In particular I am curious if anyone has used this service to buy cars that are selling at MSRP? The wife and I are looking to purchase either an '03 MDX or an '03 GX470. Both sell at MSRP.

Thanks.

 

I would like to know also.
Looking at 2003 Pilot and MDX.

thanks!

 

I think Costco was $500 off MSRP when I got my SUV. I ended up working with a sales manager directly and got a much better deal. My SUV was going for MSRP at the time also.

Connections help in the car buying process. You can make them yourself. Just call a dealership. Ask for the sales manager's name. After you get it say thank you and hang up. Call back a couple days later and ask to set an appointment with him/her (not to talk to them on the phone). Don't rush the appointment, even if they say they are available now, set it up in the future. Then go in, be unemotional about the car, learn about the guy and his life and get a good deal.

It has worked for me in my car buying experiences. Remember, most car dealerships work as an oligopoly. Some people will pay for the discount you receive on your car

 

Buying a new car is a US/Canadian wide market. The web gives you the general market conditions re. US region and current sales vs inventory in the form of forums and car specifc sites. For instance S2000s, Odysseys, Corvette Z06s etc are less expensive in Washington State vs California and invariably less, and perhaps more so in Texas, Illinois etc.

Starting local, with a feeling for offers for sale/ prior sales/reputation, outside of your state, sets your baseline via Ebay etc. This is much easier with cars with few options as with the S2000, Z06 etc vs Porsche et al.

It only costs a grand or so to ship from anyplace in the US via the best carriers. If your region is 'tight for product and demand high' this effort could save you thousands of dollars with some effort to do your homework and strike a good deal.

Michael

 

I worked at an Acura dealership not too long ago and as far as I know, there are no Costco/AAA pre-negotiated prices for MDX/Pilot. What some dealers do is simply print up their own "version" and show them to the customer.

MDX/Pilot are still hot cars right now so getting a big discount will be difficult. Especially if you want the most popular color with all the options (touring/navi/dvd). However, if the dealership up there are asking MSRP, then you could possibly get $500-$1000 off, especially if you go on a slow weekend.