If I am not mistaken the dealer HAS to have the VIN to "floor" the vehicle, that is to get financing from the bank to purchase the car from Honda. That is why the VIN of a confirmed vehicle actually coming to a given dealer is known ahead, as the "flooring" institution won't loan on a phantom car.

Remember the pickle ol' Jerry got into in the movie FARGO when he couldn't produce that car the GMAC was looking for? 'Cuz he gave it to those two morons who were supposed to kidnap his wife??

Sounds like this dealer you are working with is scrambling to actually find a car. My fear for you is the old "well we did find one, but we gotta give a bit more than we thought to loosen it up from that other greedy dealer" routine.

 

I think a trip to the dealer is in order to confirm the fact that such a car even exists. Maybe your dealer meant that the car he got doesn't match the VIN he was given when notification of shipment was sent. Who knows?

 

While I don't doubt that some of these devious dealer scenarios are possible,

NEVER underestimate the plain stupidity and poor commuication skills of some salemen.

It could be nothing more than a legitimate, minor paperwork snafu improperly described by an idiot salesperson.