Help with Honda CRV

[CBari]

My sister has just graduated pharmacy school and is wanting to buy a Honda CRV. She has pretty much made her mind up that is what she wants down to the color and interior. She has called around a little and about all anyone is coming off the sticker is about $1500 on a $33,000 vehicle. I said they aren't really wanting to sell very bad let me help. So now that I have opened my mouth and have to help. What usually do they come off and are their any "Dave Smith" like Honda dealers I need to call and deal with.


Thanks for the help also if some of you have had terrible experiences with the Honda CRV give the 30,000 foot view of what to watch out for.

 

[RustyJC]

You'll find that the margins are a LOT thinner on imports than we're used to with our trucks. Do a little research on KBB, etc. on MSRP versus dealer invoice (yeah, I know there are holdbacks and other factors that reflect TRUE dealer cost), and you'll see that a lot of times there's only about $1K to $2K difference between the two figures in the price range that the CR-V plays in. Unless there are manufacturer incentives in play, the import car dealer doesn't have a lot of wiggle room.

Rusty

 

[TFucili]

When I bought my wife's Acura I had to work hard and go out of state to get $2500 off. Unless you can get a "steal" somewhere, I would be concentrating on finding her a dealer with a good service reputation, so she doesn't get taken, or receive poor service if there are warranty or repair issues down the road.

 

[Regcabguy]

Costco offers a decent discount buying service. They are a middleman but reviews are good.
We used www.cars.com to purchase our 2005 Honda Pilot at just over invoice.
Good point on using a reputable dealer. Aftermarket service is sure important. We've had excellent service from our buying dealership.
I'd buy another Honda,it's been super. Purrs @ 130K.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I would be concentrating on finding her a dealer with a good service reputation, so she doesn't get taken, or receive poor service if there are warranty or repair issues down the road.

That's what we did when we purchased my wife's '06 Honda Odyssey Touring. The dealers quoted similar prices so we chose the one we thought could offer the best service. I didn't want to touch it as far as service except fill it with fuel and occasionally check the engine oil and coolant levels. We haven't been disappointed using what little service has been required. It's been the least expensive vehicle to drive of any we've ever owned.

Bill

 

[AEdelheit]

My family has bought quite a few Hondas though a local dealer and have became good friends with one of the sales guy, they can do 10% off sticker if they choose but thats it.

 

[BigPapa]

You're also talking about the best selling SUV in the country. Why would they want to discount deep?

 

[CBari]

Thanks for the info I see I was wrong in my assumption comparing it to pricing on our trucks. As far as a local dealer for service she is currently 2.5 hours from any dealer and will probably only be there for another year and move to who knows where. Thus service after the sale not a big factor, but seeing as deals aren't to be had like our trucks I am more inclined to purchase it from the closest one that has what she wants.

 

[Ram4Sam]

We have owned a number of CRV's and other Honda models ( six of them since 1985) and great luck with them. The mrs. used to be a real estate appraiser and she drives like a madman. We got a new one every four years or so because of how much she drove. I don't recall any trouble with any of them and Hondas are second to none in holding their resale value.

Look into Truecar.com, we used them to buy a VW TDI Jetta earlier this year, and saved $2500 off the sticker, with no haggling.

Sam