Hi, I've read the board on and off for a while. This board is full of great information. I recently sold my '00 TL and put an order in for a new '04 TL. The salesman told me that the car was shipped on 1/26/04. They want me to come in and fill out the loan and other papers before it arrives. Is it safe to do so or should I insist on waiting til it actually arrives?

 

It doesn't hurt to get your financing squared away before the car arrives. But either way would be fine if your time allows.

 

If you have a solid delivery date, and a way out of it in the event that the car doesn not arrive as agreed on the date specified, this seems like a good faith gesture and a good indication that the car is going to arrive as promised (which is different than the delivery issues many have been having)

 

I negotiated my loan with the dealer finance folks before my TL arrived! Got a better rate as there was time to consider alternatives, and all the paperwork was DONE when my new TL arrived ....

Made the delivery process much quicker!

This one is personal preference I think.

 

American Honda current finance rate is 4.9%. You may be able to get a better rate online as I did. Dealer told me American Honda would match the lower rate. Check: AUTO LOAN RATES
to see if you can get a better rate.

 

I think you should sign the papers to ensure that someone else doesn't end up getting your car. Those salesmen can be pretty slippery, especially when some other buyer is ready to pay a little bit more. Or did I miss something?

 

On the flip side .. they may have another cutomer who wants it and they want to know if you can qualify. If not they can sell it to someone else.