Offered a 04 TSX for $22.5k.. Should I?

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Jan 29, 2005 | 07:06 PM
  #1  
I went to a dealership which had an used

2004 TSX /w Navi - Automatic - has 47k miles on it.

I saw that there was carving on the body around the front drivers side wheel and some scratches here and there.

Interior was clean, had some leather wears.

The dealer offered it to me for $22.5k + fees.

I checked on KBB, and even at "excellent condition" it was $21.5k and at "Good" condition it was 19.9k. I just can't find much used TSX's at this price (they are all around $24-25k).

Arg.. should I do this? Sorry, need some words of advice.
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Jan 29, 2005 | 07:11 PM
  #2  
hmmmm.....

47K is a lot of miles, but I expect (hope) that the TSX can get 200K+. I would offer the dealer 20K and if he come down to 21K, I would probably do it.
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Jan 29, 2005 | 07:18 PM
  #3  
Does it come with any warranty? If not, walk away from it. You can get a brand new one for a few K more including warranty.
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Jan 29, 2005 | 07:30 PM
  #4  
This one with 38k miles is the same price: https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/04-tsx-auto-navi-22600%24-294927/
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Jan 29, 2005 | 07:37 PM
  #5  
NO NO NO!!!! too many miles for the money...
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Jan 29, 2005 | 08:02 PM
  #6  
No one can offer much legit advice because it depends upon your particular circumstances and finances. You would have a better value with a new one. The used TSX's are holding their value well due to limited supply and strong demand (thanks, in part, to all the favorable reviews that have been widely distributed -- online and in magazines).

If you can swing for a new one, you would have a better value. Drop the Nav and you should be able to buy a new TSX for about $3,500 more than the used one. A dealer (and, someone correct me if they have better information) will generally have a markup of $1k to $2k on a new model and from $3k to $5k on a used model. Any additional profit by the dealer is an additional cost to you.

Here is another view. Lets assume a new TSX with Nav is $28,000.00 and that it is good for 200,000 miles -- at which time it would be fully depreciated and have no value and no use. The capital cost of the car, ignoring Insurance, Taxes, Operating Expenses, etc., would be 28/200 = 14 cents/mile. The used TSX has 47,000 miles and is priced at 22,500. Let's assume that it originally cost 28,000. The savings is $5,500. And, 5,500/47,000 = 11.7 cents/mile. And, they say that the depreciation of a car is the highest during the first year! That is for only the seller -- not the buyer -- especially if the deal goes through a broker. I would certainly want to see the depreciation for the first 50k miles to be at least as large as the last 50k miles. Thus, 47,000 * .14 = $6,580 and $28,000 - $6,580 = $21,400 maximum economic value. And, this view ignores the higher maintenance cost of a used vehicle.

I would say that around $19-$20k you would have a decent deal. I would also say that anything over $20k and you have paid extra, long term, in order to pay less short term. It is my opinion that that is nearly always the case with buying used vehicles. The most notable exception is when the buyer buys directly from the seller and a broker is not involved. However, the value of the warranty provided on a certified used car has to be considered -- and can be considerable. And, I have ignored any financing cost in my calculations. Assume 4 years at 4 percent; $5,500/2 *.04 = 110 * 4 = approx. $440.00 additional interest for $28,000 over $22,500. So, the actual savings may be slightly in excess of $6,000.00 when finance charges, taxes, and insurance are considered.

Sorry if I sound too much like a cost accountant. My rates, as an accountant, are $95.00 an hour -- so the above should be worth at least $.02.
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Jan 29, 2005 | 09:52 PM
  #7  
^^ never thought of it that way, good way to break it down.

Considering mileage and damage ( I consider scratches to be damage) I say they are asking too much. If KBB good condition is 19.9, I'd offer them 19.9 and go no higher than 20.5.
At the price you are fixing to buy (22.5), throw in another 1500, and you can have my 04 6MT SSM w/ 10K miles. No Navi though.
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Jan 29, 2005 | 10:39 PM
  #8  
Quote: No one can offer much legit advice because it depends upon your particular circumstances and finances. You would have a better value with a new one. The used TSX's are holding their value well due to limited supply and strong demand (thanks, in part, to all the favorable reviews that have been widely distributed -- online and in magazines).

If you can swing for a new one, you would have a better value. Drop the Nav and you should be able to buy a new TSX for about $3,500 more than the used one. A dealer (and, someone correct me if they have better information) will generally have a markup of $1k to $2k on a new model and from $3k to $5k on a used model. Any additional profit by the dealer is an additional cost to you.

Here is another view. Lets assume a new TSX with Nav is $28,000.00 and that it is good for 200,000 miles -- at which time it would be fully depreciated and have no value and no use. The capital cost of the car, ignoring Insurance, Taxes, Operating Expenses, etc., would be 28/200 = 14 cents/mile. The used TSX has 47,000 miles and is priced at 22,500. Let's assume that it originally cost 28,000. The savings is $5,500. And, 5,500/47,000 = 11.7 cents/mile. And, they say that the depreciation of a car is the highest during the first year! That is for only the seller -- not the buyer -- especially if the deal goes through a broker. I would certainly want to see the depreciation for the first 50k miles to be at least as large as the last 50k miles. Thus, 47,000 * .14 = $6,580 and $28,000 - $6,580 = $21,400 maximum economic value. And, this view ignores the higher maintenance cost of a used vehicle.

I would say that around $19-$20k you would have a decent deal. I would also say that anything over $20k and you have paid extra, long term, in order to pay less short term. It is my opinion that that is nearly always the case with buying used vehicles. The most notable exception is when the buyer buys directly from the seller and a broker is not involved. However, the value of the warranty provided on a certified used car has to be considered -- and can be considerable. And, I have ignored any financing cost in my calculations. Assume 4 years at 4 percent; $5,500/2 *.04 = 110 * 4 = approx. $440.00 additional interest for $28,000 over $22,500. So, the actual savings may be slightly in excess of $6,000.00 when finance charges, taxes, and insurance are considered.

Sorry if I sound too much like a cost accountant. My rates, as an accountant, are $95.00 an hour -- so the above should be worth at least $.02.
I thought an economics professor was writing..
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Jan 30, 2005 | 04:30 AM
  #9  
Thanks guys for all the helpful advise. Turns out the car was purchased and registered on 05/2003. Wow. I offered the dealer 19k. Will tell you how the response is tomorrow. Most likely gonna be a no, but either way I'm happy. =)
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Jan 30, 2005 | 10:37 AM
  #10  
Like I said before, make sure to ask for warranty. Given the track records of some of the problems other people are having, especially the control light out issue, you want to be covered under those circumstances. Replacing the entire Navi unit is not cheap if it has to come out of your own pocket and the deal is not so sweet anymore. Also, find out what warranty works have been performed on the car.
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Jan 30, 2005 | 10:56 AM
  #11  
ohh kenji, i thought you had already bought your TSX through the norcal group buy? Guess not, huh? I wasn't able to go through with it either. Something unexpected had come up and set me back another month, but i got mine now, and i'm a happy camper. I say if youre able to hold out a little bit longer to save a little bit more, go for a new one. Otherwise, if you see an awesome deal on a used tsx, go ahead and jump on it. I think either way you'll love the car.
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Jan 30, 2005 | 11:47 AM
  #12  
Too expensive, I wouldn't budge maybe $18K
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Jan 30, 2005 | 03:28 PM
  #13  
Doh! They said $19k is too low, they offered 20,598 + fees.
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Jan 30, 2005 | 03:51 PM
  #14  
Quote: ohh kenji, i thought you had already bought your TSX through the norcal group buy? Guess not, huh? I wasn't able to go through with it either. Something unexpected had come up and set me back another month, but i got mine now, and i'm a happy camper. I say if youre able to hold out a little bit longer to save a little bit more, go for a new one. Otherwise, if you see an awesome deal on a used tsx, go ahead and jump on it. I think either way you'll love the car.
Haha, yes. Shamefully, the guy that said "please don't flake out" flaked out after seeing the total come to $28.5k. I just started thinking.. wow $28.5k. I can easily buy an used IS300, TSX /w Nav, maybe a G35.. and I just backed out.

I've been looking for these 3 for some time.. and found this TSX /w Nav for $20~22k, but looks like it's not really a hot deal
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Jan 30, 2005 | 06:09 PM
  #15  
Quote: Doh! They said $19k is too low, they offered 20,598 + fees.

Tell them 20.5 drive out, final offer. If they say no, tell them OK, find another buyer. I think they want too much for a car w/ so many miles and scratches.
If they really want to unload the car, they'll do it. You've already got them down 2K, and since they usually try to tack on 3-5 off what they gave the last owner, they are still gonna make money. My
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Jan 30, 2005 | 08:12 PM
  #16  
Make sure to get the extended Acura warranty on the used TSX, if you decide to go for it.
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Jan 30, 2005 | 08:26 PM
  #17  
48 Tow-Send Miles Got Damn Son!!
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Jan 31, 2005 | 03:21 AM
  #18  
Quote: Tell them 20.5 drive out, final offer. If they say no, tell them OK, find another buyer. I think they want too much for a car w/ so many miles and scratches.
If they really want to unload the car, they'll do it. You've already got them down 2K, and since they usually try to tack on 3-5 off what they gave the last owner, they are still gonna make money. My
I offered them $19.8k (KBB price) + fees ( 8.25% + around $200 for docs ) = Should be at most $21.7k out the door.

If they respond tomorrow, I'll take it. If not, oh well, life goes on as usual.

Thanks a lot for the
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Jan 31, 2005 | 03:22 AM
  #19  
Quote: 48 Tow-Send Miles Got Damn Son!!
yea according to carfax... it's been registered in 05/2003.. so that would make it... 2238 miles every month.
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Feb 3, 2005 | 05:39 PM
  #20  
I sent you the pics of my tsx. I am only asking for my payoff which is 22600. If you need any other pics of the interior let me know. My seats are all perfect,replaced 3 months ago and oil was changed every 3k like clockwork. Like I said my friend is a acura mechanic and always works on my car. The car is dent free with a small scuff on the driver rear bumper . The front lip of the chin spoiler has a scratch aswell but that is normal for a oem lip.
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Feb 4, 2005 | 03:57 PM
  #21  
you could easily get a 2001-2002 IS300 for around $19k or less (60k miles). way better deal than the tsx with 47k imo. used IS300s are cheaper now because the new models are about to come out soon, so they're not as high in demand as before.
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Feb 4, 2005 | 04:58 PM
  #22  
Quote: Doh! They said $19k is too low, they offered 20,598 + fees.

try $19.5k + fees. keep haggling, dont give up!!! they want to get rid of the car... good luck
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Feb 4, 2005 | 05:03 PM
  #23  
Quote: you could easily get a 2001-2002 IS300 for around $19k or less (60k miles). way better deal than the tsx with 47k imo. used IS300s are cheaper now because the new models are about to come out soon, so they're not as high in demand as before.

I could buy a used 01 Accord here for 5K, which is cheaper.
What's your point, or you just trolling around?
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Feb 4, 2005 | 05:28 PM
  #24  
Quote: try $19.5k + fees. keep haggling, dont give up!!! they want to get rid of the car... good luck
I offered 19.8k and they said no. I wonder if it'll make a difference if I walk in, have cash in hand and say "$19.8k right now!"
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Feb 4, 2005 | 06:42 PM
  #25  
$22,5k is kinda high for a TSX w/ 47k miles. I'd wait and see for another one with lower mileage.
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Feb 4, 2005 | 09:18 PM
  #26  
Quote: I offered 19.8k and they said no. I wonder if it'll make a difference if I walk in, have cash in hand and say "$19.8k right now!"
Be sure to tell them w/ all fees included at that price. I personally think they'll go for it if they wanna get it off their hands. No dealer likes a car sitting on the lot, especially when they have someone (you) talking with them. What do you have to lose?
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Feb 7, 2005 | 01:56 AM
  #27  
Ok.. final offer I got is $20,500 + fees (1.0825% tax + $50 Smog Check fee + around $200 for docs) = $22441.25 total

The dealer saids, he got it in for $20,000 and he would like to make at least $500.

Thanks guys for all the advice. Great price, but I don't want to pay $700 over KBB.
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Feb 7, 2005 | 05:07 AM
  #28  
I think he's a liar.

KBB trade-in is only $16,630 for a car with those miles. I doubt very seriously they gave a full $20k. It sounds to me like the dealership isn't happy if they can't make $5000 not just $500.

When we recently traded our SSM 03 AV6 coupe for a SMR 05 AV6 coupe they gave us $17,000 for our AV6 with 27k miles and in perfect shape, still under warranty. They are asking $23k for it now. We got the 05 with a spoiler for $25,125.

If you're not trading something in, buy it privately... you'll come out much better.
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Feb 10, 2005 | 10:50 PM
  #29  
I agree, guy sounds like he's full of crap. I'd pass on the deal as well.
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Feb 11, 2005 | 01:09 PM
  #30  
how the fawking hell did someone put 47K in one year on such nice car ??? :shakehead
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Feb 11, 2005 | 03:37 PM
  #31  
Cars are made to be driven.. and if you buy one to keep, and take care of. 47k miles on a TSX is nothing. I just wouldn't pay $22k for one with that many miles. $18k maybe.
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Feb 14, 2005 | 12:21 AM
  #32  
Ok, it's gone from their lot.
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Feb 14, 2005 | 12:33 AM
  #33  
good, just get new one
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Feb 14, 2005 | 12:46 AM
  #34  
Quote: I offered 19.8k and they said no. I wonder if it'll make a difference if I walk in, have cash in hand and say "$19.8k right now!"
Cash would help but they make money also if you finace from them. If I were you, I'll tell them straight up, $22k OTD.

Just remember on thing though, all Acuras comes with a 4 year/50k mile, so unless you buy a extended warranty. You have like 1000 mile before you warranty expires.
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