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Sadly, I ended up buying at Planet Scamda, suited up for the 5-6 battle even after internet negotiations and ended up getting an EX 4WD (wanted an EX-L but the ones they had they loaded up with aftermarket equipment) for $24k plus they got me for a few hundred on random fees. They also refused three forms of payment from me in order to push Honda financing that I did not want or need. I've already paid off most of it and will pay off the rest in a week or so - all before receiving my first statement.
Man...thing drives much smoother than I anticipated.
Go out there, get pre-approved by a bank, and enjoy shopping. It is the buyers turn now to push those aggressive salesman around. If you are not pre-approved, you will get whacked by their "creative financing". Bottom line is say NO to any additional offers from the dealer.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/23/news/companies/SUV_tippingpoint/index.htm?postve- rsion=2008052314
They all strongly deny the increase of incentive to $7000 and wouldn't reduce the car pricing becasue of it. Wondering if this higher incentive will become effective after the holiday weekend.
Honda has begun offering $7,000 cash back on 2008 models of its largest SUV, the Pilot. That is the most money it has ever offered buyers on a vehicle, said Michelle Krebs, senior industry editor for Edmunds.com.
Honda has never offered customer cash back, never have and probably never will. They may do dealer incentives but no "rebates" to the customer. So that part is wrong for sure.
I think they are talking about the difference between what you can get a Pilot for and MSRP, not $7,000 under invoice. If you look at the difference between invoice and MSRP on an EX-L w/NAV 4wd is is nearly $3,500 and then add in the $3,500 incentive and you get nearly $7k off of MSRP. Since most dealers will also deal into the hold back a little to move a Pilot, $7k off of MSRP on some models is possible.
They also quote someone from Edmunds, yet Edmunds incentives on the Pilot show $2,500 or $3,500 for all but the VP no matter which ZIP code I use.
Anything is possible, but I would say it is very likely the CNN story is just plain wrong.
Dennis
The start of the story likely was just hearing that deals were being made on Pilots, in general, for $7k under sticker (not just in dealer cash, but in general) around-about. That is very much in general to what people have seen here.
Oh, for the stupid news... :surprise:
We were told we had a deal... drove all the way there only to find out that the car they had was a beat up demo without the original Honda Pilot grille AND with 5400 miles on it!! - only to get the following (and outrageous) response from the sales manager we spoke with: "legally the DMV considers it new."
After repeating our story to three other managers, wasting a whole afternoon - they still had not found an adequate solution. While the General Sales manager tried to make up for his staff's incompetence, it made no sense to buy it there. We left and ended up buying a fully loaded 2008 Honda Pilot FWD w/ NAV plus other options for $28,500 + ttl at Honda Pasadena where the service was impeccable, no lies and a sincere willingness to work with you. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME at Spirit Honda.
I am with you. I almost made the deal in first 3 attempts to the dealers. 2 of that trips were Boch Honda, which took me 2 x 2 hrs round trips. It was the trade-in problem which they insisted can't give me a ballpark price until I drove the car down to let them see. Of course they gave me a 'trash' trade-in price (trying to make money as I took the new car on their newspaper special), $4,000 lower than what I actually traded-in in another Honda dealership. While the trade-in isn't working, of course I walked instead of taking their bait of other sales gimmicks.
Also look out for the gimmick of destination charge... when they advertise the car in How Much Off MSRP (MSRP includes destination charge, the last amount before the MSRP totals). The floor manager added the destination charge on his quote again. If one agreed then one is paying twice the destination. Once in the MSRP, one more time in "How Much Off MSRP". When I protested, he knows what's he's doing, so he took it off easily.
2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD
Dark Cherry Pearl with Saddle Interior
No Nav or RES
No Options
Here is the deal I worked:
Vehicle price WITH Destination: $26,417.04 ($25,782.04 Vehicle Price and $635.00 Dest. Fee)
Virginia Tax: $818.93
Tags & License: $59.50
Doc/Processing Fee: $398.00
Total OTD: $27,693.47
I worked on this for about a week before I landed this price. I actually bought the car in Cary, NC for those interested.
Auto Park Honda of Cary, NC was a dream to deal with. Fantastic Salesman, no pressure Finance Manager, it couldn't have been any better. I would HIGHLY recommend them!
For a Honda Pilot EX-L 2WD (No nav nor video system)
Just to earn your business, I will give you OTD$29,835.51
> Breakdown:
> $27,400.00 Car price
> $ 2,127.76 Tax
> $ 252.75 License
> $29,9835.51 TOTAL
>
> Financing on approved credit is 2.9% for 60 months.
>
> When are you available to come see me and print this email and ask
> specifically for me.
> Looking forward in doing business with you.
> Best regards.
>
> SALLY B.
As you can see the deals in California are not even close to those deals back east. I do not think the dealers believe the economy is affecting HONDA but I have my reservations and they will have to deal with better pricing if they want to move the 2008 Pilots.
I am happy to report that I had the best car-buying experience of my life at Hinshaw's Honda in Auburn, Washington, just outside of Seattle. I worked with Jessie Napenias, the internet manager, as well as Rochelle, their business manager, and it all worked out very well.
The deal:
2008 Pilot EX-L, black w/saddle interior
rear mudguards pre-installed
Final OTD price (including destination and doc fees): $26,596.40
I will have to title/register here in Montana but we don't have state sales tax. I paid the $96.40 for the mudguards, which was admittedly high, even for being installed, but I was happy enough with the rest of deal to accept that. They also wanted to sell pre-installed wheel locks for a premium but I requested that they be removed and they happily obliged. We also bought the all-season mats and the rear cargo tray at a discount.
Jessie was absolutely fantastic to work with, as was Rochelle. Very professional, friendly, helpful. I cannot recommend them enough... No gimmicks, pressure, etc. We've talked with probably over 20 dealers/salespeople over the last few months in trying to purchase this car, and these guys stood out head and shoulders over the rest.
On that note... I am still waiting on Castle Honda in Niles, IL to return our deposit that we put down to hold a Pilot until we found our travel plans had changed and we had to cancel the deal... and that's been over two weeks now.
Sorry Rich... had to go for the black. I see what you mean about it getting dirty, but my wife loves it, and that is worth everything.
Dennis
Did you make out a deal with her re who will be the lead singer to sing "car-wash"?
I think, one day car dealerships will be more like a new, used car holding lot + repair & parts shop.
Sooner or later Honda will the one to do all online pricing, financing and the contract is all printed out by the time you arrive the Honda local shops. Then it won't make any difference which dealership you go to visit.
Honda.com now has Current offers basically on all models, nationally and/or regionally.
Car salesmen will be history.
Thanks to all on this forum who assisted on my purchase today...and I agree with Dennis totally on the online purchasing...did my purchase via internet using Honda.com to locate the Nimbus Gray EX-L 4WD at Tameron Honda in Daphne, Alabama and simple e-mails/phone follow-up with internet manager.
Simple purchase, nice dealership, knowledgable internet manager, no surprises. Vehicle price was $28,314...took the Honda 2.9% financing...doc fee was high, $499, but they threw in the prep package (wheel locks, mats, mud guards, pinstrip, treatment, moon roof visor) for $299. Also transferred over tow package from '05 pilot for $600.
All told, OTD was $30,414 (vehicle, tax, title, doc, equipment).
By the way...they already had 12 '09's on the lot with many more coming. Sales staff would prefer many more Civics (only 5 on lot) and CR-V's...
John
Those prices won't and can't hold in today's economy with economic problems and $4 gas.
My purchase of an '08 EX-L Navi AWD last month at just below $30,900 OTD is looking better and better IMHO.
There are no options that my vehicle does not have and I paid $40,900. Touring RES 4 wheel drive
I'm looking for only a 4WD model and I feel the market is such on an SUV that
the incentives will continue to improve, even on the reliable Hondas. So far, in
the few forays via the internet with Dealerships I've come to the conclusion
that an INFORMED BUYER is the last thing that most Dealerships/Salesmen
want to hear from and the more data you've gathered the less likely they are
prepared to CUT A REAL DEAL. I'm being very aggressive & selfish about the
transaction, taking my time, not caring about color but looking for the right Dealership
(inventory level) to pounce. Am I being unrealistic as the best offer I've received
on an '08 VP(4x4) is around $23K and I feel it should be at least $2K lower. Any
comments/advice would be appreciated. Also, how do you feel sales of Pilots have been over the Memorial Holiday (the incentives expire around the 2nd of
June) as I feel they've remained lackluster at most Dealerships throughout the
country and more incentives are needed to deplete remaining '08 stock as the
'09 Pilots are already arriving as we speak!
Can someone confirm that VP target price -- before dealer cheese -- should be $21k? What's the lowest someone has paid for a VP?
I am new to this forum and am impressed by the amount of information here. Great and i believe my Honda buying experience would be great with info here. I am looking to buy a 2009 Honda Pilot touring with RES. Live in Tallahasee, FL. I got an offer of 39640$ + tax and title. Did anyone get a better quote/deal? Is there a chance of any better deals in the next month or 2? i can wait!
Dennis
Silver w/Grey Leather EX-L 4WD for $28,500.01 with 2.9% financing for 60 months from American Honda Finance. Purchased from Sport Honda in Silver Spring, MD.
Worked with their Internet Sales Consultant (can't post her name here but she is great and shares a first name with Tina Turner) a rare straight shooter in a crooked trade.
Negotiated the whole deal by email, other dealers told me the deal was impossible and that Sport Honda would only sell me a 2WD at that price or suddenly pull $1000 in incentives. Went into the Sport Honda dealership this evening and the whole deal went down without a hitch.
A happy man!
The funny part is, the neighbors will not know the difference between the 08 and the 09. Your wallet will take notice though...
RC
I would be pissed if my neighbor wanted to come over and look at my new Jeep that was really a 40K Touring model 09 Pilot.
$40,900 was that otd? What was the actual vehicle price? Is the invoice for your model $37,600? :shades:
I am not sure paying $38,400 for the new 09 qualifies as much of a "deal" no matter that it was $800 over invoice. If you gotta have the 09, I would wait a few months (maybe weeks?) until Honda puts some dealer money on them.
Dennis
Some are rich and money isn't a problem, plus the impluse.
I also ended up buying my '08 EX-L 2WD with navi 3 weeks ago from Honda of Pasadena for 27700 with an installed bluetooth. internet sales manager was excellent. no pressure. Very professional dealership.
Why the differing doc fee's. Does that depend on location/competition. I did not pay any. Just taxes and DMV fee. 30200 OTD
Went back to service my accord and was chatting with my salesman. He told me the '09 were not selling yet (only 1 sold in the last week). He said people buy the '08 after they see the cars lined up side to side. Looks like they had about 5 '08's on their lot with a lot of markups.
On the post that you would upset about your neighbor mistaking your 09 Pilot for a Jeep... I would not too upset ... Jeep = pile of crap no matter what the price... probably cost you $10 grand in maintenance over 5-7 years
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Assuming from what I've read in here that the invoice pricing is running about 3k less than msrp (but also not subtracting the 3% honda holdback in order to give the dealer some incentive to sell), I'm looking to pay about 34,200 before taxes, fees and trade.
Personally, I don't think all the new features merit the '09 being 10 K more expensive, which is just about the price difference currently.
I paid 26,251 plus tax Thats 6,329 under MSRP
They also threw in rear mud guards, wheels locks and an oil change.
I did get an offer from another dealer for 26,100. But when I called them, they said that the price was really 26,500. They claim that they bought the car from Texas and it cost them 400 to have it shipped to Chicago. That same dealer offered me 1500 off msrp of an 2009.
Anyone want to comment?
Sounds like you got a great deal at 26,251 (assuming that's after tax and title), esp with the extras thrown in.
I'm debating hard between a CRV and a 2008 Pilot and I think I'm going with a CRV, but I thought I'd add my data to the mix. We purchased another car from this particular internet salesman recently, so we have reason to believe his quote.