Haggling over Fit price?
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From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Haggling over Fit price?
So my family is still considering getting a Fit (we're test driving one tomorrow!), and I was wondering if anyone here negotiated a price below msrp, and if so, how you went about doing this. I know the delaer will tell me that the car is in high demand and they won't negotiate, but keep in mind we'd be paying cash, so does that help at all? I know that some dealers on the West coast have crazy mark up (to the tune of $3k or so), but around here, the only problem is availibility. Back when they first came out, I asked them if they were marking them up at all, and was told by the local dealer that they sold the cars strictly for msrp. Also, i'd be interested in what you guys paid "out the door" (for those of you how paid cash), and when doing so please mention what type of Fit (base/sport, auto/manual) you bought.
TIA
TIA
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From: Decatur, AL
Re: Haggling over Fit price? (CivicWagonRUS)
Good luck, I worked at the dealership when mine came in, and I still had to pay full Invoice Price.
Let me explain that better, As employees, we were supposed to get a deal under Invoice. Well being that the Fit is on a limited production basis, They couldnt mark it down like usual, because they could easily have sold it to a regular Joe for their Mark-up Price. Cash always talks, but they might be a little reluctant to sell for a lowball offer, with them knowing that they can get more + a Finance from another buyer. ??
Also keep in mind that I live in Alabama, not SoCal or NY. The Import market here fluctuates like Gas Prices.
Let me explain that better, As employees, we were supposed to get a deal under Invoice. Well being that the Fit is on a limited production basis, They couldnt mark it down like usual, because they could easily have sold it to a regular Joe for their Mark-up Price. Cash always talks, but they might be a little reluctant to sell for a lowball offer, with them knowing that they can get more + a Finance from another buyer. ??
Also keep in mind that I live in Alabama, not SoCal or NY. The Import market here fluctuates like Gas Prices.
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From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Re: Haggling over Fit price? (J.P.)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by J.P. »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good luck, I worked at the dealership when mine came in, and I still had to pay full Invoice Price.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Honda employees pay invoice?
I was refering to MSRP, the "suggested retail price." That's interesting though, several months ago the local dealership had "employee pricing" on all of the 07 civics, and I think it was some BS like $500 off.
Honda employees pay invoice?
I was refering to MSRP, the "suggested retail price." That's interesting though, several months ago the local dealership had "employee pricing" on all of the 07 civics, and I think it was some BS like $500 off.
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I paid exactly MSRP ($15,170) + Handling/Destination ($595) (which is standard) and it came out to $15,765 for a Sport model.
Also, chances are that the car has some sort of "package" with it to mark up the price. Mine came with a protection package, which included wheel locks, cargo tray, and mudflaps. This added an additional $499 dollars to the price tag.
You're not going to be able to negotiate them below MSRP. It's just not going to happen with a car like this because they WILL sell it and have no reason to go lower than MSRP.
As far as the cash thing goes, I was told by a salesman one time that having cash will not get you a better deal. He told me that they'd rather have you finance so they can get more money out of you in the long run - I don't know how true that is or if he was just pulling some BS. I bought my car entirely up front, so I guess it didn't make a difference.
Either way, good luck!
Also, chances are that the car has some sort of "package" with it to mark up the price. Mine came with a protection package, which included wheel locks, cargo tray, and mudflaps. This added an additional $499 dollars to the price tag.
You're not going to be able to negotiate them below MSRP. It's just not going to happen with a car like this because they WILL sell it and have no reason to go lower than MSRP.
As far as the cash thing goes, I was told by a salesman one time that having cash will not get you a better deal. He told me that they'd rather have you finance so they can get more money out of you in the long run - I don't know how true that is or if he was just pulling some BS. I bought my car entirely up front, so I guess it didn't make a difference.
Either way, good luck!
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From: Decatur, AL
Re: (BenB)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BenB »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">He told me that they'd rather have you finance so they can get more money out of you in the long run </TD></TR></TABLE>
Exactly...
Exactly...
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From: Ithaca, NY, USA
I heard that the first thing they'll "throw in" to sweeten the deal is the "protection package" or alteast the mudflaps and floormats. I'm not talking about lowballing these guys, but something like $300 off msrp and the floormats and mudguards would be excellent.
I am aware that they make more money financing, but I'm sure the dealer enjoys pulling in $15k+ in one go.
I am aware that they make more money financing, but I'm sure the dealer enjoys pulling in $15k+ in one go.
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From: los banos, ca
Re: (CivicWagonRUS)
stockton honda wanted $21,995 for the blue sport fit auto they had with the hfp wheels cargo tray wheels locks not sure what else but no floor mats....got them down to 16,000 even (msrp was 16,565 on sticker) for the car with everything they had on it in the show room plus floor mats but minus the hfp wheels....no biggie the hfp wheels list for 167.20 each at honda so i ordered them directly...if you get the hfp wheels with the car they are marked up 30% minimum over list...
DONT ever pay a destination fee....thats for suckers....you pay tax liscence and doc...doc is NOT destination fee....it doesnt cost them $500 per car to ship them when they get 10 or more on a truck....was told this by a friend who works at honda....
ps...auto isnt for me...its for my g/f....they are shipping me a new sport fit manual in blue direct from factory...when i got the final price on the manual ill let you know what it cost...so far im looking at $15k with floor mats cargo tray etc without hfp wheels...ill be ordering another set of hfp wheels from honda...
DONT ever pay a destination fee....thats for suckers....you pay tax liscence and doc...doc is NOT destination fee....it doesnt cost them $500 per car to ship them when they get 10 or more on a truck....was told this by a friend who works at honda....
ps...auto isnt for me...its for my g/f....they are shipping me a new sport fit manual in blue direct from factory...when i got the final price on the manual ill let you know what it cost...so far im looking at $15k with floor mats cargo tray etc without hfp wheels...ill be ordering another set of hfp wheels from honda...
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From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Re: (2k.civic.si)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2k.civic.si »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">stockton honda wanted $21,995 for the blue sport fit auto they had with the hfp wheels cargo tray wheels locks not sure what else but no floor mats....got them down to 16,000 even (msrp was 16,565 on sticker) for the car with everything they had on it in the show room plus floor mats but minus the hfp wheels....no biggie the hfp wheels list for 167.20 each at honda so i ordered them directly...if you get the hfp wheels with the car they are marked up 30% minimum over list...
DONT ever pay a destination fee....thats for suckers....you pay tax liscence and doc...doc is NOT destination fee....it doesnt cost them $500 per car to ship them when they get 10 or more on a truck....was told this by a friend who works at honda....
ps...auto isnt for me...its for my g/f....they are shipping me a new sport fit manual in blue direct from factory...when i got the final price on the manual ill let you know what it cost...so far im looking at $15k with floor mats cargo tray etc without hfp wheels...ill be ordering another set of hfp wheels from honda...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Sweet, thanks for the tip man.
DONT ever pay a destination fee....thats for suckers....you pay tax liscence and doc...doc is NOT destination fee....it doesnt cost them $500 per car to ship them when they get 10 or more on a truck....was told this by a friend who works at honda....
ps...auto isnt for me...its for my g/f....they are shipping me a new sport fit manual in blue direct from factory...when i got the final price on the manual ill let you know what it cost...so far im looking at $15k with floor mats cargo tray etc without hfp wheels...ill be ordering another set of hfp wheels from honda...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Sweet, thanks for the tip man.
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From: NorCal
this is what i learned from trying to find the "right" price for my moms camery. in your case, walk into a honda dealer and look around. find which model, regular or sport. then find the color you like and the interior. know what you want before you ask for price that way they cant jip you later on. then ask them how much it is. theyll just wing you a price like usual but then ask for invoice. (never pay msrp and NEVER PAY THE ADDED MARKUP!) theyll give you some lame invoice thats completely bogus so re-ask them, is this the real invoice? did you guys really pay this much for the car? (the invoice they usually give you is bs. fyi, the invoice is NOT what they pay for the car) what the dealer really pays for the car is: Dealer's Actual Cost = ( Invoice Price - Factory To Dealer Incentives - Factory Holdback) factory holdback is something the dealer pays the facotry to get the car, but they get it back after they sell the car. so, dont fall for the holdback or your just giving them more money. with the dealer cost that you find, figure it out from there how much you want to pay for the car. if you REALLY lowball them, they wil prolly reject you but hey, there are alot of honda dealers out there so just take your time and get as many quotees as possible. btw, paying cash hellps with your deal, because when you finance they prolly wont go so low.
i might of forgotten some stuff, but hopefully you get the jist of what im trying to say. good luck and let us know how much you paid for your car
i might of forgotten some stuff, but hopefully you get the jist of what im trying to say. good luck and let us know how much you paid for your car
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From: RightBehindYou, FL., USA
Re: (2k.civic.si)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2k.civic.si »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
ps...auto isnt for me...its for my g/f....they are shipping me a new sport fit manual in blue direct from factory....</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm curious about manual vs. Auto. on the fit. Personally in regards to civic's and integra's I wouldn't drive an automatic to save my life. But I've heard that most of the Automatic Fit's have a kind of paddle shift system on them. Is this true? Is it on all the automatic's or just the sport version? I know that an automatic still probably wouldn't match a manual trans. even with a paddle shift. But it's all fly by wire anyhow manual or auto, so I assume it has to be pretty close. I would never trade my manual trans for an automatic, but what a life saver it would be in bumper to bumper traffic to have the option of both. lol
Sorry I hope that last paragraph isn't too off topic. I'm really thinking more and more about buying a fit and this paddle shift thing is just really making me more interested in getting one.
Price wise, I'd probably go for the sport model myself, but I'd try to get it as base price and optionless as possible. Because I'd feel kinda silly paying extra for a bunch of extras and add on's that I would no doubt end up taking off and replacing anyhow. Such as rims, springs, exaust, lips etc. Just my two cents....
ps...auto isnt for me...its for my g/f....they are shipping me a new sport fit manual in blue direct from factory....</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm curious about manual vs. Auto. on the fit. Personally in regards to civic's and integra's I wouldn't drive an automatic to save my life. But I've heard that most of the Automatic Fit's have a kind of paddle shift system on them. Is this true? Is it on all the automatic's or just the sport version? I know that an automatic still probably wouldn't match a manual trans. even with a paddle shift. But it's all fly by wire anyhow manual or auto, so I assume it has to be pretty close. I would never trade my manual trans for an automatic, but what a life saver it would be in bumper to bumper traffic to have the option of both. lol
Sorry I hope that last paragraph isn't too off topic. I'm really thinking more and more about buying a fit and this paddle shift thing is just really making me more interested in getting one.
Price wise, I'd probably go for the sport model myself, but I'd try to get it as base price and optionless as possible. Because I'd feel kinda silly paying extra for a bunch of extras and add on's that I would no doubt end up taking off and replacing anyhow. Such as rims, springs, exaust, lips etc. Just my two cents....
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From: Ithaca, NY, USA
thanks mistiknitekidz, that's some good info about the "invoice price" being mre than what they pay for the car. I have heard of this before, but I never knew how it actually worked.
We're leaning towards a VBP Base 5spd, but any of the colors besides black and white are fine, and we were considering coughing up some more $ and getting a Sport.
We're leaning towards a VBP Base 5spd, but any of the colors besides black and white are fine, and we were considering coughing up some more $ and getting a Sport.
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From: Calimesa, ca, US
The market for these cars is different depending on where you live. It is very rare to get one of these in socal for under MSRP. What the dealer pays for a car is Invoice minus the 2% holdback. THATS WHAT THE DEALERSHIP PAYS. Granted there are incentives on some cars which will then pay the dealership when the car is sold. As far as the cash vs finance, you can usually pull a better deal financing the car rather than paying cash. Reason being is that 70% of people fionancing a car will buy gap insurance or Lo-Jack, or extended warranty so dealerships will give you a lower price assuming you might buy something extra in finance to recoop the cost. 30% of people paying cash usually do not buy things like this so a dealer will not move on the price as much.
However most of this info is useless when purchasing a Fit cause it will be RARE to get it under MSRP.
However most of this info is useless when purchasing a Fit cause it will be RARE to get it under MSRP.
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From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Re: (Luichenwai)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luichenwai »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OUT the door Price
$17,232 for Auto Fit SPort. VBP. :-)</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's a good price considering it's an auto. I added up destination/various fees and added tax and that's the price someone would pay for a Sport 5spd (msrp). That's a good deal.
$17,232 for Auto Fit SPort. VBP. :-)</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's a good price considering it's an auto. I added up destination/various fees and added tax and that's the price someone would pay for a Sport 5spd (msrp). That's a good deal.
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From: Tornado Alley
Re: (CivicWagonRUS)
I was told that the Fit Sport (AT) only has about a $900 mark up from dealer invoice to MSRP. That's why they put wheel locks, mud flaps, and all that other junk on there, so they can make some money. You may be able to bargain on the destination charge, but I doubt it.
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Update: went and test drove the Fit (Milano Red Sport Auto) as well as an 04' CRV (5spd). I absolutely loved the Fit, and the paddle shifters make it just like playing GT4 with the Logitech steering wheel lol. A few small issues that I have with the car are: throttle is too agressive, but I can get used to that; auto tranny when not in S mode is too quick to upshift and gear hunts alot, my Civic wagon does a much better job in that sense; visibility is worse than in the Wagon, but much better than in other cars we have driven before (Toyota Matrix). The ride was very well controlled and smooth, not harsh at all in my opinion. Whoever disagrees should take a ride in my wagon lol.
Couldn't resist giving a little review, but anyways, they wanted msrp for it, and we're set on a stick shift. They guy said that they're not getting any in, and that the 2 people that ordered 5spds way back last year (!) are still waiting.
Couldn't resist giving a little review, but anyways, they wanted msrp for it, and we're set on a stick shift. They guy said that they're not getting any in, and that the 2 people that ordered 5spds way back last year (!) are still waiting.
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Re: Haggling over Fit price? (-NA-aLL-thE-wAy-)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by -NA-aLL-thE-wAy- »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think mine was about $15,800 out the door. (AT Sport)</TD></TR></TABLE>
With doc. and taxes?!
With doc. and taxes?!
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From: San Diego, ca, usa
Re: Haggling over Fit price? (CivicWagonRUS)
Get the sport model, so many extras, for only 900 more, and who can drive without cruise control on a trip ? the allow wheels and spoilers look so cool, and the stereo/CD is also geat. I got manual, to save a thou, but the clutch is tricky and 1st gear really is too short. But more fun if your looking for a sports car feel. I really kick mine, and it grabs the road like a performance car. Spend the money and get the one you want, you won't be sorry.
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From: Calimesa, ca, US
Re: Haggling over Fit price? (-NA-aLL-thE-wAy-)
sure thats not the amount financed? If you indeed got that price you are the ******* Man! You would have had to buy it for about 14,500!
BTW dead cost for the dealership on that car is $15,667.44
BTW dead cost for the dealership on that car is $15,667.44
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Re: Haggling over Fit price? (Nice Fit)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nice Fit »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Get the sport model, so many extras, for only 900 more, and who can drive without cruise control on a trip ? the allow wheels and spoilers look so cool, and the stereo/CD is also geat. I got manual, to save a thou, but the clutch is tricky and 1st gear really is too short. But more fun if your looking for a sports car feel. I really kick mine, and it grabs the road like a performance car. Spend the money and get the one you want, you won't be sorry.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't care much for the spoiler and lip, that just decreases ground clearance. The alloy wheels I can also live without, as I'd imagine having more rubber around the rim (not as low profile) would help smooth out the ride, although the Sport we test drove was not rough at all. Cruise control and the ability to play MP3s, along with the leather trimmed steering wheel is what I really care about. We're leaning towards the Base model, but if we find a Sport 5MT in a good color I'm sure we'll fork over the extra $ and get that. I did love how tight the handling was: very quick steering and little body lean, but the feedback from the electric steering assist is lacking compared to the hydraulic one in the Wagon.
I don't care much for the spoiler and lip, that just decreases ground clearance. The alloy wheels I can also live without, as I'd imagine having more rubber around the rim (not as low profile) would help smooth out the ride, although the Sport we test drove was not rough at all. Cruise control and the ability to play MP3s, along with the leather trimmed steering wheel is what I really care about. We're leaning towards the Base model, but if we find a Sport 5MT in a good color I'm sure we'll fork over the extra $ and get that. I did love how tight the handling was: very quick steering and little body lean, but the feedback from the electric steering assist is lacking compared to the hydraulic one in the Wagon.
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From: Honolulu, HI, USA
Re: (2k.civic.si)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 2k.civic.si »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">stockton honda wanted $21,995 for the blue sport fit auto they had with the hfp wheels cargo tray wheels locks not sure what else but no floor mats....got them down to 16,000 even (msrp was 16,565 on sticker) for the car with everything they had on it in the show room plus floor mats but minus the hfp wheels....no biggie the hfp wheels list for 167.20 each at honda so i ordered them directly...if you get the hfp wheels with the car they are marked up 30% minimum over list...
DONT ever pay a destination fee....thats for suckers....you pay tax liscence and doc...doc is NOT destination fee....it doesnt cost them $500 per car to ship them when they get 10 or more on a truck....was told this by a friend who works at honda....
ps...auto isnt for me...its for my g/f....they are shipping me a new sport fit manual in blue direct from factory...when i got the final price on the manual ill let you know what it cost...so far im looking at $15k with floor mats cargo tray etc without hfp wheels...ill be ordering another set of hfp wheels from honda...</TD></TR></TABLE>To be frank, i dont believe you one bit. First of all, Fits have very little room for profit from MSRP. Invoice is only approx $800 below MSRP. Even if we go into unchartered territory... the dealer holdback, that still doesnt cover the costs. Mathematically, the price you came up with does not make sense. I call bullchit.
Also, destination fee is not a dealer fee. American Honda charges all dealerships this as a standard flat rate fee for shipping the vehicle from Japan. There is no way around destination. You may get away with not paying for it from the dealership discounting the selling price of the vehicle but it is not something that can be removed.
DONT ever pay a destination fee....thats for suckers....you pay tax liscence and doc...doc is NOT destination fee....it doesnt cost them $500 per car to ship them when they get 10 or more on a truck....was told this by a friend who works at honda....
ps...auto isnt for me...its for my g/f....they are shipping me a new sport fit manual in blue direct from factory...when i got the final price on the manual ill let you know what it cost...so far im looking at $15k with floor mats cargo tray etc without hfp wheels...ill be ordering another set of hfp wheels from honda...</TD></TR></TABLE>To be frank, i dont believe you one bit. First of all, Fits have very little room for profit from MSRP. Invoice is only approx $800 below MSRP. Even if we go into unchartered territory... the dealer holdback, that still doesnt cover the costs. Mathematically, the price you came up with does not make sense. I call bullchit.
Also, destination fee is not a dealer fee. American Honda charges all dealerships this as a standard flat rate fee for shipping the vehicle from Japan. There is no way around destination. You may get away with not paying for it from the dealership discounting the selling price of the vehicle but it is not something that can be removed.
