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Comments
It been many years since I've taken out a car loan and my new V will be in shortly. I want to be prepared when I walk in to pick it up and sign the dotted line. If anyone can provide advice on avoiding mistakes at this stage would be most appreciated.
TIA
One problem...it didn't sell.
In those days, insurance companies were giving (very small) discounts for ABS.
Most have stopped this since studies indicate ABS has not reduced the number of accidents.
Today, ABS is available on Accord LX models. We try to keep one or two on the lot but they are still not very popular.
And...here in Seattle we do get some ice, some snow and a whole lot of rain.
I would guess in the southern states the dealers don't bother ordering any.
For me, the sales experience has never (not yet, anyway) been pleasant. Next time around I'm strongly considering the no-haggle route.
My dad did this recently, and it was refreshing to walk in and pay the price on the windshield for the car you like, no advertising fee, no processing fee, no accessories or add-ons. Even freight was included. Instead of arguing over price the sales guy focused on getting him exactly what he wanted. And to top it off, the price was competitive.
So, if I consider the Odyssey route, anyone know such a dealer in the DC area? I wish the Fitzgerald network had a Honda dealer, but they don't.
Q for isellhondas: any word on a moonroof option for the Ody?
varmit: the Forester L invoices for $1300 less than the CR-V EX. I realize the EX had more equipment, but you've been implying the prices are the same.
-juice
Eric
Hondas traditionally have outstanding resale values when compared to most other makes. Did I miss something here?
ABS...? Well, I wouldn't be surprised to see it as standard equipment on everything in a few years.
Still, there are people who simply do not like it.
I recently sold a 2002 CRV to a fireman. He drives AID trucks. He said some have ABS and some don't. He said the ABS models take a far greater distance to stop then the non ABS trucks.
He specifically went with an LX for that reason.
Not the first time I've heard this.
Myself...I can take ABS or leave it.
Should I request to see the invoice price and offer $500 over it?
Thank you for any suggestions or thoughts.
Anh-Tuan
On the supply and demand issue,do not believe for a minute that once Honda starts making more CRV's and ODY's that the selling price will come down. They will still charge sticker no matter how many they make,until they have them sitting on their lots unsold,which they will not allow. In a way,they are using a smart marketing strategy,but it may hurt them later on if the entire auto market goes in a recession.
On ABS,until the experts agree which is actually best,then No one will be able to determine which is right for them. However,if Honda says that too many people did not want them on the LX,then why would they make them standard on their entire EX line,forcing customers to take what they do not want?
On the contrary, my girlfriend comes from a "ford family" everyone in her family drives a ford. they have been buying fro the same dealership and same salesperson for years. and the salesperson would send out christmas and birthday cards. he would call her and ask if she is ready for maintenance, and if she would need to, he would pick up her car from her job and bring it back when done. and the best thing, he gave her the price she was ready to pay. yes, i know it is a ford, but why can't honda dealers treat its customers like that?
honda does have some good salespeople, i mean the first time i bought my new car, i had no ride to the dealership to pick it up, the salesperson drove all the way from NJ across the GW bridge to pick me up, that was nice, and i was willing to give him more business (I referred a few people to him while he was there), but he was gone from the dealership and moved around a few times, when i was ready to buy again.
I can't seem to talk my wife into a minivan, she's too image conscious. So I guess I'll be taking a close look at the Pilot.
-juice
It's not uncommon for our store to pay over wholesale book for a nice used Honda that we can use. They hold their values better than any other car that I know of.
But if the trade is rough and abused the values can be a lot less.
Anh...
Ah....well...you can offer 500.00 over invoice if you like I guess. Just don't get upset when that offer is turned down!
"They will still charge sticker no matter how many they make,until they have them sitting on their lots unsold,which they will not allow."
All I can say is: huh?
Any comments.
If the price is right, I'll be interested, but I imagine there will be a long line.
-juice
-juice
I'm sure a CR-V will depreciate, but no more than any other good compact SUV.
Lucky duck: time to buy a lottery ticket.
-juice
I don't recall a supply/demand curve ever working to the advantage of a manufacturer for such a long time. 2002 is the 4th model year and there are still wait lists.
We'll be taking a look at the Pilot (as will just about everyone else), and if the wife likes it I'll try the United Buying Service this guy on the Ody threads recommended. And be patient, of course.
-juice
I have been reading these posts for awhile now. I figured out pretty quickly that the CR-V was the vehicle for us. It beats every other mini-SUV hands down and can even hang in many ways with mid-sized SUVs that cost 10 grand more...
I must comment though on the conversation about dealers. I have never been impressed with Honda dealers in the past, but I gotta tell ya, the guy I bought our CR-V from impressed the heck out of my wife and me. I tried the Edmunds suggested method of pitting the local dealers against one another over the phone. When I got this guy on the phone (we'll call him "Al,") he gave me the MSRP of 20,440 and asked me if I had a trade-in. I said no, I'm going to sell it myself. He asked what I had anyway and said, "I think I have a friend that might be interested." His friend came over the same day, test drove it, and bought it, just like that. Paid in cash and gave me what I wanted for it. I was VERY impressed that this salesman would help find a private buyer for my trade"-in."
And after calling around to every dealer to find that they all aren't budging from the MSRP, it actually allowed for a very painless and almost pleasant experience. No fuss, no haggling, no worry that I got a bad deal, just a set price, some quick paperwork and a "congratulations."
Now if I can just get my wife to let me drive it sometimes! LOL
waiteland - Congratulations! Every dealer is different and every customer has different expectations. I, for example, do not like to be called with service polls and the enevitable, "Are you happy with your new car?" call. Listen mister, if I wasn't I'd be calling you! But other people love this stuff and consider it good followup.
My dealer has a decent service department and they pretend not to recognise me when I come through and pretend to be interesting in buying an S2000. That's all I need.
-juice
On my previous car, OD stayed on all the time and I would turn it off to get a little boost of power climbing a hill or passing on the highway. Does this one work the same? Have to say, though, that the power in the new CRV doesn't seem to need any help, at least not the way I drive. Very perky.
What a goofy argument in favor of a V6. I guess if you patrol these boards long enough you hear it all.
When you are upside down in your flipped over Liberty that has already been in the shop half of it's life, don't come a calling. Good luck.
You are REALLY the minority in this case!
> to haul around 3500 lbs.
Actually, I think the maximum for the CR-V is 1,500 lbs.
Bob
Whether it's a 4 or a 6 or a 2 cylinder, who cares? It's peppy, has tons of power, great gas mileage, and it IS SO FUN TO DRIVE! My wife and I were so impressed that as soon as you get in the driver's seat and turn it on you feel like its the car you've been driving for 5 years. There isn't any "getting used to" it with this vehicle. Wow. Great vehicle! I mean really, when it comes down to it, how many people sit there and think about towing capacity or the size of their engine? I sure don't! I just sit back and enjoy the ride...
As for its looks, the Aztec is the fugliest vehicle I have ever seen in my life, and the Honda is simple and attractive. Form follows function in the CRV I think. I love it. I like the tail lights up high because people won't miss them, and the headlights are great.
When I'm done paying on my 96 Civic (got it used 3 yrs ago) I am definitely going to buy a 2nd CRV!
Oh about the survey, I believe Honda has a policy that if you don't get a perfect rating, it's as bad as getting the worst possible rating. Something like "if it's not perfect it's not good enough." A service tech said that to me after doing some stuff on my Civic a month ago.
The fold down arm rests!!! Thumbs up to Honda on the armrests! My arms are just short enough that when driving my '96 Civic, if I put my right elbow on the center divider and stretch my fingers out, I can *almost* touch the steering wheel. The car I had before my Cicivc that I drove for 5 years was a Saturn and I got used to driving with my right hand, elbow on the rest on the center divider. I had to get used to not having that in my Civic and I have always missed that. So when I learned the CR-V has fold down arm rests, it was great!!! Kudos to Honda on the arm rests!
(Can you tell I'm an excited new CR-V owner?? LOL)
CR-V vs. Santa Fe - The Santa Fe is a good vehicle for the price, but, as posted earlier, watch out for the option packaging. It's more like a mid-sized SUV priced as a mini-ute. It's got tons of cargo space compared to anything else in the class and decent performance. Don't assume that the 6 cyl is going to get you better acceleration, though. It might give you decent grunt off the line, but it'll run out of steam quick. The Santa Fe is one heavy beast and even a six will have trouble moving it.
In terms of drivability, that could be a toss up. Both have reasonably smooth drivetrains and will handle well enough. I've never driven the Santa Fe, but based on reviews and reports here on the web, I'd have to give the advantage to the CR-V. It may not be a significant difference to you. Both will have the usual SUV body roll, but the CR-V will handle better. I'd also have to the CR-V the advantage in safety. Honda's in-house testing predicts that the CR-V will achieve top scores in the three major indepentent crash tests. The tests haven't been performed yet, but Honda doesn't make claims like that unless they can back it up.
Carguy62 - The trouble is rolling over in a Jeep is considered the best way to improve its looks.
After the initial excitement, a few questions poped to mind: 1) it would cost me to travel to the dealership and drive the CRV back to where I live. Is it worth it? 2)How would I handle the registration issue? Do I register it over there, then register again when I get back? 3) The local dealer said buying from out-of-town would complicate matters when I bring the CRV for warranty service locally. is that true?
Anyone has this buying-from-out-of-state-dealer-experience and is willing to share the story? Thanks in advance.
John
have to go to another state by ship. you can
register your car yourself in your own state. you
also have to pay local tax even if you bought it
out of state.
if you are worried about the cost of traveling
to your out of state dealer, weigh it over the
cost of purchasing your V locally. if you have
8hrs driving to do, consider that your break-in
period.
IMHO.