I was reading Suday's Chicago Tribune on the pot this morning and came across an ad for a Honda dealer in Elmhurst that is seller a brand new 2002 blue on blue for 29,975. This is an insanely good deal and if I had money, I'd be cashing in. If it can't be me, then it might as well be some one who can appreciate the good deal and ride. Let me know what you think about this development.

 

That price is almost worth trading in my '01 White/Red for ...

 

I do believe its BS. I called there today, just after reading this post. The salesman I talked to says the primary buyer is having trouble getting a loan. So I said, "Sure, I'll take it, what do you need?" He said he had to talk to the sales manager and see if it was ok to bypass the other buyer (yeah, like money doesn't talk) When he came back he said it was ok to go over the other buyer but he would need another $1000 to do so. So that makes the price $30,975. He also wouldn't fax me that quote with his signature. Add destination of $440 cause you know thats not included in that price and then they will low ball my trade and maybe if I'm lucky I can get the car for the same amount as my current dealer.
But I'm not going to soil the good relationship I have with my local dealer (since June) just to get a car a couple weeks early. Call it loyalty, if we can remember what that word means.

 

Plus dealer prep/handling, plus undercoating, plus paint protectant, plus...............

 

"don't forget that if you need seats too. . . honda doesn't include them anymore. - with that, the total is say 37K"

 

Although this is bad news for someone who was looking forward to $29-30k, it is making me feel better because I made a deal at MSRP!

 

A lot of dealers post very low prices to attract customers...
They usually tell you that the car had already been sold but that they have another one for, you guessed it, much more $$...
Some people are so impressed by looking at the car in person, that they don't mind paying a few extra grand...
Falling in love at first sight...

 

However, at least in Oregon, if they advertize a car at that price, they have to be willing to sell you a car of that description for that price. Push them about it, threaten to call a consumer protection agency or the local DA or something, and they'll either have to prove to you that it's already sold, or let you buy it. However, I recommend doing it in person (not over the phone).

I also believe that they don't *have* to sell for that price if you're willing to pay more. But I suspect that if the car is available, and you specifically ask for that car, they may just have to sell it to you for the price in the ad.

I bought my '97 Civic that way. No trade-in, no required protectant, however they did sucker me into a $800 extended warranty for it Just showed them the ad from the paper, asked to see *that* car, and bought it for that price.

 

I have bought vehicles in the Pacific Northwest before, that were referred to as "Loss Leaders." This usually pertains to a specific VIN # for sale, just to promote foot traffic to the dealership, and the price is at invoice, or thereabouts. The catch I have experienced on these type of vehicles, is that there is NO trade-ins at the advertised price. I am surprised that a Honda S2000 would be one of the cars marketed in this fashion though. If they would allow a trade-in on that specific Honda at that price.....then you would be safe to assume getting raped on your end of the deal. Later, Kevin (Radster)