I am very close to walking into my local Honda dealership and starting negotiations on a new 2008/2009 Honda S2000, non-CR, in NFR. But before I do this, I would like to have some ads on hand that advertise prices close to that which I am looking to pay. I have been scouring the FS section and noticed some members talking about new CRs (w/ AC) going for 26 to 29K. By this, would it be unreasonable for me to expect a price of 25.5 to 27K (I am located in Texas, if that makes any difference)?

I was wondering if any of you guys would be willing to post new s2000 offers that advertise prices that would come in handy when it comes to bargaining. Even a CR advertised in the high 20's would be useful, for I would base the price of a base model off of this.

Lastly, does it make a difference if I am looking to buy a car in a color that the dealer does not have on hand? I know alot of the drive to sell comes from the pressure to decrease inventory. Thus, if I am looking to buy a car that the dealer does not have in stock, would he have less motivation to work with me?

Thanks in advance.

 

Search the internet for dealerships in your area. Different areas can charge higher prices based on demand.

 

If a dealer doers not have the color you want, 1/2 of any bargaining is gone. The S is not exactly heavy in inventory right about now.

 

The folks getting new S2Ks for $30K or less are buying last year's model on clearance. They are cars that have been sitting on the lot for six to 18 months. Don't expect to get a 2009 for too much less than MSRP.

That said, sales are slow, so see how desperate they are. The best bet I've found is to find a couple different dealers with cars you'd consider buying, and go to each, letting them know that you are looking at multiple cars that day, and are willing to buy at the end of the day from the dealer who most wants your business. Usually at least one of them will be willing to sell for a super-low price just to keep you from buying from the other guy. But "super low" on a brand-new current-year S2000 is not going to be the same discount as "super low" on a Hyundai or a Ford.

 

Just to chime in, I tried a total of four dealers over two states with pre-approved credit looking for an 08 or 09 new (this was in the south eastern US).

The lowest out the door was 32K (all taxes, everything) for a 2009 (not a CR).

This was in late Jan. I don't know how much has changed since then. I got a 1 owner 2005 with about 7800 miles on it for a steal and never looked back.

Good luck on getting a CR. They're awesome (in every color, IHMO)

 

I'd like to add something to the mix. And this is based on the assumption that you'll be financing the car. Before I bought my CR, I went onto Lending Tree ahead of time and got quotes from a handful of different lenders. Capital One gave me the best rate and sent me a blank check for up to $25k.

My advice, get your financing, and know your rate BEFORE you walk into the dealership. Don't let the dealership run your credit and come back with whatever interest rate they feel like handing you. When you get your own credit score from say 'Experian' it might be 700, then the dealership runs your credit on their 'special' network (that nobody else knows about) and will come back and tell you your score was 660. Don't let them yank your chain.

I did my deal on my '08 CR over the phone. I paid $28k for it. It was immaculate, sitting on a Honda dealership's lot for 6 months, with barely 2,000 miles on it. But I also bought it in October. My salesperson told me they were looking to move it fast because it was the 'end of convertible season' and they didn't want it sitting out there until the following Spring.

If you wait until after the Summer, you might get a better deal on any CRs that are left over.

But anyway, like I said, I did my deal on the phone, faxed over my info and a copy of the blank check. The dealership will treat you totally differently if you walk in, and you already have your financing in hand. This tells them your ready to buy.

Then, as we were doing the paperwork on my CR, this woman comes out from the finance dept. and asks if I'd be willing to do the financing thru Honda if she could beat the rate that Capital One gave me. She ran my credit and came back with a rate that was .4% better, and I took it.

Keep in mind that car dealerships aren't just in the business of selling cars, they're in the business of lending money as well. Even if you're making your monthly payment to a bank, the car companies still make a margin on the interest rate they quote you.

 

solicit quotes from a number of dealers via their internet sales department before you go in person to any dealer. i believe you can send your request to multiple dealers at once through Edmunds.

according to their true market value, people, on average, are paying about $300 over invoice. they aren't showing any marketing support or manufacturer to dealer incentives at the moment.

TrueCar is similarly showing a "good" price of $333 over invoice, and a "great" price of $763 under invoice.

 

Best shot you got is to find a 07 or 08 and get them to hand it over to you for like 25k. There is one in Oregon that has been for sale for over a year and they have it at 24k. They just can't sell them.

Obviously if you get an 09 you aren't going to have as much wiggle room for price. But you could always wait a year and get the same car probably.