How do I be savvy when going to a dealership to purchase a new, but older inventory stock vehicle? Is it true I’d get best deal this week at the end of the month? If they have two in stock, does that help me negotiate? Or should I wait for further possible reductions since there’s more than one left and this hasn’t sold yet? Is it odd for there to still be new cars for 2016 model year in Feb 2018? Yet they have no 2017s.
I think it would be best to wait for like a 0.99 finance special? I still feel worried I shouldn’t be spending this much on a car, but if I had financing lower than I could be earning interest on the money, then that seems wiser? Or Is there any incentive to get a better deal though if paying in cash or is that not a factor?
Would this car hold good value over the years if I maintain it? Would the green color make a resale harder in the future? I’m sick of everyone’s car looking the same.
I also test drove the car and love it except
tested the turbo engine, but would buy the cheaper trim that isn’t turbocharged. Most everything else would be the same. The dealership is 2 and half hours from me so not like I can just pop over fast to test the one I’m interested in.
Yes, the color will limit the number of potential buyers. I suspect that it’s the reason it never sold.
You have the advantage here. You’re considering leftover stock that can’t sell because of the color. Negotiate until your brain hurts. Even though $16K sounds good, you have the advantage.
In the car business, by and large, everything is negotiable. Just keep trying to get up and walk out; if they want your business bad enough the will make some concession.
It works in reverse too. After signing a deal for my new Mazda (delivered to the local dealer’s location ) the dealer try to stick me with an additional $283 for “transportation” from another dealer in a nearby town. After reminding the sales manager that a deal was a deal I told him I would happily take him to small claims court to get a judge to verify it.
Everything is negotiable. In the US cars and houses are the most common deals which are negotiated. Look at Edmunds, the news paper and any other source you can check for advertised prices. Sometimes you will see a low ball price from another dealer that you can show and ask for the same or better price. Do not be afraid to walk away from the table and take your business somewhere else. If you are in love with this green car and the dealer can figure that out, they will be less willing to cut a deal. Act like you want it but are willing to go somewhere else. Car manufacturers have many cars coming off the production line every hour, there is no shortage, the cars are piling up in the dealers lot, costing them money in the interest they have to pay on the car. You have the money so you are in control. I am always polite with car dealers but firm and have walked away from some absurd counter offers.
Not in bright green they don’t. I’m not feeling like owning is cheaper than leasing unless you plan keep it over 8 years. Maybe even over 10. With leasing you can spend almost nothing on maintenance. But if I own, I need spend more and more on maintenance as it ages. More personal time is killed bringing car in. Leasing makes a car so reliable for commuting as you almost never need to call in late because of vehicle failure. I’m having second thoughts about buying anything. Was also looking at gently used FIT, but now you can lease FITs. I know I can’t lease a bright green civic. The 2018 Civic coupe is only ordinary colors. But the FIT does come in a bright yellow and bright orange for 2018. There’s a so called lease special on now only til 2/28 it says.
When I negotiate a car deal, I never tell them about another dealer, a frequently there isn’t one. I make it clear that I want to buy a car and they have one I’m interested I need if only we can negotiate a deal. Either it works or it doesn’t, and I will walk if I don’t like their propositions. Since I live in a large metro area, there are always other dealers within 25 miles. The incentive is that I’m a real sale and they just have to make me happy.
Ok. Well think my best option will be to lease under a lease special. I will test drive a 2018 FIT sport tomorrow as that has the orange and yellow options. No green, but still less ordinary colors so hopefully I’ll be satisfied and maybe I will wind up wanting to take a bike in it. Just seems like would have to own the green car for over 10 years for it to be economical and after 3 years, or maybe 5, it won’t have the same new car wow feeling any longer.
Leasing is generally the most expensive way to own any car. It seems cheaper but isn’t. Google “cheapest way to own a car” if you doubt that statement. You must maintain a leased car just the same as a new one. Leasing doesn’t always mean the dealer services the car for free. If they do free oil changes for new cars, your lease will get that, too.
Oddly enough, announcing you are paying cash for a car isn’t really a great tactic either because the salesman makes commission on the financing, too. Sometimes its best to finance for a month and then pay it off because you can negotiate and sweeter deal on the overall price of the car.
Another point - you are buying a New 2016 car. That is a very inexpensive way to buy a car since NO ONE has wanted that car for 2 years! That IS leverage!
Most leases these days have terms that spell out the maintenance that’s expected to be performed. The dealership plans on selling these cars as certified used cars when the lease it up. In order to do that, they need to have maintenance records. Often times required maintenance is included in the lease price. But the days of getting a lease and maybe changing the oil once over the course of the lease are mercifully over.
Keep in mind that the car is two years old by the model year. The moment you purchase the car, it is worth no more than any other 2016 of the same make and model. If you total the car the week after you purchase it, the insurance will give you the book price for a 2016. Also, note that the battery is two years old.
I was in the same situation. The Pontiac dealer, back in the Fall of 1988 had a leftover 1987 Pontiac 6000. This was the intermediate size Pontiac. The 1989 models had already hit the showroom. I was interested in the car and I told the saleswoman to give me the lowest price they would take on the car. I said I was buying a car that week and my time was limited. She disappeared to see her sales manager, came back and said “We can take $100 off the sticker”. I said that price was way off and I had a better price on a 1988 Ford Taurus at the Ford agency down the street. She then said, “Well, that isn’t our best price”. I replied, “I told you to give me your lowest price. I don’t have the time to waste. Don’t call me as I am no longer interested”. We immediately drove down the street and bought the Ford Taurus.
Look up the Kelly Book Price on the 2016 Honda Coupe and offer them wholesale book plus $100. See what they say.
Vehicle is already listed as reduced and is already under the KBB book value. I called dealer and they said listed prices are firm? Is that def true tho? If I came in person it would still be firm? Plus I think I might be better off getting the more expensive EX-T turbo because it would help for future resale. Men wanting a flashy sporty car will most likely want the turbo and this color appeals mostly to men.
But I also don’t know I want to squeeze in time for serious upkeep of an enthusiast vehicle. I’ve never taken a car to a car wash ever and the green car is a car where you wouldn’t want to leave dirt, scratches, scuffs and dings like I always have on my used cars so it seems a lot more expensive and time consuming to own. How often would I need to get it washed? Everything costs a lot where I live. Is it best stored in a garage? What if I move in couple years to a much higher crime area in the South? Is this a car you would want to have if you live in a condo in a city like Charlotte, NC or Greenville, SC and don’t have a private garage?
I’ll have to keep thinking this over. I already sunk money into a 2007 red Honda FIT with only 31,000 miles that mechanicd say is in good shape. It has couple dings and areas that could be touched up cosmetic wise, but would I bother? And I need to see if the rocking/play in the driver seat can be fixed. It obviously won’t get the gas mileage of a new Civic. I’d need to buy accessories to add rear view camera, Bluetooth, etc. which not as nice as having it built in.
I just also am considering that getting a really good deal on such a highly rated modern car due to the old inventory in the unusual green color might be the opportunity of a lifetime to own a loaded fun car. I’m turning 46 soon and have never had a car like that. Midlife crises Time is now.
It seems to me that dealers do get some sort of rebate for unsold inventory. I personally would pass this one up, but if it floats your boat, maybe it is the car for you.
The EX isn’t an enthusiast vehicle. It’s just a standard Civic with more comfort convenience items, it’s nice, but it’s not something that a die hard sport-compact fan will go out of their way for. People who want a sporty Civic will opt for the Si or Type R models.
But you at least washed your cars yourself right???
Cars require periodic care.
On my daily driver, if the weather is favorable, I’ll wash it at home every Friday after work. When it’s cold out I’ll take it to a full-service car wash (generally every other week), if I’m really pressed for time, I’ll go over the co-op place and give it a quick once over. I also wax it every three months, I clay it every other waxing. There’s also no food or drink allowed in my cars.
Yes. A carport would be fine as well
You’ll probably be okay, newer Civics aren’t stolen as often as the older models
Don’t take this the wrong way, but it seems that you aren’t really big on general car car/maintenance. IMHO if you’re going to buy a new car, you shouldn’t be fretting over whether or not you need to wash it regularly.
I’ve negotiated several cars below what they were asking even though t he dealer said the prices are firm. The ONLY time I’ve seen a dealer NOT budge on a price are special cars that are selling well beyond expectations. The first year of the Miata, the cars were actually selling above list price. The Viper - again selling almost double list price. But Honda Civic is NOT in the category. Offer what you’re willing to pay. If they balk then walk. Once you start to walk you’d be amazed how motivated they get.
I mostly changed the oil as needed. I didn’t drive it that much. It’s 10,000 miles under the limit. It passed inspection. I don’t have to fix or pay for anything. But I’m not gonna lease again because I may need to drive more than 10,000 miles a year going forward so I don’t want to risk it. And I already sunk money into a used 07 red FIT with only 31,000 miles that mechanics say is in good shape. It’s just not a fun or enjoyable car. But is cheap to own and it’s paid in full and insurance is cheap with liability only. No constant car washing expenses because I could give a crap about it. But how long do I want a car that I don’t like? I guess I’d just have to see when I feel like I can justify $21,000 on a civic. But meanwhile I can turn my lease in and I have a car to drive.
with only 31,000 miles that mechanics say is in good shape. It’s just not a fun or enjoyable car. But is cheap to own and it’s paid in full and insurance is cheap with liability only. No constant car washing expenses because I could give a crap about it. But how long do I want a car that I don’t like? I guess I’d just have to see when I feel like I can justify $21,000 on a civic. But meanwhile I can turn my lease in and I have a car to drive. 