[PJ27]

For all those of you who live in Southern California, just wanted to hear all your experiences with dealers. My wife and I are currently looking for a Sage Brush Pearl EX-L with Navigation.

Here are our experiences:

Gardena Honda
General comments: MSRP. No Markup. But you may have to wait for a specific color/model. They will be getting in 17 Pilots next month though.
Notes: This is the first dealer we visited. The salesperson was nice, honest, and up front. He said that they only charge MSRP and would sell us a Pilot with no accesories. He was semi-knowledgeable about the Pilot. We put a $500 deposit down for the Pilot we wanted. Unfortunately since they are a low volume dealer, they only receive one Pilot w/ Nav per month. The salesman said we may have to wait a while but we were FIRST on the list for the Sage Brush Pearl color.

We were pleasantly surprised by the experience... until yesterday. I called the salesperson and asked what the status of our order was. He called back several hours later and said that a SBP EX-L w/ Nav was in their allotment for next month. GREAT! (not really). He said we were second on the list. SECOND??? He said, he must have made a mistake when he told us we were FIRST on the list for that color. But he said we had a GOOD CHANCE of getting the vehicle since that person may (MAY) back out. Uh huh... yah.. okay... I guess salespeople will say anything.

Miller Honda
General comments: $3,000 markup. Do not go here!
Notes: I visited this dealer twice. The first time I visited was to see what kind of price they were willing to sell the Pilot at. They said they would have the Pilot I wanted next month, but I would have to pay a $3,000 markup. After some advice from people here in the forums and my wife slapping me upside the head, I came to my senses and realized that $3,000 was a ridiculous price. We could do better.

The only reason I visited the dealer a second time was to see if they had a Sage Brush Pearl colored Pilot on the lot. My wife and I wanted to see the color up close. They did not have the color and the salesman knew NOTHING about the Pilot. He just guessed and threw out general comments about the car. He even called the Nighthawk Black Pearl colored Pilot "dark blue". I politely corrected him, but he said, "NO, it's dark blue." He realized it was black once we stepped up close to it. As we were leaving the sales manager came out. I said we were looking for the Sage Brush Pearl color. He had no clue what that color was, so I clarified with "it's dark metallic green." "Oh, they have two green colors?," he replied. OY! Not even the SALES MANAGER knew what colors the Pilots came in.

Airport Honda
General comments: $5,000 markup. Do not go here!
Notes: Sleazy... SLEAZY.. salesperson. Just came here to see if they had a SBP color Pilot on the lot. Just wanted to see the color up close. Left promptly after we found out they did not have the Pilot. We were able to see that they charge a $5,000 markup. WOW!

Kolbe Honda
General comments: MSRP. No markup. No added accessories.
Notes: I've only had to deal with them on the phone but so far they've been pretty up front and honest. They said they'd have the color/model I want next month. The salesperson has been stringing me along to make sure they get my business. I don't mind as long as they can show me on paper that they will get the car I want. I'm going in tomorrow to work out the details.

This may be the one!

Norm Reeves Honda Cerritos/Huntington Beach
General comments: MSRP. REQUIRED accesories with high markup
Notes: I only called them up. They charged over $1,000 markup (including installation) on (1) side steps, (2) wheel locks, and (3) cargo cover. They were charging $1,700 for this package. I asked both dealerships (Cerritos and Huntington Beach) whether I could get the Pilot without an accesory package and they flat out said, "NO."

I will keep you all updated on my car buying saga. Maybe we can put together a table with Dealers and markups. ???

-pj