Alright, so after reading loads on this forum, I've decided on the options I want to get.

I'll get the woody trifecta (I love the look), along with the splash guard set, body side molding, rear bumper applique, door edge films and hitch (no wiring harness).

I'll use USAA's car negotiating service and I should be able to get the AWD with Tech at 38.2k.

This doesn't include the options, which I'll have to negotiate (I hate this aspect of the whole car buying experience).

My question is, how much time do you realistically believe it'd take to install the options listed above in Acura dealer installer time. This will help me estimate install costs and help me negotiate better when the time comes.

My estimate is that to install these items it'd take around 4 hours but I'm certainly no car expert.

Thanks.

 

I think you can do better on the price than $38.2. I had a quote from Costco for $37.3K, and I was able to get better pricing than that.

As for the options, I'd expect that they won't start installing the parts until you've closed the negotiation. I'd just let them keep the car another day so that they aren't rushed to install.

Option number 2 is negotiate with their internet sales manager. Close the negotiation online and come to pick it up with all your options installed. All you need to do is go in and sign paperwork and hopefully drive your new car home.

 

You know, I keep reading the Costco thing come up and never thought of looking into it. I will do that this week.

I wasn't worried about rushing them per se, I was more concerned of how much they'd try to claim they would use in man hours to charge me for the install. Just looking to be able to get info to help me with the negotiation bit.

I'll look into Costco and the Interwebs sales peeps.

 

When I was buying mine the salesman handed me a sheet with prices on it that included install. I would suggest you call and ask for the list to be faxed or emailed to you so you can pick out the options. Then price the stuff online from one of the several Acura dealers (maybe a site sponsor) who sell these same parts online for 20% off. Then negotiate from there.

 

As AmberB points out, some of the Acura dealer websites have discounts in the online parts sites. I found the discount to be 15-20% across the US. For many of the items, the dealer provides an off-the-shelf price and an "installed" price. This "installed" price is inclusive of the part and the installation, and it is often MUCH better than if you try to add the installed item to the overall price of the car. In other words, go into the negotiation knowing these details. Even if the salesman cannot meet the installed price when added to the purchase contract, he should be able to arrange for you to personally get the online price at the parts department. I did that.

Of course, as always your mileage may vary...

 

I found that my local dealer, who was the only one in the area that had the car I wanted (AWD Tech FSM/Ebony) did not have the Costco arrangement. However, I did get prices through Costco (other much further-away dealers), Truecar.com, and Edmunds. Fortunately, my local dealer ended up having the best price of all at the time (just happened to be a Truecar.com quote).