of course, i know about leasing....my other 2 cars are leased......

but, i was initially going to keep the S2000 for quite some time, and have it be more of a "pleasure" vehicle....but that went out the window as soon as i got it....i even drive it in winter.

and djohnston's reasoning was the same reasoning i had and that's why i didn't lease it in the first place....

anyways, i've drafted a lenghty recountment letter that is addreseed to the VP of customer relations, honda canada. i'll have some of the toronto guys look at it before i send it in.

i've cc'd TADA (toronto automobile dealers association) and CAA (canadian automobile association) on the letter. i'm debating whether or not to send it to the dealership principal (for posterity).

 

I believe Canadian Honda dealers will NOT perform warranty service on US spec cars. I'm not sure if the reverse is true.

 

thanks, forgot about that aspect.....

 

I've gotten used to being insulted by sales weasels when it comes to trading in my cars. They want heaven and earth for what they're selling you but your trade in is always worth whale shit. When I bought my 01 S2000 they offered me $4k for my Porsche 944 Turbo. I declined and sold it on my own 6 days later for $9,500. Even if it taken 2 months to sell her it would have been worth the added effort. My advice to everyone would always be sell it yourself.

 

My November issue of the Canadian Red Book list a '00 S2000 "average wholesale" price as being $33,000.00. What they did was a typical dirt bag used car salesman "low ball" to see if you'd bite. Every once in a while a prospective customer comes in with unknown motivation who might just take them up on this low ball. It is this type of customer that every used car salesman hopes to get. They don't know till they try. Although you may think he's stupid because he's just lost a possible sale, you must consider that every sale is a possible loss but every sale is a possible huge gain. In general, they hope that over the law of averages, they find some neutral ground. I'm glad to hear you didn't get sucked in by this scam.

 

I took my 01 Silverstone/black with 13,500 miles on it to the Acura dealer and they said they would give me $22,000 for it. I told them they can shove that one all the way up their ass. Then they told me $24,000. I walked in there with an ad they had for the same car on one of their other lots they owned that had triple the amount of miles on it and it was priced at $29,500. I asked how in the hell they would expect me to trade my car for $5,500 to $7,500 less than the same car with a third of the miles on it? The guy proceeded to tell me "oh, that one sold for only $24,000". YA RIGHT! They had another silver with red interior on their lot and the guy told me they would let it go right now for $23,000 to $24,000. I said "nice try" and got up and walked out. Bastards!

 

Wholesale is not retail. Of course, he's going to put your car on his lot asking a higher price than he paid you. First of all, that is only his asking price. Second of all, he has expenses in selling it. If he gives you USD$20,000 in trade and then asks $24,000, that is reasonable. He might not get the $24,000. He has to pay a sales force, advertising, floor space, and maybe borrow money from the bank. And he wants to make money on the sale of your car too.

If getting top dollar for your car is most important, sell it yourself. If having the convenience of buying a new car and selling an old one all at once is what you want, trade it. Shop for a good trade price, but don't expect the dealer to buy your used car for what you might think you can sell it for. The dealer has an alternative to shopping retail. He can go to auction to buy cars. When you decide to sell it yourself, you might have to wait a month or several months for your money.

Did I mention that Valley Motor Honda took delivery of a brand new Spa Yellow '02 in mid-August, and it is still occupying their showroom with only 31 miles on the odometer. Who do you think is losing money every day it sits unsold? Now it is snowing in Wyoming, the '03 cars are out, and the economy is soft. It will sell for less than MSRP, perhaps be traded to another dealer at wholesale, and every day the market softens for new S2000s, my used '01 becomes worth less----except not to me!

 

I just had my 2000 Silverstone/Black appraised. I have 15,000 miles on it, and the dealer told me $19,000... I stood up to leave, the salesman quickly went back to the manager, and got it upped to $21,000. I'm still in shock.. $11,000 drop in 2 years? I bought it in September 2000. Kelley Blue Book value came out to like at least $22,000. Which is still pretty crappy in my eyes.. What do you think? I've seen them in papers selling for over $25,000...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hairy Beanbag
[B]I took my 01 Silverstone/black with 13,500 miles on it to the Acura dealer and they said they would give me $22,000 for it.

 

I agree with Barry WY re: expenses incurred by the dealers, and
if you expect more you need to sell it yourself.
On 10/31 I traded in MY01 SPA YELLOW with 13,300 miles and an
upgraded sound system($450.00) for $25,000. Got MY03 BLUE
for MSRP. Two to three weeks later dealer has MY01 on certified
used car lot for $32K!!!!!!!! You know they won't get that, but
they're just trying to make some money. Right?