SoCal Dealers vs BayArea dealers

[hxchan]

Hi everyone,
I am living in SF Bayarea, and I am looking to buy a 2004 Honda Pilot EX-L. Do you guys have any good dealer experience in either regions?

What is target price I should looking for? I got a quote from a El Monte Southern Cal dealer, and its quote me:

EX-L: Invoice: $28260, MSRP: $31,360, and my price: $29,000

Is it reasonable?

Thanks in advance. I can't wait to get a hand in my new Pilot.

[PatrickC1026]

Is it Nelson Honda in El Monte that you got the quote from? It's about 5 miles from where I live. When I bought my Pilot, they gave me the lowest quote, but I went to another dealer and got a little lower price because a friend of mine works at the Express Oil Chagne dept. I knew a couple of people (including wwong) who bought their Pilots at Nelson Honda.

I would say $29,000 is pretty good price. I paid, $1,000 off of MSRP, so it was higher. No dealers in bay area would match or beat that price?

[hxchan]

Yes. It is Nelson Honda. I doubt that Bayarea dealer can beat the price or even match. The one in Walnut Creek quote me $30,360. Since, I will have a business trip to LA, so I am thinking to buy one from LA, and drive it home. That's would be nice. 8)

[PatrickC1026]

Yeah. You can kill two birds with one stone. :lol:

Please make sure to call Nelson Honda and verify their quote price, so that you won't have to spend too much time at the dealer. Also, make sure to refuse some "hidden" options like edged VIN, paint protection coat, etc. MOST dealers make money on those little things.

[wwong]

A few members who took my advice and went to Nelson Honda had terrible buying experiences. So, beware! One trick they will pull is add a protection package and charge you $400 for it. The protection package is a cargo tray, rear splash guards, and wheel locks. You can buy these items on-line for $100. I would also get pre approved for financing. This is another way they make more profit. Whatever you get pre approved at, they will beat it to get the business. Good luck.

[nickg5]

Yes. It is Nelson Honda. I doubt that Bayarea dealer can beat the price or even match. The one in Walnut Creek quote me $30,360. Since, I will have a business trip to LA, so I am thinking to buy one from LA, and drive it home. That's would be nice. 8)


Did you made it to LA and gotten the Pilot from Nelson? I am getting ready to send an email to them to inquire but before I do 350 miles to be toyed around I want to see what experience other people had.

thanks for input.

Nick

[hxchan]

I am getting close to make a deal with Nelson Honda. I called several dealers in LA area. 2 of them don't have the color I want, and they want me to call back on April 12. I think I would finalize the deal on Thursday or Friday, and will go to LA next Friday to pick up the vehicle if everything goes smoothly. Stay tuned.

[nickg5]

cool keep us posted. I should be ready to buy within the next 2 weeks for sure.

Thanks

Nick

[PatrickC1026]

Why don't two of you go together and try to get a better deal, buy two Pilots and caravan back to bay area. :)

[nickg5]

LOL that may be the ticket. Let me know what you are getting and pricing anf maybe we can apply some quantity pressure. Local Dealers in the Bay Area are doing MSRP and not much less.

Cheers

Nick

[westcoastbeginner]

I'm in Bay Area as well and was thinking of making purchase in LA area.

Did you purchase your Pilot?. If you don't mind who was your salesperson at Nelson Honda.

[PatrickC1026]

Now 3 of you can do a group-buy. :lol: :lol:

[sparky14]

I bought an EX-L with DVD system from Family Honda in Rancho Santa Margarita on 02/28 for $30,400 (on the Honda 2.9% financing weekend!).

A co-worker just got a EX-L price of $29,800 from them, so I must have hit them in a good mood.

Great dealership if you can get the deal you want. I only wish they would get their indoor golf simulator working. Their outdoor putting green is a bit extreme. Batting cages, basketball gym, weight room, not a normal car dealership.

[PatrickC1026]

Wow.... it must be a rich dealership to have all those stuff. Are they all free?

[sparky14]

Yep, it is all free. Nice place, but still it's a car dealership - I get out as fast as I can.

[gregro]

bought my first Pilot from Elise Fong at Nelson- she was a sweetheart but no longer works there.
yesterday i bought another Pilot at Kolbe in the San Fernando Valley. Sandy was my saleslady and again, she was great. highly recommended. paid 29.6 for EX-L without trying very hard. i imagine i coulda grinded them down and gotten 29 but i'll never know now.
Greg

[Sixshooter]

Finally got down to an agreed upon price for our 05 EX-L and will accept delivery on Wed July 13, 05. Paid $28400. includes destination fees, wheel locks, mud guards, and cross pieces for the roof rack. and cargo cover. Tax, license, etc not added. I went back and forth via internet with Honda in Valencia, CA and Bakersfield, CA. (where we live). We settled for Barber Honda of Bkfld because we felt we wanted to support a local dealer. Got both down to the same price. Glad that's over!