My purchase experience....
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Saratoga
My purchase experience....
Just wanna post a little bit about my purchase experience, perhaps it may help others who are still looking for a good deal. To set the stage, I am looking for a Silver/Black 2002 with no options at sticker.
I really started looking after the Hopkins event last Nov., but no success. At the end of Nov., thanx to Jimbo on this forum, I placed an order with Phil at Merced Honda at MSRP, but it's a long wait. I also contacted Roger at Serremonte before I left for my 3-week Asia trip, he did have a car while I was in Asia, no way for me to get it. After I got back, first week of Jan. Hopkins got 2 (silver/blk, blue), spoke to the fleet manager (had some connection), after some discussion, still couldn't do MSRP. Then I started the internet search.
For those of you who don't know, most Honda dealers have the inventory check on-line. I was able to check the inventory for those dealers (who post their inventory) as updated as "today". So I immediately know which dealer has what color. As of last week, El Cerrito, Santa Rosa Manly, Hopkins, Mike Harvey and Concord have Silver/Blk I wanted. But "NONE" will take MSRP. So my search range increased to 100 miles and came across Stockton Honda web site. They posted their weekly local newspaper ad on-line and caught my attention that they have 2 S2000 at sticker.
I finally had time to call them on Fri. evening at 9:30pm b4 they closed and spoke to a salesperson there. They had the Silver/Blk in stock with a bunch of options. The manager added up the MSRP and told me $35,288; but he said he is motivated to sell because it's been there for a while and he's got 4 other S2K's. I told him I will get back to him the next day. Next morning, the salesperson called me at 11AM (I just got up); since I did some calculation the night b4, I offerred them $34K (including all options plus car cover). He got the manager on the phone, and after a little discussion he asked me when I wanted to do the deal, I told him if he agreed with the offer, I would pick it up on Sun. He agreed. So it's arguable if I could have gotten a lower price, maybe someone can tell me how much the dealer really made on this deal.
The purchase experience is fine, they kept the car in the show room so they didn't put any more miles on it. It had 23miles when I got there. It clearly showed that it's been there for a while since the dash is collecting some dust. They cleaned it out while I signed the paperwork. Otherwise, the transaction is quite eventful. In addition to all the options, I also asked them for the plugs for the front license plate. Maybe someone can tell me if it is difficult to remove the front plate (i kind of remembered someone mentioned it's difficult.) So here is the deal.
2002 Silver/Black
Aero kit (front, side and trunk)
Honda Alarm (pretty basic in my opinion)
wheel locks and car cover
$34K + fee (out of door $37,124.xx - increased sales tax)
considering I was ready to pay $32840 for the car without any option, this seemed like a good deal for me. The car does look quite different with all the aero kit, but it reduces the ground clearance in front by a lot. So I really need to be careful when going over the bumps and driveways. Anyway, sorry for the long post. If NE1 has questions, please feel free to reply or PM me. I hope to be at the lunch on Wed. with my S2K if work schedule permits. See you all around.
I really started looking after the Hopkins event last Nov., but no success. At the end of Nov., thanx to Jimbo on this forum, I placed an order with Phil at Merced Honda at MSRP, but it's a long wait. I also contacted Roger at Serremonte before I left for my 3-week Asia trip, he did have a car while I was in Asia, no way for me to get it. After I got back, first week of Jan. Hopkins got 2 (silver/blk, blue), spoke to the fleet manager (had some connection), after some discussion, still couldn't do MSRP. Then I started the internet search.
For those of you who don't know, most Honda dealers have the inventory check on-line. I was able to check the inventory for those dealers (who post their inventory) as updated as "today". So I immediately know which dealer has what color. As of last week, El Cerrito, Santa Rosa Manly, Hopkins, Mike Harvey and Concord have Silver/Blk I wanted. But "NONE" will take MSRP. So my search range increased to 100 miles and came across Stockton Honda web site. They posted their weekly local newspaper ad on-line and caught my attention that they have 2 S2000 at sticker.
I finally had time to call them on Fri. evening at 9:30pm b4 they closed and spoke to a salesperson there. They had the Silver/Blk in stock with a bunch of options. The manager added up the MSRP and told me $35,288; but he said he is motivated to sell because it's been there for a while and he's got 4 other S2K's. I told him I will get back to him the next day. Next morning, the salesperson called me at 11AM (I just got up); since I did some calculation the night b4, I offerred them $34K (including all options plus car cover). He got the manager on the phone, and after a little discussion he asked me when I wanted to do the deal, I told him if he agreed with the offer, I would pick it up on Sun. He agreed. So it's arguable if I could have gotten a lower price, maybe someone can tell me how much the dealer really made on this deal.
The purchase experience is fine, they kept the car in the show room so they didn't put any more miles on it. It had 23miles when I got there. It clearly showed that it's been there for a while since the dash is collecting some dust. They cleaned it out while I signed the paperwork. Otherwise, the transaction is quite eventful. In addition to all the options, I also asked them for the plugs for the front license plate. Maybe someone can tell me if it is difficult to remove the front plate (i kind of remembered someone mentioned it's difficult.) So here is the deal.
2002 Silver/Black
Aero kit (front, side and trunk)
Honda Alarm (pretty basic in my opinion)
wheel locks and car cover
$34K + fee (out of door $37,124.xx - increased sales tax)
considering I was ready to pay $32840 for the car without any option, this seemed like a good deal for me. The car does look quite different with all the aero kit, but it reduces the ground clearance in front by a lot. So I really need to be careful when going over the bumps and driveways. Anyway, sorry for the long post. If NE1 has questions, please feel free to reply or PM me. I hope to be at the lunch on Wed. with my S2K if work schedule permits. See you all around.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 50
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From: Martinez (Bay Area)
gchien,
I took my license plate frame off the minute I left the dealership. It is not difficult to remove, let me know and I can even bring tools to help remove it tomorrow during lunch.
Congrats on purchase, That is an awesome deal. I wouldn't mind geting all the spoilers and airdamn. Don't need it as the car already looks great, but wouldn't mind having it.
Zya,
Herbert
I took my license plate frame off the minute I left the dealership. It is not difficult to remove, let me know and I can even bring tools to help remove it tomorrow during lunch.
Congrats on purchase, That is an awesome deal. I wouldn't mind geting all the spoilers and airdamn. Don't need it as the car already looks great, but wouldn't mind having it.
Zya,
Herbert
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 474
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From: Almaden Valley, CA
George,
Congrats and I can't wait to meet you in person. The bottom line is you got a good deal and you are happy. I'm glad I was able to help. Don't waste time looking back and wondering what if. I personally feel the ability to get S2000s at/below MSRP will be short lived as the economy rebounds and the weather heats up.
Jimbo
Congrats and I can't wait to meet you in person. The bottom line is you got a good deal and you are happy. I'm glad I was able to help. Don't waste time looking back and wondering what if. I personally feel the ability to get S2000s at/below MSRP will be short lived as the economy rebounds and the weather heats up.
Jimbo
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