Demo cars?

zenith931 · 08-13-2007, 03:22 PM

So with the clearance coming up, I was curious how close to invoice I could get an Si.

The dealer I went to has a Habi coupe as a demo unit that they're willing to let go at invoice (19,900). It has 3000 miles on it and was driven by one of the salesmen.

What is your opinion of demo units? Do they abuse them? I bought my EX as a demo and had no problems with it, but the EX doesn't ask to be driven quite the same as an Si.

Is 19,900 a good price for a slightly used Si?

The lowest I've seen dealers go for a NEW Si is 20,100. So I'm assuming that 19,900 isn't the best price they could give me, maybe?

Opinions?

**Yodums** · 08-13-2007, 03:32 PM

Go used from one owner. Don't ever buy demo cars. People aren't going to demo a sports car by driving it in a straight line at 60 mph. There are numerous potential buyers, so it's going to be constantly driven hard. No question about that. There isn't only one owner doing this, so it doesn't get tiring at all.

By the way that's a terrible price for a used Si. Like you said a new Si OTD is not much more. You'd have to pay freight charges though.

5pyd3r · 08-13-2007, 03:34 PM

They can go lower on it for sure. They have a holdback that is atleast 2% if not more + the money they make on the back end if they do your financing + room in your trade if you're trading in your EX. That and it's the end of the year. If you've seen a new one go for $200 more why bother with one driven by a hundred other people and who knows how it was broken in. I'm a little paranoid about buying demos as I'm sure a lot of people are but everyone's paranoia has a price. Mine wouldn't go away for $200 though.

zenith931 · 08-13-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5pyd3r

They can go lower on it for sure. They have a holdback that is atleast 2% if not more + the money they make on the back end if they do your financing + room in your trade if you're trading in your EX. That and it's the end of the year. If you've seen a new one go for $200 more why bother with one driven by a hundred other people and who knows how it was broken in. I'm a little paranoid about buying demos as I'm sure a lot of people are but everyone's paranoia has a price. Mine wouldn't go away for $200 though.

Yeah, $200 isn't much, but there are a lot of extra charges on top of a new car purchase that bump the price out of my ballpark.

And I never had issues with my EX as a demo, but like I said, the EX isn't meant to be driven quite like an Si.

How bad is it to get your second-choice color? Does it really bug you THAT much?

5pyd3r · 08-13-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenith931

Yeah, $200 isn't much, but there are a lot of extra charges on top of a new car purchase that bump the price out of my ballpark.

And I never had issues with my EX as a demo, but like I said, the EX isn't meant to be driven quite like an Si.

How bad is it to get your second-choice color? Does it really bug you THAT much?

What extra charges? What is your ballpark? Like Yodums said, you might get a better car buying it one owner used.

Your second choice color is a bit of a gamble. With me, I bought mine without choice. Taffy was the only one available and I needed a car. It's grown on me so much after a year that my next Honda might just be a Taffy again. Then again if you feel like you're paying more for it than you should, you'll regret the colour thing. If you feel like you're getting a hell of a deal(which this one isn't, btw) then you won't mind the second choice colour much at all considering the price.

zenith931 · 08-13-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5pyd3r

What extra charges? What is your ballpark? Like Yodums said, you might get a better car buying it one owner used.

Your second choice color is a bit of a gamble. With me, I bought mine without choice. Taffy was the only one available and I needed a car. It's grown on me so much after a year that my next Honda might just be a Taffy again. Then again if you feel like you're paying more for it than you should, you'll regret the colour thing. If you feel like you're getting a hell of a deal(which this one isn't, btw) then you won't mind the second choice colour much at all considering the price.

Good point. I should see if I can get a TW at the prices quoted to me with a new car. I like habi, but TW is SOOOO much nicer IMO. I just don't think there are any on the lots.

Isn't there a freight charge, doc fee, etc etc that you'd have to pay on new vs the demo?

5pyd3r · 08-13-2007, 03:54 PM

You'll pay those either way because a demo is usually sold like a new car since it has never been titled. It might be easier to compare if you simply negotiated OTD prices. Otherwise, they'll bring you in on a low quote and then tack on a doc fee that could buy you a set of HFPs! Doc fees should be no more than $50-$100 btw.

zenith931 · 08-13-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5pyd3r

You'll pay those either way because a demo is usually sold like a new car since it has never been titled. It might be easier to compare if you simply negotiated OTD prices. Otherwise, they'll bring you in on a low quote and then tack on a doc fee that could buy you a set of HFPs! Doc fees should be no more than $50-$100 btw.

Is tax the highest fee from sale price that's tacked on? I always wanted to know what fees they punch away when you settle on a 20,500 sale, then it miraculously becomes $23k OTD! What are all those fees added on there?! $3k worth of fees?!

cobra9244 · 08-13-2007, 04:07 PM

Get the new car if it is only 200 more plus whatever fees assocated with it. 10 miles compares to 3000 miles, are you kidding me?? Plus 2008 model would be coming soon. The dealer would do whatever it takes to get rid of the 2007 model.

zenith931 · 08-13-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobra9244

Get the new car if it is only 200 more plus whatever fees assocated with it. 10 miles compares to 3000 miles, are you kidding me?? Plus 2008 model would be coming soon. The dealer would do whatever it takes to get rid of the 2007 model.

One would think they'd be desperate, but 200 over invoice still doesn't seem "desperate" to me when you see ppl getting NEW Si at invoice+TTL.

$200 isn't a lot, but it's the principle of the matter!

***07BlakBlak*** · 08-13-2007, 04:12 PM

DO NOT buy that Demo for Invoice.....that is rediculous. You would need 2K off that car to make it worth it.

I offered the dealer 200$ over invoice for my 07 Si in March. I paid the $100 processing fee and tax and tags. I financed for 60 months at 3.90%. Which was buy rate at the time. I promised a 100% survey and they were very appreciative of the deal.

If dealers do not have to do any work and they know the CSI will be good most of the time they will take it. $200 over invoice is a fair deal for both partys. You get a great deal and they make 800-1000$ on the front plus their finance flat fee (usually100-250 for buy rate) plus the good CSI, which helps with getting more Si's and dealer money ect......

Just tell them you are ready to buy a car and give them the price you are willing to pay. Ask to see the invoice and offer what you think is fair. I have been in the car business for 5 years and can honestly say 200 over invoice is fair (less all factory incentives), dont pay for dealer addons like pinstripe or anything on an addendum label, ask then to take that stuff off. You are going to have to pay their processing fee.....if they "waive it" they just took 100$ off the price of the car....your still paying the fee to the dealership owner. Make sure the financing is at buy rate if possible and you should be great.

Si 07 · 08-13-2007, 04:12 PM

"its like a door knob, everyones gotten a turn"

zenith931 · 08-13-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07BlakBlak

Make sure the financing is at buy rate if possible and you should be great.

What does that mean? What's "buy rate?"

5pyd3r · 08-13-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenith931

Is tax the highest fee from sale price that's tacked on? I always wanted to know what fees they punch away when you settle on a 20,500 sale, then it miraculously becomes $23k OTD! What are all those fees added on there?! $3k worth of fees?!

Yeah, tax is the largest amount. Here in TX, tax is 6% but we also get trade in credit for it so if my trade is $10k then I'll save $600. If you settled on $20.5k, your tax alone is $1230, freight is another $600. Title and registration is usually no more than a couple hundred but that still ends up being $2k on top of what you started at.

Although the freight is should be included in the selling price when negotiating.

Your quote should be $20,500 + TT&L(Tax, Title and License)

zenith931 · 08-13-2007, 04:25 PM

So when I was over there, they appraised my car for $15k. I was a little upset because another dealer offered me $15.5k. I told the salesman that and he gave me this little speech about how $500 here or there doesn't matter in a trade-in, since he can give me a further discount on the car or give me the $500 for the trade-in and let the car go at invoice, etc. All-in-all it seemed pretty shady since he basically admitted to fudging numbers here and there. Is it shady?

**Yodums** · 08-13-2007, 04:27 PM

I'd look at other dealers. I think they're trying to take advantage of you by trying to sell you a demo at such a high cost. There are better options out there. The fact that you're trading in a Civic for a Civic tells them what your intentions are. Don't try to make yourself seem boxed in.

truflip · 08-13-2007, 04:37 PM

That is high for a demo car. IMO, used car from 1 owner is better than demo driven by many. The fact that this is an Si demo car doesn't help either. I mean, people go test drive cars like these to redline them since its not theirs, right? I'd look around for a better deal.

nayilsi · 08-13-2007, 04:39 PM

yea.... bad breakin

ask for 19k OTD

MBK · 08-13-2007, 04:39 PM

habi>taffy imo

truflip · 08-13-2007, 05:03 PM

taffy > habi... IMO too

08-13-2007, 03:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
zenith931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redford, MI Age: 25 Posts: 2,424 Yes, I AM A WOMAN! iTrader: 4 / 100%	Demo cars? So with the clearance coming up, I was curious how close to invoice I could get an Si. The dealer I went to has a Habi coupe as a demo unit that they're willing to let go at invoice (19,900). It has 3000 miles on it and was driven by one of the salesmen. What is your opinion of demo units? Do they abuse them? I bought my EX as a demo and had no problems with it, but the EX doesn't ask to be driven quite the same as an Si. Is 19,900 a good price for a slightly used Si? The lowest I've seen dealers go for a NEW Si is 20,100. So I'm assuming that 19,900 isn't the best price they could give me, maybe? Opinions?

08-13-2007, 03:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Yodums Scrodums Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 8,240 Hiro Nakamura iTrader: 9 / 100%	Go used from one owner. Don't ever buy demo cars. People aren't going to demo a sports car by driving it in a straight line at 60 mph. There are numerous potential buyers, so it's going to be constantly driven hard. No question about that. There isn't only one owner doing this, so it doesn't get tiring at all. By the way that's a terrible price for a used Si. Like you said a new Si OTD is not much more. You'd have to pay freight charges though. __________________ 2007 Taffeta White Civic Si Coupe

08-13-2007, 04:27 PM	#16 (permalink)
Yodums Scrodums Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 8,240 Hiro Nakamura iTrader: 9 / 100%	I'd look at other dealers. I think they're trying to take advantage of you by trying to sell you a demo at such a high cost. There are better options out there. The fact that you're trading in a Civic for a Civic tells them what your intentions are. Don't try to make yourself seem boxed in. __________________ 2007 Taffeta White Civic Si Coupe

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08-13-2007, 03:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
5pyd3r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, TX Age: 25 Posts: 129 iTrader: 1 / 100%	They can go lower on it for sure. They have a holdback that is atleast 2% if not more + the money they make on the back end if they do your financing + room in your trade if you're trading in your EX. That and it's the end of the year. If you've seen a new one go for $200 more why bother with one driven by a hundred other people and who knows how it was broken in. I'm a little paranoid about buying demos as I'm sure a lot of people are but everyone's paranoia has a price. Mine wouldn't go away for $200 though.

08-13-2007, 03:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
5pyd3r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austin, TX Age: 25 Posts: 129 iTrader: 1 / 100%	You'll pay those either way because a demo is usually sold like a new car since it has never been titled. It might be easier to compare if you simply negotiated OTD prices. Otherwise, they'll bring you in on a low quote and then tack on a doc fee that could buy you a set of HFPs! Doc fees should be no more than $50-$100 btw.

08-13-2007, 04:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
cobra9244 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 141 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Get the new car if it is only 200 more plus whatever fees assocated with it. 10 miles compares to 3000 miles, are you kidding me?? Plus 2008 model would be coming soon. The dealer would do whatever it takes to get rid of the 2007 model.

08-13-2007, 04:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
*07BlakBlak* Throwin Down on Ur Posts Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 1,682 iTrader: 0 / 0%	DO NOT buy that Demo for Invoice.....that is rediculous. You would need 2K off that car to make it worth it. I offered the dealer 200$ over invoice for my 07 Si in March. I paid the $100 processing fee and tax and tags. I financed for 60 months at 3.90%. Which was buy rate at the time. I promised a 100% survey and they were very appreciative of the deal. If dealers do not have to do any work and they know the CSI will be good most of the time they will take it. $200 over invoice is a fair deal for both partys. You get a great deal and they make 800-1000$ on the front plus their finance flat fee (usually100-250 for buy rate) plus the good CSI, which helps with getting more Si's and dealer money ect...... Just tell them you are ready to buy a car and give them the price you are willing to pay. Ask to see the invoice and offer what you think is fair. I have been in the car business for 5 years and can honestly say 200 over invoice is fair (less all factory incentives), dont pay for dealer addons like pinstripe or anything on an addendum label, ask then to take that stuff off. You are going to have to pay their processing fee.....if they "waive it" they just took 100$ off the price of the car....your still paying the fee to the dealership owner. Make sure the financing is at buy rate if possible and you should be great.

08-13-2007, 04:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Si 07 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 1,287 iTrader: 0 / 0%	"its like a door knob, everyones gotten a turn"

08-13-2007, 04:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
zenith931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redford, MI Age: 25 Posts: 2,424 Yes, I AM A WOMAN! iTrader: 4 / 100%	So when I was over there, they appraised my car for $15k. I was a little upset because another dealer offered me $15.5k. I told the salesman that and he gave me this little speech about how $500 here or there doesn't matter in a trade-in, since he can give me a further discount on the car or give me the $500 for the trade-in and let the car go at invoice, etc. All-in-all it seemed pretty shady since he basically admitted to fudging numbers here and there. Is it shady?

08-13-2007, 04:37 PM	#17 (permalink)
truflip Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON Age: 22 Posts: 7,617 iTrader: 11 / 100%	That is high for a demo car. IMO, used car from 1 owner is better than demo driven by many. The fact that this is an Si demo car doesn't help either. I mean, people go test drive cars like these to redline them since its not theirs, right? I'd look around for a better deal.

08-13-2007, 04:39 PM	#18 (permalink)
nayilsi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: I have to return some Video Tapes. Posts: 7,459 iTrader: 0 / 0%	yea.... bad breakin ask for 19k OTD

08-13-2007, 04:39 PM	#19 (permalink)
MBK Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Park Ridge Posts: 6,590 Mike iTrader: 3 / 100%	habi>taffy imo

08-13-2007, 05:03 PM	#20 (permalink)
truflip Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON Age: 22 Posts: 7,617 iTrader: 11 / 100%	taffy > habi... IMO too