Accord Euro Queries

[Nasti]

Member of my family recently sold an Audi 1.8T and is now looking for something which won't have such a poor re-sale value. They saw an Accord Euro Luxury today and took a liking to it.

I have spent the last three hours searching the forums and reading but still have a few questions if you ppl would be so kind so answer:
*Is there a general consensus as to the 'better' dealerships in Sydney in terms of service, price, vehicle-servicing and after-sale help?
*Originally, we were looking at waiting until 2005 to buy a new car. But, there seems to be no reason to wait. Are there going to be any changes to the Accord Euro in the upcoming months that we should wait for?
*Supposedly, if we want it in black it's either now or a possible wait until April next year ... sale stunt or truth?
*Is Honda's parts' cost really as dear as the rumours would have you believe?
*Is the extended warranty option a wise-idea?
*I've gathered that Honda dealers seem to maintain a 'no-discount' policy but how low are they willing to go? $1000 off? $3000 off?

Apologies for the length and if these topics have been previously covered but I sincerely have searched.
Thank you in advance :)

[Slugoid]

*Originally, we were looking at waiting until 2005 to buy a new car. But, there seems to be no reason to wait. Are there going to be any changes to the Accord Euro in the upcoming months that we should wait for?

- there should be little difference between the 2004 and 2005 models, however, I have heard extra colours may be coming (Milano Red). Don't see the point in waiting if you've already decided on colour.

*Supposedly, if we want it in black it's either now or a possible wait until April next year ... sale stunt or truth?

- I believe it's the truth because black is quite a popular colour (and looks the best imo, haha)

*Is Honda's parts' cost really as dear as the rumours would have you believe?

- compared to an Audi, no. Honda makes quality cars using quality parts and they are only a tiny bit more expensive than the likes of other Japanese manufacturers. Don't believe the rumour.

*Is the extended warranty option a wise-idea?

- I reckon it would be wise if you plan to own the vehicle for more than 3 years or going to be driving for more than 100,000 km. If not, then don't. Got sent a letter saying that I could get it for my Euro for $795 and still deciding whether to get it or not.

*I've gathered that Honda dealers seem to maintain a 'no-discount' policy but how low are they willing to go? $1000 off? $3000 off?

That's BS. If the price is not right, walk out, and go to another dealer. Generally they will make you sit back, and work out a deal, either giving you a few grand off or paying RRP with full options.

Good luck with the purchase. Was going to get an Audi, but went for the Euro instead cos I couldn't hack the 2.0L pos, and the 1.8T FWD wasn't inspiring either.

[coladuna]

With regards to the no-discount policy, it wasn't like that at all. I got my car for even less than the list price and that was also including the floor mats. I don't know what the situation is at the moment but that was from my experience.

[bigdongers]

A Mercedes dealer I went to tried to give me that line. The guy says Mercedes has a policy of not discounting their vehicles. I said in reply, its my policy not to buy a vehicle without a discount :)

One thing to be wary of is the servicing costs. I have never owned an Audi but I know that Honda servicing is on the high side compared to other cars I have owned.

[will_pop]

heard that 2005 model.. got a sports version.. which got bigger wheels and the body kit fitted as standard...

i m not really sure tho

[Stargazer]

Try asking at more than one dealership about the colour. When I was looking for a car, a dealer at Rick Damelion tried to get me to sign immediately telling me that I would have to wait if I wanted silver, and that dealers who discounted would queue you as lower priority than customers who paid sticker price.

I went over to Col Crawfords and they were a bit surprised to hear such a thing. First that silver was readily available from all over, and second, that once you pay your deposit, the car on the database was marked as yours.

[exISeuro]

Nasti :

I was recently down the same path as your family member is going through now. For me it was a choice between the Euro, Liberty B4 or a used IS300.

A automatic Euro Luxury in black was my choice. I shopped around for a week, with uncommitted prices ranging from $46000 - $49000
(Tynan, Trivett, Larke Hoskins & Rockdale).

I ended up paying $44,000 drive away (c/w factory mats and spoiler, rego etc).

The car was ordered on the 16/10/04 and i picked it up last friday 29/10/04.

In the few hours of ownership, i have clocked up 550km

The euro is a nice car, and it seems everyone agrees. You can feel and see everyone admiring the car.
I actually was waved down by another driver.
He asked how much the car was, and commented he liked it and etc.

*Is there a general consensus as to the 'better' dealerships in Sydney in terms of service, price, vehicle-servicing and after-sale help?

Having never had a Honda service, i'd imagine they be all similiar.
For me i will probably go to Trivett as it is the closest to my work.
Larke Hoskins Homebush has discount vouchers though.

Coming from Lexus service, i dont imagine Honda will be anything special, but then again i was paying outta my a** for a loaner car, car being picked up and dropped off + chocolates on return.

*Supposedly, if we want it in black it's either now or a possible wait until April next year ... sale stunt or truth?

i was given this line aswell, i dont know if it was a stunt to make us commit earlier but if it was, it didnt matter cause i wanted it ASAP !. All the dealers seemed to have different lead times. Rockdale having one in stock, other dealers having to wait between 2 - 6 weeks.

*I've gathered that Honda dealers seem to maintain a 'no-discount' policy but how low are they willing to go? $1000 off? $3000 off?

While shopping around, and asking about price, i always got the "you commit and we will show you how low we can go" line.
I went with Larke Hoskins at Homebush. The initial quote was $46000 c/w spoiler + parking sensors.
The next week when returning to put a deposit down, he gave us the "here is the calculator, show me what figure you want and i will go ask the boss" :rolleyes:

[aaronng]

Remember that when you go into a dealer, you are king, not the other way around. They will push and push, but maintain the price that you want. I went to Rick Damelian, pushed and got the Euro manual base model for $34000 with fitted mats. I believe I could have gotten $33500 if I had bargained harder, but I was already there for quite a while and $34000 was my target price.

[Nasti]

Shit guys i can't believe the number of replies :O
Thanks heaps.

Slugoid: We will consider the extended warranty I guess. Good point about no use waiting i guess :)

coladuna: I will be sure to haggle all the way now that i know it's not true.

bigdongers: I doubt it would be more than Audi.. they REALLY like to charge :(
will pop: I hope so, the Euro would look much much sexier with larger wheels.

Stargazer: On the day we go to buy, we will definitely go dealer hopping. Thanks for the tip. Rick Damelian are also the guys who tried the 'Black' stunt on us!

exISeuro: Sounds like a good price dude! They offered us 44.5k with hardly any
haggling, just a 10minute visit - and they consistently call us!

aaronng: I'll remember that. We're definitely NOT weak at all when it comes to haggling - im just gathering as much info about this car as possible :)

Thanks fellas... seems like ill just have to shop around dealers and see which i like the best (service and price).

[baboo]

just work on the RRP as the drive away price.

Anything below the RRP is a bonus.

[Type R Positive]

Remember, you have 3 years to extend your warranty. It is a wise idea especially for when you sell the car, but the new owners can extend it anyway as long as it is not more than 3 years old.

Waiting untill april next year for a black one is crap. I had to wait two and a half months for mine to be built and come from japan. Give Honda Australia a call and they will tell you which dealership has what cars and which colours they have marked.

Honda's parts are real quality, but every manufacturer's spare parts are expensive. I don't think there is much difference at all. I know I brought my Euro for quality.

I couldn't get much more discount on my euro, I got $2400 off, free 12 month rego and "cost" price on the silver panel set, carpet mat set and rear boot liner. I still payed about $850 for these. They raped me I know but I wanted these. These are the only extra's I got, that is the one thing about Honda. The Euro comes fully loaded, unlike just about every other manufacturer such as toyota who charge about $2500 for airconditioning. For furksake! We live in Australia and these items should be standard.

Have fun with your purchase, you won't regret it!

[sodazman]

Car dealers are the biggest liars in the world. After bargaining for more than a week at different dealers i got an AT base model Euro for AUD $33500 (RRP $39225) with free carpets and free paint protection. So the no-discount policy is definitely bs. You should get at least a few grand off without much effort. Don't rush and do some research and you'll save yourself a lot of money.

Another thing, the best time to buy a car is at the end of the month. Salespeople are trying to meet quotas for a bonus and they wouldn't mind earning as little as $500 for a car to get it.

Good luck!

[revNhevN]

sodazman, where did u get ur euro from? that is a huge discount.

[aaronng]

sodazman: That is a GREAT price!!!!

Oh yeah, just to let you know, Nasti, scheduled servicing for a Honda is pretty expensive because they try to rip you off, you have to use "Honda Oil", Honda filter, and of course, service at a Honda dealer in order to maintain your warranty. Just did my first service, got charged $79 for oil and filter! Rip off! What to do? Save as much as you can on your car price, so that whatever is saved can go to the compulsory service cost.
At least at Rick D, I got to use their internet while waiting for the 2.5 hour service. They also say that they have a gym. Maybe I'll try that next time.

[aaronng]

Oh, and if they give you crap that:
1) The Euro is their best/hottest selling, so they don't discount: BULLSHIT.
2) Sales has been so good that they don't have what you want in stock and have to wait and no discount: BULLSHIT
3) They say that the price is so low that you can't get it anywhere for cheaper: BULLSHIT
4) They ask you to get a WRITTEN quote from another dealer and they will beat the price: BULLSHIT, because it is almost impossible to get a written quote without you signing the purchasing agreement.

If they don't give you what you want, walk out. Sodazman has shown that the prices can go very low, and also with the predicted minor upgrade for the 2005 model, go as low as you want! You can use the "If you give it to me for $xxxxx, I'll sign it today" line. If they say, "That is too low, my manager won't agree", you tell him to "Ask the manager first". He doesn't have the manager's brain telepathically attached to his head. haha.

[sodaz]

Thanks guys. I'm happy with it too. :D

revNhevN,

I got it from the Newcastle dealer in NSW. They initially offered me $38500 with no extras. It takes work to bargain but it's definitely worth it imo.

[Nasti]

Even more replies!
Thanks again guys (and girls) :)
Much much appreciated.

[Type R Positive]

After bargaining for more than a week at different dealers i got an AT base model Euro for AUD $33500 (RRP $39225) with free carpets and free paint protection. Is this drive away price? Even if it aint, still good but you could do better!

[sodaz]

Yep that's the drive away price.

[Type R Positive]

Great work!

All I did was played all the dealerships off against each other. They seem to get shitty about that. I tell them that I am the one parting with thousands of dollars so if I am not happy, I will go somewhere else. I just wrote down what I wanted thrown in and at the price I wanted and faxed it away to all the dealers in WA. You will be amazed how many phone calls you get back. You just let the playing begin. It is like your very own auction happening for the lowest bid!

I got my car through my work on salary sacrifice so I don't pay tax. The actual car cost was only about $28,000. :)

[sodaz]

Thanks!

Yeah you have to made them fight for your dollar. :D