Honda of Serramonte

[BubbleSparkxx]

Just purchased a 2006 Nighthawk Black Pearl / Grey 2WD EX-L with Navigation. David Zhang was my salesman and he was gracious enough to accomodate in several test drives. After everything was said and done, me and the wifey requested the specific model we purchased.

Serramonte had plenty of Pilots in stock, in various trim levels and colors. Knowing this, I was confident I would get a good deal.

Once we sat down at David's desk, his "sales manager" Dimitri sat down to speak with us. It was an interesting operation - David worked as "good cop", playing as an ally to the buyer, while Dimitri came off as "bad cop", playing as the tough car dealer with pricing approval.

Sensing the start of a potential tense situation, I laid down all my cards. I presented a carsdirect.com price quote of $29.9k for a 2WD EX-L Navigation. I told him that I would agree to a sales contract that night if he could match the price, but I did not want any of the extra stuff that the dealership adds to all vehicles on their lot (door trim guard, wheel well guards, mud flaps and wheel locks). He agreed to the price and threw everything else in free.

Despite paying cash for the vehicle, their Finance Dept processed the paperwork. Here's where the final part of the sale concluded. Marlon, Finance Manager, tried to sell us on an aftermarket alarm already installed by the dealer - despite the fact the truck comes with a laser cut key w/ chip and keyless entry. He then tried to sell us an extended warranty. We were offered a total 7 year 80k bumper to bumper with zero deductible for $1495 w/ a 0% interest payment plan of 18 months. After much thinking, we decided not to take the warranty at this time - at which point he counter offered for $1295. We accepted the extended warranty.

After our experience at Serramonte, I would highly recommend the dealership with some caveats. This dealership is not for the weak negotiators. I have a feeling that had not done any research into the pricing of the vehicle, I would have been given an offer somewhere close to MSRP. But otherwise, a solid transaction and the entire dealership is ultra kids friendly. they allowed and even babysat my 3 yr old son running around, sitting in, and playing in all 3 s2000 in their dealership.

[jay]

The same warranty from Curry Honda is $1020. I'd cancel the dealer warranty or ask for a price match for the difference. When you check the pricing and give Curry an email address, they'll send you an email with an $85 off promotion, so you'd save $360 over your dealer's offer. Use the leverage of your right to cancel without penalty within 30 days to get a price match.

Curry is great to deal with, from personal experience. I'm sure Tim at Hondacuraworld, our site sponsor, has a good price on the warranty as well.

[dragoncoach]

We bought our '04 from them as well as our CRV. They tried the same tactic but I was only after a specific price. They beat the internet price by $500. The salespeople sucked as well as the sales manager. I had a few issues after 3 days with our CRV and brought it back to them. They tried to blow me off and told me it was my fault! I went back to SF Honda and they took care of me right on the spot with no hassles! I never have gone back to Serramonte for service of any kind.

[pilotjorge]

I wish I could say some good things about this Honda dealership.
They're one of the worst if not the worst in the Bay Area.
If you weren't prepared with your pricing info or were kinda soft on your negotiating skills, I'm sure they would have eaten you alive.
Now, your next hurdle would be after sales service
I definitely would never trust my car with them for servicing.
I'm talking from personal experience for what its worth.
Use this wonderful forum and inquire from fellow Pilot owners in the area for their feedback and recommendations for a reputable Honda dealership.
I still believe there are some out there.

[sac84371]

Originally posted by pilotjorge
I wish I could say some good things about this Honda dealership.
They're one of the worst if not the worst in the Bay Area.
If you weren't prepared with your pricing info or were kinda soft on your negotiating skills, I'm sure they would have eaten you alive.
Now, your next hurdle would be after sales service
I definitely would never trust my car with them for servicing.
I'm talking from personal experience for what its worth.
Use this wonderful forum and inquire from fellow Pilot owners in the area for their feedback and recommendations for a reputable Honda dealership.
I still believe there are some out there.

The best service you can get is at Dublin Honda in Dublin, CA. I have had great service with no issues. I have purchased three Hondas from them in the last 4 years and the price they offer is never the lowest but I always get top $$$ for my trade in, they take care of any issue that crops up and the after sale service is great and I never have to worry that they are trying to take advantage of me.

Just an opinion your milage may vary.

[BubbleSparkxx]

Wow - based on everyone's replies, I'm certainly glad I posted my review.

I was a bit uncomfortable with the sales format, but I was confident enough knowing that I was not budging from my stance on the price. Whats shocking is they offer SIRIUS on their vehicles for $1288. Thats the purchase and install on a portable unit - like the ones they sell in Target and Walmart.

Thanks for the advice in regards to their service department. I am a firm believer in building a relationship with a dealership service department. Being that I live in the Sunset District, I believe my closest dealer would be SF Honda - any thoughts / reviews of their service department?

[pilotjorge]

As with any Honda dealership, always check out their service menu pricing. They usually have varying prices for different service intervals. However, DO NOT follow their service menu. They include service items which are unnecessary and serves only to justify their ridiculous pricing. Just have them perform a specific service item(s) which is called for in your owner's manual, no more no less.

[dragoncoach]

For minor services, such as oil changes, I just take it to a local person. For more comprehensive and warranty work, I take it to the dealer. SF Honda has been pretty good. All dealerships have issues, but I have found them accomodating and easy to work with. For brakes etc. use the coupons they send you in the mail. You can save quite a bit of money. They also have a service faciltity on 9th and Lincoln but I believe they only do service, not warranty work at this location.

[BubbleSparkxx]

Originally posted by dragoncoach
For minor services, such as oil changes, I just take it to a local person. For more comprehensive and warranty work, I take it to the dealer. SF Honda has been pretty good. All dealerships have issues, but I have found them accomodating and easy to work with. For brakes etc. use the coupons they send you in the mail. You can save quite a bit of money. They also have a service faciltity on 9th and Lincoln but I believe they only do service, not warranty work at this location.

whoa - thats kinda bizzare. Why would the service facility not handle warranty work?

[5Gs]

glad to hear you had a good buying experience at honda of serramonte. along with other folks here, I also did not have a good experience there. I helped my dad buy an odyssey, and the salespeople were nothing but jerks. same goes for honda of sf. I got a decent quote for the s2000, so I went there. showed up, and they said they don't want to sell it at their quoted price anymore!