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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 72 of 76

#702 of 750 2009 models, can you buy it today? by newcrvman

Feb 04, 2009 (11:51 am)

Hello
I don't know if everybody gets my experience with 2009 Element models, but here is my story.
1. Emailed 4 Honda dealers about their price for 2009 Element (Alabama), only one replied (Brannon Honda). For LX 4WD the quote was 21.300 OTD. We scheduled a test drive ASAP
2. Entered the dealership. "Sorry, we don't have 2009 Element right now, but here is 2008 EX 4WD you can test drive". OK, did test drive it. Told them, it is not what I want, but we went to see how it goes (3700 rpm at 75 mph Interstate, my CRV easily keeps 2500 rpm at 80 mph - same engine).
3. Went to discuss 2009 Element price. "We can't deliver it before 5/2009, nobody else can in AL". WTF? "We can give you OTD price for 2008 EX 4WD as $22.300, it is a great price!"
What a waste of time.
People, do you have this problem everywhere, or it's only AL? There are some 2009 on eBay all the time, but not many.
Thanks

#703 of 750 Re: 2009 models, can you buy it today? [newcrvman] by SalGood

Feb 07, 2009 (7:46 pm)

Replying to: newcrvman (Feb 04, 2009 11:51 am)
Hi newcrvman:
 
Sounds like you're getting the run-around. I sold Hondas a few years ago, and they're jacking with you. When I bought my end of season '08, they had about 5 '09 models on the ground in all the trim lines at Bob Howard Honda here in Oklahoma City. An LX can be had for under 20K, so their price sounds a little high. I'm not sure what dealer incentives are available on the '09s, but my '08 SC had $1500 in dealer incentive. Plus, I got into their holdback a little bit. You can check this out incentives on the Edmunds incentives page when you search/research the Element you want. They likely don't have any rebates, but usually have dealer incentives. That's free money, if you can get them to part with it. And trust me, they're not gonna tell you about it. With the car market as it is today...even with the fast selling Hondas...you should be able to get a better deal. When I bought mine, I was the only person in the show room. Let's face it, even Honda is having a hard time. The Civic is where they're not budging much on price, not the Element. Very hard to believe that they won't have any '09s until May. I bought my '08 in November '08, and as I said, the dealership here had several '09s...I even looked at one, but couldn't get the color I wanted, so went with the '08. There was no difference in the way they drove. I personally preferred the '08 to the '09, but that's just a personal choice. There isn't that much difference...just a change to the headlights, tailights, grille, and seat fabrics, so it's not like it's a totally new vehicle they're rolling out. Stick to your guns, get some more internet quotes...even from surrounding states. They won't know if you're really willing to drive to another state for a better deal. Print the quotes & see the sales manager and let him know you're serious...he won't let you walk. Also, the best deals to be had are always on the last sales day of the month. They always want to sell JUST ONE MORE, so they make concessions they might not ordinarily make. If you get the deal you want, it might be almost a no-money deal,so they may try to make it up in the finance department. It pays to have you're financing arranged ahead of time...but don't let them know that. Hope this helps, and best of luck. I'm willing to bet you can do better.

#704 of 750 Re: 2009 models, can you buy it today? [SalGood] by newcrvman

Feb 09, 2009 (10:12 am)

Replying to: SalGood (Feb 07, 2009 7:46 pm)
Thank you so much. Well, they are busy selling new Accords, so they don't really care about delivering me that Element when Accord sells, I think. I know 2008 and 2009 are about the same, but I can't stand the way muffler looks like in 2008 - in 2009 it is much nicer. LOL, I know that for most of the people it is funny, but that small thing makes all the difference to me. I will check with GA, TN and TX - the 2009 Elements on Ebay were from those states. 3 major dealers in AL just don't have any 2009 Elements seating there, so it is just easier to deal with somebody who has. Thank you again

#705 of 750 Re: 2009 models, can you buy it today? [newcrvman] by SalGood

Feb 09, 2009 (5:03 pm)

Replying to: newcrvman (Feb 09, 2009 10:12 am)
Not funny at all about the looks of the muffler...as I mentioned...I looked at an '09, but the way they changed the taillights and grille sorta put me off...plus the color I wanted was discontinued in '09. Hey, if I'm gonna pay $20K for something, I'm gonna get what I want. Good luck to you if you utimately get to pull the trigger...If I can be of any further help, just holler.

#706 of 750 Re: 2009 models, can you buy it today? [newcrvman] by mplshondadlr

Feb 10, 2009 (11:50 am)

Replying to: newcrvman (Feb 04, 2009 11:51 am)
I am a Honda dealer in the Minneapolis area. I did a quick search for a 2009 Element LX 4WD in my internal Honda locater for the following states: AL, TN, GA and MS. In the four states I found three. Wolfchase Honda of Bartlett, TN has two and Gerald Jones Honda of Martinez, GA has one. Just for fun I checked OK to see what they show in-stock. I found that Don Carlton Honda of Tulsa has one and Bob Howard of OK City has just one as well.
 
Your local dealer is correct, no one in AL can deliver one until May.

#707 of 750 by SalGood

Feb 10, 2009 (5:25 pm)

Hey mplshondadlr:
 
That's too bad...what is their deal? But I do know that Bob Howard had 5 on the ground when I bought my '08. That's not very good customer service. Not available until May??? Heck, I think I'd tell them to get lost. Even though the majority of people are wanting the Civics or Accords, I would think a dealer who wanted the business would go to the lengths necessary to secure the vehicle newcrvman is wanting...

#708 of 750 Re: [SalGood] by mplshondadlr

Feb 10, 2009 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: SalGood (Feb 10, 2009 5:25 pm)
The deal is Honda is no longer mass producing them. They have cut production on the SUV's and focused production on the Accord, Civic and Fit. The Element is a nitch vehicle anyway you look at it. Since it's introduction Honda has produced and sold fewer then 400,000. Nation wide there are fewer then 80 Element LX's available.
 
For dealers, it has nothing to do with customer service. We're at the mercy of Honda. Were it up to us, we would sell everyone who walked through the door a car. Sometimes things are beyond our control.

#709 of 750 Re: [mplshondadlr] by stkntraffic

Feb 10, 2009 (6:24 pm)

Replying to: mplshondadlr (Feb 10, 2009 5:46 pm)
That's so odd. There seem to be a ton on the road here in Central Texas. I like the Element, and have been trying to talk the wife into giving up her Xterra for one, but no dice so far. I hope they continue to make them for a few more years.

#710 of 750 Re: 2009 models, can you buy it today? [mplshondadlr] by pantherburn

Feb 10, 2009 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: mplshondadlr (Feb 10, 2009 11:50 am)
Hello mplshondadlr,
 
Great that you participate in this forum. I really appreciate it. I don't think that I'm in the same boat as the person from Alabama (I hope) since I've been told otherwise from my dealer here in Mississippi.
 
I have actually placed a small deposit (refundable anytime) on a 2009 EX 4WD auto that is supposed to be delivered within 45 days. I initially had a very bad sales experience with the internet manager that I escalated to Honda in Torrance, CA. This resulted in my ending up negotiating directly with the owner. He has indicated that the regional Honda rep will expedite my order in order to satisfy me as a customer and make up for the initial faux pas.
 
After reading the post that stated no 2009's available until May got me worried. As you have access to info unavailable to us, would you mind checking to see if the same would hold true for MS - i.e. no deliveries until May? No slam on you as a dealer, but due to my experiences buying many cars and fleet vehicles, I'm somewhat dubious of car dealers and their promises.
 
Best Regards,
 
Pantherburn

#711 of 750 2009 LX AWD by newcrvman

Feb 12, 2009 (5:59 pm)

Thank you, Mplshondadlr "Wolfchase Honda of Bartlett, TN has two" Just emailed them to see what they want OTD. I'm about to betray Honda and buy Hyundai Santa Fe SE AWD for 24.700 OTD, so, hopefully, they reply with something reasonable before I do it. 300 miles to drive to TN, but may go if they don't play games. Element LX AWD vs Santa Fe SE AWD, who knew where I will end up.. If it is not Element, then I want V6 and heated mirrors, LOL Also, it is strange, but Honda dealers do not give me good money for my CRV trade-in. "we need to certify it, it is $1800 to do it!" Why do I care if they want to certify it or not? Hyundai is giving me KBB with no problems, $1700 more than Honda.

Messages Page 72 of 76

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