal, I just may bite the bullet. I do have an 00 Altima to trade, and prob would try Cap one for the loan. I hope you see this prior to this weekend as it would be a good time to take a ride over. Thanks in Advance.

ericwi · May 2004

May 31 is the deadline for the $ 500.00 dealer incentive on the 04 ody. Does anyone know what will be for June ?

jmess · May 2004

I would say it can only get better. Most large dealers have 30-40 Odys in stock. The incentives and lease deals have helped move some vans but the supply still exceeds the demand.

mcbski · May 2004

Local dealer offered $26,880 on EX, cloth. Way high-ball opening but no surprise--I requested a quote thru Edmunds and instead he left me a voicemail that he had problems with the e-mail. That was a few days ago and now he seems to have overcome the problem since I received the above quote in an e-mail. Hmmm...doesn't leave me with a good feeling. Their posted Internet price is $26,261, quite a difference from his quote.

Maybe I'll meet 'n greet, even if it smells funny...

rbell2 · May 2004

FYI - For your reference, a large (2-lot) Honda dealer in the Memphis area has an ad that says all '04 Ody EX-RES's in stock are $25,999 with low financing available. Usually, one can do better than the advertised price also.

isellhondas · May 2004

Even when an advertised price is a total giveaway or a loss, people still want to "do better".

If that's for real...no strings attached, not a "one only" demo or something, you better move FAST!

rbell2 · May 2004

Yeah . . . you are right. Kind of like when a dealer has a hot car that is in high demand, charging people MSRP and a fat doc fee aren't enough, dealers still want "to do better" and add a mark-up onto the MSRP.

Two-sided coin my friend.

mcbski · May 2004

Hmm, great price in Memphis; I'm from Chattanooga originally so I miss the availibility of selection but not the 9% sales tax. I do agree with isellhondas, as it's a killer price--$26K is well under the CR wholesale price, let alone invoice.

A quick scan of the Sunday adverts show EXs at ~$25,500 from another local volume dealer. That's more than $1300 off the high-ball price the internet sales rep offered at the other place. Still $25,500 is well above invoice so I'm optimistic on getting lower.

Does it seem to anyone that there are deeper discounts on the EX Ls w/RES or NAVI as opposed to EX w/cloth only?

fabyan · May 2004

I am bouncing between the Pilot and the Odyssey and have gotten the following pricing today:

04 Pilot Ex-L with Nav. $500 over invoice at $30,560 + Tax(3%), Tag($55) and Doc($299)

04 Odyssey Ex-L with Nav. at $800 under invoice at
$27,119 + TT&D.

Both seem like good offers, but I can't decide if I can handle driving Odyssey. It is a $3,400 question.

Is resale on both comparable?

isellhondas · May 2004

I don't know what you call a "fat" doc fee. We charge 35.00.

The market will always determine pricing. If a car is hot, in short supply and high demand, it will command a premimum price just like houses do.

mkerie · May 2004

Erie, PA - Bianchi Honda: Odyssey EX-L Havasu Blue purchased today for $26,295.62 including destination charge. By my count, that's about $175 over invoice plus destination charge.

NOT a great deal, but using information from this site, I walked in with a detailed offer. They countered, splitting the difference between my offer and their ad published yesterday.

mcbski · May 2004

Which vehicle do you really want, which one do you feel best fits you? Unless there's someone else impacting your decision (spouse, etc.) then you should buy the one that most closely matches your needs and wants. I've seen a phrase posted here before, to the effect that a great deal on a car you don't want will leave you regretful. Look at the difference: Pilot OTD at 31,830 vs. Ody OTD at 28,966 = $2,864. How much is that in your life, your salary, etc.?

I'll be buying an Ody because my spouse wants it and will be the primary driver. I don't care for minivans at all but having realized it's not my car, I can live with it. After that, I see a pickup or small SUV lurking in the future as my reward for being a good boy.

mcbski · May 2004

Well, TMV from Edmunds is $26,329 for your area...looks like a good deal to me. Best question is: are you happy with the vehicle? Enjoy.

mjoppru · May 2004

Thanks for all of the info. I just leased an 04 Ody EX RES with the deal from Honda credit. $1500 total down w/ $259 mo for 24mo w/ 24K miles. I am tickled.

rbell2 · May 2004

Yep . . . and if it is a vehicle that is in the last model year with a re-design a few months away and a worthy competitor currently available, the price drops and the negotiating power goes to the consumer. In that case, a consumer should never pay the advertised price of any "great deal" unless they are just charitable by nature. Just like you said . . . supply and demand.

A $35 doc fee is fine . . . . just never heard of one in Memphis, TN.

ghaley · May 2004

Purchased a 2004 EXL-RES for $26,970 ($500 below invoice) at Russell Honda, N. Little Rock, AR. Financed entire $26,970 sales price + 6% sales tax for 60 mo @ 2.9%. I put $0 down into deal. I think this was a good deal and interest rate. This forum helped alot. Thanks.

scpanj · June 2004

Purchased 2004 EX-RES for $24,800 at Eatontown NJ...Thanks for the help from this forum.

nwng · June 2004

$259/mo, $999 down, 24 mo, 24k miles, ex with res

bird · June 2004

Just wanted to add my experience in the hope it is helpful to others... On May 28th, in Germantown MD, I purchased a 2004 EX (cloth seats) for $23,975 plus tax and tags, that is $800 below an invoice price that includes destination charges. I arrived at the dealership to find that "wheel locks and pinstripes" had been added. I refused to pay for these and got the EX at the price above, which was $125. below the original price they quoted me. The negotiating was easy. Guess the dealers are ready to get the 04s out the door. Thanks to all for the postings which helped me figure out the market price.

pg48477 · June 2004

Just purchased EX-L for $25,000.00 + Tax in NYC. How did I do?

dcv_2002 · June 2004

Where did you get that EXL in NYC. I'm looking out on LI and have only gotten $26.6k for an EX-L

eptisam · June 2004

For 25000$, but really I am doing the lease deal. It's not a bad deal for a 24 month lease, my lease price is something like 237$/24 months + (2500-237) down, including tax in NY state.

This is roughly 500$ under invoice. I don't even think i am getting such a good deal.

People leasing might consider the deal on the EX-RES because they are doing some funny math with a 750$ rebate.

Eptisam

pg48477 · June 2004

In Brooklyn, Plaza Auto Mall, 25,000+tax+ motorvehicle fees $125, picking up tomorrow.

03oddity · June 2004

Leased a 2004 Ody EX-L, silver/gray, in L.A. area on Memorial Day. Cap cost $25200 + $595 acquisition fee, applied $390 trade equity, for adjusted cap cost of $25405. Residual $19706, money factor .00123, no security deposit. Driveoffs of $623 paid from trade equity so no cash out of pocket. Monthly payment $292 + tax for 24 months, 12,000 miles/year.

Pretty good lease. Cap cost was almost $1000 under invoice. Traded in a 2003 Ody EX-L RES that had been hit by an errant driver in front of our house. Professsionally repaired but they are NEVER the same. Trade value $23K, helped by loooow miles, but could have sold privately for $25K if I wanted to hassle with it. Payment dropped from $543/mo to $317/mo including tax.

Since we barely drive it, it made sense to dump the injured one and lease the new one as cheap as possible so we have a kid-hauler when we need it. Dealer was Honda World Downey. Good to deal with if you go thru the internet manager, otherwise hold onto your wallet!

steve_w_sun · June 2004

Hi Fhata,

I am looking to buy a 2004 Ody EX-l NAV now and living in the SF
bay area. Would you please let me know which dealer you bought your
Ody from in Northern Calofornia?

I searched around and found out the price you got was really a nice
deal.

Thanks.

-steve

thuant · June 2004

We are shopping for a 7/100/0 hondacare warranty. Does anyone know what the invoice on that is? We got a quote for $1125 from a dealer in CA. It seems high compared to the $900-$1k some folks on this forum got. I was told honda had increase the price since May 1 hence the higher quote. It's probably has something to do with the transmission problem and they think there will be more people shopping for the warranty now

???

indian3 · June 2004

I saw on another forum that the supposed dealer price was $1060. Hope this helps.

oh43054 · June 2004

I just bought a 7 year/100k/0 deductible HONDACARE extended
warranty for my 2004 EX L RES(has 400 miles) for $1060 from
Pohanka Honda in Salisbury, MD. I did it over the phone. Very professional, prompt and courteous service. I dealt with their finance managers. Called Hondacare and verified
the terms and coverage. No surprises. I highly recommend Pohanka
Honda as they are selling Hondacare almost at cost.

wholigan · June 2004

Not sure what it is NOW....

The best deal posted in these boards had always been through Alton Blakely Honda in Kentucky. Their price, no matter which plan you chose, was always invoice + $50. In 2003, for the 7/100000/$0 was $910 ($860 [Invoice] + $50). You can easily find their phone with a Google search.

REMEMBER - you do NOT have to buy the warranty right away. You can purchase it at any time up to one year or 12000 miles.

Good Luck!

kmh1 · June 2004

Purchased a new 2004 Silver Odyssey EX-RES on May 28th for $24,411 including destination from Orland Park Honda in IL. Taxes, license transfer, and $53.52 doc fee extra. They had 2.9% financing for up to 60 months.

fhata · June 2004

Steve:

Bought it from a high volume dealer via internet. Out of four replies his was the best. Sometimes good deals come straight out. Part of the fun is in looking for that good price. You'll know when to pull the trigger. Good luck.

steve_w_sun · June 2004

Hi fhata, thanks for the reply. Searching for a good deal is fun to
some extent. I did go through cardirects.com and got three price
quotes from local dealers. They are not even close to the price you
got. The cheapest one is $27,495. So just wonder if you could let
me know which dealer you got your Ody from, or maybe which website
you used to get the price. that would save me a lot of time and
effort. Thanks. -steve

fezzik · June 2004

Was just quoted 22,900 for an Ody LX from a dealer in the Minneapolis area. Is this a reasonable amount to pay for one?

mcbski · June 2004

Well...the CR invoice is 22,528 and the wholesale price is 21,793. Maybe try to get it down a bit under invoice as lots of posters seem to be getting it for under it.

wjcummings · June 2004

I live on the NW side of the Twin Cities and bought an EX-L from Buerkle Honds for $26,200 ($78 over invoice) with the cargo mat and cargo tray thrown in.

Fezzik -

I agree with mcbski and would also recommend shooting for closer to invoice (around $22,500). I am not certain that you will do a lot better than that though (though you may of course). First, it seems that we are paying a bit more in Minneapolis than elsewhere in the country. For example, if you go to Carsdirect.com and compare prices for MPLS vs Chicago there is a HUGE difference - the carsdirect price for your LX is $23,277 in MPLS and $21,977 in Chicago. I have been shopping for an EX-L here in MPLS for a couple of weeks and found inventories to be very low - I imagine that is part of why we are paying a premium here in MN.

Good Luck!! - Bill

bridonohue · June 2004

Just got a black 04 EXL w/ RES for $26,240 in DC. Board helped tremendously. Any recommendations for a reliable dealer for service in the dc area, or is there a good site to research the local honda dealer service centers. thanks.

mcbski · June 2004

Just curious on how most have approached this--have you made the first offer or countered theirs and if so, did you start off with your rock bottom price and work up? Thanks.

peter78 · June 2004

Last week my parents just bought a Sandstone LX for $21,543 in Marietta, GA. They were also charged $398 for dealer prep or what I call extra profit. No trade in and they didn't finance with them, of course GA is a little different than MN.

One dealer that gave a lower price went up when we got in, if your near Woodstock, GA don't go near their dealership.

vinnyny · June 2004

I e-mailed every dealer within 150 miles and asked for their best price. I told them I was ready, willing, and able to buy now. When I had it narrowed down to two distant dealers and one local, I called all three to talk about my trade. That brought it down to 1 local and 1 distant dealer. I visited the local dealer and gave him one last shot to match--he wouldn't. So, I drove 110 miles and made the deal. I ended up getting $500 less for my trade than the "ballpark estimate" but that was still more than the local guy. In total, I saved about $500 by driving and lucked into the 2.9% because I couldn't make the trip until the weekend.

Good luck!

temp1643 · June 2004

FYI - Price paid for Odyssey EX Seattle (actually in bellevue, washington)

04 Odyssey EX (cloth) including these options:
- wheel locks
- mud flaps
- fenderwell trim
- door edge guards

$25,105 + Tax, Lic, doc fee

Negotiating took 2 days and wasn't much fun, but Honda of Bellevue and Honda of Renton were the easiest to work with and give me the best quotes. These guys didn't BS while Honda of Kirkland was absolutely terrible to deal with.

pmking · June 2004

I'm looking for the same vehicle as you EXL w/RES. Looks like you got a great price, which dealership did you use? We live in Northern Virginia, but would be willing to travel if the price is right. Did you also finance through Honda, if so what type of rate did they give you? Thanks for your help.

bridonohue · June 2004

we bought at ourisman honda in bethesda. also had similar offers from hernson honda in rockville and sport honda in silver spring. the va dealers prices were all inflated with junk fees. had to order it for the color. we solicited bids from all the local dealers online first before making our choice. we were very pleased with their internet salesperson. we paid cash, so i don't know what their financing is like.

2013 and earlier Honda Odyssey Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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