It's clear that there is "something" in it for the dealer...and I would have assumed it is "nominal" i.e. something in the nature of aboug $200 or so...but to INSIST on financing over cash had me very baffled. I mean is the dealer so desperate for every last penny to INSIST? I don't know. We didn't get very far because he wasn't willing to budge. I thought him totally unreasonable on price and trade in. Oh well.

 

Do whatever you feel is right, but don't budge on it, cuz the dealer "insisted."

 

Something to consider is the impact of any such arrangement on your credit rating. Just having an inquiry made regarding your credit has a small, negative impact for a month. When all is said and done, your credit rating may improve for having paid off the loan on time. In the middle of all of this, however, your available credit is almost certain to decrease, as it will reflect your debt on the car loan.

 

If you are comfortable with the deal and it fits your budget, buy it, if your not and cannot afford it, don't. simple, don't make it so complicated, you will just give yourself a headache. The dealer will roll the deal if they want your business and it makes sense to them as well. Never forget that it is a business, there to make money, same as any other.
Just my .02
Matt

 

Finance incentive was $400 back to the dealers last december 2002. Please don't flame this was from a friend that works at AHM.

 

Where?

In CA the incentive certainly wasn't $400.00

 

Honda changes the programs as they please, and it varries from model to model and month to month. It depends on what cars are selling and what are not IE: 1.9 on civics now.
Matt

 

How's F and I over there?

 

Things are slow as expected with War times, but Honda has such a great product that it is not that bad, I would not want to be a Mercedes dealer for the next few months, they get hit harder.

In general over here it is fun, we have a young crew that know how to take care of the customer, ahem: plug plug, but seriously it is a great place to work.

Added:
we are about 5-10 cars shorter per week give or take, than the average, so about 20-40 deals less than we want to be this month.

 

Do you guys get a lot of hotties?