slammie

Newbie with TL aspirations. So, I've been to a nearby dealer to check out/drive SH-AWD TL. A few days ago, I ask about buying a 2010 6M version when it becomes available in AUG or SEP. The salesperson wants 1k nonrefundable deposit and then MSRP when it arrives. He claims several people have already put down deposits and the car will be scarce.

What? I've never owned an Acura, but it is not a Ferrari. Do folks expect it to be this popular, or am I getting played?

I haven't checked with other dealers, but I am assuming a reasonable dealer would request small, refundable deposit, such as $250, and then negotiate now for invoice price, or thereabouts, minus incentives.

What do others think? Should I put down money now to "order," or just wait it out... In any case, I will not be going back to 1st dealer.

Thanks!

JD23

Considering that the economy is still likely to be in the dumps during the fall, I think asking for a nonrefundable deposit and MSRP is ridiculous. If you want the best price, it is probably best to wait until the car is released and then negotiate.

PetesTL

Nonrefundable deposit? .......ludicrous! I think the dealer is just playing you since you're young and have such a keen interest in the car. Yes, the 6M TL will be very rare but still I would wait 'til it actually shows up.

jnc2000

Wait.

Don't put money down - negotiate price when the car comes out via the internet salesperson...

winstrolvtec

Wait till it comes out, then when no one buys them, you got your deal, hopefully. Otherwise let the hype die down a little, you can also check in with multiple dealers to see if any have it available for immediate sale, or one coming in unclaimed. Let's maybe get a thread started for all 6MT buyers, we gotta stick together, not to get rapped.

kabota

wait and find a new dealer to work with, since this one is not playing nice. Also if you do go back to them the same salesman will probably not be there so see what they say.

thurley42

You know it's funny....but last week a guy I work with said he wanted to get the Focus Hybrid. He's eligible for the A plan or whatever it is, i think his dad is retired from Ford or something...but anyway when he went to the dealership to order it, he was asked, "how much over MSRP are you willing to pay." This is in the DC area...he called back to Detroit, found one under invoice, and bought a 79 dollar Southwest ticket one way...

just depends on where you live...but technology allows you to find yourself the best deal.

007Acura

i would wait at least until the official release when the mags start to review/drive it

slammie

Thanks for the replies folks! I'm excited about the car of course, but I'll be waiting now until it arrives....maybe longer.

Winstrolvtec -- Yep, deffinately on board with starting a 6M thread. I'm not going anywhere as this site is a great resource. As we know more, let's post.

Stash

non-refundable depoist.....that is a joke. I have no doubt that they are going to be semi-rare and you are going to have to pay close to sticker, but the car isn't even final yet.

BEAR-AvHistory

The A plan price is fixed by Ford not the dealer & its well under invoice.

Colin

A non-refundable deposit may not be legal. You should check on this. However, they will probably be scarce. As JD23 says, the economy might still be sucking, and if it does, expect Acura to ramp down production to match demand.



This shows the expected percentages of the various models and MTs will be a fraction of this. Typically MTs account for 10% of automatic production. At the time this was printed, they probably expected to sell 70,000 TLs a year in NA. If they revise this down to 40,000 a year, I think you can see that MTs may be hard to get.

Wavehogger

It's illegal to not refund a deposit. You have the right to change your mind until the last second before you do or don't sign on the dotted line. And I wouldn't worry about getting one. Although if you have a certain color combo in mind that you must have, then you'll be limited. My dealer says they will only be making them in the 'hundreds' for 2010.

JD23

From what you know about demand for the 09, do you expect Acura to maintain the 80/20 split between FWD and SH-AWD, or do you think a larger proportion of TLs will be SH-AWD in 2010?

Colin

Hard to say really. I'd hope that they increase the % of AWDs with the MT introduction but I'd say its far from guaranteed.

winstrolvtec

It may even be legal to return the car up to so many hours or days of ownership if you are not satisfied for whatever reason but if they word the deposit agreement to non-refundable and you sign it, it may hold up, but I'm not sure. Just be careful.

steetbach

Nonrefundable security deposits,paying sticker price or above for a 6 speed manual,gentlemen are we talking about a TL? Even if there is limited availability,why would you not order the car from the factory directly? My dealership had to order my 2004TL manual and 2007TL-S manual from the factory. So I had to wait 4 to 7 weeks for the car to be delivered.I still paid 2000 under the sticker price even though the cars where "special" ordered for me.I can not imagine things having changed much especially with the economy the way it is.I have never owned an automatic in my life. I have never had to pay more to shift my own gears.I expect this to continue in 2010 when I'm in the market again other wise good-bye Acura!

slammie

Thanks again folks. I'll be seeking out new dealers, or at least avoid that particular sales guy. Maybe, just bug the dealer internet departments to try to get the best deal once the 6M becomes available in the fall. Although I'll sure pray it comes earlier.

Spearsoft

A deposit is no good in most states. In CA it is illegal, so that won't fly.
As for negotiating... well I know for a fact Acura will make less of these than there is a demand for. I don't see dealers holding on to MSRP on these because its a 6MT, but simply because of limited availability.

Needless to say, there will be good deals out there, you'll just have to look much harder to find them on this car than even on a regular SH-AWD(tech).

I believe it is a car that will sell for MSRP, not because it's that much more desireable, but because there will be few, and those that are willing to pay MSRP will buy them up before those that want to negotiate have a chance to. Demographics have a lot to do with it though, the oldest TSX I have in inventory is a 6MT (btw if you want one, let me know lol). Last year we had a dealer buy(not trade) a 6MT Type-S from us because it was the last one in SoCal, but it had been sitting on our lot for close to a year.

EDIT: I almost forgot, the best way to get one of these is let a dealer know you're interested. When they have a VIN showing on their sheets, you can go in and negotiate the deal and contract the car, so that no one beats you to the punch. This is assuming that you don't mind not driving it first.

Tennshoes

I'm still looking at a dearlership in Woodbridge,VA with about 12 SH-AWD Tech(s) still on the lot, along with the basic models as well. Begging for customers to come in!!!