I am desperately trying to get an s2000 for msrp, but the situation is ridiculous here in San Diego. All the dealers that I have visited are asking for at least $5000 more. Today I went to see a black 2001 demo car at Tipton Honda in EL Cajon, CA. It had 2000 miles (respectable break-in miles they assured me, yeah right) and the window sticker read $39000! They've had the car for at least three weeks (perhaps much longer), so I thought they might be willing to work with me. I offered them 29000. They said that was below invoice, and it was officially a new car, blah, blah, blah and offered the car at MSRP. In my mind this is a used car with dated model features, and I can't bring myself to purchase it when I read all these stories of people getting fair deals in other parts of the country. Does anyone have any info on Honda dealers in Southern California (or for that matter anywhere in Northen California, Arizona, or Las Vegas) that are selling at or below MSRP? Quality of service is nice, but price is far more important. I greatly appreciate any help any one could offer...

 

The market is crazy in San Diego. But if you travel up to LA, there are a whole grip of dealers what deal at MSRP. I was just at Norm Reeves Honda in Temecula about 2 weeks ago and they had a Blue with full lip kit and they were asking MSRP. You might want to give them a call.

 

Not sure how far you're willing to travel, but I got my '02 S2000 for MSRP at Honda North in Fresno, Ca. Dealership in Bakersfield was also selling at MSRP.

May want to also check the MSRP dealership list:

https://www.s2ki.com/library/dealers/index.php

-Brian

 

over here in san jose/santa clara is 35k average

 

Last time i checked (which was 1/2 year ago)....Penski Honda Ontario sells them at MSRP....

 

jbov - Arm yourself with Edmunds.com and give the next dealer you visit everything you've learned. The black 2001 should be considered a used car since it has mileage. Demo-shmemo, it's used. Demo is just a fancy name for the dealer having a used car. I wouldn't go back to Tipton since they treated you like crap. Edmunds has a lot of info you can use along with a step-by-step process on how to outwit a smart ass dealer. It's bad enough you have to spend the money to buy the car, you might as well try to make it an experience where you and the dealer can see eye-to-eye on the purchase. Bottom line, don't let them push you around. You have the upper hand when as soon as you step onto that dealership because you have the money to spend and they'll do ANYTHING to get it. Sorry to get on my soap box but I hate when the consumer is treated like crap when the consumer is who really drives the business. Good luck!!

 

bought mine for $1,500 over asking (the average in Silicon Valley has been 5,000 over and was - in the dot com craze - up to $10,000 over)

here is the approach:

1) be patient - make it clear to the dealer that you are prepared to be inconvenienced (i.e., go several hundred miles away) to pay MSRP (or close to it)... being patient means being prepared to walk out of the dealer

2) always buy a car 15-30 minutes before the dealer is scheduled to close... they know if you walk out you won't be back until after a good night's sleep...

3) if you aren't prepared to live by (1), then you'll pay more...

 

I bought my at $1k under MSRP. they have $10000k mark add in the beginning.

I think try Sierra Honda, Monrovia, CA, should give you some luck.

 

New S2K's can be found at MSRP in S. CA. About a month ago, I posted my experienes with Dan Dixon (760-328-8981) the internet sales manager at the Import Warehouse/Honda of the Desert. I would highly recommend using his services. Do a quick search and you should find my long winded endorsement.

Good luck and tell him Christian Asis sent you!

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I am trying to be patient, and I am putting pressure on local dealers and making it known they have a sure sell at MSRP and claiming i have a lock on an out of town car at MSRP (not true). I actually had Pacific Honda at MSRP (after three separate trips and much haggling) but it was white and I want black and i decided to bail out. Why compromise?

The problem is I sold my car privately already to save money and my girlfriend is getting fed up with having one car between us. I would jump on the demo with 2000 miles for 30k or possibly 31k, but it is a 2001. The model year is more of a factor than the mileage because I am leasing and it would be under warantee for almost the entire period. I know people on the board are fanatical about break in but I am not into autocross or drag racing so a slight loss in horsepower doesn't bother me, and I am faithful that honda reliability will take me through my three year lease, at which point I'm sure there will be another new car I just have to have. I am well aware of my short attention span.

Anyway I am hoping Tipton breaks down and meets me somewhere between msrp and the 29k I offered. If they don't and I can't find one within a week that is in stock, black (maybe silver), and at msrp I might break down and get an RSX type S. This is the practical alternative, but it is shaped like an acorn, and I risk a lifetime of regret (or at least three years). Perhaps in three years I will be married with kids on the way or even crawling around soiling the carpet already, and my window for a two seater will have closed until mid-life. I am 27, unencumbered, and making plenty to afford the car now. Sorry I am thinking aloud now. I guess I am reaching out for advice. My girlfriend will strangle me if I ask her opinion one more time. She loves the s2000, but she can't understand my inner turmoil. She bought a Jetta without even a test drive so we are talking about a differet mentality here.

So who knows where my 02 black one lies at msrp ready to go in so cal?

If we all make a pact not to buy above msrp we can squeeze the dealers, leave them holding their precious s2000s waiting in vain for some sucker to come and lay down 40k cash. That way whatever I choose to do their greed will be punished, and they will die poor, lonely, unhappy, and wihout one of those customer service plaques that every single salesman seems to have behind their desks.

How is that for venting?!