looking to buy 2003 element ex 4wd...how much????

[msmrfc]

my dealer has 6 new 2003's still on the lot in maryland. i want to make an offer but do not know where to start. i know they are eager to get rid of the 2003s. this is my first car purchase and i am trying to learn the tricks to negotiating. any advice?

[JDM_element]

i got my 04 4wd EX for 20,500..they were gonna sell me an 03 for 19,500..i went with the 04 EX b/c it came with keyless entry standard..and on this site i was told the 03's had some defects..good luck

[agodfrey]

Wow, that's a really expensive keyless entry system!!! Defects?? The only "defect" to plague the Element has been the windshield problem, and that can still happen on an 04.

[JDM_element]

well so far i haven't heard anybody with an 04 having any problems with their element..if you look at another topic on this element forum..people with 03's not only had the windshield crackin BUT many also had problems with the seats rocking, and i believe someone had a rattle in their pillars...so far i'm happy with the car i had purchased..no problems here...by the way..anybody know where to get the JDM yellow foglights???..i can't seem to find it.

[msmrfc]

I test drove the 03 ex today and the dealer is already talking about selling it at or below invoice. I have checked websites and keep getting different numbers. What would be a good price to start negotiating with?

[IN MY]

Find the lowest price. Let them get close to your figure. Never give them your price. Don't tell them how you will be paying for it. Cash, lease, bank or dealer financing. I think something is wrong with the dealer that still has 03's. The E's are hard to find and have not flooded the market. Most dealers have about 6 at any one time and probably at least one of them is already sold. Take my advice, be sure you feel comfortable with the dealer. Most dealers have poor customer service. I had a bad experience from my dealer and I should have paid more and gone somewhere else. I chose the dealer for price alone and now I am paying for that mistake. I would look into the service dept. and see if they loaner cars and other things that make them a better dealer. 03 EX AWD with side airbags is the most expensive model. I don't think you will find an E for 16k so start there and see how much higher they go. I think a great price I've seen here is 17k. There are about 5 or so TSB's aka defects that some E's have had. My E was made in Sept 03 and was supposed to be clear of any TSB's. I seem to have a few after 5k miles. I need to take it to a dealer, probably not mine.

[TowsonLynn]

This is now time to give back: My 2003 E was my first new car purchase also, after a motorcycle and 6 previous used cars, the last being a VW GTI that was 20 years old, and which I sold after purchasing the E. I spend about three solid weeks researching the E, and read these forums for hours trying to find what people paid, to start somewhere. I also memorized the prices of the accessories I wanted from HandAaccessories.com because there is quite a bit of difference between the cost of these and the dealer cost. I worked three dealerships against each other, all on the phone over about two days. I finally purchased my 4 wheel drive, manual transmission EX, with mud guards and wheel locks, for $18,600 from Heritage Honda, Harford Road, outside Baltimore. I purhased it on the last day in November. I was hit with a $99.00 dealer fee on the bill in addition to the $18,600 price, which I could not talk them out of, so the vehicle was $18,700. However, I felt better about that fee when they installed the Honda keyless entry and security system for $388 [they had quoted], which was an error on their part, but they upheld the quote as I would have skipped it altogether or done aftermarket if they had charged me the full fare of nearer to $600. I thought the $388 price was a condition of the sale and that's why I was getting such a deal, since it was discussed during the negotiating. I had wanted to pay $18,500 for the E but couldn't get to that price. Because of the $99.00 charge, I declined to pay part of the entry/security "mistake." The state tax and license fees were extra, but there was nothing hidden in those charges (which totaled $993 - total price for the car with everything added was $19, 693). I was able to transfer my club car plate to the E. I did not have a trade in and I did not do their financing, or any extras except the mudguards and wheel locks that were included in the $18,600. I was very pleasantly surprised at how nice this dealership was to deal with. The sales manager to see is Eric Dyckman, and he is very smart and extremely knowledgeable about the vehicle. This was initially an intimidating experience, but thanks to this forum, it turned in to be an unexpected pleasant experience for me.

[psschmied]

I got my 2004 EXS for invoice. 2003's should be available for 10% less than invoice, particularly at the end of the first quarter of 2004. They've already depreciated that much.

The dealer's cost is less than "invoice" on any car. They have extra profit from holdbacks, advertising, and special discounts. They also make most of their profit on service, which isn't a problem for me. As long as they do what is needed, don't do what isn't, and charge standard rates for standard work, I think that is fair.

If you expect a salesman or sales manager to educate you about a vehicle that you are considering, you are asking to be taken for a ride. Instead, you should do all your homework before you ever talk to a dealer. The only thing that you might need to get from a dealer is a test drive.

All aspects of cost, price, features, functions and relaibility are available on the web if you take the time to dig. Owner forums like this are a good place to "lurk" - read everything that the owners have to say both good and bad. Find every published review of the vehicle you can. Know what you are buying.

When you go to a new car "dealer", he's going to try to "deal". If you know what you want and what it' worth, you are not gambling with your money. As long as you don't offer less than the dealers true cost, you have a good chance of having your "bid" accepted, regardless of what anyone is willing to pay. You might have to wait until the end of the month, or the end of the quarter, but if you can wait instead of impulse buying, you can save money.

[SANTAMONICABLACK]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just paid $18,900 for a Black 2004 EX 4x4 AUTOMATIC and Paid $1,295 for the 7 year 100,000 mile extended warrantee. Also paid $400 for the alarm system... they started at $600. I know I could have probably got them down to $350 but the finace "guy" was actually a very attractive woman and I caved in. I still think it was a decent deal overall for everything.

Purchased at Santa Monica Honda via Fleet/internet sales. My experience was great with them.

Don't ever just walk into a showroom and deal with the sharks. Go right to the fleet manager. they work on unit volume not on commission.