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Honda Element Prices Paid and Buying Experience

729 messages,  Last post on Jul 18, 2009 at 2:11 PM

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

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#687 of 729 Re: best pricing in WAshington State for 08 EX AWD auto Element [ragets] by randall1234 Aug 10, 2008 (7:53 pm)
Replying to: ragets (Jul 14, 2008 10:13 am) my bad...   IT SHOULD HAVE READ I AM HAPPY WITH MY TOASTER !!!   Honda did a good thing with this crossover vehicle...
#688 of 729 Please help! confused, ready to buy Element by heyheyjude Oct 01, 2008 (1:35 pm)
First of all, I hope I'm posting this in the right place and apologize if I'm not. I'm freaking out because I'm so confused about several things and I'm literally planning on buying an Element in the next week or two. I've read SO much on here, and today I went through the process of getting 3 price quotes on the EX AWD, manual. I've been researching everything about the vehicle on this site for several weeks, tho it may not seem like it. 1. I'm getting bombarded with e mails and phone calls from the 3 dealerships from whom I requested quotes and all of them keep making reference to my '4W Element', although I requested info. on the 'AWD'. IS there an AWD as stated and why aren't any of the salesmen addressing that instead of a 4WD? 2. This is going to sound so stupid, but I thought options (which aren't available from what I read) were the same thing as accesseries. I just went to the Honda website and saw a long list of them, so that has thrown me off. Would any Element owner recommend any interior accessories in particular, although I'm basically looking for practicality with a tad of snazzyness and a canine-mobile? (I.e., the arm rest with storage, etc.) 3. Could someone please explain what this salesperson means by this statement in the e mail: "Any pricing information that follows via email or on the phone is only valid through our Internet Department Manager". 4. Ditto on this question a different salesperson asked me in an e mail:  "Do you specifically and only have to have a 2008 Honda Element or would you consider a similar vehicle especially if I could save you several hundred dollars?" (What does he mean by that and why would he be asking me that question??). I don't know if this matters, but this is going to be a cash purchase. Secondly, I really am sorry for my ignorance and the length of this post. I have looked this site over despite my questions. I'm a scared woman when it comes to buying new vehicles and would truly be grateful for any help. Thank you SO MUCH! Replies to this message: gmitch7 (Oct 01, 2008 4:27 pm) heyheyjude (Oct 02, 2008 7:13 am) gmitch7 (Oct 02, 2008 4:26 pm) mplshondadlr (Oct 02, 2008 1:18 pm) gmitch7 (Oct 02, 2008 2:27 pm) moviesla (Oct 07, 2008 8:26 pm)
#689 of 729 Re: Please help! confused, ready to buy Element [heyheyjude] by gmitch7 Oct 01, 2008 (4:27 pm)
Replying to: heyheyjude (Oct 01, 2008 1:35 pm) Hi, Congratulations on choosing the Element as your next vehicle. We (the wife and I) have one and we could not be happier (out to 1600 miles now). By way of comparison we also own an 08 Accord EXL V6 which we are also happy with. I will try to answer your questions, but the first thing that I will tell you is that the Element is the most discounted vehicle in the Honda line-up. It is not unheard of that some dealers will sell one at their unit cost, or even below their unit cost just to move inventory. I posted my buying experience in this forum post #686, the price that I paid was $1500 to $2000 below the then Edmunds TMV price. Please remember that in this economy the advantage is yours. Q1= The terms as used are interchangeable. There are only front wheel drive and all wheel drive. Q2= Better not to buy any at dealer all are available from internet Honda dealers cheaper (Bernardi honda or others) Q3= Phrase means pricing not good with floor salesman, who sometimes have a different price and compensation schedule! Internet sales is often part of fleet sales who can offer a deeper discount (theory being lower overhead) Q4= Who knows, maybe he has a used one he would like to sell, or a move you to a car with more mark up. Ps. While you are proud to pay with cash, the dealer will not see this as a positive (they make money on financing) probably better to keep that fact to your self until you agree on a price It helps to know how many units your local dealers have in inventory. And be ready to walk out if necessary (you can always go somewhere else or even comeback later after a cool down period). Good Luck! Replies to this message: heyheyjude (Oct 02, 2008 7:13 am) gmitch7 (Oct 02, 2008 4:26 pm)
#690 of 729 Re: Please help! confused, ready to buy Element [gmitch7] by heyheyjude Oct 02, 2008 (7:13 am)
Replying to: gmitch7 (Oct 01, 2008 4:27 pm) gmitch, I wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post with such detail. That was really nice of you and you helped me a lot! This is where I am now: The only local dealer in my area has made me an bottom line offer (on the '08 EX Manual) of $21,588. That includes title, taxes and something else I can't remember. He also said it would include floor mats, cargo tray, exhaust cover and wheel locks. I received a less expensive price from another dealership, but it's in another state, so the local salesperson cautioned me about the title and tag expenses I'd have to pay which would consequently drive the price up to what he's offering. Is that a good price?? I'm SO disappointed in not being able to get the color I wanted; he checked the 4 state region. He stated the 08's were getting few and far between. I just wonder if I should lay back for a few days or accept that price. Thanks for anyone's help and again, gmitch, much gratitude to you! Replies to this message: gmitch7 (Oct 02, 2008 4:26 pm)
#691 of 729 Re: Please help! confused, ready to buy Element [heyheyjude] by mplshondadlr Oct 02, 2008 (1:18 pm)
Replying to: heyheyjude (Oct 01, 2008 1:35 pm) gmitch7 almost got 100% (apologies to gmitch). There is a huge difference between AWD and 4WD.   All Wheel Drive (AWD) means power is being sent to all four wheels all of the time - hence AWD. Some people like to have the added power to the four wheels at all times but, having AWD will cost you at the pump.   Meanwhile, 4WD is a term that means power can be sent to all four wheels if needed. Honda offers what is called, "Real Time 4WD". That means that 90% of the time you're driving your Element you'll be in front wheel drive. However, when accelerating on to the freeway for example, the Real Time 4WD sends power to all four wheels to provide firm and steady acceleration. The other time(s) your Element will be in 4WD is when the front wheels begin to lose grip again power will be shifted to the rear wheels to help gain traction and once the added traction is no longer needed, you'll once again be in a more fuel efficient 2WD.   To address one other thing, some accessories (or added options) do require installation and you're not a very handy person, I would suggest purchasing those items from the dealer and having them install them. Other, simple installation items can be found online at deeply discounted prices. So do some shopping and figure out what take serious labor vs. easy install. Just my .02 Replies to this message: gmitch7 (Oct 02, 2008 2:27 pm)
#692 of 729 Re: Please help! confused, ready to buy Element [mplshondadlr] by gmitch7 Oct 02, 2008 (2:27 pm)
Replying to: mplshondadlr (Oct 02, 2008 1:18 pm) Hi, gmitch here Sorry if my post wasn't clear! In my post, when I said that they are used interchangeably, I did not mean that they are mechanically the same. What I meant was, that in his specific case (buying an Element), the terms being used by the various Honda persons responding to his request for a price quote are using them interchangeably even if inaccurately . There are two kinds of Element, front wheel drive and real time 4 wheel drive. He mentioned that dealers referred to the other kinds which don't exist in the Element trims. Sorry!!!
#693 of 729 Re: Please help! confused, ready to buy Element [heyheyjude] by gmitch7 Oct 02, 2008 (4:26 pm)
Replying to: heyheyjude (Oct 02, 2008 7:13 am) You are welcome! About your second post, I don't know where you are (for some reason I thought Washington state?), but it could make a difference in how much inventory they have. In my experience the volume dealers (the ones who sell more cars) are likely to have a larger supply of Elements (its my understanding that they are given "x" number Elements for "x" number of the good selling cars (think Accords and Civics), and because Elements don't sell as well they tend to pile up (a dealer around here would have a lot of Elements if had 7 or 8 since their sales are rarer) Most of the dealers here have a browseable online inventory (not 100% accurate but close enough), if not you can go to the dealership and count the Elements and trims for yourself (don't forget to look on the back lot). You can even go after they are closed so that you don't have to talk to anybody! You need to have a good idea how many they have of the type you want (even though they might only have 2 or 3 in the trim that you want, that's plenty since they don't sell that many per month. Look at how often there are post in the Element price paid forum compared to the Accord forum). Respectfully I doubt that they gave you a bottom line offer until they are sure that you are not shopping their price at other dealers, plus a bottom line offer at the beginning of the month might look very different at the end of the month when he might need just one more deal to make his quota or qualify for the next level of bonus (this is the advantage of buying on the last day or couple of days at the end of the month). I can't evaluate your offer because I don't know what the tax, title, license, Doc and other fees are for you area (give us the price of the vehicle before those fees). Buying out of state is no more expensive than buying locally, except for the travel cost since the taxes and other fees are generally the same (call your local tax office and get an estimate). You won't pay double taxes. You can call the out of state dealer and tell them that you are going to "tag and title" it in your area and they can tell you what you will pay. It is not uncommon for them to throw in cargo tray, mats, and wheel locks (they have a cost, but the actual cost to the dealer is nominal). About your color, it might not be available (but then again, it might be that he simply wants to sell you what he has), you can easily get a list of Honda dealers and their phone numbers on the internet and call them yourself. You can not know that what he said is true, and you are responsible for yourself. Ps the 2008s are all that there is, the 2009s have not yet been introduced. Should you lay back?? In my opinion YES! Nothing to lose everything to gain (gives you more time to research the details and gives the dealer more time to get desperate for one more deal). I only buy at the end of the month and it has served me well. The only other thing I can tell you is to feel free to mention the other dealers sales person's name during the negations (they are very competitive and don't want to loose you to another dealership, and it shows that you have other sources of information). Good luck!!!!   gm
#694 of 729 Re: Please help! confused, ready to buy Element [heyheyjude] by moviesla Oct 07, 2008 (8:26 pm)
Replying to: heyheyjude (Oct 01, 2008 1:35 pm) May I make another suggestion--delay as long as possible the purchase of this Element. The reason or the strategy--the U.S. economy is about to crash. The DJ diving at 500+ points a day is going to continue sending this country and the world into a real bad recession. Soon the auto dealers will feel this impact and will be devastated and dealership failures will result. It's happening already. Maybe the beginning of 2009 might be a good time to walk in and tell them you want this car "way" below invoice, and make it clear you'll walk if they don't accept. Most likely they will be desperate enough to accept your terms. I'm in the So. Calif area, and there has to be at least twenty dealerships. You'll be soon holding all the trump cards. Good luck.
#695 of 729 Great Canine Vehicle by skang1 Oct 16, 2008 (2:46 pm)
Great, choice. I have an '03 Element and will be getting an '08 probably in another wk or 2. I show dogs and I can fit up to 2-400 crates and a 300 crate in the back of my Element after taking both back seats out. It has been an outstanding car. I currently have 217k miles on my Element...and next to no mjr repairs...I replaced 1 strut and had to replace some kind of clip/holder (can't remember the exact part) on or near one of the front wheels. Both of those repairs were in the neighborhood of $500...not cheap, but I still wouldn't consider it major. I have had new breaks once and have also been doing very well with Yokohama tires...I seem to get about 85k miles on them...I am now in need of my 3rd set...the factory tires only lasted about 45k miles if that much. I think with the taxes, title, and license and the thing you can't remember the price they are telling you sounds very good. It seems that the good prices are in the 20,000 ball park. Good luck and I hope you have many happy outings with your pups.

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