Well folks after lurking over this entire board soaking up every bit of knowledge these past 3 weeks or so, drooling over the day I get my hands on "her", I just had to ask about the wait time (I know there are threads about this so be patient).

I've talked face to face with a salesman and also via e-mail and phone through their internet sales department. The internet salesmen told me with a deposit he could get it in 2 weeks tops. The guy I test drove with told me a deposit was just a piece of paper and meant nothing. He won't give me an exact time frame at the moment except that he placed the order, or whatever.

This is also my first new car 'not on the lot', so bear with me.

Is the deposit that important or just a show of trust?

By order does that usually mean they factory order it?
05 Anthracite/Ebony Navi 6MT ...they said there was no 6MT in, around or near Houston let alone Texas. I think the sales manager and salesman wanted me to settle for the 5AT...no disrespect just not my style.

Should I stick with the salesman or internet dept? Any thoughts? I really don't have a chance to get down to the dealer except for a few times a month because of my travel.


-noob

 

I just drove the exact car you want. It was fresh from the factory, still all wrapped up. Unfortunately it's in South Florida at Rick Case. The good news is you could probably get a pretty decent deal on it.

 

Arrrrggh!...j/k

Mabye, they can do a swap...I don't want to look desperate though, not a good thing to have on the table during negotiation. I still need to figure out the A-Spec Susp. and wheels package too.

 

Don't let dealers fool you, many times they will claim there is no car around, because they don't want to go through the hassle of a dealer trade. I recently picked up a Black/Black TL, and I knew it was a fairly common color combonation, and when my local dealer told me they didn't have it, nor did any dealers around (there are 18 Acura dealers within a 70 mile radius of me), I said thanks and hung up. 14 out of the 18 dealers had the car I wanted, I just had to do the footwork myself.

Its a game, they want your business, so they'll try to sell you on what they have, or tell you they can't get it today, but it will be coming in XX weeks. Don't fall for the BS, just pick up the phone and call a few other dealers, you'll be surprised with what you can find.

Also, due to the amount of volume this car is selling in, getting what you want, even if you "ordered" it, wouldn't take long, 3-4 weeks in most cases.

Just do some footwork yerself, you might be pleasantly surprised.

-BZ

 

I saw a TL with the exact specs sunday at Fry's Electronics, where I work. I was pushing in carts before closing and i saw a TL pull in, but it was dirty, really dirty, so i decide to go take a look at it after the guy went inside :P.

 

It's not easy finding a dealer/salesman you can trust, but it can be done and does take some effort. In Southern California, it took me two weeks via the Internet to narrow down the 15 responses I received to 23 identical queries for an 05TL/Navi/Anthracite/Ebony down to 3 dealers who earned my trust via e-mail and phone calls.

I further narrowed it down to 1 dealer based upon price and relationship. Some dealers wanted no deposit (name on a list, we'll call you when it arrives), some wanted a $500 credit card deposit and the guy I went with wanted a $1500 check. I wasn't too thrilled with sending a $1500 check to a dealer/salesman I hadn't met in the hopes that he will properly order and receive a TL with my specs.

It turns out that even though he provided me with a bad address and my check came back uncashed in the mail, he said "don't worry about the deposit, your #1 in the queue for that color combo and it should be here in 2-3 weeks." So far, I still feel that I have made the right choice. The car is scheduled to be unloaded off the train on Saturday and ready for my pickup on Sunday. This is about 4 weeks from when he and I talked. He sends me an e-mail every few days with the location of my car as it is being transported across the US.

Good luck finding your best dealer!! Put the effort into it and you'll find a good match!!!

 

Geez you refer to the car as "her" lol

Get the best price you can and be prepared to walk away from a deal is all. If any dealer thinks that you are too hot and heavy about a car they will keep you on the hook. The money (final price) and not the monthly payment makes the deal for you.

Mention any flaws or aspects of the car you do not like. Not all cars are perfect. Even mention you are interested in another car (make sure it is cheaper).

You can mention the crappy tires and the problem of having to shell another 800 out on the car in the first year. In this way it dings an added expense without the sales person thinking you are attacking the product.

 

The reason they take a deposit when they write an order is this. The order (a contract) would not be legal and binding without consideration. Consideration is something/anything of value which must pass between the agreeing parties. Without it, the contract is worthless. Secondarily is the deposit "locks" you into the item.. there is an understood obligation now.

 

So should I go back and actually give him a monetary deposit and sign a contract? I haven't talked figures yet as I assumed (I know...I know) once it arrived I could begin with the chit-chat, thinking any negotiation before it came in would prevent them from selling at my hopefully low price. It really isn't easy to trust a salesman, obviously, but I have had family go through him before and buy with a fairly nice deal.

Basically, What is the best/most efficient way to make sure you ride is really coming? I just don't want to wait 6 weeks for them to give me the run around about how it accidently was transported on a carrier to SOHO in NYC instead of Houston, TX. Thanks in advance.