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I get my servicing done at Lynnwood. While I took a couple of Element test drives at Lynnwood, I ended up buying from Kirkland. However that was a couple of years ago, and I was interested in the getting the best deal I could on a DX (which were in stock, and apparently moving slowly at both dealers). So I can't tell you much about special orders.

My impression is that you should treat 'special orders' with caution. Honda doesn't do 'orders' in the same way as GM or Ford. If you want something that a dealer doesn't have in stock, most likely they will try to get it from another dealer in the area.

paulj

We bought from Kirkland and had a pretty good experience. Not superb, but good enough. They were desperate at the time to get this one off the lot so we did ok. Their service center is friendly enough, and quite frankly, I would say run of the mill. Not bad, not wow either. Hope you get your deal!

Deal is off, AGAIN!

They tried to charge me $260 more for splash guards and wheel-locks that I didn't ask for and can't be taken off.

Man, this whole thing sucks...
This is at Kirkland again? I thought the splash guards and wheellocks were standard with the EX..?

Who had installed these extras? Did Lynnwood install them (possibly as a routine practice) after they got the car for you, or did it come from another dealer that way?

When I negotiated with Kirkland a couple of years ago, I actually walked out of the negotiation, and then got an offer over the phone a day or so later that was more to my liking. However, I was negotiating on a model that was already on the lot, and it was near the end of the month. Sometimes, to meet sales targets, they are willing to offer more at the end of the month.

Still, I get the impression that it is harder to get a real bargin from Seattle area dealers, compared to other parts of the country.

Don't get too hung up trying to get the absolutely best price. A year after the purchase you probably won't even remember the exact price, but may still have a bad taste over the negotiation process.

Also, plan ahead of time how you are going to respond to various 'extras' that the sales manager will offer you during closing (extended coverage, lojack, paint protection, etc).

paulj

Here it says, on the Lynnwood Honda 2006 Element accessories price list, current as of 14 DEC 2005...

(installed price)
Wheel Locks: $78
Splash Guards: $142

Even with these truly stupid prices, still, it comes to only $220. Why are they asking me for $260 for these two things that I didn't ask for...

Ugggghhhhh...how much time are you spending on this is question number one. Secondly, how much is your time worth? Thirdly, if you had to pay somebody to go through what you are going through, which imo seems very costly emotionally, what would you pay them to do this for you? If you are in the red, I would re-evaluate the importance of this.

Regards,

Samiam

Dude. Just fly down to LA and but it at Santa Ana Honda. $20,677 for an AWD EX-P Automatic (which is $500 UNDER dealer invoice) or $20,116 for an EX AWD A/T and no monkey business. You'll save enough for the airfare and have a cool road trip back home, to boot. They will actually sell you any model for $500 under dealr invoice btw. See the thread about buying experience in the California section and give Damon a call over there.