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Honda Element Prices Paid and Buying Experience

750 messages,  Last post on Mar 02, 2011 at 9:56 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Element, Wagon, SUV

Messages Page 16 of 75

#150 of 750 Anyone want to confirm my worst fear? by bigandtall

Mar 16, 2004 (8:23 am)

After months of researching American cars and negotiating like a hawk, I walked into a Honda Dealer cold and think I walked out paying too much. Would anyone like to confirm this for me even though it is too late? I'm in Indianapolis, IN. I just purchased a Metallic Green 2004 Element 4WD Auto EX with no add-ons. MSRP was $21590 and I paid $21200. There were no additional fees, but it did not include taxes(6%) or bureau of motor vehicle fees(to be determined). I sold my used vehicle myself(for $3500 over what any dealer would offer) and was in a tight bind with a family of 4 and only one car.
 
The crazy thing is that the Edmunds.com "True Market Value" Pricing on this website says I hit the mark, but the deals I see on here make me think otherwise. Especially since I'm $1200 over invoice. Is the Edmunds "TMV" Pricing a farce? Am I in the wrong part of the country for supply and demand? I had used the "TMV" pricing to make sure I was getting a good deal, but now it sounds like a total joke.

#151 of 750 2004 LX by srs45

Mar 16, 2004 (10:09 am)

Is $17,390.00 a good deal for a 2004 LX automatic Fwd?

#152 of 750 bigandtall by tidester

Mar 16, 2004 (10:37 am)

TMV varies from region to region. Look at Edmunds.com Learn More About TMV to find out how TMV is determined.
 
tidester, host

#153 of 750 Did you pay too much? by meinrad

Mar 16, 2004 (1:18 pm)

No you didn't pay too much.
 
Could you have paid less? Probably, but at what cost to your time and sanity. You could have been victim of supply and demand, a good salesman, your own lack of preparation.
 
Bottom line is the time to ask that question was before you bought it. Why beat yourself up over it now when you can't change it. Of course someone is going to say you paid too much and tell you about their great deal.
 
All of that doesn't change the fact you bought a great car and paid a fair price.

#154 of 750 Thanks. by bigandtall

Mar 17, 2004 (10:44 am)

"meinrad" - Thanks for the comments. I guess I should consider myself lucky that I was not shopping for a large american SUV where the difference between MSRP and invoice is much much more than an Element.
 
It's also hard to tell if posted prices are real because not all of the data is posted. For example: Are people including destination charge? Are they including documentation fees(if any)? Are some of them a typo? Some are listed as an Element EX AWD but do not state auto or manual transmission. My price of $21200 included the destination charge and no fees of any kind. It was also fresh off the truck that morning with only one mile on the odometer, and it was their only green one, so I'm sure I paid for that combination as well. (There are only about 5 green Elements for sale right now in all of Indianapolis).
 
As long as it runs for over 200,000 city driving miles I'll be quite happy.

#155 of 750 sure! by ghulet

Mar 18, 2004 (1:31 pm)

I'd say that about ANY car.
 
Bigandtall, your price doesn't sound so bad. I don't know how many dealers are in the Indianapolis area, but I doubt you could have done a whole lot better without having to travel or do an e-mail blitz or spend hours on the phone or at dealers. Don't sweat it.

#156 of 750 Are these good offers? by warchief

Mar 18, 2004 (7:32 pm)

Hello: I have been looking for leftover 03 models and have been offered two models. I am asking the group here to tell me if these are good deals or is it possible to do better?
 
The first is an 03 Element EX AWD Automatic. Brand new, only options added are mud guards/flaps and roof racks. Offered at $19,900. Color: orange.
 
The other is an 03 Element DX AWD Automatic. This model has air conditioning added, upgraded wheels, tinted windows, plastic window guards on the two front windows (keeps the rain off if you want to open the window, I am told)and mud guards/flaps. This vehicle is new, although it has 1,000 miles on it from test drives. Offered at $17,950. Color: my choice, black or silver
 
Are these good deals? They offered to reduce the price of the DX if I didn't want the fancy wheels. I have my own stereo system to put into the DX, but only the EX has Anti-lock brakes and the roof compartment.
 
It looks like I have seen one or two deals on this site that were better than these, but I am new to this site.
 
Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks.

#158 of 750 Why all these left over 03 Elements? by northwest1

Mar 19, 2004 (9:12 am)

I am also new to this site. Is there a reason for all these leftover 03's? Overproduction? Underdemand? Dealers willing to hang on to them rather then sell them for a "good" price? Normally this far into the subsequent model year, last year's inventory would be long gone, so there must be a "rest of the story" to what is going on. Thanks.

#159 of 750 warchief by lalagimp

Mar 21, 2004 (7:24 pm)

In the last week of December I paid $19850 for my 03 EX auto 4WD.
 
that included tax, title, dmv fees, destination
 
splash guards
keyless
carpet mats
ashtray ( never got it installed i changed my mind)
cargo cover
seat back bungees
skylight shadescreen
free oil for 2 years/30K
 
And it came with 181 miles on it in the Washington DC area.
 
*Shrugs*

Messages Page 16 of 75

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