Summer

Thanks so much in advance! This is my first time buying a brand new car and the process is very intimidating.

Here's what I was quoted today:

"We are selling the car for $30,960 + $170 registration, $199 Vin etching fee, $299 Documentation fee and $1887.48 taxes for a total of $33,515.48 out the door cash."

Does the doc fee seem unusually high? Should I push for them to lower the price, since isn't there also a "marketing support" deal right now for $1250 dealer cash for tech TSXes?

Edmund's "TMV" says this, but I'm not sure how much I trust it:

2009 Acura TSX
4dr Sedan w/Technology Package (2.4L 4cyl 6M) What Others
Are Paying MSRP Invoice National Base Price
A note about advertising fees $32,260 $29,481 $28,977 Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code Change - - -$98 Optional Equipment N/A N/A N/A No optional equipment selected Color Adjustment - - $0 Vortex Blue Pearl Destination Charge $760 $760 $760 Total with Options $33,020 $30,241 $29,639 Incentives Available

cmasterchoe

VIN etching fee? That sounds sketchy to me. I got my TSX tech(auto) for $30,913 out the door. You can definitely do better. If you are on edmunds you are already doing the right thing, they have a lot of great articles walking you through the process, it definitely helped me.

Basic advice, hit up three closest dealers all asking for a price, take it down to two dealers. Bounce the price off of the two dealers (you can't do this forever however). Basically you will reach a point where they won't be able to give you a price over email but will say "if you come in, we can work on it, definitely for less". That's when you pretty much know its team to walk into the dealership.

Also, deal from the invoice price. My basic offer was invoice - $500 dollars, and then there was a $750 dealer cash incentive (this is the first time hearing of a $1250 dealer chas?). So in the end it was invoice - $1250.

If you can't at least get invoice go to another place.
Best of luck!

This one helps in negotiating bottom price:
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...6/page007.html

gwickes

Hi Summer: good time to be buying a 2009 tech... In my recent travels to Acura dealers, there are a few of them on the lot (way more than the premium/base models (I just bought a 2009 premium). Wanting the manual will reduce the available stock, but I highly recommend the 6MT for sure!

If you haven't done so already, I would recommend submitting an online request for the model you want (via Edmunds is great) to all the local Acura dealers in your area... the Internet guys usually respond fairly quickly with a price (this is what I did).

As you wait for the responses, work up an excel file with the information you get from edmunds (list, destination ($760), invoice, incentives)... so you can model and determine what is a fair price you want to pay. (another good site to look at for price information is TrueCar. You enter your zip and they can give you a good idea of what the price is being paid from good to great prices).

According to Edmunds, the current MSRP is $33,020 (which includes the $760 destination) with invoice price of $30,241 (including destination). There is a $1,250 "rebate" the dealer will get from Acura, so this is fair game for you to get as much of it as you can.

I think your quoted price from the dealer of $30,960 is worth negotiating down... If invoice is $30,240, plus there is a further $1,250 to the dealer, I think there is room to still to negotiate a lower price.

As for the other stuff you mention, I can't really comment, but seems like VIN etching, documentation are "fluff expenses" and are worth negotiating down (or out if you can).

Good luck!

gwickes

Just read cmasterchoe's response... the incentives on the TSX changed after June 1. The $750 was eliminated on the Premium model and the tech package was increased to $1,250.

cmasterchoe

Also did you specify what color car you wanted? Because Vortex Blue's in Manual may not be that easy to find (depending on the area). Better to figure out the price of the car before you let them know which color you want.

Colin

Our Doc fee is 245. IMO not a big difference. I know that in our state, we can charge up to 300 but you are not allowed to deviate from that. ie. I still pay a doc fee as an employee. If you charge one person, you must charge them all. You should be able to get the glass etching removed, it's a waste of money.

Colin

OK The following have Vortex Blue/Ebony in 6MT Tech:

PRIORITY ACURA in VA, (757)523-1700
KAREN RADLEY ACURA in VA, (703)497-0900
RADLEY ACURA in VA, (703)824-5700
CHEVY CHASE ACURA in MD (301)656-9200

Good luck

Summer

Thanks, everyone!!

Guess I should have specified that I'm in CT, though wouldn't mind driving if necessary, and I will be driving through VA this weekend...

I did make the mistake of specifying color too early on. However, the dealer essentially tried to talk me out of the vortex blue, saying how nobody wanted it, it would have poor resale, etc. etc. I'm thinking, "Okay, if it's that bad, why not give it to me for cheap??" :lol:

The car in question he would be pulling from another dealer, around 100 miles away. Dunno how much that affects price.

Colin

You have to know what color you want if you expect to see a realistic quote with the current inventory levels. As for bringing the car over from another dealer. It won't transport itself for free. (unless your salesman goes and gets it). Then of course you have the extra miles. It's a give and take.

xmd5a

*** avoid VIN etching bullshit, it's wildly overpriced ***

Colin

Not to mention that I've seen it removed with a buffer and glass polish.

boydanger

i went through an independent dealer that works with every brand of cars to get mine. they did all the shopping for me and found the best deal in the area, almost everything was done over the phone. all i did was go sign a few papers and grab the keys.


i also spent a few days talking to dealers and doing research online to find the best deal.


best of luck! and the blue looks really nice, im not a big fan of blue on cars but the tsx pulls it off very nicely.

doggydog

OP sorry for hijacking thread.

When doing a trade in, is it best to get a price on new purchase, than tell dealer you got a trade-in?

Also, is it best to have your own financing or to go with Honda/Acura financing? Thanks to all

kristy7911

I say no to the vin etching as well. I know the reasoning behind it is because supposedly when a car gets stolen the thief can get good $ for the windows. if the vin is etched on the window they will supposedly not steal the car because they cant make $ on the windows. sounds like a load of crap to me

xmd5a

or toothpaste and free time

poser

I think a reasonable approach is $29,500 for car ($1400 less) and no VIN etching, for a $1600 savings.

Doc fees are high and just another way for them to make money.

Tax, title, etc are dependent on your state and I doubt there is anything you can do to impact that cost.

Summer

Thanks again, you guys are the BEST.

I put down a deposit today, vortex blue/taupe 6MT tech - $29,800 and they're driving it in from another dealer out of state, so I think that's pretty fair.

Can't wait for it to get here!!

LuvMyTSX

I love the vortex blue color. Congrats on your purchase, hopefully everything goes smoothly.