Another New Ridgeline RLT Owner!

[treborvdrummer]

ROC Team,

Great News!

I am happy to report that after several weeks of research and "putting myself through school" on how to buy a new car. I have made my purchase and have taken delivery of my 2006 Billet Silver RLT with Navigation and Moon Roof!

I bought it last week and already have 700 miles on it.

Sorry this is delayed I have been so busy I haven’t had a chance to post an update until today.

I want to thank everyone here in ROC for all of the information you have provided, this was an invaluable resource for me and the information shared here saved me THOUSANDS of dollars and HOURS of grief.

For those of you also looking at purchasing a Ridgeline please know that you CAN purchase one of these at a FAIR price and take the “mystery and misery” out of the new car buying experience. I am no longer afraid or dreading the car buying process!!!

Here was the breakdown of what I did and what my results were:

First of all and most importantly, EDUCATE YOURSELF with the information posted on this site and also leverage other web resources such as:

For pricing and trade in info:
www.consumerreports.com
www.Edmunds.com
www.KBB.com

For Credit Scores:
www.myfico.com

Interest Rates:
www.bankrate.com


Here is the process I followed:
1. Determine MSRP pricing of the model you want then the TMV (True Market Value or what the average customer paid in your area), then determine the average dealer invoice.

Here was the breakdown on my deal:
a. MSRP: $35,700.00
b. TMV: $32,700.00
c. Dealer Invoice: $31,700

2. Then determine your average credit core, I subscribed to myfico.com and it was well with the money. However there are free resources for this as well. Keep in mind the business manager WILL try to bait and switch you on the rate if they handle the financing. Know your score and what rates are avail be to you and walk if they try to play you.

3. Determine the current interest rates available via bankrate.com so you can walk away and get the best rate. I got 5.45%with an A rated credit score.


Now you should be ready to start soliciting bids for your new Ridgeline.

I would suggest doing it all via email by emailing the Internet Manager at each dealership, I did not accept phone calls I did it all online. I never spoke to anyone until I went to the dealer location after the pricing was agreed to.

Be sure to tell the dealer you are paying cash and don’t mention the trade-in if applicable.

I sent the request for pricing to about 18 dealers and 9 responded. The ones with the best pricing made my short list and I went from there. The dealer that won my bid had the exact vehicle I wanted and the pricing requirements were met and thus purchase was made.

The dealer I chose also was the most aggressive on follow through and they put me in touch with a salesperson that owned a Ridgeline so he knew the vehicle and that helped when it came time to demo the vehicle. But at first the pricing was way out of line from my other bids so i had made the decision to purchase from another dealer out of town. I just have to fit it into my hectic schedule. The local dealer was aggressive and when he discovered I wasn't interested due to his price he quickly got in line with the other stores.

My final price for the truck was $29,900.00. I Had to pay the $399.00 doc fee but I made them sell me the Tow Package for $850.00 ($100 below delaer cost and the MSRP was $1500.00) to offset that fee. They also threw in the Moonroof Visor and the Mud Flaps. I also got the 6/0/100k Honda Cares for $25.00 over cost ($800ish). They tried to sell it to me at retail ($1500.00) and I said "no thanks I have another resource for it" (Chris Lykens, our ROC friend in TN) when I didn't budge on that they agreed to match the price it (Sorry Chris). I also got financing via Honda for 5.45% which beat out my other bank home equity and credit union offers. Then lastly I also traded in my 1995 Volvo 850 for $800.00. (it had 250k miles)

Anyway.... I think I got a pretty good deal from the folks at Crown Honda and I feel satisfied with my experience enough to recommend my salesman Bill Egan who did a great job of accommodating me once he discerned I was an educated and prepared buyer. Again I would recommend Bill and would work with him again. Only one sour note to report.... The finance guy did attempt the old "bait and switch" technique to get to a higher interest rate of 5.75% but when I questioned it and said i would go elsewhere he quickly came back to the originally agreed to rate of 5.45%. This was the only time I felt “old school tactics” were used in my transaction.

I would rate the experience at Crown an 7.5 out of 10 stars due to that issue. But I have no grudge against him for attempting that move. Just be sure you can spot it as well so it doesn't get you. The bottom line is something I heard on a podcast from Frank Giovinazzi, the publisher of www.carbuyersnotebook.com and that is to “take the emotion out of buying a car, realize it is a commodity and you can get it anywhere.”

Also one last thing….

I purposely chose to hold off on my accessories so that I can purchase them from the companies that advertise and sponsor this website. I will be purchasing the back-up camera and the back up sensors as well as carpet for the trunk over the next few weeks and more stuff as I decide what else I will need.

If you find this site to be as much help as I did then I would suggest you do the same if you can self install as I can.

Thanks T MAC!!

Best Regards,


Treborvdrummer
2006 Billet Silver Ridgeline RLT with Navigation and Moonroof

[arteegee]

The tow package retails for $1,500? My dealer's price of $750 installed sounds like a steal now. Let me check Ownerlink again. I stand corrected. Price now is $768.50.

[treborvdrummer]

I went for $750 but they would not do it. I calculated that the kit through www.handaaccessories.com would have cost me $496.00 and with shipping at least another $50.00 so final cost to me $550.00 plus installation (200.00??) so I gave them $100.00.

It was a convenience thing for me

[arteegee]

Sounds good. From one musician to another, enjoy your new RL.

[bonerep]

Nice post Treb. Enjoy the ride and Welcome to the ROC.

[Oddjob]

Thanks for taking the time to post this information. It is very valuable! Welcome to ROC. Don't forget to get your window decal, shirts and a hat.
Lookin forward to meetin ya in a chat room.

[RkyMntHigh]

funny I had to read this on www.carbuyernote.com they seemed to like you.