First time caller here. I'm hoping to find some advice on buying an '04 S2000. I'm trying to find out what folks are paying in the Washington, DC area. Are dealers flexible with price / options? What should I expect to pay for a Sebring with R/B interior? Should I wait until the 05's come out / winter time to get the best deal?

any advice is appreciated.

dough

 

Don't be concerned too much with what everyone else is paying. There are a few posts on here about price for you to go over...but here are the basics

1. have a set amount in mind that you are comfortable paying. Don't break that no matter what the dealer tells you. There are plenty more dealers, and remember they need YOUR business, you don't need theirs.
2. The invoice price is $29,975 and ganley honda sells the cars for $30,995 and it is advertised on this board, print it out. So that said $30,995 is the most you should end up paying.
3. don't be in a rush, buying a car in winter does get you a better deal, but it would be real hard to have to wait to enjoy the car, now is the time, summer is here.
4. Be happy, drive the car and don't worry if you got the best deal, if you love the car than that check every month is just a number. Can't put a price on happiness.
5. Do it.....Do it

 

call around to your local dealerships, and tell them you have a quote on for 30,995 can they beat that by 500

 

If you call, ask for their internet sales person. usually that guy is more experienced with these types of dealings. Otherwise you may get a junior sales guy that doesnt know whats going on.

another thing to do is email the dealers.

 

If you email the dealerships, they will try to call you back instead of replying by email. That way they can promise you anything verbally to get you to come in. They will then change their story and raise the price. If you call or email them, make them fax you an offer before you even consider going to the dealership. Don't plan on buying from the first dealership you visit. Plan on walking. Don't hesitate.

 

I don't see why you should pay more than 30,500 not incl. TLT.

As has been stated above, some dealers try to give the pony and dog show (S2000 is limited, bla, bla, bla). Don't buy it. Negotiate on your terms.

I second the opinion regarding internet sales...that's the way to go. Walking in just leads to fruitless hours of back and forth, mind-numbing negotiations.

Good luck.

 

From my own experience, I found the Baltimore-DC area dealers the hardest to negotiate with (showing no real flexibility without six inches of snow on the ground). Expand your search to include dealers in cities that are within an hour's flight from BWI on Southwest Airlines and you'll find your best deal. Any of them will be happy to pick you up at the airport and you'll enjoy getting to know your car during the drive home.

 

A few months back, I went to Herson's Honda on Rockville Pike to "help" my father-in-law buy an '04 Accord (I really didn't do a damn thing...he had already negotiated the price over the phone). He bought the car for 3% UNDER invoice. I was chatting with his sales person, a nice, younger guy, who opened up some book that had the minimum sales prices for all their cars. Basically, he said he'd sell anything they have for 3% UNDER invoice, excluding Pilots and Elements, I think. So, you should be able to get one from them for around $29K. I assume you'd have to take whatever's on their lot, though. I doubt they'd do a swap for that price. But, if they will sell for that, I would guess any other dealer will as well. Also, if you wait til the end of summer, when the '05s come out, I would think that you could look for an '04 for around $27-28K. Good luck.

 

Whatever you do, PLEASE get your price before going to the dealer ship

posted by Axel6: Walking in just leads to fruitless hours of back and forth, mind-numbing negotiations.


Just call a couple dealerships come up with an arbitarty price and see how much they can beat it by. These days most people are paying around 30,495 for their s2000's imo

 

Work in all the extras that you want into the deal. You'll most likely never get that good of a price again on the extras.

I had them include the OEM front lip, rear spoiler and headrest speakers with my '04. I probably should have also worked in the CD changer.

Good luck and enjoy!
-->Taco