[njpilot]

Unfortunate experience! I've been trying to convince my boss to get a Pilot, who's in the market for a practical SUV. He's driving a 10-year old Taurus and something like a 15-year old Accord.

His wife, who's doing all the investigative legwork, has reported to be turned off by Honda, because their NYC dealer has a totally unhelpful take-it-or-leave-it attitude. (She had questions about leasing vs. buying, financing, possible trade-in.) I assume dealers can do this because demand for the Pilot is high and supply is currently low. (Thus the phrase: 'the car that sells itself').

So her local Toyota dealer offers a fully-loaded Highlander, and is completely nice about everything, answers all her questions, etc. Of course now they're leaning towards Toyota, no matter how much I extol the Pilot's virtues (and remind them they'll pay more for the Highlander!) Grrrr.

We used a very nice dealership in NJ and had no problem, but this is our first Honda. I'm wondering if others had similar bad/unhelpful experiences with their past or present Hondas.

 

[Cheesehead]

There are PLENTY of other excellent Honda dealers out there (not sure where in your area). If they are unwilling to check out another dealer then I guess it's their loss.

Although they won't be sorry with the Highlander either.

Cheese

 

[ejpnyc]

I have to agree with your Boss's wife, NYC Tri-State dealers can turn-off even the most experienced buyer and fogetta 'bout aksin questions.

I leased my last vehicle in Syracuse because I didn't want to deal with all the attitude. Now that my lease is up, I started shopping in NYC and found 3 dealerships (that will remain nameless) that had awful sales tactics including the ever-present "protection" package. Fortunately for me I found out a very good friend was working in a nearby Honda.

I know I'll pay MSRP++, but as long as some of it goes into his pocket I don't mind much. In the end I'm sure I'll get what I want + more.

03 Pilot Havasu EX-L RES, any day now...:

 

[03pilot]

I would at least try a few other dealers in the tr-state area. I would try and contact Mahwah Honda (about 40 mins north of Manhattan). I have bought my Accord from them in 96 but have moved to CA since and have bought my Pilot from here in CA. I had even contacted Mahwah Honda for the Pilot just to check what were they planning to sell it for and he said that they were going to sell it for MSRP and $500.00 dep. Not sure if its still true though. Worth a call.

Unfortunate experience! I've been trying to convince my boss to get a Pilot, who's in the market for a practical SUV. He's driving a 10-year old Taurus and something like a 15-year old Accord.

His wife, who's doing all the investigative legwork, has reported to be turned off by Honda, because their NYC dealer has a totally unhelpful take-it-or-leave-it attitude. (She had questions about leasing vs. buying, financing, possible trade-in.) I assume dealers can do this because demand for the Pilot is high and supply is currently low. (Thus the phrase: 'the car that sells itself').

So her local Toyota dealer offers a fully-loaded Highlander, and is completely nice about everything, answers all her questions, etc. Of course now they're leaning towards Toyota, no matter how much I extol the Pilot's virtues (and remind them they'll pay more for the Highlander!) Grrrr.

We used a very nice dealership in NJ and had no problem, but this is our first Honda. I'm wondering if others had similar bad/unhelpful experiences with their past or present Hondas.

 

[PrG]

I'm the ...

other way around ... I have experienced nothing but arrogance from Toyota dealers as if their vehicle's @#$% don't stink ... All the Honda dealerships I have dealt with know their #$%^ don't stink yet they will still bend over backwards to help you ....

PrG

 

[Jerry]

Has anyone outside of Las Vegas tried the Sam's Club Auto Buying Program? I got a straight MSRP quote (no options and no protection package) going through Sam's. It's real easy. Just call 1-866-590-7267. They'll tell you that the Pilot is a high demand vehicle and they can't beat MSRP. But they will give you a local dealer that's a Sam's participant. Call the Sam's Club rep at the dealership and see if they have your model at an acceptable price.

I didn't buy from the Sams Club Honda dealer but used the MSRP quote to negotiate the same deal at the closest dealer to my home.

IMHO some basic tips about buying a car:

Tip 1: Buying a car can be a mega-hassle or a fun challenge (get in the right frame of mind and don't let the arrogance get to you) :20:

Tip 2: Without the upper hand, you'll pay too much - establish your own arrogant position :12:

Tip 3: Establish "your" price before negotiating (e.g., if there's no way you're going to pay over MSRP then set that as your goal) :27:

Tip 4: To get the upper, hand pit dealership against dealership :21:

Tip 5: Tie up a salesman at each dealership. If you don't like the one that jumps you in the parking lot, ask for another (remember Tip 2). With enough time invested in you, the salesman can help you negotiate :6:

Tip 6: Go all the way - test drive, work with finance, get a quote on your current vehicle, find out what models and colors are on the delivery sheets and what's in the lot before you talk price :20:

Tip 7: After completing Tip 6 (also see Tip 8 first), give them your bottom line offer. :29:

Tip 8: Don't buy any options from Sales. The Parts Department will charge you less for the same accessories and installation (you can even order them after you closed the deal and get them installed before you accept delivery - however I suggest that you wait until you test drive your vehicle before you get them installed in case there are any problems)

Tip 9: Never hesitate to leave if they don't like your offer (tell them to call you if they change their mind) :12:

Worked for me purchasing my Pilot in Las Vegas and my Saab in NJ four years ago.

 

[BillR]

I agree.
The dealers have gold and they know it.
This however is not an exclusive of Honda dealers.
I had the same problems equally with Honda, Toyota and Acura dealers. You want it, we got it, get in line (If your lucky enough for us to sell you one).
I don't think however that this makes ALL of them bad.

I'm in sales (not cars) and can't imagine having a line of customers waiting to buy my products, (what a dilema) we actually have competitors.

 

[Spartanman]

I felt a certain "cockiness" from Honda this time. Nobody trying to
buddy up to me, in order to push a sale....you know, that typical car dealer image. They knew if I backed out of the purchase there was somebody else ready to sweep it up.

Imagine what the Honda folk's attitudes will be like if the newly designed '03 Accords are a smash hit.........

 

[sillec]

I've driven 50 mi rountrip for the past 20 years to deal with a "smaller town", yet still metropolitan area, Honda Dealer I feel comfortable with. Not a big deal as most trips are maintenance versus problem related. All five Hondas have come from same dealer and last three from same salesman. Very responsive service department. Toyota dealer near me and closest Honda dealer to me aren't nearly as customer oriented.

 

[vegasdude]

Another Honda Sales Person

During my visit to SoCal I found out that my in-laws neighbor is a Honda Fleet Manager. He said, they do not have any Pilots in their lot with the exception of the Pilot demo. They are selling the Pilots $1,000 over MSRP and proud of it. He said, he is helping us keep up the resale value of the Pilot by selling it over MSRP. Of course I disagree.

He also mentioned that the 2003 Accord which are coming out in a few days should blow away the Camry's. Are they just proud of Honda's or are they arrogant?

:3:

 

[freudian-slip]

Interesting Thread!

I went to Three dealerships (two Honda and one Lexus) and in the end played the Lexus against the Honda. The Honda dealers weren't all that arrogant, but both said there was no "movement" in the price of the Pilot. I told my dealer I was torn between the Pilot and the Lexus RX300 and was giving them both a final test drive. Told them I had already lined up financing through my credit union (I highly recommend this! If you have financing in your backpocket, they will try to beat it and often can! Mine did. They knew I was offered 5.8% through my credit union and they came back with 4.89! In the end, my credit union came back and offered us even less than the dealer's rate! Crazy!)

I told the Honda guy before I left for the Lexus dealership what options I wanted and how much I wanted to pay for everything.

The salesguy tried the 'ol "I will go tell my manager and will come back with what he says."

To which I replied : "No offense, but we don't play the back-and-forth game. If you can't negotiate the deal, get me someone who can. Better yet, you go find out if you will accept my price while I test drive the RX300. Call me and let me know."

Long story short - he called while I was at the Lexus dealership. In the end, they took $1,000 off the MSRP and threw in some accessories. It was end of the month, the vehicle was less than a week old on their lot, they were willing to move it. And they knew I was giving Lexus the last chance at my business.

Also, I agree with all but one of the points listed above:

Get your accessories rolled into the sale of the car. The warranty will also cover the accessories while you only get the parts warranty if you have them installed later! This covers everything - mats, cargo trays, etc. My Service manager told how smart I was but, I didn't know... it was an accident that worked in my favor.

Sorry, for the long post!

 

[vegasdude]

Interesting Thread!

I went to Three dealerships (two Honda and one Lexus) and in the end played the Lexus against the Honda. The Honda dealers weren't all that arrogant, but both said there was no "movement" in the price of the Pilot. I told my dealer I was torn between the Pilot and the Lexus RX300 and was giving them both a final test drive. Told them I had already lined up financing through my credit union (I highly recommend this! If you have financing in your backpocket, they will try to beat it and often can! Mine did. They knew I was offered 5.8% through my credit union and they came back with 4.89! In the end, my credit union came back and offered us even less than the dealer's rate! Crazy!)

I told the Honda guy before I left for the Lexus dealership what options I wanted and how much I wanted to pay for everything.

The salesguy tried the 'ol "I will go tell my manager and will come back with what he says."

To which I replied : "No offense, but we don't play the back-and-forth game. If you can't negotiate the deal, get me someone who can. Better yet, you go find out if you will accept my price while I test drive the RX300. Call me and let me know."

Long story short - he called while I was at the Lexus dealership. In the end, they took $1,000 off the MSRP and threw in some accessories. It was end of the month, the vehicle was less than a week old on their lot, they were willing to move it. And they knew I was giving Lexus the last chance at my business.

Also, I agree with all but one of the points listed above:

Get your accessories rolled into the sale of the car. The warranty will also cover the accessories while you only get the parts warranty if you have them installed later! This covers everything - mats, cargo trays, etc. My Service manager told how smart I was but, I didn't know... it was an accident that worked in my favor.

Sorry, for the long post!

That is SMART! When I grow up I want to be like you........I hope I am not setting my goals to high........LOL :2:

 

[grneyz]

Hello njpilot, I ordered a pilot from a David Michael Honda in central NJ, paid list with no premiums like a number of dealers wanted to the tune of 1000 to 3000 over sticker. A salesman, Al Forst even delivered the car to my office in NYC as I live in Queens, NY. I never went to their showroom. That is what I call service. GRNEYZ

 

[catbert]

my buying experience this time around

Unlike many of you, I did not want a Pilot in the beginning. I was an "MDX or die" buyer. I dreamed about the MDX for 8 months, and then finally in early August decided to actually test one. Well, of course I loved it after seeing it in person too. But then, I decided, hey, I only buy a car every 7 or so years, why not try out everything out there for fun before putting down my deposit. So I went across the street and looked at the Pilot. Really liked it, but went to other brands too. Tested every SUV out there...

When I got to the Toyota dealership, the only vehicle I was interested in looking at was the Sequoia. My friend has one, and I really like it. So I went into the dealership and asked to see one. The salesman actually told me that I needed to look in my price range - how about a Highlander or RAV 4? I said, how about I just leave now. Sure the Sequoia is expensive, but if I wanted it bad enough, I could have handled the payments.

Never say never, but I don't plan to ever darken the door of that dealership again.

In the end, I (of course) decided on the Pilot. (YEA! Good choice!) I still get calls from Acura dealers, and who knows, next time I might just get one.

An earlier post talked about Chrysler. I'm right there with you. I had a new Sebring Convertible. When I bought it the driver's window wouldn't roll all the way up, but the dealer promised they would fix it - had the part on order already. Well, after numerous trips in for the window, they never fixed it. One day I was driving in the rain, and it went down ALL BY ITSELF and it wouldn't go back up. Flooded the interior - they had to replace all of the carpet and the amp that was under the seat. But they still couldn't fix the window. It turned nasty, and finally I just decided to take the loss and get rid of the vehicle. But I never pass up the opportunity to slam that dealership.

 

[03pilot]

Thats a great deal. $1000 under MSRP and accessories. - wow

Good for you.

Interesting Thread!

I went to Three dealerships (two Honda and one Lexus) and in the end played the Lexus against the Honda. The Honda dealers weren't all that arrogant, but both said there was no "movement" in the price of the Pilot. I told my dealer I was torn between the Pilot and the Lexus RX300 and was giving them both a final test drive. Told them I had already lined up financing through my credit union (I highly recommend this! If you have financing in your backpocket, they will try to beat it and often can! Mine did. They knew I was offered 5.8% through my credit union and they came back with 4.89! In the end, my credit union came back and offered us even less than the dealer's rate! Crazy!)

I told the Honda guy before I left for the Lexus dealership what options I wanted and how much I wanted to pay for everything.

The salesguy tried the 'ol "I will go tell my manager and will come back with what he says."

To which I replied : "No offense, but we don't play the back-and-forth game. If you can't negotiate the deal, get me someone who can. Better yet, you go find out if you will accept my price while I test drive the RX300. Call me and let me know."

Long story short - he called while I was at the Lexus dealership. In the end, they took $1,000 off the MSRP and threw in some accessories. It was end of the month, the vehicle was less than a week old on their lot, they were willing to move it. And they knew I was giving Lexus the last chance at my business.

Also, I agree with all but one of the points listed above:

Get your accessories rolled into the sale of the car. The warranty will also cover the accessories while you only get the parts warranty if you have them installed later! This covers everything - mats, cargo trays, etc. My Service manager told how smart I was but, I didn't know... it was an accident that worked in my favor.

Sorry, for the long post!

 

[freudian-slip]

Yeah, we were thrilled. In my case it was all about having knowlege. When the guy tried to tell me how much the accessories cost plus installation, I was able to come back with, "Well, according to the Honda website, they only cost X amount. And you want how much to install a cargo tray? You just slide it in. It's installed!"

"Um, I see... wow... okay..."

They assume we are all idiots and then wonder why we don't worship the dealership.