Going to the dealership this weekend and wanted to know what tips people have for buying an S. I've heard that dealers in the Bay Area, especially, are pretty "snobby" and probably wouldn't cater much to a young 23-year old professional. I'd definitely consider putting some down payment on the car this weekend if I can get the right price.

My experience in car negotiatons is lacking(1st time doing negotiations for my own car) so I was hoping to get some help from some of the more experienced buyers here. Any help would be AWESOME. Thanks so much.

 

My honest advice is to not waste your time walking into dealerships.

When I replaced my '01 with an '02 I had a very definite car in mind. I wanted Spa Yellow. I would not accept a car that had been test driven (meaning I would need to take delivery as the dealership did) and I would not pay above MSRP.

I got on the net and sent out my requirements (in a respectful and polite email) to just about every dealership in CA from San Diego past San Francisco.

I got a ton of responses. Most of them were unwilling to meet my requirements but quite a few were.

I ended up going with Dan Dixon at Honda of the Desert. He was receiving the exact car that I wanted a few weeks after my initial email and was very accomodating. He was a real pleasure to work with and got me the car I wanted in the manner that I wanted it.

I had my brand new 2002 flatbedded to my office with the plastic still on it. The dealership didn't even install the floormats or fill the gas tank. Instead, I got a credit for gas and took delivery of a car with less than 8 miles on the odo.

It's the first time I bought a car without seeing it first and I did all the paperwork via fax and FedEx but it couldn't have been easier.

If you're patient, I highly recommend you do the same.

Good luck.

 

I agree 100%. There is always a better deal somewhere out there, shop around. My dealer tried to mark it up a couple thousand Dont pay over msrp.

 

Yeah just dont pay over msrp, if you look at various dealers youll find the right deal

 

buy it used

 

Used is chancy (sp?). Do any of else baby our cars? Yes, it is a Honda, but still......... we treat it harshly from time to time, don't we?

 

I would have hated to have anyone else pop my lover's cherry

 

I would just go down the list of Honda dealers in your area and call them. Have a set price in mind what you want to buy the car for. Ask each salesman straight up if they are willing to sell the car at your price. If your price is reasonable, you will bound to find someone willing to sell you the car. This is the quickest and easiest way.