I try doing a search and was not able to find any thread on this topic. I checked carbuyingtips.com but wanted feedback from fellow on what to do and what not to do.

what im looking for:
Honda Pilot EX-L w/Navi, runningboards, and crossbars.
thanks
count26

shop around, ask dealers on their prices. first of all, you need to know what kind of car you want and with what options. then check carsdirect or some other places online (kbb, edmunds) to get a price quote. u can also try going to a dealer and ask them to meet another dealer's price, or possibly beat that price (maybe throw in some extra options). good luck

Be flexible. Think "four door sedan," not "2004 Honda Accord EX V6."

My point? You may find a better deal on a car that meets your general needs that you would by trying to get a specific model.

Also, don't underestimate (or overestimate) the value of zero percent financing.

Count26 said:well Im looking to get a Pilot EX-L w/nagvi, running boards, and crossbars. I think invoice on it is 29,500 but the closest i got is 31,000. I think they can do better than that because 05 models are coming out next month plus they have holdbacks and rebates from manufacturer to move the cars.it doesn't matter if 05 is coming out soon. if the pilot is a very popular car, you may not be able to negotiate better. on the other hand, if the pilot isn't that popular and available a plenty, then you have a great chance.

also, if you know and have test drive the car already and definitely wanting that pilot, try negotiating through the phone. you can always hang up if price is not in your favor. instead of driving to dealer to dealer and ended up with none.

Count26 said:Thanks for the advice. That's why I'm negotiating prices over email.

Wrong. You will get the best deal in person.
Tip: Go to them and tell them your offer. Check edmunds to see if they have holdbacks or factory to dealer incentives...if they do, even if they sell AT retail they make money. If not, offer them 30k. If a dealer doesnt match it, try this line (once you find a dealer that has exactly the car you want..make sure that you filled out some papers with your phone # etc)
"Well, I am willing to spend 30k. If you can not make me this offer, I will go to another dealership. If they match my offer, you just lost my business...but if this is the best price around then I will be back tomorrow"

Or just simply say the price they are asking for is too high. I have done that, and after 10min of leaving the dealership saying (when their offered price was $1k more than what i offered) "you don't have the color I was looking for anyway", i got a phone call. "What would it take to bring you back to our dealership?" i said "Nothing, you don't have the color i want, or the price." After 5min on the phone , i was offered they bring in the color i want, AND match my offered price ($200 over invoice).

Sorry for the long post, just trying to point out that E-mail will NOT get you the best offer cause you're not there to sign the papers of the eager-to-sell salesmen.

forget the nav you'll get a better unit aftermarket. go to a dealer(after they close)find the one u want. right down every option including the codes if available. go to edmunds.com to find the invoice. start negotiating from 2k below that price. do not pay more than invoice including tax and tags. i'm an ex finance manager for a large ford dealer in sc. i just bought a 2004 suburban that stickered at 49k, i paid 40,0029 including tax and tags.

ps you want to be at invoice before any rebates. the dealer is not gonna give up hold back. they gotta eat too.

do not negotiate finance, trades, etc. invoice(including tax/tag)-rebates(dealer and factory) plus an oil change before delivery.

ynotme said:mrblackpcs2 said:forget the nav you'll get a better unit aftermarket. go to a dealer(after they close)find the one u want. right down every option including the codes if available. go to edmunds.com to find the invoice. start negotiating from 2k below that price. do not pay more than invoice including tax and tags. i'm an ex finance manager for a large ford dealer in sc. i just bought a 2004 suburban that stickered at 49k, i paid 40,0029 including tax and tags.

ps you want to be at invoice before any rebates. the dealer is not gonna give up hold back. they gotta eat too.

do not negotiate finance, trades, etc. invoice(including tax/tag)-rebates(dealer and factory) plus an oil change before delivery.

pilot is not like suburban, it's a very popular model, at least here in so. cali.
the salesman don't even come to you unless you ask them politely

i went nissan dealer in cerritos for armada, after talking to sales rep for about 10 minutes about the car i gave him 38k, with big smile his face he said 42k, and second shot he turn back and just walk away
he said they sold 42 of them over the weekend

well every else in the world suburbans are more popular. and the car business isnt exactly booming anywhere. The tactic i stated will work. he may considered going out of states to save a few grand.

I disagree with the statement about best price in person. You are just wasting your time driving around different dealership. Here is what I would suggest you do.

1. Go to the hondapilot.org website. The website's members are usually owners of this particular vehicle. These members knows their car and their experience with the purchase is going to be much better than anyone from this forum.

2. Look up some of the dealer ratings from the website. See if any of the dealer is in your area.

3. Get the number for a few of the dealer and call them up with the price you want to pay for the vehicle. Leave them your email address or phone number. Let them come to you instead of walking to the dealership negotiating. Make sure you tell them that the price you are offering to pay is fixed. You don't want to pay for any prep package etc. If they decided to throw it in for free, fine but you are not going to pay for it. If they can't do your price, they will tell you the price they want. Write that number down. Use that number to compare it to what other dealers are offering.

4. Don't be shy to ask for a quote from a dealer 100 miles away. The number they give you will give you a bargaining power for local dealers. Remember, you are not driving out there so it doesn't cost you anything to ask.

5. Buy the running board and any accessories you are interested from hondacuraworld.com. If you are not a handy person, fine. Print out their prices and take it to the dealership to see if they can match the price and charge you reasonable labor rates. You will be shocked with the markups.

The above advices are based on my experience from purchasing a Acura TL in 2002 and 2004 MDX in 2003. I used the TL and MDX websites and they are very similiar.

BTW. The statment about honda pilot being popular and hard to negotiate is not accurate. Yes it's a popular vehicle but drive to a honda dealership and see how many are sitting around. There are lots of similiar SUV in that class to compete with the pilot now so they will negotiate. You should definitely pay invoice or close to it for a 2004.

Here is an example of one thread. Noticed that someone mentioned side curtain airbag for the 05 and transmission upgrade.

2004 Pilot at invoice

Bring in other offers that are printed, ones you may have not even looked at and say how much better they seem compared to the offer you are getting(don't let them call your bluff). Always take the second offer they give you, you know the one after thier BS best they can do line, and drop it by $300 to $500. They won't let that little margin stop them from selling a car, this applies to cars that are 12-15k of course.

Pilot is very hot SUV in the market right now..Like oddessy in 2001 people paid 1500 over MSRP and wait for few months. I just bought mine 2004 oddessy EX with leather for 25,700, invoice was 26000+ and MSRP was 29,900.Very Nice minivan for Very good price.