| eurojap |
All,
I'm planning to take a look at an '05 sagebrush touring/nav/res this weekend. They are asking $33,900 for it and claim to be "pretty" firm.
Because of all the information I've gathered on this post, and in particular, guys like SDTS and others, I called the nearest dealer (~80 miles) and took a swing at them. To be clear, there isn't another Acura dealer within a 100 mile radius of this one. I told them people are buying '06 touring nav models for $36.6 +fees & taxes and challenged them to give me their best price or risk my buying the '05 or having an '06 shipped in from somewhere.
The salesmen called back with the following deal...
'06 Aspen White - touring/nav w/saddle interior
$36,600 vehicle cost
$15 title transfer
$8 registration transfer
$2,196 MI sales tax
$170 document fee
Total out the door = $38,999.20
I can't believe it. I was shocked to get this deal in MI. At any rate, I now have the following dilemma.
If the '05 is pristine and they will take $32K for it, this is a final cost swing of about $5K.
What would you do? Would you save the $5K and buy the '05 with 13K miles or, would you step up and buy the '06 and take a little bigger depreciation hit? Incidentally, I plan on driving the vehicle for 5-6 years. The whole idea behind buying an '05 is to reduce the depreciation curve.
What do you all think about 1) the deal offered on the new '06 and 2) the decision between the used '05 vs the new '06 + $5K?
Either way, it appears that I may finally have found my X. I'm pretty geeked.
eurojap |
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| paotmc |
Eurojap,
Congrats on your new X. I just bought an '06 Touring w/ Nav Aspen White 2 weekends ago. Like you, I followed this board for about 3 weeks before I make my decision. I paid $36,400 for mine in the DC metro area. I am pretty satisfied with the X and I hope you'll be too.
paotmc |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by eurojap
All,
I'm planning to take a look at an '05 sagebrush touring/nav/res this weekend. They are asking $33,900 for it and claim to be "pretty" firm.
Because of all the information I've gathered on this post, and in particular, guys like SDTS and others, I called the nearest dealer (~80 miles) and took a swing at them. To be clear, there isn't another Acura dealer within a 100 mile radius of this one. I told them people are buying '06 touring nav models for $36.6 +fees & taxes and challenged them to give me their best price or risk my buying the '05 or having an '06 shipped in from somewhere.
The salesmen called back with the following deal...
'06 Aspen White - touring/nav w/saddle interior
$36,600 vehicle cost
$15 title transfer
$8 registration transfer
$2,196 MI sales tax
$170 document fee
Total out the door = $38,999.20
I can't believe it. I was shocked to get this deal in MI. At any rate, I now have the following dilemma.
If the '05 is pristine and they will take $32K for it, this is a final cost swing of about $5K.
What would you do? Would you save the $5K and buy the '05 with 13K miles or, would you step up and buy the '06 and take a little bigger depreciation hit? Incidentally, I plan on driving the vehicle for 5-6 years. The whole idea behind buying an '05 is to reduce the depreciation curve.
What do you all think about 1) the deal offered on the new '06 and 2) the decision between the used '05 vs the new '06 + $5K?
Either way, it appears that I may finally have found my X. I'm pretty geeked.
eurojap
Having traded 2 vehicles I bought new (2004 Toyota/2003 Acura) - both with less than 10K and less than 1 yr old due to extensive problems, I am very leary on why a fairly new vehicle is on a lot. I negotiated very well and did not really get hit with much depreciation loss. If the 2005 is only a year old then it is not coming off a lease and somebody got rid of it for a reason. That is OK if you expect a few dealer visits to save $5K. I figure you have a better "reliability" shot with a new vehicle than one that is on the after only a year and 13K miles.
Also the 2005 only has 4 year/50K drivetrain warranty, where the 2006 jumps it to 6 year/70K. Is the 2005 certified or an extended warranty included?
Good luck which ever way you go! |
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| dj-mdx2 |
| If you're even thinking about it, take the 06 and enjoy a good new car deal. You might also find getting future issues fixed easier if you bought the X from the dealer instead of used. |
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| SDTS |
Great News.
If the 05 is Certified, you will have a longer warranty than the 06, so warranty is not the issue.
LOTS of people trade cars in just cause they do not like them. It also could be a retired Service Loaner which are also great cars to buy. gas prices are HUGE reasons for quick turn ins on SUV's. A lot of people just do not put a pencil to the math of how much extra the SUV will bring at the pump.
Open all the doors on the 05 and the hood and tailgate. Look for the "Vin Sticker" on each panel. It will be about two inches in length and have the vin # on it. This is the best way to make sure it has never had any body work or replaced panels from possible accidents. Then, run you fingers along the edges of all the panels....they should be smooth. If they feel rough like sand paper, you will know the feeling if you feel it, then it means it has been painted..again, possible body work. If all of those things check out, then the car is probably fine and might just be worth the savings!!!!
However, with the amount of time you are planning on keeping it, the depreciation curve will basically level itself out, so the money you are saving is simply in your up front purchase if that makes sense.
Nothing more exciting than putting every mile on your MDX as YOURS!!!! But only you can put a dollar amount on that feeling!!! |
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| eurojap |
All,
Thanks so much for the insights.
To clarify a couple of points, the '05 is a private owner. They are a Honda employee and say the vehicle was purchased on an employee plan. When I asked the owner why they were selling, the answer was pretty vague. Basically, they said they had 2 other vehicles and simply didn't "need" this one. Of course, this begs the question, "then why did you buy it in the first place?" Of course, I kept that thought to myself.
As for the warranty, how could a certified '05 warranty exceed that of a new '06? Since this is a private owner, it's moot anyway. I was just curious. To confirm, the warranty on the '06 is 60mo/70K miles bumper to bumper?
SDTS, thanks much for the vin sticker - overspray feel advice. I develop products for a living but wouldn't have known about the vin stickers. Also, I've never thought about feeling for overspray. I can see where that would be a dead give away. I have an eagle eye for color variation and can spot a painted door while driving down the road! I'm very particular.
As you may have gathered, I'm starting to lean pretty heavily toward new. Ahhh, the smell of a new car.......
eurojap |
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| SDTS |
There is no such thing as a "Honda Purchase Program", so that is a line of garbage...steer away from this car now IMO.......they have already lied once, I would not trust it.
Certified changes the 4/50 to 5/62 from original in service date and thepowertrain becomes 7/100..that is why it is longer...but private party, as you stated, makes all of that moot.
As far as the smell of a new car....that is the one thing that I hate about being in the business....I CAN"T SMELL IT ANYMORE!!!!!!!! :(
I would go with new my friend. I NEVER trust private party sales...of course, I am biased on that one!!!! :D |
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| JL_SS |
quote:
Originally posted by SDTS
Great News.
It also could be a retired Service Loaner which are also great cars to buy.
Your dealership must take care of their service loaners much better than mine. Most of the loaners look like they are 5 years old after only a few months........... |
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| SDTS |
we have some bad ones...no doubt....we leave those ones, the ones that have been on accidents type of thing, in loaner service....but the nice ones, which are most of them, we sell every 6 months.
Amazing what a great detail job does....and cleaning them as often as possible!!!!! |
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| crmsnidol |
quote:
Originally posted by SDTS
There is no such thing as a "Honda Purchase Program", so that is a line of garbage...steer away from this car now IMO.......they have already lied once, I would not trust it.
I happend to live near the American Honda Mount Laurel, NJ offices and training center. A friend's dad has worked there for many years and would frequently buy cars, motorcycles and parts through their program he referred to as the "employee purchase plan". Does this make sense? In fact, when I bought my '88 CRX Si, I purchased it without A/C and bought the unit seperately from him. At the time my local dealers were charging $1400 for the A/C option (yes, it was an option back then!) and I was able to get it for $565 (A/C unit) and $160 labor from the same Honda dealer I bought the car from. |
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| eurojap |
All,
It would make sense to me that Honda would have an employee discount program much like the US automakers 'A' plans for their employees. The discounts are good in those plans but the best part is, no hassles. You just walk in, give them a pin number, and that's it - instant fixed price. The price for the vehicle is the same from every dealer. My grandfather retired from Ford and we've leased/purchased 5-6 minivans over the past 12 years or so using the plan. I can't say if Honda has such a plan or not but, it would make sense if they did.
All that said, I buckled and told the dealer here to prep a black/saddle '06 for me to pick up today. I'll leave the office around 10AM this morning and be back wiht the X around 2PM. I'm not even going to look at the private owner's '05.
I'm sorry to tell you, now that I'm an owner (almost), the questions will be coming fast and furious. Here are a couple just to get warmed up.
1.) What are the first 1 or 2 "must haves" in terms of accessories? Do these vehicles need a bra for example? I really like the way the chrome side steps look.
2.) Are there any critical tips on the break in period other than the usual "vary the speed" routine? I'll be driving the car about 80 miles back from the dealer (all highway - 70MPH speed limit in MI) and then tomorrow, I'm planning to go visit my in-laws in OH. It's about a 4 hr drive. Should I take a different car? That would be really tough given my jones to drive the X.
3.) Will the dealer automatically activate the XM radio for me? I read on Acura's site they pick up the first 90 days.
Well, that's about all for now. I'll give you guys a full report complete with picks later today or tomorrow.
Thanks again for everything!
eurojap |
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| SDTS |
Oops. I forgot when I posted that......what I forgot is the people that actually work for Honda the manufacturer. They do indeed buy Honda's a different way.
People that sell Honda's/Acura's..like myself, do NOT have any special programs to buy cars other than any that the Dealership wishes to provide for their employees. I have indeed done courtesy deliveries for HOnda employees.
What is different about Ford and things of the such, is they actually have different pricing for anyone that works for Ford from sales to manufacturing. When they did that "Employee Pricing" thing, the pupblic really and truely was paying what all employees of Ford were paying.
My bad....sometimes my brain gets so stuck in the dealership level, I forget about all the other parts of the business!!!!!
Excuse me now while I go find a corner to pull my ignorant foot out of my mouth!!! :D |
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| SDTS |
Break in period is just to not hammer the accelerator everytime forf the first 800 miles. There is actually a spot in your owners manual that goes over it. Just drive like a normal person would, and you will be fine.
The XM should automatically be activated. The 90 day period starts the daythey report your car sold to Honda. What is on when you get it, is a "trial period" that gets turned on on predelivery inspection when the car comes off the truck. If the car has been on the lot for a while, that trial period could have expired. IF it has, then you will only be bale to get 4 channels. 1-164-264-something like that. Just turn your radio to channel 0...it will show you your ID number. Call 1-800-xmradio...give them that number, and they will activate for you if it is not already running. All this SHOULD be gone over with you when you take delivery.
Now...here is the trick. If you are a good negotiator, whgen you reach the end of 90 days and you decide you want to continue and pay, call XM and negotiate. You can get the to do a year at $77.00. IF you are not good, then just let it turn off and live without it for a month or two. They will send you the offer in the mail...just DON't pay 12.99 per month!!!
Prretty sure that has been covered around here in the past, but it just seemed like a good place to drop it in again. :D |
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| NiteOwl |
paotmc
Which dealerhship in the DC area did you purchase from? I am looking for a Sage Nav/RES right now - I have a friend that is an Acura salesman in NC, but they dont have that combo on their lot - seems like there are plenty up here - I want to get as close to the $36,612 price as possible.
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What was your negotiation process? Did you email first, or go there? I HATE sitting in a dealership, and really want to have a great price set before I even go there.
TIA... |
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| paotmc |
Niteowl,
I bought mine from Pohanka Acura off of route 50 in chantilly. I got it from Omar Omland. However, I don't think you can get 06 MDX Nav/RES for 36,600. I sent out requests for price quotes on 06 MDX to 5 different acura dealers in this area and Pohanka's price quote was at least $2,000 below what other dealers offered me. I'll PM you his email address and you can contact him. I think he might be able to sell it to u for $37,500. But that's just my guess...Good luck
paotmc |
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| hks |
quote:
Originally posted by paotmc
Eurojap,
Congrats on your new X. I just bought an '06 Touring w/ Nav Aspen White 2 weekends ago. Like you, I followed this board for about 3 weeks before I make my decision. I paid $36,400 for mine in the DC metro area. I am pretty satisfied with the X and I hope you'll be too.
paotmc
If you don't mind, Can you tell me whih dealership in the DC area you got ur MDX at.
Thanks |
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| hks |
quote:
Originally posted by paotmc
Niteowl,
I bought mine from Pohanka Acura off of route 50 in chantilly. I got it from Omar Omland. However, I don't think you can get 06 MDX Nav/RES for 36,600. I sent out requests for price quotes on 06 MDX to 5 different acura dealers in this area and Pohanka's price quote was at least $2,000 below what other dealers offered me. I'll PM you his email address and you can contact him. I think he might be able to sell it to u for $37,500. But that's just my guess...Good luck
paotmc
Sorry I should have read the entire page before asking .
Based on what I learned here, I too called/emailed every dealership in the Dc area. Pohanka was not the best price. Some were down right cheats, gave me one price quote over the phone and then started adding destination + $250 for processing when I got their. I simply walked out.
I got my MDX Nav/RES at 37200 at Chevy Chase Acura. I had gotten some quotes for 37000 but this was closer to my house and the crook virgina dealerships had put a bad taste in my mouth. I did not feel like driving 60 miles to find out the price was bogus.
Anyways, My sales rep was great, did not try to over sell anything. |
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