I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No financing,
no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:

- Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas, or in
January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but otherwise
timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or post-year-end dealer
inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.

- Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing? Saving a
few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an informed
negotiation would be good.

- Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this car, no
extra options?

Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.

-Ctenos

P.S. - Haven't been able to get the Honda.com web-quote thing to work, but
will keep trying.

 

"Ctenos" <SPAMctenos@att.net (reply w/o spam)> wrote in
news:ctswd.1125$uM5.469@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:

> I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
> settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No
> financing, no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
>
> - Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas,
> or in January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but
> otherwise timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or
> post-year-end dealer inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
>
> - Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing?
> Saving a few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an
> informed negotiation would be good.
>
> - Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this
> car, no extra options?
>
> Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
>
> -Ctenos

Since they're the current model and only came out a relatively short
while ago, I'd say you can all but forget about "driving a hard bargain".

If a dealer has any 2004's left, then you might be able to get a break on
the price, but a brand-new 2005? Fuhgeddaboutit.

Rick

 

"Ctenos" <SPAMctenos@att.net (reply w/o spam)> wrote in
news:ctswd.1125$uM5.469@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:

> I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
> settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No
> financing, no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
>
> - Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas,
> or in January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but
> otherwise timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or
> post-year-end dealer inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
>
> - Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing?
> Saving a few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an
> informed negotiation would be good.
>
> - Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this
> car, no extra options?
>
> Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
>
> -Ctenos

Since they're the current model and only came out a relatively short
while ago, I'd say you can all but forget about "driving a hard bargain".

If a dealer has any 2004's left, then you might be able to get a break on
the price, but a brand-new 2005? Fuhgeddaboutit.

Rick

 

I have to agree with the other guy who replied to your question. With
the 05's just coming out the Dealers aren't going to break their necks
trying to deal if they have lot's of 04's on the lot. I know the
dealer here in town has 5 or 6 2004 EX 4X4's on the lot. I would
try and see what kind of deal you could get on a 2004 model.

todd

"Rick Nakroshis" <nakroshis@NOICKYSPAMsmart.net> wrote in message
news:Xns95C1EAC66D0E4ricknak@216.168.3.44...
> "Ctenos" <SPAMctenos@att.net (reply w/o spam)> wrote in
> news:ctswd.1125$uM5.469@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
> > I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
> > settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No
> > financing, no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
> >
> > - Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas,
> > or in January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but
> > otherwise timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or
> > post-year-end dealer inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
> >
> > - Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing?
> > Saving a few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an
> > informed negotiation would be good.
> >
> > - Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this
> > car, no extra options?
> >
> > Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
> >
> > -Ctenos
>
> Since they're the current model and only came out a relatively short
> while ago, I'd say you can all but forget about "driving a hard bargain".
>
> If a dealer has any 2004's left, then you might be able to get a break on
> the price, but a brand-new 2005? Fuhgeddaboutit.
>
> Rick

 

I have to agree with the other guy who replied to your question. With
the 05's just coming out the Dealers aren't going to break their necks
trying to deal if they have lot's of 04's on the lot. I know the
dealer here in town has 5 or 6 2004 EX 4X4's on the lot. I would
try and see what kind of deal you could get on a 2004 model.

todd

"Rick Nakroshis" <nakroshis@NOICKYSPAMsmart.net> wrote in message
news:Xns95C1EAC66D0E4ricknak@216.168.3.44...
> "Ctenos" <SPAMctenos@att.net (reply w/o spam)> wrote in
> news:ctswd.1125$uM5.469@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>
> > I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
> > settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No
> > financing, no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
> >
> > - Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas,
> > or in January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but
> > otherwise timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or
> > post-year-end dealer inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
> >
> > - Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing?
> > Saving a few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an
> > informed negotiation would be good.
> >
> > - Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this
> > car, no extra options?
> >
> > Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
> >
> > -Ctenos
>
> Since they're the current model and only came out a relatively short
> while ago, I'd say you can all but forget about "driving a hard bargain".
>
> If a dealer has any 2004's left, then you might be able to get a break on
> the price, but a brand-new 2005? Fuhgeddaboutit.
>
> Rick

 

Depends on a number of factors, but deals can be had on the 05's as well.

I believe dealers get allotments of the higher profit cars, i.e. odysseys
and pilots based on how many of the civics, accords and cr-v's they sell.

There are a number of negotiating techniques described throughout the net.

Try them and see if you get a deal you like.

Remember, just because you negotiate, does not mean you have to buy.

Have fun,

HG
"Todd" <USArmy24ID@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:zjuwd.13996$uA1.776@fe06.lga...
> I have to agree with the other guy who replied to your question.
> With
> the 05's just coming out the Dealers aren't going to break their necks
> trying to deal if they have lot's of 04's on the lot. I know the
> dealer here in town has 5 or 6 2004 EX 4X4's on the lot. I would
> try and see what kind of deal you could get on a 2004 model.
>
> todd
>
> "Rick Nakroshis" <nakroshis@NOICKYSPAMsmart.net> wrote in message
> news:Xns95C1EAC66D0E4ricknak@216.168.3.44...
>> "Ctenos" <SPAMctenos@att.net (reply w/o spam)> wrote in
>> news:ctswd.1125$uM5.469@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>>
>> > I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
>> > settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No
>> > financing, no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
>> >
>> > - Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas,
>> > or in January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but
>> > otherwise timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or
>> > post-year-end dealer inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
>> >
>> > - Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing?
>> > Saving a few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an
>> > informed negotiation would be good.
>> >
>> > - Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this
>> > car, no extra options?
>> >
>> > Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
>> >
>> > -Ctenos
>>
>> Since they're the current model and only came out a relatively short
>> while ago, I'd say you can all but forget about "driving a hard bargain".
>>
>> If a dealer has any 2004's left, then you might be able to get a break on
>> the price, but a brand-new 2005? Fuhgeddaboutit.
>>
>> Rick
>
>

 

Depends on a number of factors, but deals can be had on the 05's as well.

I believe dealers get allotments of the higher profit cars, i.e. odysseys
and pilots based on how many of the civics, accords and cr-v's they sell.

There are a number of negotiating techniques described throughout the net.

Try them and see if you get a deal you like.

Remember, just because you negotiate, does not mean you have to buy.

Have fun,

HG
"Todd" <USArmy24ID@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:zjuwd.13996$uA1.776@fe06.lga...
> I have to agree with the other guy who replied to your question.
> With
> the 05's just coming out the Dealers aren't going to break their necks
> trying to deal if they have lot's of 04's on the lot. I know the
> dealer here in town has 5 or 6 2004 EX 4X4's on the lot. I would
> try and see what kind of deal you could get on a 2004 model.
>
> todd
>
> "Rick Nakroshis" <nakroshis@NOICKYSPAMsmart.net> wrote in message
> news:Xns95C1EAC66D0E4ricknak@216.168.3.44...
>> "Ctenos" <SPAMctenos@att.net (reply w/o spam)> wrote in
>> news:ctswd.1125$uM5.469@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net:
>>
>> > I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
>> > settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No
>> > financing, no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
>> >
>> > - Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas,
>> > or in January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but
>> > otherwise timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or
>> > post-year-end dealer inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
>> >
>> > - Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing?
>> > Saving a few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an
>> > informed negotiation would be good.
>> >
>> > - Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this
>> > car, no extra options?
>> >
>> > Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
>> >
>> > -Ctenos
>>
>> Since they're the current model and only came out a relatively short
>> while ago, I'd say you can all but forget about "driving a hard bargain".
>>
>> If a dealer has any 2004's left, then you might be able to get a break on
>> the price, but a brand-new 2005? Fuhgeddaboutit.
>>
>> Rick
>
>

 

Ctenos wrote:

>I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
>settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No financing,
>no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
>
>- Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas, or in
>January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but otherwise
>timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or post-year-end dealer
>inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
>
>- Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing? Saving a
>few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an informed
>negotiation would be good.
>
>- Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this car, no
>extra options?
>
>Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
>
>-Ctenos
>
>P.S. - Haven't been able to get the Honda.com web-quote thing to work, but
>will keep trying.
>
>
>
>

For reference, in October 2004, the 2005 CR-V SE was going for $1200
below invoice in NYC...

 

Ctenos wrote:

>I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
>settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No financing,
>no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
>
>- Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after Christmas, or in
>January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but otherwise
>timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or post-year-end dealer
>inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
>
>- Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing? Saving a
>few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an informed
>negotiation would be good.
>
>- Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this car, no
>extra options?
>
>Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
>
>-Ctenos
>
>P.S. - Haven't been able to get the Honda.com web-quote thing to work, but
>will keep trying.
>
>
>
>

For reference, in October 2004, the 2005 CR-V SE was going for $1200
below invoice in NYC...

 

RWM wrote:

>
>
> Ctenos wrote:
>
>> I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
>> settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No
>> financing,
>> no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
>>
>> - Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after
>> Christmas, or in
>> January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but otherwise
>> timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or post-year-end
>> dealer
>> inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
>>
>> - Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing?
>> Saving a
>> few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an informed
>> negotiation would be good.
>>
>> - Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this
>> car, no
>> extra options?
>>
>> Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
>>
>> -Ctenos
>>
>> P.S. - Haven't been able to get the Honda.com web-quote thing to
>> work, but
>> will keep trying.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> For reference, in October 2004, the 2005 CR-V SE was going for $1200
> below invoice in NYC...
>
Disregard. Make that " $1200 below MSRP"...

 

RWM wrote:

>
>
> Ctenos wrote:
>
>> I'm helping an aged friend near Boston, MA buy a car. He's pretty much
>> settled on a new 2005 Honda CR-V LX in 4WD, no extra options. No
>> financing,
>> no trade-in, simple sale. Three questions:
>>
>> - Is there any special advantage to buying right now, after
>> Christmas, or in
>> January? There may be a slight difference in excise tax, but otherwise
>> timing not critical for the buyer. Any special pre- or post-year-end
>> dealer
>> inventory deadlines, hold-backs, etc. might help.
>>
>> - Are the Consumer Reports numbers accurate for this sort of thing?
>> Saving a
>> few hundred bucks could help a lot for this buyer, so an informed
>> negotiation would be good.
>>
>> - Can anyone please suggest an actual fair price right now for this
>> car, no
>> extra options?
>>
>> Thanks very much for advice - this ain't my thing, exactly.
>>
>> -Ctenos
>>
>> P.S. - Haven't been able to get the Honda.com web-quote thing to
>> work, but
>> will keep trying.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> For reference, in October 2004, the 2005 CR-V SE was going for $1200
> below invoice in NYC...
>
Disregard. Make that " $1200 below MSRP"...

 

Much obliged for all these helpful thoughts - please keep 'em coming! The
buyer actually was aiming at a 2004. My concern was that many of these lack
ABS, which I regard as an important safety factor, especially for someone
with limited reflexes. We'll ask how much lower prices are on last year's
model.

Thanks again-

Ctenos

 

Much obliged for all these helpful thoughts - please keep 'em coming! The
buyer actually was aiming at a 2004. My concern was that many of these lack
ABS, which I regard as an important safety factor, especially for someone
with limited reflexes. We'll ask how much lower prices are on last year's
model.

Thanks again-

Ctenos

 

I can't tell for sure about the LX but my 2002 Ex 4X4 has ABS.

"Ctenos" <SPAMctenos@att.net (reply w/o spam)> wrote in message
news:5LAwd.1110008$Gx4.314464@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Much obliged for all these helpful thoughts - please keep 'em coming! The
> buyer actually was aiming at a 2004. My concern was that many of these
lack
> ABS, which I regard as an important safety factor, especially for someone
> with limited reflexes. We'll ask how much lower prices are on last year's
> model.
>
> Thanks again-
>
> Ctenos
>
>

 

I can't tell for sure about the LX but my 2002 Ex 4X4 has ABS.

"Ctenos" <SPAMctenos@att.net (reply w/o spam)> wrote in message
news:5LAwd.1110008$Gx4.314464@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Much obliged for all these helpful thoughts - please keep 'em coming! The
> buyer actually was aiming at a 2004. My concern was that many of these
lack
> ABS, which I regard as an important safety factor, especially for someone
> with limited reflexes. We'll ask how much lower prices are on last year's
> model.
>
> Thanks again-
>
> Ctenos
>
>