I am considering making an offer on a new 2005 (spa yellow) that has 300 miles on it. The dealer tells me they "want to get rid of it". They have it "clearance" tagged at $29,850. (which is close to invoice if I am correct). I have a few questions, though, before I make an offer:

1. Even though it is new, it has 300 miles on it. I have read on other threads that redlining the engine before it has 600 (?) miles on it will cause significant damage / harm / etc to the motor. I think it is an almost certainty that this car has been redlined more than a few times. The dealership wanted me to take it for the weekend on an "extended" test drive. Because the car already has 300 miles on it, there is no doubt in my mind that it has already been on other extended test drives, and no doubt it was redlined during those test drives. How concerned about this should I be? Is there any checks I can / should have done to that could determine if any damage has been done? Should I avoid this car completely just for that reason?

2. The dealer told me he could get a factory hard top in 1 week for about $3300. After reading here I realize that information was probably wrong, and hardtops won't be available until Dec. 15, and even then it is not certain it will be available in Spa Yellow. Is this that correct? How hard will it be to track down a matching hardtop?

3. How much should I offer? Considering that it is fall/ winter, the market (Amarillo, TX - the panhandle - where it is getting pretty darn cold now), and the fact that the dealer says he "wants to get rid of it", would an offer of $26,000 + TTL be reasonable? Should I offer less? I am perfectly content telling the dealer that if they don't want to accept the offer immediately that they are free to call me later on if they decide they want to sell it at that price and see if I am still interested (but that there is no guarantee I will be).

I'd be curious to hear what you guys think - especially about it having 300 miles. Thanks!

 

I heard that Honda does it's own break in period, and that you can redline it right off of the lot. Don't forget, this is a top of the line, premium racing engine. It's not your everyday Hyndai Sonata. So I wouldn't be too concerned about it, if anything I would check out the clutch to see if any inexperienced test drivers wore it down.

And as of price, I couldn't say, but I got mine for 30,000 in early august. And don't let them BS you about invoice, they NEVER pay invoice, they always get some kind of incentive or whatnot.

 

i wouldnt go anything over 26k

if not wait for a 2006 .. close to 0 miles and know that its really "brand new"

 

It sounds like a good price to me. I don't see $26k happening - that's just too low for a new car.

Check ebaymotors and see what the '05 leftovers are going for. That'll give you an idea of what to offer.

 

It is still a little early in the 06 season for real low balling, I bought my 03 in april of 04 for 27k. You might try that # but you could proabably really get it for 28k.

 

FWIW - I paid invoice for a Black '05 with 300 miles. It has consumed no oil, and has had no issues beyond the known ones...

 

You'll never get anywhere close to 26k on a "new" S, but I'd be happy at $28,800 plus ttl.

 

I was quoted 29k out the door this weekend by a dealer. I went to go look at a Mini van with my Sister in law and the sales guys hits me with a ton of bricks like that.

 

I picked up my 05 a week ago today. I paid $29360 for it with just 17miles on it.

I'd work them a bit if I were you. $29850 is to much 300 miles or not. Right now there is a $750 marketing incentive to the dealers from the factory. They have some room to play if they truely want to get rid of it.

 

29 before ttl?