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2013 and earlier-Honda Pilot Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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  • viper8viper8 Member Posts: 2
    Hello this is my first post on this forum. I'm interested in a Pilot EX 2WD. Anyone here from Ohio? I live in the central Ohio area. Thanks
  • rainman2rainman2 Member Posts: 6
    I'm also in Atlanta area looking for either EX-L or EX-L 2/RES 2WD. For past 3 weeks I've been unsuccessful at getting decent quotes. Most dealers are just taking 2K from the invoice and using Honda incentives as their weapon. Dealers are not offering anything of their own. Read #8481, he seems to have got best deal on Pilot in ATL. I think I will wait until summer for better deal and by then we might know more about 2008 model as well. Let me know if you find any great deal by then.
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    I'm from Cincinnati. Check out my message 8578 and go from there. I would avoid the 2wd. Not much mileage difference and the 1300 difference (5%) buys a lot. There are 4x as many 4wd models than 2wd so you may get a better deal and even less than 1300 diff.

    --jjf
  • scottbehscottbeh Member Posts: 6
    Yeah it's 4wd.

    Found another dealer who'll do 31,1 OTD.

    I want to hit 30,5 OTD. We're only $600 apart now.

    What did tax tags fees cost you?

    I figure NAV instead of res should be about +600 from what you paid.
  • boatboy24boatboy24 Member Posts: 6
    We were 30.7 OTD.

    I figure we could have probably squeezed another 2-300 out of them, but the time and effort wasn't worth it.
  • scottbehscottbeh Member Posts: 6
    Thanks Boat,

    That gives me a good perspective. I guess the 31.1 is pretty comparable to what you got--and I already said that was a real good deal.

    I've got so many numbers flying through my head right now between, msrp, financing, otd price, it's hard to compare anymore.

    Thanks again, I'm going to make a move on this.
  • mike436mike436 Member Posts: 6
    I'm in Westchester County in New York and I've been going back and forth with two dealers but I finally got one down to 28500 incl Destination plus tax and reg, so thats about 5000 of MSRP. They were trying to push a 4WD on me but I'm moving south in 6 weeks so I really don't need one but now I hear that the 4WD is better than the 2WD, (what's the Diff.)
  • cpmamancpmaman Member Posts: 3
    Equal power to all 4 wheels, great in the snow,(even though you are moving south)

    What dealers? looked at a couple in Westchester myself
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    Check my message 8610 on this forum and work from there. Get a 4wd. You want 6-7k off MSRP for this machine. (Either cash or cash with favorable financing)

    Over the summer 7500 off was not unusual. Yes 4wd is better than 2wd. Snow, ice, wet pavement, semi paved and unpaved roads, light offroad (in the case of the pilot).

    Also I believe there was a price increase on the pilot mid year, so take that into account too.

    Rotsa Ruck
    --jjf

    I'm in Westchester County in New York and I've been going back and forth with two dealers but I finally got one down to 28500 incl Destination plus tax and reg, so thats about 5000 of MSRP. They were trying to push a 4WD on me but I'm moving south in 6 weeks so I really don't need one but now I hear that the 4WD is better than the 2WD, (what's the Diff.)
    Replies to this message:
  • cornucopiacornucopia Member Posts: 23
    How about the LX 4WD? how much is do-able off MSRP at this moment?
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    There are twice as many (at least ) ex's than lx's (4wd) made. This supply situation may make for better deals . (especially if you are picky on color)

    Also the markup on the lx may be less. Last summer, with deals of 6500-8000 off MSRP, a few were paying $300 more for an ex than some were paying for an lx or even less. (even though the ex stickers $2300 more)

    Email 10-20 dealers for their best quotes on an Lx and Ex last week of the month.Give your cell for callbacks Obviously if you can work a deal 100mi away on an ex $900 or so more than your best lx deal you are going to make a drive.

    I'm not a fan of the LX for just this reason. What is doable on an lx or ex is the best deal you can work putting 10-20 or so dealers in a competitive bidding situation end of month. Work the top 2.

    --jjf

    How about the LX 4WD? how much is do-able off MSRP at this moment?
  • viper8viper8 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks much for the advice Cinci. if I may call you that. I will take it. 4WD it is.I have fifteen Honda dealers in a 68 mi. area and I was planning on e-mailing most for quotes the last week of a month. A friend and myself were talking and thought that the end of May perhaps which is our Memorial holiday would be a good time to buy a Pilot. Better then then now we were thinking. Oh and I already click the link on my local dealers web site that says click here for a quote and they won't give me one. Nether by e-mail or phone. They said that they want me to come in for a great 2001 quote so I can drive away in a new Honda. LOL
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    Avoid the "quikquote" featues from some websites. Dealers pay for the service and your request will go to the same 2-3 dealers. Most of these quotes will be within $200 of each other.

    Go to honda's website and email each dealer there. Let them know in the email you are contacting 20 dealers. If they call your cell and say come in tell them you don't have time and want their best shot. The eager ones (1-5)will naturally play.

    --jjf

    Thanks much for the advice Cinci. if I may call you that. I will take it. 4WD it is.I have fifteen Honda dealers in a 68 mi. area and I was planning on e-mailing most for quotes the last week of a month. A friend and myself were talking and thought that the end of May perhaps which is our Memorial holiday would be a good time to buy a Pilot. Better then then now we were thinking. Oh and I already click the link on my local dealers web site that says click here for a quote and they won't give me one. Nether by e-mail or phone. They said that they want me to come in for a great 2001 quote so I can drive away in a new Honda. LOL
  • mike436mike436 Member Posts: 6
    The dealer that I went with is Mt Kisco Honda but now I'm getting quotes from Honda of Nanuet for 200 cheaper. I haven't signed any papers yet so I'm still playing the field with Nanuet to see is I can get them down to 27500.
  • paulg54paulg54 Member Posts: 60
    If you would like a great price call Donnie Hinkle at Mike Patton in LaGrange, GA. I really think it will worth the 80 mile drive. Paul
  • paulg54paulg54 Member Posts: 60
    Whew, I'm calm now. Thanks for the explanation except now that I paid 28900. for an EX-L 4wd, I realize I didn't do so well. (there goes the blood-pressure again) This hidden incentive should really tick people off when they pay MSRP or close to that.
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    $4600 off MSRP is around the average/a bit below average deal for the last month or two. It is no where near MSRP. Hidden incentives are common through the industy (small or large) usually based on volume or sales targets on a regional basis. How much is made public depends on inventory. For the Pilot more of the incentive has been coughed up as the year progresses for last 3 years or so.

    I could write a book on car buying but there are a (very few) good ones out there

    Go order the fightingchance.com package for your vehicle for 30.00.
    From the library or Amazon, read "Don't get taken every time" by Remar Sutton. It is a fun read

    This post analysis will get you set for a lifetime of car buying.

    --jjf

    Whew, I'm calm now. Thanks for the explanation except now that I paid 28900. for an EX-L 4wd, I realize I didn't do so well. (there goes the blood-pressure again) This hidden incentive should really tick people off when they pay MSRP or close to that.
  • goldieggoldieg Member Posts: 25
    I need readers comments on especially jjf, should it be better to wait for 2008 model or not ? Bacause this is the last year of Pilot model, i am thinking for a better value of the money, is it worth to wait for 2008 model and will it carry more resale value ? Please advise.

    Thanks,
    goldieg
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    I don't know about any new features or looks of the 08 pilot. If you don't need a ride now and don't find the new looks or features much superior, it may not matter. Trying to play the resale value thing is questionable.

    The Pilot and Ridgeline wholesale for 10k off MSRP 1st year, Chevy silverado and trailblazer 12k and 13k. Dodge Durango about 15k (its msrp is hi.) Few of the vehicles in this segment will sell (for long) without considerable incentives. Honda is atypical in this regard and don't offer rebates, instead using solely dealer incentives which their members can hold close to the vest.

    Check my message 8610 and go from there. Also check out the resources on 8624. A review of last August's posts reveals discounts from 7000-8000 off MSRP to move vehicles. You may be able to approach this now if you learn your lessons well.

    Unless it is a super hit, (unlikely) the 08 Pilot will probably be discounted similarly 6 months after its intro. You will always pay closer to msrp for any cars at intro or a new model year. Usually this dissipates quickly and the market price sorts itself out. Numerous people paid 200 -800 over invoice at the 07 pilot intro and now 2000 under is an ok deal. (You may want to avoid buying a Pilot for $2800 off if its worth 10k off MSRP in a year.) In this context one can see that $6000 off a Pilot or $11000 off a Durango is hardly giving the vehicle away.

    For those interested in resale value (or anyonow else) the key is to purchase the car correctly. (msg 8610).

    A rough rule, for about 95% of production vehicles, is to take the wholesale price of a year old used model of the vehicle you desire and add 15-20% for the price of a new one. You should be able to squeeze enough rebates, hidden dealer incentives etc.. to come within or near this for a good deal on a new vehicle, especially mid year.

    This is particularly true now with a worldwide oversupply of manufacturing capacity. (have you noticed how many different makes and models there are out there?)

    MSRP (and invoice) is for practical purposes arbitrary and just a number on the window. In general, the wholesale price for the used models shows the true demand. For most vehicles this is obviously "average" depreciation, but for the SUV/truck segment it is much higher, with the Durango being one of the more extreme cases.

    --jjf
  • azcamdenazcamden Member Posts: 1
    Anyone have any information on pricing in Arizona (Maricopa Co)market for a 2007 Honda Pilot EX 2WD? I've received quotes from 5 different dealerships and they're all over the map. Should I be focusing on the MSRP or Invoice tag?Thanks for the help!
  • nefariousnefarious Member Posts: 14
    I've been quoted the following price for an '07 Pilot EX-L 4WD. This excludes taxes & license fees.

    $28,795

    Seems like it should be better.
  • gopigoldgopigold Member Posts: 9
    Friend, Please tell me the dealership. I may go for pilot if I can't get daring deal on MDX.
  • gopigoldgopigold Member Posts: 9
    Dude...I am trying to get this car as well, I am in PA. However, if you think if we two can go together to get a deal I won't mind to drive down to you. Let me know at gopigold@yahoo.com
  • suv4betsysuv4betsy Member Posts: 38
    I think you did of from my area's perspective, you're only about $200 above the best I've been able to find. I'm in a lower density population, finding it difficult for dealers to give up the cash incentive or even admit it exists.
  • kidzcakezkidzcakez Member Posts: 3
    With help obtained from reading your posts, I e-mailed 14 dealerships in Texas and was able to purchase a 2007 Pilot EX (Steel Blue) for $5140 off MSRP. It paid off to get a lot of quotes. I found out the hard way to ask for the drive out price, because some dealerships didn't include destination charges, some did -- it was too hard to compare. I had a couple of dealers tell me they had the Steel Blue but when I called them, they did not have the car in that color. I had one dealer tell me someone else was lying to me, if they could quote me that price. So it was an interesting experience. I don't know if any of you have experienced this, but even with us having our own financing, we spent over 90 minutes with their finance department (total of 2 hours and 40 minutes at the dealership). I was furious -- they tried to get us to change our financing and to buy everything under the sun. My sister spent 3 hours buying hers. Just be prepared.
  • scottbehscottbeh Member Posts: 6
    Thanks to Boatboy and datkins, I finally closed the deal on my 2007 Pilot 4wd EX-L w/NAV.

    I paid 31.5 out the door. But the dealer also gave me $500+ than any other for my trade (I talked to 3 and carmax). I could have gotten 31.1 otd, but like I said the trade was lower, it wasn't in my #1 color, and the dealer location was less convenient.

    I gotta say, I dealt with Hendrick Honda in Woodbridge, VA and they were great. Better than any dealer I've ever dealt with before(they gave me the 31,1 but were too far away...), I really wanted to buy from them. If anyone is in NoVa and looking for a Honda, I totally reccommend them. The internet sales guy was great, I really wanted to give him my business.

    I bought from Brown's in Arlington. They were good too, and more convenient.

    Fairfax Honda was a little shady. Salesguy was nice, but sales manager was way pushy, and someone there quoted me $500 for ipod music link. (It's like $160 online, and install is under an hour). I didn't trust them.

    The real key was coming here and comparing what people were actually paying.

    Also, the internet sales guys were ready to hit a low price without messing around. The sales guys I spoke to when walking in off the street were pushing the higher prices.
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    Internet folks usually get rudimentary competitive quotes from other dealers. Its usually unheard of them paying near MSRP. At least 20% of folks non-internet off the street pay near MSRP. The sales force have to screen to see if you are one of them.

    --jjf

    Also, the internet sales guys were ready to hit a low price without messing around. The sales guys I spoke to when walking in off the street were pushing the higher prices.
  • suv4betsysuv4betsy Member Posts: 38
    Can you give any idea of the sale price w/o the trade and taxes? I think it is impossible to figure out the deal unless it is in a prior post that I'm missing. Much appreciated.
  • suv4betsysuv4betsy Member Posts: 38
    If a dealer doesn't have the color I want but can get the vehicle from another nearby dealership, should I be obligated to pay for any inventory transfer cost? I know they need to send someone to get the car, but not my problem. Heck, I'd even offer to go get it.
  • gordonfreemangordonfreeman Member Posts: 14
    The best I've got is a price of $28,496 with an OTD price of 30,3. That is $5344 off MSRP. Good deal or keep shopping? I'm not in a big hurry to get the car but I would like to have it squared away by April month-end. Thanks to this forum, I got about a dozen internet quotes. A few of the dealers said they could match or beat 99.9% of the offers I receive but when I forwarded them the emails, I must have been one of the 0.1% because they didn't budge.

    I am going to trade in my '97 Honda Civic HX unless the dealer can't come up with a good offer. Can I use the trade-in as a means to get a better deal?
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    Usually the trade is where many get botched. Unless you shop your trade the best thing is to get the nada and kbb wholesale figures for your car. Get a good deal on the pilot and hold out for 500+ over wholesale, especially if your car is a cherry. Give ground grudgeingly. See how it works out. Nice Hondas in this price range move well.

    Make sure the lower bidders have your cell. Last few days of the month things change. If the vehicle you want is a hard to get color (blue red) you may want to work this guy for more off and get it.

    Happy Huntin
    --jjf

    The best I've got is a price of $28,496 with an OTD price of 30,3. That is $5344 off MSRP. Good deal or keep shopping? I'm not in a big hurry to get the car but I would like to have it squared away by April month-end. Thanks to this forum, I got about a dozen internet quotes. A few of the dealers said they could match or beat 99.9% of the offers I receive but when I forwarded them the emails, I must have been one of the 0.1% because they didn't budge.

    I am going to trade in my '97 Honda Civic HX unless the dealer can't come up with a good offer. Can I use the trade-in as a means to get a better deal?
  • nitinnnitinn Member Posts: 7
    Just bought Pilot-07 EX-L 2WD for OTD 28773 $ That puts my before tax price to 28773/1.1 = 26 157.27 $. That is
    6382.72 $ below MSRP (before TAX).
    Thanks a lot for excellent inputs.
    I live in Bay area (CA).

    nitinn
  • jaskayjaskay Member Posts: 1
    nitinn,

    I'm looking for the same Pilot in the Bay Area, which dealer did you purchase your Pilot from?
  • goldieggoldieg Member Posts: 25
    Hi Nitin,

    I am looking for same Pilot too. Which dealer did you buy from ? Would you mind sharing that info ? Please email me.
  • nitinnnitinn Member Posts: 7
    You should go through all recent posts on this forum. It will help you to get the best price. (my price is not THE best. If I would have waited till month end they might have reduced 100-150$ not more than that). My Dealer is Anderson Honda (palo alto). On my shortlist I had 3-4 dealers after 1-1.5 week of price negociation. (I met Anderson Honda ONLY once in the morning and got the car in the afternoon). Anderson Honda is good in sense that you don't have to talk much and they will go to their bottom-line price if they think that you have done proper research and you know what goes around. My car was sitting at dealer's place for 140 days (you should look for such things. They don't want these cars sitting there for long time). Honda Sunnyvale might tell you very low price but won't honnor that price. Honda South-Bay (Las-Gatos) price (OTD) was 325$ higher than Anderson. Honda Livermoor's internet quote was the lowest quote (26899$ before TTL). So these are the dealers you should look for.

    nitinn
  • gordonfreemangordonfreeman Member Posts: 14
    Thanks for the advice, jfritsch. So do you think it is a good idea to push the dealer for a better offer now or wait for them to call me later this month? Obviously if I seem too eager, they may be reluctant to come down. I could live with this offer but I'd like to shave off another $500 to $750, or more if possible. Not sure how to ask the dealer to come down if I have no other reasonable offers to fall back on. This offer is by far the best I've received.

    Usually the trade is where many get botched. Unless you shop your trade the best thing is to get the nada and kbb wholesale figures for your car. Get a good deal on the pilot and hold out for 500+ over wholesale, especially if your car is a cherry. Give ground grudgeingly. See how it works out. Nice Hondas in this price range move well.

    Make sure the lower bidders have your cell. Last few days of the month things change. If the vehicle you want is a hard to get color (blue red) you may want to work this guy for more off and get it.

    Happy Huntin
    --jjf
  • scottbehscottbeh Member Posts: 6
    [suv4betsy],

    I paid 30,164 before taxes, tags and fees.
  • jfritschjfritsch Member Posts: 958
    Read my messages 8578 8626 and go from there. The Pilot wholesales 10k off list 1st year, so you want about 5-6k off. Leave a message with your low bidder sales manager and tell him have better offers but want to get his best price. You need his best shot on the $5300 off car. Whatever it is you are dissappointed. Tell him to call you back if the scenery changes. Contemplate it. You have the advantage in this case that you know a good deal is about 6200 off.

    In general you have to solicit at least 10-20 bids toward the end of the month, usually by email. Only 1 out of 8-12 dealers will be behind on his sales targets for the month. You have to find him. (if he's there) This will generate 1-4 eager beavers who really want or need your deal for you to work. Otherwise they work you.

    Good Luck
    --jjf

    Thanks for the advice, jfritsch. So do you think it is a good idea to push the dealer for a better offer now or wait for them to call me later this month? Obviously if I seem too eager, they may be reluctant to come down. I could live with this offer but I'd like to shave off another $500 to $750, or more if possible. Not sure how to ask the dealer to come down if I have no other reasonable offers to fall back on. This offer is by far the best I've received.

    Usually the trade is where many get botched. Unless you shop your trade the best thing is to get the nada and kbb wholesale figures for your car. Get a good deal on the pilot and hold out for 500+ over wholesale, especially if your car is a cherry. Give ground grudgeingly. See how it works out. Nice Hondas in this price range move well.

    Make sure the lower bidders have your cell. Last few days of the month things change. If the vehicle you want is a hard to get color (blue red) you may want to work this guy for more off and get it.

    Happy Huntin
    --jjf
  • maryk1850maryk1850 Member Posts: 4
    I just want to thank everyone for the info in this forum. I never would have thought of the e-mail method of pricing. It also helped to know what others were paying to know if I was getting an ok price.

    I bought my Honda yesterday.
    EX-L AWD with all-season mats added.
    Price $28,030 ($5810 off MSRP)
    + 6% tax + doc fee + Plates
    OTD for $29,929

    Not as great as everyone says last summers prices were but we needed the car and I am happy with the price. It was a stress free way of buying a car. Thanks.
  • adamt12adamt12 Member Posts: 21
    can someone tell me if floor mats do come standard on the pilot or if they are an option,
    also, has anyone gotten quotes on a ex-l navigation the past week,
    some forums mention 2000 incentives but edmunds doesnt post it,
    thanks
  • sunromsunrom Member Posts: 10
    HI Mary,

    Did you get Honda financing for this (promotional APR)? I am not able get any of the dealers in my area go below 29k (unless I decide to pay in cash and I get further 2k off)

    Thanks
  • maryk1850maryk1850 Member Posts: 4
    I paid cash. If you have a quote for $29k and can get the additional 2k off of that you have a really great price.
    $27k for a EXL AWD is 6840 under MSRP. I'd jump at that deal and get financing elsewhere. Even with a higher interest rate you are probably better off taking the 2k off the price.

    Mary
  • cottonmouth55cottonmouth55 Member Posts: 1
    Where did you get such a great deal and did you wait to the end of the month to negotiate?

    Thanks,

    John
  • sunromsunrom Member Posts: 10
    Your deal sounds pretty good. Till now the lowest quote I have got is 28,550 for EXL. Eventhough I made an offer for cash payment, dealer would not budge for any further discount. Maybe Honda dealers are selling Pilots at different prices in different markets based on Market demand. I am check these out in Minnesota right now and I see difference between what I am getting here and what others are saying from West Coast.

    Thanks
  • suv4betsysuv4betsy Member Posts: 38
    Thank you for clarifying the price!! I'm about $500 above that, but maybe too eagar to get this finished.. Enjoy the Pilot!!
  • nefariousnefarious Member Posts: 14
    Can you tell us the city/state?

    Based on the invoice information for an EX-L from MSN Autos the base invoice is $29,935. Adding the Destination Fee of $595 bring is to $30,530. Taking off the $2k in incentives would leave $28,530. But you got another $500 less than that. Perhaps they are doing $2500 in incentives where you are?

    Sunrom, Based on my figures you are being quoted $20 over invoice. As others have said in the long run you save money by taking the lower price at a higher finance % as opposed to paying more and getting the 3.9% apr.
  • boatboy24boatboy24 Member Posts: 6
    You're right on w/ Fairfax. They have always been shady, pushy, and very, very difficult to deal with. They mark their prices up, and then fight you every inch of the way. I honestly don't know how they have managed to stay in business all these years. My wife owned a honda for 9 years, lived less than mile from there, and wouldn't even think of bringing it in even for warranty service.

    I drove 30 miles out of my way to buy from Hendrick because they were not only the lowest price, but were best on trade, and were the easiest to deal with.

    Dead on again w/ the internet sales. It's so easy.
  • five5five5 Member Posts: 1
    I livve in Fremont CA. Whats the best price on the road for a new Honda Pilot LX AWD.
    I just need a tinted glass.

    Regards
  • maryk1850maryk1850 Member Posts: 4
    I live in Connecticut (6% tax) but I bought in Westchester County NY (New Rochelle Honda). It is about a 50 mile drive but it was well worth it.

    I asked for the quote last week and no one else would match it. Some dealers were actually nasty in their response that it was too low. I had a choice of colors and could have ordered a different color if I wanted. They did not try to push accessories. They asked if I wanted any, I said no and that was the end of the discussion. When I went in on Saturday, they were very busy and they gave me the all weather mats to make up for a long wait to sit down down to sign the papers.

    I had asked for the quote in e-mail for the EXL AWD. The response came back stating it was special internet pricing, valid for 1 week and it listed all of the following models:
    EXL 2WD $26862
    LX 4WD $23772
    EX 4WD $25963
    EXL 4WD $28030

    Mary
  • cmms1cmms1 Member Posts: 14
    dfwpilot, which dealership did you deal with in the Dallas area?

    Anyone else would like to share to purchasing/price quote experience in the Dallas/Forth Worth area? :)
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