General Automotive DiscussionGeneral automotive discussion and chat. Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford. It doesn't matter, just talk about it here.
Welcome to civicforums.com!
Welcome to civicforums.com.
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to start new topics, reply to conversations, privately message other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join civicforums.com today!
No one pays sticker price....You werent able to get the sales guy down in price? If not I would goto another dealer. Do not buy from the first dealer you goto unless you get an really good deal, which you wont be getting there....That car should be around $16,000-$17,000.
I paid $15,700 for my SI new. So like civicdude said, shop around first. Take the first offer you got to another dealership and ask if they can beat it. They will of course tell you yes and more than likely they will offer about $1000 less. Then you take the new deal back to the first dealership and see if they can beat it. Get the idea? Make them work for you. Have them go back and forth till one of them offers you a really good deal.
For $20K it should come with factory foglights, full underbody spoiler, rear wing, cd player etc. etc. if it's a base ex your getting swindled. Car dealers are notorious for adding huge mark up. It goes something like this: Car retails for $17500 they mark it up to $19500 and give you a thousand dollar discount!! What the average person does'nt realize is that is still a $1000 to $1500 too much!! Buying a car is like playing a game. The object for them is to TAKE as much of your money as you'll let them. Your object is to KEEP as much of your money as possible.
Another trick I learned is to watch out for the "extra sticker". I'm talking about right next to the original sticker there will be another sticker that says "dealer added options and services". This is usually 99% fluff or in other words sheer profit for the dealer.
The sad thing is - it works on a lot of people. Picture your innocent grandma or your naive cousin Jenny going into the dealer and just buying the car. Some people don't know jack about negotiations. People like that never even realize they have just been had.
The bottom line is to go armed with information. KNOW the price of the car you want BEFORE going to talk to the dealer. If your bringing a trade, know what it is worth. Right this stuff down or print a hard copy and bring it with you. Bring YOUR OWN calculator, good luck asking for one once your head is spinning from all of the numbers they start throwing around.
And finally, don't go with a friend or relative that is easily sold. The last time I bought a car, I leaned on the salesman so hard my girlfirend started to feel bad for him. She started saying stuff like "well I can agree with that" and "that seems fair". Don't get me wrong I love my girlfriend, but inside I was screaming STFU!!
Remember, It's OK if the salesperson doesn't like you. As a matter of fact, if he seems real happy and nice, he's probably making too much money on the deal!! Make him WORK FOR HIS MONEY. Don't be easy and don't be a sucker. Keep your money, get a great deal, and WIN THE GAME!!
Last edited by MatrixShark; 07-12-2003 at 01:35 PM.
Got my 03 EX coupe auto for 16.5 out the door including the factory wing and wheel locks, dont be afraid to just get the manager to your table outright and hit him hard right off the bat.
2003 Civic, Help! 
