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#29026 of 30152 EXL with RES - Personal Buying Experience in NJ by odyforfive

Jun 26, 2012 (10:45 am)

So, here is the detailed version of my Odyssey buying experience. I am sharing it with the forum with the thought that it might help someone else. I started car shopping late May, right around Memorial Day weekend. Although, I felt the typical showroom pressure to buy from the salespeople I knew I wasn’t ready, that’s when I turned to the internet and found this forum. I actually started emailing dealerships in early June. I cut to the chase and told them that I was planning on purchasing in the next 7-10 days and that I was shopping the tristate area (NJ/PA/DE) for the absolute best price. I insisted they breakdown the price by: base price, destination, reg./title fees, doc fees, and taxes. Some obliged right away, others followed up with the details after I insisted that they needed to break it down in order for me to even consider them. Only one dealership did not follow up.
 
Initially I emailed 10 dealerships in NJ, PA and DE, the criteria was that they had to be a drivable distance, but that was flexible depending on the actual price difference. The numbers I was getting in the NJ area seemed higher than reported on the forum, so I decided to broaden the search area and emailed a few dealers in MD, VA and White Allen in Dayton, OH. I basically did this because I needed a “BEST PRICE” to take to my local dealers. White Allen quoted $31,000 (incl. base and destination; +TTL+doc) for the EX-L (for RES I would have to add $1500) which became my low ball offer. I was hoping to get $30,500 from them, but invoice prices went up on post-April units due to a mfg. price increase. I emailed the local dealers and instead of giving them this price (since I was focused on getting the EX-L for under $31,000) I told them that the car was being purchased for under $30,000 for EX-L and around $31,500 for EX-L with RES (in CA, OH, MD & VA).
 
They balked, but I clearly stated that I had a quote from a MD dealer for less and that I was willing to drive down for the savings. My local dealer warned me against the hidden charges and how “concerned” he was that they were going to change their prices, add on other fees – I told them that I had requested total transparency and had every quote itemize all costs, so I was confident that I wasn’t being taken for a ride. They gave me their best offer (they are definitely the most competitive in pricing in my area) but it was more than I was willing to pay.
 
The next day I emailed two North Jersey dealerships and told them that I was going to make a decision in the next 72 hours and that I was pretty much set on driving to MD for the car unless a local dealership made me a better offer. I contacted Paul Miller Honda in West Caldwell and Mahwah Honda in Mahwah, NJ. Paul Miller came back with their best price (which was still not as low as I wanted; when I pressed them for their lowest price, they gave me a final number ).
The rep from Mahwah misread my “offer to beat” - I had written that I had a quote for [ $31,500 (incl. base+destination+doc) +TTL ] which he “misinterpreted” as 31,500 plus, destination and doc and TTL and said he could match it. When he called back with the numbers I told him his mistake and told him to make his best offer. We went back and forth and he called back with his final offer of $32,329 (incl. destination and doc) + TTL. I emailed this quote to Paul Miller and my rep said that the offer sounded too good to be true, but that in fact if it was true that it was a great deal that they wouldn’t be able to match, let alone beat.
 
I called Burns Honda and after some back and forth they said they would match it plus the cost of dealer installed accessories ($695 pkg, reduced to $400), but I would have to take an in-stock vehicle. They didn’t have my color and after all I went through I did not want to compromise on that. So, I went with Mahwah and had a very pleasant experience with the sales staff and finance office. They tried to sell me window etching and an extended warranty, but did not push once I declined. I would definitely recommend them, and it seems like a few people have bought vehicles from them on this forum.
 
I fully expect that prices will come down, maybe even as early as July 4th weekend, and definitely closer to the release of the 2013 models; but 2012 stock is limited in my color and I actually needed a reliable family car to enjoy the summer so we bit the bullet. I think I got the lowest price I could right now, for my region and am satisfied with the outcome.
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Odyssey EXL with RES (Smoky Topaz with Truffle interior; no accessories) OTD: $34,992.60

Replies to this message:

• matthewsjl (Jun 26, 2012 12:05 pm)

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#29027 of 30152 Re: Finally! Bought the EXL-with RES [odyforfive] by chiku18

Jun 26, 2012 (11:25 am)

Replying to: odyforfive (Jun 26, 2012 9:50 am)

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#29028 of 30152 Re: EXL with RES - Personal Buying Experience in NJ [odyforfive] by matthewsjl

Jun 26, 2012 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: odyforfive (Jun 26, 2012 10:45 am)

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#29029 of 30152 Re: Odyssey 2012 touring [zonic] by hepsera

Jun 26, 2012 (12:36 pm)

Replying to: zonic (Jun 24, 2012 3:24 pm)

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#29030 of 30152 Any Experience with Planet Honda by chiku18

Jun 26, 2012 (2:27 pm)

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#29031 of 30152 2012 EX-L polished metal by fineman2

Jun 27, 2012 (3:10 am)

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#29032 of 30152 Re: Odyssey 2012 touring michigan 37K [nwa] by zonic

Jun 27, 2012 (5:42 am)

Replying to: nwa (Jun 26, 2012 6:08 am)

Replies to this message:

• linh9 (Jun 28, 2012 12:17 am)
  • zonic (Jun 28, 2012 1:16 am)

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#29033 of 30152 Re: Odyssey 2012 touring michigan 37K [zonic] by linh9

Jun 28, 2012 (12:17 am)

Replying to: zonic (Jun 27, 2012 5:42 am)

Replies to this message:

• zonic (Jun 28, 2012 1:16 am)

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#29034 of 30152 Re: Odyssey 2012 touring michigan 37K [linh9] by zonic

Jun 28, 2012 (1:16 am)

Replying to: linh9 (Jun 28, 2012 12:17 am)

The price quote got it at Spreen Honda redland, loma linda. And robertson honda of north hollywood price match the quote. So i got the odyssey at robertson honda. Got the right color i want right price and right interest.

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#29035 of 30152 Re: Purchased 2012 Odyssey Touring Elite - Bay Area [queenofhearts] by linh9

Jun 28, 2012 (7:46 am)

Replying to: queenofhearts (Jun 25, 2012 10:32 am)