Buying a 2008 Honda CRV. How do you get the best price? Ideas?

[disalways]

My 2002 Ford Explorer is gone. I lost control of the steering 10 days ago, steering rack broke! and the car is junk.

So, I need a new car, and I've decided on the Honda CRV EXL 4WD. Good gas milage. Good resale down the road. I'm trying to get the best price out there. I'm currently emailing the dealers in my area to get quotes.

How do you get the best price? I've never done this before so any suggestions are very welcome.

 

[Momto3Girls&Max]

I emailed the dealers for price quotes and went with the lowest price when we purchased a new Honda Civic. Some didn't want to give an email quote, but I made it clear that I would not even consider them without a quote. It was painless and easy and we went with the dealer who gave us the lowest price.

 

[suevee]

I researched the Honda Odyssey and compared it with some other vans. Then I decided the price range I was comfortable with. Then I emailed the local dealers with my low-end price. I did everything over the phone and computer. I got the price I wanted. One dealer tried to bait and switch me but I walked out in the middle of it. I made it clear that I was a serious buyer, I had the money, I knew the profit margins, and I wanted it down quickly. I also waited until the end of the month to buy. In October 2006 I got a 2007 Odyssey SE for $22,000 total.

 

[disalways]

So you went back and forth telling them what you were offered by another dealer to see if they would beat it?

22,000 is a great price! Good for you! I hope I can work a deal the same way!

 

[suevee]

I didn't want to go back and forth. I was really looking at the Caravans at the time but decided to try for a Honda Odyssey. I also arranged for the money ahead of time so I would not be tempted to go over budget. I applied over the internet. Three dealers called me.

So I told them how much I wanted to spend and if they could get me into an Odyssey for that price then I would come down and buy it that day, if not I would go with the Caravan. The first dealer said I am sorry, I can not help you.

Both the second and third indicated they wanted my business. I told the third dealer that it was first come first serve, and I had an obligation to the second caller. BUT if he tried pulling anything I would walk. I was not picky about colors and did not want a lot of options.

The second dealer had me come in then started saying his manager this, and his manager that, and he was not sure he could honor the price. I told him I wanted to buy that day at that price, give it to me now or I would walk. I walked and called the third dealer.

I explained what happened. Then I said if you are serious about selling me a car we can take care of the details over the phone. They were serious, we did the details over the phone, I picked up the car that night check in hand.

This all took place about five days before the end of the month and I took a van that was on the dealers lot not one that had to be delivered. I did not pay freight.

 

[suevee]

I did research all the vans. I had a firm price in mind. I wanted the Odyssey but would have been OK with a Caravan. I let the dealers know this. So they really had no leverage with me and they wanted the van off their lots. End of October is a great time to buy because of new models coming out and the desire to clear inventory off the lot.

 

[disalways]

When you got prices, did you ask for the price and then the out the door price? I've noticed that the OTD price varies, and can add quite a bit to the price they offer. So far I'm getting their prices online with a statement attached, "Plus taxes, destination, and other *fees*..." I haven't received anything in writing with a solid OTD price... EXCEPT from one dealer who gave me a COSTCO price... now today they are having an additional sale to move stock, so he gave me a verbal price for a bigger discount.

I am worried about exactly what you mentioned... walking in ready to buy and having them change the price. I really don't want to waste my time. I want the best price they can give me upfront, in writing and move on from there. Appears to be easier said than done.

 

[suevee]

I compared from various sites, not all were dealer sites to get a fair price. I looked at places like Kelly's Blue Book, Carmax and Edmond's. I tried to find the price the dealers paid for the cars on their lots before talking to the dealers. Then I decide how much I wanted to pay.

I did not ask the dealers for a price. I TOLD them what I was willing to pay and asked if they have anything on their lot that I would be interested in. I also told them I would buy on that day. I had my money in hand before I looked so I would not be tempted to pay more than I could afford. I was always polite and firm. I didn't dicker, I paid a price I was comfortable with. I was pretty matter of fact - My total included everything. No surprises. I even got the floor mats thrown in. I was nice but I did not budge on what I could pay. Again one dealer could not help me, another tried to dicker and I walked, and the third sold me an Odyssey over the phone at MY price. Also I didn't care for the bells and whistles or the color.

At the end of the month dealers have to pay a fee for any unsold cars on their lots. That is why the push is on at the end of the month. Also I was prepared to buy a Caravan if I could not get an Odyssey at my price. All the dealers knew this upfront.

I was also told October is the best month to buy to get a good deal.

 

[disalways]

Very smart! Thank you for your thoughts suevee! You really got a great deal on your car. I hope I can close the deal on this by tomorrow. I really need a car... been driving my mothers around for the last week and a half.

 

[swilshire]

I researched the Honda Odyssey and compared it with some other vans. Then I decided the price range I was comfortable with. Then I emailed the local dealers with my low-end price. I did everything over the phone and computer. I got the price I wanted. One dealer tried to bait and switch me but I walked out in the middle of it. I made it clear that I was a serious buyer, I had the money, I knew the profit margins, and I wanted it down quickly. I also waited until the end of the month to buy. In October 2006 I got a 2007 Odyssey SE for $22,000 total.

You're my hero! I've always wanted an Odyssey, but keep buying Chryslers because none of the Honda dealers around here want to discount. I saw an Odyssey on the lot this week that I loved, but at $37,000, it cost more than my first mortgage. The salesman said there was no way they would have any discounts in the thousands, even in today's lousy economy. He even claimed that their business has been up recently, not down.

You've inspired me to keep trying.

Thanks,

Sheila

 

[SarahKate]

We bought our 2008 Accord EX on May 31st - specifically waited til the last day of the month.

Had planned on buying a base model, thinking that's all we could afford (we were looking to spend about 22k out the door w/ taxes and everything). They were going to give us a pretty good deal.

So we went to lunch, and talked it over. Decided "hey, if they'll work with us on a base model, I betcha they'll work w/ us even more on an EX".

DH got on his phone & looked up the invoice cost for the model we wanted. We estimated what tax, title & license would be. Took it back to the dealer and told him we changed our mind and wanted an EX model - gave him a note with our "out the door cost". He went to the finance manager and they came back $200 over that invoice cost. Worked for us! So we got a really sweet Accord w/ a lot of bells & whistles for a total of $22k.

I think dealerships sometimes vary as far as how much they work with you. But our Honda dealership will definitely work with us. Back in the day you couldn't get discounts on Hondas.....of course, it now depends on what model.

 

[RumpleMom]

Get the Consumer's Report car buying guide on the car to know the profit margin.

Buy at the end of the month.

 

[poohguys]

Do you need another car too? My car was on its last leg (200K on a 10 yrs old Buick). DH had a Honda Accord that was 3 yrs old. We traded in my car and DH's told the Honda dealer how much we wanted to pay a month in car payments and walked out a few hours later with two brand new cars. DH got a new Accord mid model with sport package and I was expecting to have to get the striped down CRV, but was able to get the ex with 4wd which was what I wanted. Once again like pp said we were not picky about color we took what was available on the lot (they just happened to have one of the colors that I wanted). I think they were motivated to get us a better deal since we were buying two cars. I LOVE my car! It was so nice to drive home (42 miles from work) in a snow storm last winter and not have any problems at all. Good luck-I hope you get what you want

 

[megthewonderful]

Definitely e-mail the dealers and get quotes. We did it last Spring for our Odyssey and got a great deal and a good price for our trade. They will want to get the 2008 models off the lot soon, so if you could wait, a good deal could be in your future!

 

[MALE*RN*777]

My brother in law is one of those scum car salesman that lie and say they can't go any lower on price, etc. Anyway, for the last 3 vehicles I looked up the fair market value on Edmunds.com and used that price which is about $2000 less than the car lots price which is the amount usually used as a commission for the salesperson. No matter what they sell it to you for they get a kick back from the manufact. for selling. So even if they sell it to you for what they get it from the manufact. for they will still get a kick back and profit. Don't give them an answer of what could you afford to pay monthly because they could make that number anything they wanted. Go with the this is what I will pay total and thats it. Good luck...