Rep Power: 0

I'm kinda new the these forums. I own a '91 Civic Hatch right now, a few pictures are in my gallery. I'm planning on purchasing a new car in 3-4 months ... between a white '04 Civic Si or solar yellow '04 Mazda3s 4-door. I like the new Mazdas but I want to stay with Honda, however I would only for an Si (I'm obsessed since they restyled a lil' for 2004). I'm gonna have $17k cash... I don't want to finance or lease. Do you guys think I could get an Si for no more than $17k? I plan to use carsdirect.com and autobytel.com to start when I do.

Thanks in advance for all of your input!

 
Rep Power: 0

I am planning to pick up an '04 Si too. I have read on several forums that people have gotten new '04s for 16.5-16.9k. I think carsdirect.com has it listed at invoice which is 17.9-ish. The fact of the matter is that most people still don't like the looks of the Si...only 4% of all Civics sold are Si's. Dealers like to make you think that they are in demand...one dealer actually had the ***** to tell me that they can't keep them on the lot...that they usually only last a couple of days!!! Hahaha...I laughed at him...told him he was full of sh*t and walked off the lot. You should be able to walk in to a dealer and say I have 17k cash...I want that Si...and they should kiss you for taking it off of thier hands.

 
Rep Power: 0

ok, first, dont say right away that you have cash to pay it off. act like youre ging to finance it. what you wanna do is negotiate with them to the point where you cant get them any lower. say that the payments are a little too high, or youre not looking to finance that much money, etc. once you cant get them any lower, try to stall them a little longer, tell them that you saw the Honda dealer in the next county selling them for say $500 less than this dealer is offering you. see what happens. what im trying to do here is see if you can get them down UNDER $17k. if you can, thats great! if not, then you tell them that you changed your mind and were going to pay cash, but you only have $16k to spend. if they come down below 17, tell them that you may be able to get the difference(whatever they come down to-16000, ie $750). if they agree to that tell them that youll take it and they will get everything ready for delivery, cleaning/polishing, etc. in a few days, youll have a car and hopefully a little money left over.

 
Rep Power: 331

You could definately get the Si for 17K
Just like EternalVTEC said, don't tell them right away you got cash, just try to negociate something first, and believe me, they'll give up after giving you all their bullshit.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks Eternal, great advice to take into consideration. I know not to tell them I have the cash right away and to deal it, but I never thougth about saying that I have 16k and i might make up the difference .. yeah definatley never thought about that. djaa - you're right too, not too many people like the Si .. hell I didn't until this year. For some reason the 16" wheels and tires make it look the height it should be .. plus the tails and new headlights don't hurt. thanks again guys!

 
Rep Power: 0

no prob man, anything to help

 
Rep Power: 563

I'll save you the trouble....U have a honda, you want to stay import I assume.
The new Mazda's are almost all half Ford nowadays...stay with Honda, Toyota or Nissan if you want an import. Correct me if I'm wrong but the miata and RX-8 are the only 100% mazda cars in the inventory....

 
Rep Power: 0

either way, Ford owns Mazda. fyi: the Mazda3 is on the Focus frame.

 
Rep Power: 0

Pharoh, the new Mazda3's are made solely in Japan ... Engine Japan, Transmission Japan, final production point is Hiroshima, Japan. The RX-8, Miata, and now the 3 are made in Japan manufactured by Mazda's division, not Fords. I wouldn't even consider it if it was Ford, I DESPISE American cars. Love the country but honestly we make sh*t. The new 3 also doesn't share any components with the Ford Focus. I'm kinda skeptical about it too 'cause it's first year production model. I will probably end up with 95% another Honda. Toyota's are nice.. especially since they come with stainless steal exhausts, but Honda is just plain quality.

PS - Check out My Ride section, just got done uploading like 30 pics to it. Enjoy!

 
Rep Power: 0

Never EVER negociate the payment, always haggle on the bottom price including tag, title, tax and dealer prep. Then talk interest rates then payments. I've bought 5 new cars and I never traded in anything or told them how much I was putting down. The best way to make a dent on the bottom line is to have the dealer wave off the prep, then work on some comparables you got off of the internet and the ads in papers.

If you start out talking payments, and thats how you base your purchase, you'll get screwed 95% of the time.

 
Rep Power: 374

You can get one under $17K. I had an 02 SI and I got it for $15.7K new.

 
Rep Power: 0

You may want to try going to the honda website, finding dealers close to you and email them that you are interested. That's what I did, as I'm looking to upgrade right now. Dealers have "internet specials". The first place emailed me back with a quote of $16.6 and all i did was request info on the car. Basically I have 2 places close to me and 2 people trying to best the others price. The other dealer (after I told him what the other dealer quoted me), quoted me same price but with tax tag and lic. included. All of this and I haven't even lifted a finger yet. Give it a try, it's worth it.