Are dealers sticking to MSRP or are they selling close to invoice? Is there a safe middle ground?

in the Chicagoland area

[quote:2c5691b4ea="purduealum91"]in the Chicagoland area[/quote:2c5691b4ea]

Oops. More specifics:

I am referring to the EX models. I really want a black or shoreline EX automatic 4wd Element. I dont wanna get screwed! I dont expect to get one at cost (too popular and too new), but I would like to get CLOSE to the invoice if possible.

I have been qouted $1000 under MSRP for these E's @ 3 different locations. Don't give in you guys, we're letting them drive the prices up. You're not just screwing yourself you're screwing everyone else that comes in after you.

I'm picking up a GG 4WD EX for around $1100 under MSRP. Most of the quotes that I received were at MSRP and every dealer gave me the line that normally they were being sold above MSRP. I suggest you contact as many dealers as possible in your area and don't settle for MSRP.

I got my shoreline 2WD EX, auto tranny, for $200 under MSRP, and that had wheel locks and mud guards. The dealer also took my 98 Civic DX hatchback with 110,000 miles for $3000. 8)

[quote:eff0d80589="Kizzz"]I'm picking up a GG 4WD EX for around $1100 under MSRP. Most of the quotes that I received were at MSRP and every dealer gave me the line that normally they were being sold above MSRP. I suggest you contact as many dealers as possible in your area and don't settle for MSRP.[/quote:eff0d80589]

Yup this is the way to go, find all the dealers near and far and call them all, get a price, and then go from there.

I did pay MSRP but I did get a lot free.. I also am getting amazing service, and I am not even slightly unhappy with my choice. Not all my accessories were in, they come up pick up my car, leave the car I would like to drive for the time being and when it is done they bring it back to me.. i don't have to worry about a thing.. I got to drive the Civic Hybrid for a week.. not bad, very nice! Next trip will be the New Accord.

The are also repairing the several hundred dollars of damage to the back drivers side door..for only $50 (my hubbie had to have it, had to drive it that monday after we picked it up, he had to show it off at work.. and while on the hwy to work, a vehicle driving on the shoulder kicked up something that whacked the door bigtime, gashed the door pretty bad in three spots!)

So I am thrilled for the great deals everyone is getting, way to go.. i could not wait I had to have it, if I could have waited perhaps I could have gotten a better deal but I am not complaining.

Definately shop around.. and good luck to everyone!

It looks like the best deals are in the middle of the country. I just got a black EX 4WD in Southern California where the dealers are hanging tough at sticker. I paid $200 less than sticker: $20,850 plus $460 destination charges, sales tax @ 7.75% and registration and tire fees of $193. Also paid $45 for dealer document-prep fee and $695 for LoJack. Total out the door was $23,736. I got free wheel locks and a free first oil change thanks to a wonderful sales manager whom I've followed from dealer to dealer. I'm happy as a pig in mud!! :D :D :D :D :D :D

[quote:3c619138e7="fosterbo"]It looks like the best deals are in the middle of the country. I just got a black EX 4WD in Southern California where the dealers are hanging tough at sticker. I paid $200 less than sticker: $20,850 plus $460 destination charges, sales tax @ 7.75% and registration and tire fees of $193. Also paid $45 for dealer document-prep fee and $695 for LoJack. Total out the door was $23,736. I got free wheel locks and a free first oil change thanks to a wonderful sales manager whom I've followed from dealer to dealer. I'm happy as a pig in mud!! :D :D :D :D :D :D[/quote:3c619138e7]

Please post pis of your black EX. I would love to see them. I cant decide between the black or the shoreline...persuade me! :0)

Go to the www.hondacars.com website and put all the options you want and build your car the way you want it. Create a spreadsheet and place all of your local dealerships on the top (almost like an inverted x axis) and on the left side, place all of the options and price of the car on the website. In the blocks below each dealership, make them quote you, line by line, for each item and then total each at the bottom (as well as total by interior and exterior accessories) Then go to all of the dealerships, DON'T LET THEM SEE WHAT NUMBERS ARE ON THE SHEET, just that you have the sheet and make sure they understand that you are shopping around.

I got mine $100, (yes $100) over invoice. Orange, the way I wanted it and in a week. Make sure when one gives you a low price, you call all the other dealerships to compare. Do this until you feel you are at the lowest, or until, in my case, they all said no way, can't go that low.

With all of my accessories, the sticker MSRP was over $26,356 out the door, my price out the door, after negotiations was $23,281 or $100 over invoice in a 6.65% area.

GOOD LUCK!!

Kizzz:
which dealer gave you this deal? can I talk to the same saleman?

Boxcar:
where are you? if you are in the NE, which dealer and which salesperson gave you the deal?

thanks a bunch!

:oops:

Paid 19,910 for 2WD EX Black (drool) and had been having trouble even finding one for about 2 months- so when the dealer called and said they had one in - I jumped. Put a big dwnpymnt on it, but they wouldn't give me much on my trade in (can't blame them there) so I kept it. Only thing close to a deal was I went through CostCo (don't laugh!!) and it was a no pressure easy sale that took 350$ off the sticker price. They were able to work out several finance options so I took the one best for me.

One think I noticed at the dealer- they add a few features to a DX (like air conditioning and a CD player) and jack up the price to that of an EX but without the major options! They had a 2WD DX that they added air and a cd and keyless entry, then raised the price to 21,900.00 which was over what I paid and anyone who buys that won't get: Cruise control, the awesome sound system, power mirrors, alloy wheels.... am I forgeting anything? But they will have paid more that the EX !!! Go figure- shifty car dealers!

:evil:

So after seeing the price of the DX, I figure 19560 was a price I could live with for the EX that I really wanted.


Now if I could just get people to stop staring at it and asking me Is that some kind of Hummer? I did have one person ask if it was "That new Mercedes....." guess he was a little blind.... :roll:

I am getting my SOP EX 4WD for $20,062.00 before sales tax. That includes all fees and destination charge, etc. This does not include any added accessories, but they will give me a deal on the carpet and cargo cover, and anything they have in stock, if I want them. I'll be picking it up in the Chicagoland area in about a week. I live in Arkansas, but we test drove one on a trip and when he said he was getting two SOP EX's, I had to have one. :D

the person posting that they got the 2wd dx for less than the dealer paid has their numbers mixed up...that E...minus hold back is in the range of $14500....if this person got the car for $100 over dealer cost, ie : the dealer made no money at all on the car, you rule and i want you to negotiate the purchasing of my new home....no way !

I'm close to closing a deal for a 4WD EX for MSRP less $900. Dealing with a quality dealer who is very easy to work with. Having trouble finding a Shoreline Mist, though....

Thanks to all on this board for all the feedback and information. Without it I would have spent more, both on the E and the accessories. I would urge all that read to jump in and offer comments!

I just bought my FWD EX (auto) Element a couple of days back for $19,923 plus some nominal charges and taxes. This brought the price upto 20k. The local dealers (South Bend, IN) refused to bargain and quoted the list price only. So I bought the vehicle from Chicago. All I ever did was send out emails and call these guys up. Once the price was decided I walked in with the check and out with my baby! The dealer also threw in free splash guards, which I took in exchange for full marks on the honda survey! I was gonna give him full marks anyway, so it worked out pretty well for me.

My advice to anyone interested in purchasing an element is to slug it out with the dealers. :D

Wow! Nice news for some of you. I just closed at MSRP on a 4W EX, but that was better than paying the $2995 dealer markup that every other place in town was charging!

I felt so good that I actually paid the dealer's price to add a couple of options I didn't feel like spending time to add, and those options were cheaper than al teh other dealers and lower than the retail+install prices I've seen elsewhere.

Can't wait for delivery next week. Getting tired of wet shoes and log travel times on public transportation.

Just got an Blue E 4WD EX. from Anaheim, Southern California.
got a 48 months lease, 15K/year, $306/month. Although it's $150 less than MSRP, but they play with the monthly, (it's actually higher than quote from honda.com)
like the car, but not the dealership, dealer didn't honor their words during negoation and keep ask me multiple times to give them full mark on the survey or said (they can fill it out for me)

Just bought an orange ex awd for $500 under MSRP, dealer threw in roof rack, keyless remote and side steps, gave me $7800 trade in for my 1997 pathfinder se with 88k miles. I was satisfied. Did not feel like haggling any more, and wanted to close in it. I live in Northern NJ.

Shop at many southern california dealer recently. I mainly use msn.com to get quote from dealers, and only got to dealers with price quotes over the internet, a few dealers doesn't honor their quote when you actually get in there. like the one in Anaheim Hills, and Cerriots.

They may quote some something less than MSRP, but they add this and that in the monthly. All dealers hard sell their Pre-Installed Alarm system (you can bargain on that) also the extended warranty (useless, it doesn't cover much) it is the last source they can get you after your long negoation. It's will add to your total car price (so you will have to pay for higher DMV tax, as they add it to the total car vaule they sold)

Dealers at West Covina and Alhambra is not cheap, but thy sell at what they quote.

A dealer in Upland is way too much, wants $2000 over MSRP, and it's already March, not january anymore...

[quote:72f4895d32="ms6"]Shop at many southern california dealer recently. I mainly use msn.com to get quote from dealers, and only got to dealers with price quotes over the internet, a few dealers doesn't honor their quote when you actually get in there. like the one in Anaheim Hills, and Cerriots.

They may quote some something less than MSRP, but they add this and that in the monthly. All dealers hard sell their Pre-Installed Alarm system (you can bargain on that) also the extended warranty (useless, it doesn't cover much) it is the last source they can get you after your long negoation. It's will add to your total car price (so you will have to pay for higher DMV tax, as they add it to the total car vaule they sold)
[/quote:72f4895d32]

Like anything else in this business, the advertised price may not be what it seems. I have seen about every gimmick there is, and am still amazed at the level of some dealership advertising. Whether on the Web or paper.

[quote:2a725476e0="onejamesy"]Kizzz:
which dealer gave you this deal? can I talk to the same saleman?

Boxcar:
where are you? if you are in the NE, which dealer and which salesperson gave you the deal?

thanks a bunch![/quote:2a725476e0]

I'm in Ohio. (originally from IA) My wife's element just came off the truck today. They tried the old "let's add extended warranty" yeah, for $1475, I don't think so. I told them I had another place to get it and not to worry. They immediately dropped the price to less than half for 0 deductible (less than the guy had them on this site for, too) and 100k miles (we're both military and drive our cars a lot to visit family) So, not a bad deal. Just don't take the first deal. Shop around and let them know you'll wait if you have to. I told them straight, I'm buying an element this week, what's YOUR price.

southern ca. 9 day old blue auto4wd ex..paid22,900 no bargain

I just bought a Shorline Mist 4WD EX with installed:

- running boards
- fog lights
- roof rack
- mud gaurds
- leather steeering wheel

For $21, 800. It cost me $24,000 total after taxes, tag, title and dealers fees!

I just got my SOP 2WD EX automatic from Gateway Honda in Port Richy Florida and only paid 19,200 with side steps thrown in. My wife has a friend who is a car broker and we were going to get it in Brandon, but my wife at this dealership to check the colors to she which she liked and they gave us the offer of 19,200 with the side steps and i could not pass it up. Dealer fee of 399 and tags of 40 and that is it.

Very pleased and loving my new baby.

[
size=18][/size]

I am in love with the Honda Element....I am going to buy one by the end of April. I have test driven and shopped around at all 5 St. Louis Honda Dealerships.

I have found a Salesman that is very low pressure and very nice, my husband and I both really feel comfortable with him (neither one of us has ever bought a new car).....we are looking at a 4WD EX Automatic....and the sticker price is $21,620 (has a few extra options) and he said that our price would be $20,920....should we try to bargin down??

Please Advise!
We can't wait to get our Element....but we are a lil out of touch with new car shopping...

oh....our salesman is giving us $300 for our trade in....my husbands 1990 Honda Civic EX 4 door sedan, which was his first and only car he has ever owned....and it has been driven to the limits and has 156,000 miles and still truckin!

Thanks!
St. Louis Penguin

It's been 10 years since I bought a car, and I'm preparing to buy an EX AWD soon. Does anyone have any tips on researching which Honda dealerships in my area are better to work with than the others?

I've heard mixed opinions about the importance of buying from a dealership that has a decent service department. Anyone have advice?

Thanks in advance for any advice you folks care to give.

I dont know where you guys live but when I got my 2wd for 19,200 at gateway honda in port richy florida, they had a 4wd in and said that since it was in stock they would let me have it at 19,600 which is an amazing deal, but I did not want green and did not buy that day. Also this location is on the west coast of Florida with many senior cirizens so maybe they are not selling well for them. I ordered my orange baby for 19,200 and was very pleased. I guess it depends on where you live and if the manager is in a good mood. Just make sure you know what you want, let them know you are an informed buyer by telling them about the car and other cars you have been looking at. Dont just jump at the first ting they say. make them earn your business.

I checked around the Indy area, and used a couple internet car finder services to scour the area for what I wanted. I put in my preferences, and this Monday, received a bid from a large local dealer (Penske Honda), at MSRP, plus their dealer add-on (mudflaps) :| . I got a second e-mail from this dealer saying that they had great news, that they had a black on in stock (I had specifically requested either orange or green) :? . I called to discuss their offer, and told them that I didn't want/need mudflaps, and black was not the color I had specified. Their response was that they installed mudflaps on every one they got in, and if I didn't want them, I'd have to pay the cost of installation as well as to have them removed. :x Also, they didn't seem to grasp that fact that black was not the color I wanted, and did not seem interested in finding me the color I wanted. The price was non-negotiable. I was told that they would have another salesman contact me via phone shortly. It's Friday, and I have not heard a peep out of them. Now, that's what I call customer service. :evil:

On Tuedsay I got a quote from Rorhman's Indy Honda, which is 15 minutes up the road from my house, telling me that they did not have exactly what I wanted in stock, but that they would guarantee to find me one :) and that their initial offer for the vehicle, w/o any add-ons I might want to have installed, would be $18,350 (not including tax/license), down from the MSRP of $19,110. :D

Needless to say, I'll be dealing with Rohrman's.... Now, to see how much more I can get them to shave off that price... :wink:

First the bad--SOP is unavailable to the dealership at this time, even on dealer trades. Rohrman's Indy Honda tried as far away as Louisville and Chicago, still no dice... The three SOP EX 5 spd. Elements they did find were already spoken for.... :roll:

Sooooo--I'll have to settle for Shoreline Mist, which is readily available. At least it has a decent interior. I didn't care for the blue or green accents, my personal preference was the black/grey, much more so than the others.... That left me with 3 exterior color choices. Black looked too much like Don Gotti's SUV. Shoreline Mist was OK as an exterior color, but what really grabbed me was the SOP.

I liked the green exterior color but when I saw it on the lot the other day, the green accents on the interior just didn't do it for me....

Now, the good news, our Element should be in the dealership tomorrow or the next day, and my insurance settlement check will be here about the same time.... :D

With the added roof rack to be installed at the dealership, I hope to be out of the rental sedan and in the Element by this weekend.... Maybe I can get them to toss in the roof racks gratis to compensate me for not being able to get the color I really wanted.... :twisted:

Spike

Hi all, new member here. Just bought my Element last Saturday (3-29). I took the silver since that is what they had on the lot and I knew I could work out a better deal. Paid $20,400 otd (out of the door, which means including destination, tax, tags, title, everything), for EX AWD with keyless remote, and they gave me the kelly blue book price for my 97 Saturn. I'm quite happy but still getting used to driving him and riding high! Having this website really helped me decide and negotiate the price so thanks to you all!

OK, I'm now in........lots of research on pricing in the Seattle are and outside it. Paid $200 under MSRP, plus splash guards.
$23k out the door. I might have done better, but I was in and out of the dealership in 15 minutes with a down payment today.
Sales tax is 8.8 out here.

rollin in a 2wd ex with shorline mist, the dealer had to trade from 250 miles away to get my wheels. I purchased it for $18500 with mud guards. But the dealers where trying for more, i just stuck it out for a couple of months before purchasing the E. plus they low balled me on my trade, check this out $1400 for my 92 accord lx with 130000miles. i laughed at them. sold my accord on my own for 3000 dollars. Be tough buyers and you will get a wonderful new element thats a great ride

Ok first off at the risk of sounding stupid, what is SOP and GG? ok with that out of the way, I live in fort myers fl and just got off the phone with fort myers honda I told him I was going to pay cash for a new element. he gave me a quote of 24,181 otd on a 4wd ex model with nothing else added, no steps no mud flaps no roof rack no nothing, they are giving me the "A TOUCH OF CLASS" paint sealer for the low price of $ 1900.00. so needless to say I'm glad i found this site!! thank you everyone for your post , I'm sure I can now save some money!

[quote:d51b39bbd2="medic4lee"]Ok first off at the risk of sounding stupid, what is SOP and GG? [/quote:d51b39bbd2]

SOP = Sunset Orange Pearl
GG = Galapagos Green

8)

dxboy thanks i feel a little smarter now

Looks like the fisrt 5 spd's are scheduled to be built around 4/27 to 4/28. The usual delivery time from the build date is 4-6 weeks. So........we should see our first 5spd EX AWD's by end of May, start of June.

Well, I had a deposit on a Black EX AWD E for a couple of weeks and I was waiting patently for it to come it when I got a call on 3/28 from one of the original dealers that I had visited. I told him the deal that I was getting at the current dealer and he said that if I took one off the lot, he'd make me a good deal. Well, I got a Blue EX AWD for $20100 including tax, tags, and delivery charges and through in keyless, mudgaurds and wheel-locks. It had just come off the truck the day before and only had 7 miles on it when i took delivery that day (after getting my deposit back). :D I think I got a good price for it and I couldn't be happier with the vehicle (with the exception of the crazy door locks that lock themselves now and then).

JRock

I wish I could find deals like you guys are finding. All I am getting is a stonewall of $2,000 mark ups, and sales people who are completely and totally unwilling to bargain. I told one that I wanted to pay less than MSRP and she suggested I find another, less expensive car. (@#$)@ Her!!

Any suggestions on how you guys are getting such great deals?

[quote:d1f9d0fa1a="maverickj7"]I wish I could find deals like you guys are finding. All I am getting is a stonewall of $2,000 mark ups, and sales people who are completely and totally unwilling to bargain. I told one that I wanted to pay less than MSRP and she suggested I find another, less expensive car. (@#$)@ Her!!

Any suggestions on how you guys are getting such great deals?[/quote:d1f9d0fa1a]

If you are patient the deals can be found I think. Don't be discouraged by the dealers that are getting MSRP or more. If they are getting it, then they aren't likely to change any time soon unless the E's start stacking up on them. Then, they might still be tough.

To me it seems more dependant on the region you are in and the demand. We have only discounted a very limited number of E's, but one of my competitors just blew one out (EX AWD) for $1900 off MSRP. Crazy, but that is their decision.

Thanks for your responce. Are you a dealer or something?

It also seems to me that a lot of dealers just aren't willing to talk period. I have gotten pretty lackluster service at most of the lots I have visited. The one closest to my home is where I have received the best treatment, and they are sitting on MSRP (and slightly above, methinks) pretty obstinately.

:(

[quote:9a6112dc36="maverickj7"]Thanks for your responce. Are you a dealer or something?

It also seems to me that a lot of dealers just aren't willing to talk period. I have gotten pretty lackluster service at most of the lots I have visited. The one closest to my home is where I have received the best treatment, and they are sitting on MSRP (and slightly above, methinks) pretty obstinately.

:([/quote:9a6112dc36]

Yes, I am a dealer.

Dealerships that are arrogant about charging MSRP are basically shooting themselves in the foot. There is a polite way of explaining that this is what our vehicles bring and a definite wrong way. It is never what a customer wants to hear either way. Charging above MSRP will also only cost most dealerships future business. They might get over on you now, but when it comes time for your next Honda.....

I personally would pay several hundred dollars more to purchase from a dealer that I like, but many people only care about the final dollar. You have to make that decision though. Keep searching is all I can say.

I saw a few posts that also sentiment my thoughts, and that, is a good salesperson makes all the difference in the world. A good salesperson will convince their manager to make the deal a little sweeter :oops: It is our jobs to keep as much of the dealerships money as possible, just like it's our customers job to keep as much of their money as possible. Hopefully you will find a happy medium.

Finally, don't let the stern dealers discourage or influence your deal at another dealership. It's hard to put a bad experience out of your mind, but it will do you good to do so when you shop the next guy. Tell them you are ready to do business, tell them about your experience if you wish to and try to politely negotiate a deal. Give them what you feel is a reasonable offer and if you have to "think about it overnight". Heck, use this board as ammunition. Good luck.

Well, I paid $600 over MSRP for a 4WD SM with a roof rack here in washington. I used Auto Consultants NW after I went to a bunch of dealers and they weren't willing to move from $1600+ over MSRP. They finally found me one at Capitol Honda in McMinville - which I think is south of Portland. It was re :D ally nice not to have to haggle! :D

I recently (3/17/2003) bought a Nighthawk Black Pearl EX 4WD for a few dollars under $21,000 (on the street price, including taxes, tags etc., plus mud guards and lifetime oil changes) from College Park Honda in Maryland. I was pretty pleased with the price I was able to negotiate, especially in light of the fact that I loathe the process. So in the hopes that it may help someone, here was what I learned in my research leading up to buying my Element.

1) Consumer reports recommends that you negotiate UP from the Dealer's wholesale price, not DOWN from the MSRP. For reference, the 4WD EX base price is as follows:

Total MSRP = $20850 MSRP + $460 destination = $21,310

Total Dealer Invoice = $19,262 Base Invoice + $460 destination = $19,722

Dealer Wholesale Price = $19,722 - $626 Holdback = $19,096

Dealer Holdback is a 3% payment to the dealer from Honda for each vehicle sold. My dealer refused to go into their holdback, but I was able to get them to sell to me for their invoice, which seemed pretty good relative to other quotes I received.

2) Use the internet quote services. Somebody has a link to "carbuyingstrategies" here somewhere. I clicked on this, and found out the several services they recommend, plus I also requested a quote from a Costco dealer. The bottom line is I got some decent quotes ($20,300 was the lowest), but nobody went as low as the price I negotiated. I think the internet services provide good ammunition for negotiation, but even consumer reports says that you may get the best price by going in and negotiating. Yuk. :oops:

3) Work with multiple dealers. I have the feeling that I received a good price because I was very ready to walk if I didn't get what I thought was a good price. College Park Honda is a high volume dealership, so I think that helps too, plus they had multiple Elements on the lot that I could buy without having to order (although they did not have SOP). I had my cell phone with me, and the names and numbers of reps from other dealers. I actually called one while outside the dealership and he said he couldn't match their price. That made me feel good that at least I wasn't getting skinned.

I hope the above is helpful to someone.

Despite a ride that's a little bouncier than I'm used to, for the first time in my life I actually enjoy driving my car (I'm 41). The Element rocks!

I bought my 4WD Y (EX) for $33500 out the door, including all taxes. This worked out to about $1100 below Manf List Price. I found that most dealers if they have stock are willing to go for $800-$1000. If they have no stock I could not get better than $750, but most were around $500 off.

A suggestion to new buyers in order to find a deal. Just go to the Honda site and get a list of dealers in your area +250 miles. E-mail them all and leave your phone number. Out of 12 emails, I received 7 calls. Out of the 7 calls, 6 were willing to deal. Out of that 6, there were 4 I could have bought from and felt comfortable with the sales person.
Hope this helps

Can you believe that 5 dealerships chose not to call me?

What accessories did you get. At 33500 I assume that you are in Canada, where?

I did not buy any accessories at this time, and Yes, I am in Canada. I hope so at that price :)
Windsor Ontario Area

I paid MSRP. My out the door price was 33,000.00.

Including
Tax
Spoiler
Sidesteps
Steering wheel cover
Mud flaps
Bungees

this was after my trade of 13500 for my dakota

With only one SMM EX among three dealers, I paid the MSRP at $21,310. I got the trailer light wiring harness installed at $125, normally $165 plus installation. I'm doing the hitch at a local hitch place for $119 vs. $212 at Handa Accessories. I did not trade in, but I charged it on my VISA so that's a free plane ticket.

Adding mudflaps and remote entry myself from Handa Accessories.