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DC
Steve, Host
For everyone else,
Don't shop at Montclair Acura in No. Jersey. 1) They are still quoting $500 over MSRP for the MDX, but they also have bad service. 2) I bought a car there before, they gave me an "old" piece of junk honda accord as a loaner (this car was owned by a part-time rookie saleman) when I dropped off my car for service.
If you are around the NJ/PA area, I got a decent quote (for this area anyway) with Precision Acura in Trenton, NJ. He gave me $1K off MSRP for '03 MDX plus all accessories at invoice cost. But I didn't make a deal with him because I wanted more discount.
Also, if you buy from another state how does the tax work out? Do you pay the state tax from where you bought it and also state tax where you live?
Thanks
Wow! They will actually drive the MDX down to DC area? Any extra charge for this service? If this is true, I will have to look into this. Thanks.
Send me an e-mail with your phone number, and I can tellyou everything.
Don't get me wrong, I love my MDX, I even think that it represents a pretty good value at MSRP, but to just walk into a dealer, hand over you check for MSRP and think that is "what they cost" is ludicrous.
Sure, dealers have to make a profit, I fully support 'em making a fair amount on the MDX. But at the giant mark-up that is built into the MSRP I am not willing to help subsidize they flop of the RL and the eons long lack of update to the NSX -- that is what the dealers should tell the factory: "Give us a COMPETITIVE top-of-line flagship sedan & sports car so we can make more money" -- not taking a huge bite out of everyone wanting an MDX...
BTW I don't subscribe to the line of reasoning that "folks who get MDXs under MSRP are hurting retained value for other owners" one bit. The things that make an appealing NEW will continue to make 'em appealing used -- #1 The styling is very nice, #2 The size, with third row is very comfortable #3 The features & performance make this one of the best choices in its class -- other contributing factors are the Honda/Acura reputation, the GOOD TREATMENT that SOME dealers seem to be learning REALLY HELPS, the high level of standard features/lack of options (laugh, but every vehicle that I've looked at that comes with a dozens of dozens of EXTRA COST options means that the 'used market' punishes those who opt for the strippers & does NOT adequately compensate those that opt for a 'loaded' unit...)
Anyhow, with info about the 2004 MDXs STILL all over the map you have to factor in how much you want an MDX before summer's end...
Personally I am happy I got mine when I did -- if the 04s offer three rows of curtain air bags, HID lights, a 20 speaker Dolby Surround audio system, true dual exhuast, manumatic tranny, 280 HP, huge new sunroof, and full voice controlled accessories I will be a bit disappointed, but at least I got a fair deal.
BTW, bosoxfan, if your'e not too busy driving your new MDX and still reading this forum, could you email me your dealer and salesperson's name also? Much obliged!
Many thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!
In late February, I also had the misfortune of experiencing the arrogance of one Columbus dealer! Good thing I decided to email Lindsay Acura! Not only was I treated VERY well but I also received $1,600 off MSRP. Purchased my MDX in March and since, have referred many others whom have also become happy MDX owners!
Lidia
PS... At times, I've been tempted to ask how many of us posting here on Edmunds HAVE purchased their MDX from Lindsay Acura in Columbus... but that may be against board rules
Steve, Host
Thanks to this board I found that I should not just accept that these are a hot item and still try and negotiate a good deal. From the recent postings it seemed that ~$2500 off sticker was a good price. We were lucky because a near-by dealer had the color we wanted so after a quick test drive we started negotiating with the salesperson. I told him I wanted the MDX for 37,800 + tax/lic (40,300 msrp minus $2500) and I wanted them to supply me 3.9 60 month financing (plus I wanted a good deal on my trade-in).
Of course the salesman balked at this and acted like I was crazy for even asking for such a thing. He said that maybe they would go $500 off sticker since it was the last day of the month. I told him that was fine but if they wanted to sell me the car that was the only deal I would accept. After about 15 minutes of going back and forth he realized I was not going to budge and he said he would take it to his sales manager.
Here's where it gets interesting. By this time they had looked over my trade-in but the salesman and I never really talked about it other then I told him what the payoff was. As he was leaving he asked what I wanted for the trade and I told him to find out what he could get for it and if they could get me a good deal I might come up some on my offer.
First let me tell you... A couple weeks back we had seriously considered a GMC Envoy. From two serious negotiations with 2 different GMC dealers, plus using Edmonds and KBB I had a very good idea on what I could expect for my (non-Acura) trade.
Here is what they came back with...... $1000 off sticker, 3.9 - 60 month financing, but here is the kicker... the amount for my trade-in was $3000 MORE then what I expected. It was $3000+ more then what either GMC dealer was willing to give, $2000 more then what KBB and Edmonds said I could expect and was probably more then I would have asked if I tried to sell it myself.
Since this was the first offer that came back I probably should have negotiated more but I was in such a state of shock by what they were giving for my trade I said ok.
All in all it was a good experience and although I only got $1000 off sticker, I did get the 3.9% financing and with what I got for my trade I figure I came out $1500 ahead of what I had gone in expecting trying to get the $2500 off.
Let us know & welcome aboard!
All in all they earned their FIVES {the nice thermal mug&travel bottle helped too ;^) }
Thanks!
I'm thrilled but I want to hear what others think. Socal dealers are asking $33-34k for similiar mileage MDX's without navigation.
Brian
I don't know if that trend will continue as more 2001s come "off lease" -- if you are shopping for an '01/02 it might be smart to wait. If you want to trade your 01/02 NOW is probably a lot smarter than in the coming month(s)...
Just ponder this for a moment! Every person here bucking dealer against dealer in an all-out battle for your business drives your trade-in values down and resale values down also.....Go buy a jeep Liberty or a Kia sportage if price is your issue!!! Buy the vehicle that you like....feel safe in....and does not have the 50+ recalls like GM/Ford/Kia/ and the list goes on and on! Acura has spent alot of time and money in this production just like there great TL product and anyother vehicle produced by them....thats why they cost money and not barter grapes and apples for them!! My friend sells Mercedes and I have spent some time kicking around the dealership and the C-class invoice and msrp have only about 1200 mark-up....thats sick! How on 23% or 25% is someone going to make money even at that MSRP? Think of all the hard work that person is willing to do for you and all you want to do is steal money from his dinner table!
How about residual service profits, that has to factor into the equation. What should a salesman's commission be for spending an hour with a customer? I don't think it is fair to say a salesman should make $300 on a sale because he/she had to stand around for 2 days prior to it. I should only pay for the sales service I recieve.
So I figure...-$50 for the hour to the sales person + $500 destination charge for some part of the overhead + X amount for other overhead - Y amount for residual service profits)
($450 + X - Y)*number of cars per year. I am serious...what should a dealer make on a car?
Everyone around Edmunds says that the dealers make their money on parts and service anyway, and profits selling used cars far outstrips profits on new ones.
Sounds like your friend needs to hammer on his commission structure harder and not take it out on the customers.
Steve, Host
I contacted dealers MONTHS before I actualled pulled the trigger. As I got closer to "doing the deal" I broadened my search to essentially the entire country. I went through DOZENS of dealers that WOULD NOT BUDGE from MSRP. I visited all NINE local Acura stores. The ONLY dealer that would cut me a deal also took my "mini fleet" of trades at a fair price. They made around $2K over invoice, plus whatever they could get on the trade-ins. And they still sell 'em as fast as they can get 'em...
I know of virtually NO ONE who would invest the m effort in a deal from the consuming side... Even among other MDX buyers that I know spent time bargining, the amount of effort I put in is highly unusual. Juding by how many MDXs the local dealers move, and how quickly the do come onto/off of the lots I am sure that most folks are quite happy to part with MUCH more money than I am...
The "deal" I got is going to have FAR less impact on resale than the things that are TOTALLY outside of my control like: expiring leases on 01 MDXs, possible upgrades on 04 MDXs, competiion from other makes/vehicles et cetera. Now, if EVERY MDX had a boatload of incentives/discounts then the resale would be in the crapper.
If you can't make money selling new cars, then you might want to try used cars -- there is botique dealer near me that consistently has tens of millions of dollars worth of used Porshces, MB, BMW, Ferrari and other exotics. Been around for quite a while too...
Personally, I don't understand why they don't get rid of the destination and handling charge and just include it in the price.
I have recently purchased MDX with a fairly good discount in CA. If you post you e-mail, I will send you the dealer name.
Steve, Host
Thanks.
Good deal? Great deal? Any better?
I figured the sales tax alone on $38,500 @ 8% would be $3600. Does anyone know if you have to pay sales tax if you buy a used vehicle from a private party?
Thanks for any info.