In my vain attempt to get a NBP/Ebony Auto w/Navi, I was offered to order a 2006 Auto w/navi NBP/Ebony for $33,200 plus tax. He said I would have to leave a $500 REFUNDABLE deposit to order the car. Is this too good to be true? Could he back out of the deal and I would be left short $500?

 

why would u place an order for a car you havn't even seen yet?

 

Sound like they are going to walk away with $500, was this on ebay or something?

 

I don't know why the two above posters are so skeptical. Maybe they have never ordered cars before... if the dealership can sell a car before it arrives, and thus don't have to keep it on their lot, they make more profit. Plus, you are not really obligated to buy the car, hence the refundable deposit, which means you get to inspect the car before you sign all the docs.

Just remember to get the price in writing, confirmed/signed by the sales manager, not just the salesman.

I'd say if you can wait, go for it. If you took an '05 off the lot right now, though, you'd probably save a grand or two.

 

If I get the 05, it wouldn't be the color combo I want, but it would be $1000 cheaper. I don't mind waiting a couple of month if I am going to really get a 06 for $1K more and the color combo that I want. I am just afraid that they might back down or raise the price and then it would be too late to buy an 05.

 

Maybe he can't get his color combo?

 

$1,000 cheaper for an '05, but whenever you were to sell, you'd get more than $1,000 more on selling an '06 vs. an '05. That's a great price for an '06.

Make sure you get the price on paper and states "Customer has right of refusal with 100% of deposit refundable". I did this with my '97 Expedition sight unseen when they were first coming out with them.

 

We got ours for 32,500 with no arguments, but that was an 05 a few months ago. I wouldn't be skeptic of it.

 

The TL isn't undergoing any major changes for 06, but increased resale value (a year less of depreciation) make it worth ordering now and waiting... if you can stand the wait.

 

In theory you could get your money back if the deal is not the same as initial, if your car is too long to come etc...

In real life it is very difficult to get your money back, most salesman will try everything before giving your money back.

Personnaly i never left a deposit to a dealer, if you are ready eventually to loose $500 because your car is difficult to have, do it

Read the contract, precise the price, colour, options date of delivery. if one off your item is not respected you could get your money back, in theory.

Be careful of salesman

 

Getting a deposit back is very easy in the States at least. No dealer can keep any deposit unless you sign something that states that the deposit is non-refundable. Any other deposit is refundable. It's illegal for them to keep deposits for undelivered or unaccpeted cars.

I've done this at least 20 times and never had a problem with a deposit.

 

2006 models will be in demand, and it is customary for dealers to take deposits for in demand vehicles on order. When I purchased my 05 in January, I also had to put down the 500 bucks. The price was not very negotiable in this market, at that time either. Being that I had sold my SUV and the TL as over 2 weeks away from delivery, they gave me a loaner TL...and won my business. 2006 models are likely not lot available until fall and will demand closer to sticker prices initially.

Doesn't sound shady to me at all. If you can be patient that long, you're a bigger man than me! Enjoy.

 

Put the deposit on your VISA or MC. Very easy to get back when you haven't received anything. Just call them and tell them to reverse it.

Piece of cake.

It's an excellent price for an '06. I would lock it in with a purchase order signed by the Sales Manager. Beware the sneaky add-ons like "document fees" and "dealer fees" which are just bullshit ways to quote you a low price and then jack it up on delivery. These fees usually appear towards the bottom of the order and are often pre-printed on the order form to make you believe everyone pays them.

Everyone doesn't. Or, if they do, they make sure it is added to the discount at the top of the order so that the NET price, before sales tax and license is the price you were quoted.

These "fees" are simply additional dealer profit. If you corner them on this issue, they will admit that.

 

I agree with Xpditor.
Make sure you put it on your CC.

Also, they should write up a contract with the EXACT car you want, ie. color, options, etc. and the price. GET IT IN WRITING!!!! Add to that the deposit will be refundable!!!!!

Get an 06!!!

 

What XP said. I ordered my TL ahead of time, leaving a refundable deposit and signing a formal contract. Easy as pie. Further, that is a pretty good deal on an '06. Since it's the combo you want, just order it.

 

Apperantly it was too good to be true or the dealer sucks. I called them back to leave the deposit and get the car ordered, and now they won't even return my calls. Why would they even offer it if they weren't interested in going through with it? I am extremely mad b/c I feel that is pretty classless of the dealership to work that way. I wish there was someone you could file a complaint with. Would the Acura Headquarters even care about this?

 

Again, make sure you get it in writing and that the sales price if final and includes destination & dealer prep charges.

 

They want you there in person so they can work you over and play the game. They take your credit card, your keys and registration (if a trade is involved) and then, while you are in their clutches, they can start bumping the price here and there until you grow tired of the hassle and just sign.

They can't deal on the phone because you can just hang up.