Tell me if I have some negotiating room on this one....

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Background:

I'm looking at a blue Ridgeline RTS that has sticker price of $30,678.

I did the Consumer Reports price service and it listed dealer invoice for an RTS at $27,156. Then the Wholesale Price was $26,804.

The dealer is totally unwilling to go for that. Consumer Reports also suggests that it is fair to give the dealer a 4-8% profit. Just for the hell of it I offered them a 4% profit, bringing the price to $28034.72, but no luck. Their LOWEST offer is $29,135 -- a price they get off of Edmunds.com that suggests people in my area are paying that much for a Ridgeline.

Now, they say Consumer Reports' information is independent and they cannot honor their price because they don't sell the trucks for that low of a price. They are even unwilling to meet the discounted price of XM Radio and rear splash guards offered by College Hills Honda.....and also suggest that those items will not be covered by Honda's 3/36 warranty.

Here's the question:

Do you think they can come down on this? Another member here got a new RTL for $29K. Surely I can get an RTS for $28K!

Thanks for your help and please respond asap.

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

You should be able to get it for $27,500. Ever look at the website, www.carsdirect.com. I got my RT model last month with carsdirect price $25,000.

In my area it says you can get RTS model for $27,496. Let carsdirect do the work for you, they will find a dealer in your area that will accept that price.

At the dealership, the sales manager also pulled out the ol' Edmunds average price crap! He said, this is the best deal, this is what the average person is paying for the Ridgeline. All I had to say to that is, "Well, im not your average customer."

Keep us updated on what price you get.

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Well I called back and declined their offer...told them to take the sold sign out of the window and put it the truck back on the market.

The guy said "Let me see what else we can do" because they didn't want to lose me as a customer and he recognized that I had been a customer for many years. I called later on and he offered me a price of $28,645 including XM Radio and splash guards, and $22500 for my trades. I told him I'd think it over.

So, I did both www.carsdirect.com and Wilde Honda in Wisconsin (mentioned on this site before). Wilde Honda gives me a price of $27,607! Not to mention I have $1500 in rebate coupons to throw in.

Now I have Wilde's price plus the rebates....if they can't take that then the deal's over.

I'm going back there tomorrow, I'll keep you posted.

[Ridgeline4wd_Archive]

Within the last week I purchased an RTL with sunroof and navi for $1 under invoice.

There is absolutely no reason to pay more than invoice and negotiate a fair price for your trade.

I talked to several dealers that weren't willing to deal much and one that was $500 over.

Keep looking. I had to drive 90 miles to get the deal I wanted. It was a quick easy purchase. Not the highest profit for the dealer but they moved one more unit. The probably spent less than an hour on my total purchase. Not bad for a quick sale.

As far as the accessories not being under 3/36. That is a joke. Who cares. What are your mudflaps going to rust out :lol: If you rip them off on a curb or something they aren't going to replace them anyway. Also, I really doubt your XM radio is going to crap out in 3 years. That is nothing more than a scare tactic.

Keep looking. I lhave been getting calls and emails all week from dealers that now want to "make me a deal" None are at my price and I love the dead silence on the phone when I say "Gee, I purchased exactly what I want at my price last week". Half of these guys didn't have the color, or options or something. I got exactly what I wanted at the price I wanted to pay. Be patient. End of month is usually a good time because sometimes a dealer is motivated to move another unit rather than make top dollar on the unit.

Ridgelines aren't exactly flying off the lots.