Dave Hau

Couple of other things to keep in mind, if you want the absolute best deal:

1. Pay cash or shop for a car loan elsewhere, ahead of time. Don't go for
a car loan at the dealership.
2. Sell the old car yourself. Never negotiate a new car's price together
with a trade-in deal. You'll lose money on either end.
3. Turn down all the "extended warranty" and things like that they offer
you. You can shop around yourself for those warranties and get the best
deal elsewhere.

Basically, you want to shop for the lowest price quote on the car, go to the
dealership, pay exactly that amount, sign all the paperwork, decline
everything else offered, and drive away in the new car.

Also, try to put as much of the deposit / car-price on your credit card so
you can get the 1% cash back or whatever incentive you have for your credit
card.

- Dave




"Dave Hau" <nospam_dave_nospam_123@nospam_netscape_nospam.net _nospam> wrote
in message news:_8wZb.15471$0o4.9819@newssvr29.news.prodigy.c om...
> The best, time-saving, no-haggle approach to buying a CR-V (and in fact,
any
> car) these days is:
>
> 1. Check out the price at carsdirect.com (and decide on which
> model/features you want)
> 2. Go to edmunds.com and submit your email address for price quotes (you
> can put in a fake phone number if you don't want the dealers to call you)
> 3. Send an email to the second lowest price quote you get, telling them
> about the lowest price quote and asking them if they can beat the deal.
> 4. Go to 3.
> 5. Iterate a number of times until you reach steady state (i.e. every
> dealer tells you they cannot beat the lowest price).
> 6. Compare the lowest price you get from 5 with the price at
> carsdirect.com. Go for the lower price offer.
>
> Doing somthing similar, I was able to get my '04 CR-V EX automatic
(chianti
> pearl red) at invoice price ($21320). But then, I'm in California where
> CR-V's sell at a lower price, probably because there's no snow here.
>
> Good luck,
> Dave
>
>
>
> "Earthlink news" <hanknycNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:6urZb.12280$W74.3045@newsread1.news.atl.earth link.net...
> > My wife and I live just outside of New York City. The roads here are
> really
> > terrible. Just driving over the George Washington Bridge, which has
> enormous
> > potholes at the entrances and exits has cost me two tires and two
aluminum
> > wheels.
> >
> > We drive a Ford Focus right now. It has low ground clearance and
> ridiculous
> > low profile tires on 16" aluminum wheels. It otherwise pretty much meets
> our
> > needs...except that it also doesn't have Honda's quality. There's always
> > something going wrong with the vehicle, including the clutch failing at
> > 10,000 miles. At 26,000 miles we have a head gasket leak. So my wife is
> very
> > ready to ditch the Ford.
> >
> > I read many glowing user reports of the CRV on Autoreview.com. It seems
to
> > be a super vehicle. And it would have high ground clearance and rugged
> > enough tires/wheels to survive the mammoth potholes around here.
> >
> > I wasn't considering 4WD except that once in a blue moon things get
pretty
> > icy around here. Last month we had a storm that froze the highway and
then
> > laid down a layer of snow over a thin layer of ice. Traction was hard to
> > come by.
> >
> > Wouldn't the CRV's "Real time" (whatever that is) 4WD help in situations
> > like this? I live at the bottom of a very steep hill and it's actually
> > pretty hilly in general around here on the western banks of the Hudson
> > River.
> >
> > Can you advise me as to whether the CRV is actually the vehicle we
should
> be
> > considering, and, if so, which model and which options?
> >
> > Also, is there any bargaining to be done with Honda dealers? Way back
when
> I
> > had my first Honda they were so in demand that they were actually
getting
> > over list for Accords. I would hope the situation has changed. What's
the
> > best way to get a deal on a CRV?
> >
> > Thanks much.
> >
> >
>
>

T. Nelson

In article <6urZb.12280$W74.3045@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink .net>,
"Earthlink news" <hanknycNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote:

> My wife and I live just outside of New York City. The roads here are really
> terrible. Just driving over the George Washington Bridge, which has enormous
> potholes at the entrances and exits has cost me two tires and two aluminum
> wheels.
>
> We drive a Ford Focus right now. It has low ground clearance and ridiculous
> low profile tires on 16" aluminum wheels. It otherwise pretty much meets our
> needs...except that it also doesn't have Honda's quality. There's always
> something going wrong with the vehicle, including the clutch failing at
> 10,000 miles. At 26,000 miles we have a head gasket leak. So my wife is very
> ready to ditch the Ford.
>
> I read many glowing user reports of the CRV on Autoreview.com. It seems to
> be a super vehicle. And it would have high ground clearance and rugged
> enough tires/wheels to survive the mammoth potholes around here.
>
> I wasn't considering 4WD except that once in a blue moon things get pretty
> icy around here. Last month we had a storm that froze the highway and then
> laid down a layer of snow over a thin layer of ice. Traction was hard to
> come by.
>
> Wouldn't the CRV's "Real time" (whatever that is) 4WD help in situations
> like this? I live at the bottom of a very steep hill and it's actually
> pretty hilly in general around here on the western banks of the Hudson
> River.
>
> Can you advise me as to whether the CRV is actually the vehicle we should be
> considering, and, if so, which model and which options?
>
> Also, is there any bargaining to be done with Honda dealers? Way back when I
> had my first Honda they were so in demand that they were actually getting
> over list for Accords. I would hope the situation has changed. What's the
> best way to get a deal on a CRV?
>
> Thanks much.

You received some great advice. If you really want a good deal on a 2004
CR-V, wait until the new 2005 models arrive. The dealers give great
bargains on the 2004 vehicles just to clear the lot so they will have room
for the 2005 models. Another trick is to go to about 3 or more Honda
dealerships. Ask the sales manager at each dealership to give you his or
her best price for the exact model CR-V that you want and write the price
on the back of his or her business card. Play the dealers against each
other and buy from the one that gives you the best price,

T. Nelson

In article <6urZb.12280$W74.3045@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink .net>,
"Earthlink news" <hanknycNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote:

> My wife and I live just outside of New York City. The roads here are really
> terrible. Just driving over the George Washington Bridge, which has enormous
> potholes at the entrances and exits has cost me two tires and two aluminum
> wheels.
>
> We drive a Ford Focus right now. It has low ground clearance and ridiculous
> low profile tires on 16" aluminum wheels. It otherwise pretty much meets our
> needs...except that it also doesn't have Honda's quality. There's always
> something going wrong with the vehicle, including the clutch failing at
> 10,000 miles. At 26,000 miles we have a head gasket leak. So my wife is very
> ready to ditch the Ford.
>
> I read many glowing user reports of the CRV on Autoreview.com. It seems to
> be a super vehicle. And it would have high ground clearance and rugged
> enough tires/wheels to survive the mammoth potholes around here.
>
> I wasn't considering 4WD except that once in a blue moon things get pretty
> icy around here. Last month we had a storm that froze the highway and then
> laid down a layer of snow over a thin layer of ice. Traction was hard to
> come by.
>
> Wouldn't the CRV's "Real time" (whatever that is) 4WD help in situations
> like this? I live at the bottom of a very steep hill and it's actually
> pretty hilly in general around here on the western banks of the Hudson
> River.
>
> Can you advise me as to whether the CRV is actually the vehicle we should be
> considering, and, if so, which model and which options?
>
> Also, is there any bargaining to be done with Honda dealers? Way back when I
> had my first Honda they were so in demand that they were actually getting
> over list for Accords. I would hope the situation has changed. What's the
> best way to get a deal on a CRV?
>
> Thanks much.

You received some great advice. If you really want a good deal on a 2004
CR-V, wait until the new 2005 models arrive. The dealers give great
bargains on the 2004 vehicles just to clear the lot so they will have room
for the 2005 models. Another trick is to go to about 3 or more Honda
dealerships. Ask the sales manager at each dealership to give you his or
her best price for the exact model CR-V that you want and write the price
on the back of his or her business card. Play the dealers against each
other and buy from the one that gives you the best price,

T. Nelson

In article <6urZb.12280$W74.3045@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink .net>,
"Earthlink news" <hanknycNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote:

> My wife and I live just outside of New York City. The roads here are really
> terrible. Just driving over the George Washington Bridge, which has enormous
> potholes at the entrances and exits has cost me two tires and two aluminum
> wheels.
>
> We drive a Ford Focus right now. It has low ground clearance and ridiculous
> low profile tires on 16" aluminum wheels. It otherwise pretty much meets our
> needs...except that it also doesn't have Honda's quality. There's always
> something going wrong with the vehicle, including the clutch failing at
> 10,000 miles. At 26,000 miles we have a head gasket leak. So my wife is very
> ready to ditch the Ford.
>
> I read many glowing user reports of the CRV on Autoreview.com. It seems to
> be a super vehicle. And it would have high ground clearance and rugged
> enough tires/wheels to survive the mammoth potholes around here.
>
> I wasn't considering 4WD except that once in a blue moon things get pretty
> icy around here. Last month we had a storm that froze the highway and then
> laid down a layer of snow over a thin layer of ice. Traction was hard to
> come by.
>
> Wouldn't the CRV's "Real time" (whatever that is) 4WD help in situations
> like this? I live at the bottom of a very steep hill and it's actually
> pretty hilly in general around here on the western banks of the Hudson
> River.
>
> Can you advise me as to whether the CRV is actually the vehicle we should be
> considering, and, if so, which model and which options?
>
> Also, is there any bargaining to be done with Honda dealers? Way back when I
> had my first Honda they were so in demand that they were actually getting
> over list for Accords. I would hope the situation has changed. What's the
> best way to get a deal on a CRV?
>
> Thanks much.

You received some great advice. If you really want a good deal on a 2004
CR-V, wait until the new 2005 models arrive. The dealers give great
bargains on the 2004 vehicles just to clear the lot so they will have room
for the 2005 models. Another trick is to go to about 3 or more Honda
dealerships. Ask the sales manager at each dealership to give you his or
her best price for the exact model CR-V that you want and write the price
on the back of his or her business card. Play the dealers against each
other and buy from the one that gives you the best price,

Michelle Fogarty

I used to live on Staten Island, and I feel your pain.....CRVs have
"real time 4wd", meaning it'll supply power to all 4 tires "when
needed". What you're worried about is handling on icy roads, so perhaps
you'd want the ABS system, standard on the EX. In my opinion, putting
70lbs in the cargo area and driving safely are ALL that's needed; the
ABs system is expensive, and doesnt compensate for good driving.
Just bought a 2004 LX, and it is FANTASTIC!! The dealer took over
$1800 off sticker!! And threw in mud flaps! I say the EX is NOT worth
the extra $3000........this car will do all you ever want and need, and
more!

T. Nelson wrote:

>In article <6urZb.12280$W74.3045@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink .net>,
>"Earthlink news" <hanknycNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>>My wife and I live just outside of New York City. The roads here are really
>>terrible. Just driving over the George Washington Bridge, which has enormous
>>potholes at the entrances and exits has cost me two tires and two aluminum
>>wheels.
>>
>>We drive a Ford Focus right now. It has low ground clearance and ridiculous
>>low profile tires on 16" aluminum wheels. It otherwise pretty much meets our
>>needs...except that it also doesn't have Honda's quality. There's always
>>something going wrong with the vehicle, including the clutch failing at
>>10,000 miles. At 26,000 miles we have a head gasket leak. So my wife is very
>>ready to ditch the Ford.
>>
>>I read many glowing user reports of the CRV on Autoreview.com. It seems to
>>be a super vehicle. And it would have high ground clearance and rugged
>>enough tires/wheels to survive the mammoth potholes around here.
>>
>>I wasn't considering 4WD except that once in a blue moon things get pretty
>>icy around here. Last month we had a storm that froze the highway and then
>>laid down a layer of snow over a thin layer of ice. Traction was hard to
>>come by.
>>
>>Wouldn't the CRV's "Real time" (whatever that is) 4WD help in situations
>>like this? I live at the bottom of a very steep hill and it's actually
>>pretty hilly in general around here on the western banks of the Hudson
>>River.
>>
>>Can you advise me as to whether the CRV is actually the vehicle we should be
>>considering, and, if so, which model and which options?
>>
>>Also, is there any bargaining to be done with Honda dealers? Way back when I
>>had my first Honda they were so in demand that they were actually getting
>>over list for Accords. I would hope the situation has changed. What's the
>>best way to get a deal on a CRV?
>>
>>Thanks much.
>>
>>
>
>You received some great advice. If you really want a good deal on a 2004
>CR-V, wait until the new 2005 models arrive. The dealers give great
>bargains on the 2004 vehicles just to clear the lot so they will have room
>for the 2005 models. Another trick is to go to about 3 or more Honda
>dealerships. Ask the sales manager at each dealership to give you his or
>her best price for the exact model CR-V that you want and write the price
>on the back of his or her business card. Play the dealers against each
>other and buy from the one that gives you the best price,
>
>

--
Kevin Fogarty

Michelle Fogarty

I used to live on Staten Island, and I feel your pain.....CRVs have
"real time 4wd", meaning it'll supply power to all 4 tires "when
needed". What you're worried about is handling on icy roads, so perhaps
you'd want the ABS system, standard on the EX. In my opinion, putting
70lbs in the cargo area and driving safely are ALL that's needed; the
ABs system is expensive, and doesnt compensate for good driving.
Just bought a 2004 LX, and it is FANTASTIC!! The dealer took over
$1800 off sticker!! And threw in mud flaps! I say the EX is NOT worth
the extra $3000........this car will do all you ever want and need, and
more!

T. Nelson wrote:

>In article <6urZb.12280$W74.3045@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink .net>,
>"Earthlink news" <hanknycNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>>My wife and I live just outside of New York City. The roads here are really
>>terrible. Just driving over the George Washington Bridge, which has enormous
>>potholes at the entrances and exits has cost me two tires and two aluminum
>>wheels.
>>
>>We drive a Ford Focus right now. It has low ground clearance and ridiculous
>>low profile tires on 16" aluminum wheels. It otherwise pretty much meets our
>>needs...except that it also doesn't have Honda's quality. There's always
>>something going wrong with the vehicle, including the clutch failing at
>>10,000 miles. At 26,000 miles we have a head gasket leak. So my wife is very
>>ready to ditch the Ford.
>>
>>I read many glowing user reports of the CRV on Autoreview.com. It seems to
>>be a super vehicle. And it would have high ground clearance and rugged
>>enough tires/wheels to survive the mammoth potholes around here.
>>
>>I wasn't considering 4WD except that once in a blue moon things get pretty
>>icy around here. Last month we had a storm that froze the highway and then
>>laid down a layer of snow over a thin layer of ice. Traction was hard to
>>come by.
>>
>>Wouldn't the CRV's "Real time" (whatever that is) 4WD help in situations
>>like this? I live at the bottom of a very steep hill and it's actually
>>pretty hilly in general around here on the western banks of the Hudson
>>River.
>>
>>Can you advise me as to whether the CRV is actually the vehicle we should be
>>considering, and, if so, which model and which options?
>>
>>Also, is there any bargaining to be done with Honda dealers? Way back when I
>>had my first Honda they were so in demand that they were actually getting
>>over list for Accords. I would hope the situation has changed. What's the
>>best way to get a deal on a CRV?
>>
>>Thanks much.
>>
>>
>
>You received some great advice. If you really want a good deal on a 2004
>CR-V, wait until the new 2005 models arrive. The dealers give great
>bargains on the 2004 vehicles just to clear the lot so they will have room
>for the 2005 models. Another trick is to go to about 3 or more Honda
>dealerships. Ask the sales manager at each dealership to give you his or
>her best price for the exact model CR-V that you want and write the price
>on the back of his or her business card. Play the dealers against each
>other and buy from the one that gives you the best price,
>
>

--
Kevin Fogarty

Michelle Fogarty

I used to live on Staten Island, and I feel your pain.....CRVs have
"real time 4wd", meaning it'll supply power to all 4 tires "when
needed". What you're worried about is handling on icy roads, so perhaps
you'd want the ABS system, standard on the EX. In my opinion, putting
70lbs in the cargo area and driving safely are ALL that's needed; the
ABs system is expensive, and doesnt compensate for good driving.
Just bought a 2004 LX, and it is FANTASTIC!! The dealer took over
$1800 off sticker!! And threw in mud flaps! I say the EX is NOT worth
the extra $3000........this car will do all you ever want and need, and
more!

T. Nelson wrote:

>In article <6urZb.12280$W74.3045@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink .net>,
>"Earthlink news" <hanknycNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>>My wife and I live just outside of New York City. The roads here are really
>>terrible. Just driving over the George Washington Bridge, which has enormous
>>potholes at the entrances and exits has cost me two tires and two aluminum
>>wheels.
>>
>>We drive a Ford Focus right now. It has low ground clearance and ridiculous
>>low profile tires on 16" aluminum wheels. It otherwise pretty much meets our
>>needs...except that it also doesn't have Honda's quality. There's always
>>something going wrong with the vehicle, including the clutch failing at
>>10,000 miles. At 26,000 miles we have a head gasket leak. So my wife is very
>>ready to ditch the Ford.
>>
>>I read many glowing user reports of the CRV on Autoreview.com. It seems to
>>be a super vehicle. And it would have high ground clearance and rugged
>>enough tires/wheels to survive the mammoth potholes around here.
>>
>>I wasn't considering 4WD except that once in a blue moon things get pretty
>>icy around here. Last month we had a storm that froze the highway and then
>>laid down a layer of snow over a thin layer of ice. Traction was hard to
>>come by.
>>
>>Wouldn't the CRV's "Real time" (whatever that is) 4WD help in situations
>>like this? I live at the bottom of a very steep hill and it's actually
>>pretty hilly in general around here on the western banks of the Hudson
>>River.
>>
>>Can you advise me as to whether the CRV is actually the vehicle we should be
>>considering, and, if so, which model and which options?
>>
>>Also, is there any bargaining to be done with Honda dealers? Way back when I
>>had my first Honda they were so in demand that they were actually getting
>>over list for Accords. I would hope the situation has changed. What's the
>>best way to get a deal on a CRV?
>>
>>Thanks much.
>>
>>
>
>You received some great advice. If you really want a good deal on a 2004
>CR-V, wait until the new 2005 models arrive. The dealers give great
>bargains on the 2004 vehicles just to clear the lot so they will have room
>for the 2005 models. Another trick is to go to about 3 or more Honda
>dealerships. Ask the sales manager at each dealership to give you his or
>her best price for the exact model CR-V that you want and write the price
>on the back of his or her business card. Play the dealers against each
>other and buy from the one that gives you the best price,
>
>

--
Kevin Fogarty

Michelle Fogarty

I used to live on Staten Island, and I feel your pain.....CRVs have
"real time 4wd", meaning it'll supply power to all 4 tires "when
needed". What you're worried about is handling on icy roads, so perhaps
you'd want the ABS system, standard on the EX. In my opinion, putting
70lbs in the cargo area and driving safely are ALL that's needed; the
ABs system is expensive, and doesnt compensate for good driving.
Just bought a 2004 LX, and it is FANTASTIC!! The dealer took over
$1800 off sticker!! And threw in mud flaps! I say the EX is NOT worth
the extra $3000........this car will do all you ever want and need, and
more!

T. Nelson wrote:

>In article <6urZb.12280$W74.3045@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink .net>,
>"Earthlink news" <hanknycNOSPAM@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>>My wife and I live just outside of New York City. The roads here are really
>>terrible. Just driving over the George Washington Bridge, which has enormous
>>potholes at the entrances and exits has cost me two tires and two aluminum
>>wheels.
>>
>>We drive a Ford Focus right now. It has low ground clearance and ridiculous
>>low profile tires on 16" aluminum wheels. It otherwise pretty much meets our
>>needs...except that it also doesn't have Honda's quality. There's always
>>something going wrong with the vehicle, including the clutch failing at
>>10,000 miles. At 26,000 miles we have a head gasket leak. So my wife is very
>>ready to ditch the Ford.
>>
>>I read many glowing user reports of the CRV on Autoreview.com. It seems to
>>be a super vehicle. And it would have high ground clearance and rugged
>>enough tires/wheels to survive the mammoth potholes around here.
>>
>>I wasn't considering 4WD except that once in a blue moon things get pretty
>>icy around here. Last month we had a storm that froze the highway and then
>>laid down a layer of snow over a thin layer of ice. Traction was hard to
>>come by.
>>
>>Wouldn't the CRV's "Real time" (whatever that is) 4WD help in situations
>>like this? I live at the bottom of a very steep hill and it's actually
>>pretty hilly in general around here on the western banks of the Hudson
>>River.
>>
>>Can you advise me as to whether the CRV is actually the vehicle we should be
>>considering, and, if so, which model and which options?
>>
>>Also, is there any bargaining to be done with Honda dealers? Way back when I
>>had my first Honda they were so in demand that they were actually getting
>>over list for Accords. I would hope the situation has changed. What's the
>>best way to get a deal on a CRV?
>>
>>Thanks much.
>>
>>
>
>You received some great advice. If you really want a good deal on a 2004
>CR-V, wait until the new 2005 models arrive. The dealers give great
>bargains on the 2004 vehicles just to clear the lot so they will have room
>for the 2005 models. Another trick is to go to about 3 or more Honda
>dealerships. Ask the sales manager at each dealership to give you his or
>her best price for the exact model CR-V that you want and write the price
>on the back of his or her business card. Play the dealers against each
>other and buy from the one that gives you the best price,
>
>

--
Kevin Fogarty