I've been trying to get TL anthracite/quartz navi since early March. I've tried at least ten dealers within the So. Cal area with no luck; until last weekend. I went to an Acura dealer and the salesman said he was having one bulit and was to arrive May 10th. He said to place a refundable deposit to "save" the car so that I would have the first crack at the car. He said that his manager would take 600 bucks off MSRP and that I would have an opportunity to maybe haggle the price once the car gets here. I asked why I couldn't negotiate the price now since I was willing to buy now. He said that it didn't work that way since I was not ordering the car. My thought is that since I cannot find the car I want on the lot due to "high demand", then my only leverage for a better price is find a dealer who wants my business and is willing to negotiate on price, otherwise, I would just go to another dealer who could get me the car sooner. Well, needless to say, I put a deposit down because I'm just tired of waiting for the car to be on the lot so I can negotiate a better price. I would like to know if anyone can give a game strategy on how to get a better price once the car comes in or am I just S.O.L. when it comes to price. Thanks.

 

If you want the car ASAP, take what you can get on the price as long as it is reasonable. Check edmunds for the average price of what you're looking for and what people are paying, and go from there. If you want to wait, find a dealer willing to offer you the best price and put the car on order, and wait until it is built and shipped. You probably wouldn't get it until June though.

 

I dunno....I was able to negotiate the price prior to putting a deposit on a car that was scheduled to leave Ohio 3 weeks later. Everything was in writing before I left a deposit.

 

i negotiated the price before i placed deposit on the car. i also had everything in writing before the car was ordered. the price that was on the paper was the price i wanted to pay.

 

dont let the dealer push you around. you should be able to negotiate the price prior to leaving your deposit. i've done that several times before in the past. some dealers can't commit to a price before they order but then some can. so... bottom line is - go find a dealer who can give you what you want. you're not stuck to that one particular dealer.

even in northern california, i was able to negotiate $700 off msrp on a navi vehicle so i think you can probably do better since prices seem to be a bit lower in socal.

 

In the worse case senario, you'll get the car for $600 under MSRP, and I think if one was available today at the price you might take it? Right!

Where only talking %1 more or less of the selling price after that.

Lastlly, "if" they won't deal with you until the car arrives, then deal your best price at that time, if they don't go for it, walk out, if they let you walk out, they've already got a second person standing in line to get the car, so be willing to know what you final price is.

I have my car, I wouldn't of wait another 3 months to save an extra $500 dollars.

My two cents.

Mike Smeezy,

 

Sorry I didn't read any of the posts--
ADVICE?

1). Bookmark the ACURA webpage that has the dealer locator.
2). Don't forget the salespeople ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS.
3). They don't call them "Sales-Holes" for nothing.
4). ***********Frequently reconoiter the local dealers--start off by parking in the rear. Look in the back lots and the service bays. I must have seen 20+ 04TL's on the lot, the day I bought my TL.

5). Go for "Internal pricing on ALL accessories and upgrades.
6). My 7/100K extended warranty with 0 (zero) deductible was $920 + $100 = $1020.
7). Hold your ground.
8). Good luck--don't get pissed off....

 

You are trying to get one of, if not the most sought after combinations. There will be people waiting in the wings to buy that car. I would be surprised if more than $1000 off is attainable. It is very likely that only the $600 previously agreed on will be what you get.

 

You need to have the price negotiated and signed off on before you put any money down. When that car comes in they are going to dick you around. If they won't agree to terms prior to putting money down then walk.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice. I would like to know something. Do all dealers within an area know who is getting what kind of make/model/color car? Do they have a database? I'm asking because I went to another dealer hoping to see if they were buliding a car I wanted and the salesman told me that they didn't but another dealer had one that was being built (I'm assuming that was mine from the other dealer that I put a deposit on). What I wanted to do is put a refundable deposit with another dealer who possibly had my car in the process of being made in order to have the two dealers compete for my business. What is your opinion and this? Thanks.

 

theres a database where they can see which dealer is getting what model vehicle. that is how they can accomodate the needs of their customers. if some other dealer has a particular car that their customer wants and it is not reserved, then they can call them and make a trade with them.

i wouldnt throw my money down on deposits at multiple dealers. you may run into problems getting your deposit back. different dealers have different policies on deposits so make sure everything is clear before you cut them the deposit check. i got the run-around when i tried to get my deposit back at my dealer (serramonte acura).

 

The deposit is refundable. Reserve it and keep looking. People are always backing out for whatever reason and you can get a better deal and quicker delevery if you happen to be there at the rifgt time. Win-Win !!!

 

I agree. While I was waiting for my car to be delivered I was notified by 3 different dealers that because of a deal falling thru, they had the car I wanted on the lot. And sold them to other buyers within hours.

When I left my deposit, the order form had the agreed upon price. Don't think I would of been able to haggle any more when the car came it. Especially since this car combo is in demand.