Any Honda Dealers here?

[FLYBOY1979]

Go ask your insurance provider how many injuries/ 1000 accidents vehicle
have. When we bought our mini van 10 years ago, that is what sold me.
I know that is a life time ago, BUT the van we bought had a steel frame that started at the front bumper and went all the way to the back bumper. I have not bought one since. My X has it now. I don't if GMC
still makes a Safari any more, and yes I would buy another one.

 

[loboclone]

What is F&I??

Finance and Insurance= settlement office=sign the papers

 

[CyinCo]

Finance and Insurance= settlement office=sign the papers

When I bought my Honda, they were talking out both sides of their mouth to sell me an extended warranty. They first told me that Honda quality is second to none. Then they said they highly recommend the extended warranty. Now, I've never bought an extended warranty on ANYTHING in my life. I wasn't about to start with a Honda. Of course, the "paper sign" guy doesn't like you very much when you tell him you don't want the warranty. Just show me where to sign, please.

 

[brianhos]

We are looking to get a van here this summer and really like the Honda Odyssey. That was the front runner but I wanted to check around a little. We stumbled on the KIA Sedona top of the line and the Hyundia Entourage top of the line. What we found so far is the Kia and Hyundia are very equivalent to the oddysey in about every option but is about $9,000 cheaper for a brand new van. The three are 1, 2, & 3 as far as safety rating, each have the sliding window in the sliding doors. A few differences are KIA and Hyundia have the 6 yr 60,000 basic warranty and a 10 yr 100,000 mi power trainwarranty while the honda has a 3 yr 36,000 mile basic and a 6 yr 60,000 mi powertrain warranty. The big thing I like about the Odyssey though is the cylinder management system that basically cuts off fuel to 2 cylinders once you don't need the power giving you better mileage(by 2-3 mpg). I still think the Honda has the edge, but being able to buy a brand new KIA or Hyundai for the same money as a 1-2 yr old Odyssey is making our decision a little harder. Take them for a test drive and you'll see how nice they are.

Of course, that isn't quite what you were asking is it????? Sorry

You looking at brand new or used?

Go and drive a KIA before you decide you want to buy it, there is a reason it is that much cheaper, it is made with cheaper parts.

We have a 04 odyssey, it is a pretty nice van, but it is still a minivan. But when carting around the 3.6 million kids we have, it sure is handy.

 

[brianhos]

I only buy Honda. I know I know grooooooa. But I have had great luck and wont switch. Odysseys dont tend to fluctuate in price dealer to dealer. They are expensive but you get what you pay for. They maintain their resale very well. Its the best van on the market. You could always go certified used for a year back since it hasnt changed much between 06 and 07 if you're looking to save some cash. I think they have great financing right now on a 2006. 0.9 or something.

When we looked, the best van by far was the sienna, but there are NO good Toyota dealers in central Iowa. We ended up getting our 04 odyssey EX-L with Navigation for $24,500.

 

[brianhos]

i hate Odyssey's!!!!!!!!!!! i have like a curse with them.. every where i go.. one gets in front of me and goes 5mph under the limit!!!! idk why... but ya... they are nice vans tho.. only things i dont like about them is my curse and the back of them..

Only speeding ticket I have ever gotten is in our odyssey. My other car is a '00 Maxima SE.

 

[keepngoal]

Go into several dealers and tell each "I want to buy a car today and X is what I'll pay."

When they start their haggling say, "I want to buy today and I'll pay this."

Make a reasonable offer and see if someone bites. You have to be able to walk away to do this. I've done it a few times and sometimes get call backs later saying OK.

That is the key. To get a good deal, you have to be able to say NO. You DON"T have to buy a car today, right? Stick with your budget and offer a little under so you can add on a few things if you like. But never-ever give into haggling... as soon as you do, you have lost. And be sure it is fair to both sides... any reasonable offer will get you a car, if you hold your ground.

But make your offer and be prepared to walk away from that dealer without a car that day or week.

- keep.

 

[clonomaniac]

My wife wants a Honda Odyssey EX-L... so I'm looking around. Sounds like they're going for about $27,000 in the edmunds.com prices paid forums. Has anyone here had any luck, or can anyone offer advice?

Ralph Schomp here in Colorado won't go below $29,500.

Go to www.Amescars.com

They are a small dealer in Ames, mostly do their business online. You will be happy with the experience. I never did any business with them, but I know the people there. I think the guy's wife is employed as a professor at either ISU or DMACC, very personable. They sell for affordable, and give you discount to make the trip to buy from Ames.

When I bought my Honda Odyssey, I was being lied to by Chizik Bell Honda in Iowa City. They said it was cretified, which it wasn't. So make sure you check if they are really doing the job of certifying the vehicle.

My only comment as far as avoiding anyone is DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM CHIZIK BELL HONDA.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

Go and drive a KIA before you decide you want to buy it, there is a reason it is that much cheaper, it is made with cheaper parts.

We have a 04 odyssey, it is a pretty nice van, but it is still a minivan. But when carting around the 3.6 million kids we have, it sure is handy.

We did drive the KIA this last Saturday and it seemed very comparable to the Honda. It was a 2007 and was fully loaded. However this is the first year that this version is available so the history is not there like it is with the Honda. We have not had a chance to check out the Hyundia but it is I think a new model last year so again the history is not there. It is cool that the KIA and Hyundia models both have a Porsche patented transmission where you can either use the tranny as an automatic or use it as a manual and hit the +/- to shift the van(don't think I want that since I can just see my wife trying to go 55 in first gear).

It my mind it is going to be extremely difficult to sway me away from the Honda, but the boss is going to be the one telling me what she wants to drive. You all know how that works...you know- her :angry6wn: me :yes4lo: and if not then she :growl5cj: me :sad9cd: . Murphy's law

 

[Scirocco]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

Ironically, we are looking for a minivan at this time as well (Wife just put our Sable out of it's misery). The Sienna looks like a sweet ride $$$. Also looking at Town and Country's, but not sold on their longevity. I haven't met anyone yet who gets much over 100k miles w/o a new tranny on Dodge/Chrysler mv's.

 

[CyGal]

We bought a Matrix from Toyota of DM a couple years ago. Went back recently looking for a used truck (non-Toyota), and ended up getting a couple thousand off the asking price, without having asked for it. They really like repeat customers, and we've NEVER had issues with the Matrix. We'll probably continue to go back in years to come.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

Ironically, we are looking for a minivan at this time as well (Wife just put our Sable out of it's misery). The Sienna looks like a sweet ride $$$. Also looking at Town and Country's, but not sold on their longevity. I haven't met anyone yet who gets much over 100k miles w/o a new tranny on Dodge/Chrysler mv's.

We have a Dodge Grand Caravan with 122,000 miles and the only problem we have had was the starter went out of it last fall. And when I replaced the starter it took a total of 45 minutes. We have been very happy with our Dodge. If you service them like you should and not get to stupid towing boats or campers, they'll last you a long time. When we bought the van it had a 2" receiver hitch installed like you really need that beefy of a trailer hitch.

 

[Bobber]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

We have a Dodge Grand Caravan with 122,000 miles and the only problem we have had was the starter went out of it last fall. And when I replaced the starter it took a total of 45 minutes. We have been very happy with our Dodge. If you service them like you should and not get to stupid towing boats or campers, they'll last you a long time. When we bought the van it had a 2" receiver hitch installed like you really need that beefy of a trailer hitch.

I'm just curious if you like the Dodge, why are you looking at Kia or Honda? You can buy a loaded Dodge tons cheaper than the Honda. They're a decent van. They just didn't appeal to us.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

I'm just curious if you like the Dodge, why are you looking at Kia or Honda? You can buy a loaded Dodge tons cheaper than the Honda. They're a decent van. They just didn't appeal to us.

We like the Dodge but the biggest reason we got it at the time was because it was priced right when I was buying it through a good friend in a Mason City car lot. One of those deals where we had a 1995 Ford Winstar(yuk, mainly because it was the bad year of the weak head gasket that just so happened to blow less then one week after we bought it) and the winstar didn't have the 2nd sliding door and we just had our second child and it was a pain strapping in a toddler and a infant seat so this van came up and we bought it. Otherwise, I have always liked the Odyssey ever since they came out. I like the sto n go option on the Dodges but they lost a lot of comfort in making them fold away. The odyssey has fold down seats in the back row and they are still way comfortable. Plus another huge seller on the Odyssey is they have the 8 passenger option where we can put 3 girls in the second row all with shoulder restraints or we can take out the center seat and have classy looking quad seating.

 

[Bobber]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

We like the Dodge but the biggest reason we got it at the time was because it was priced right when I was buying it through a good friend in a Mason City car lot. One of those deals where we had a 1995 Ford Winstar(yuk, mainly because it was the bad year of the weak head gasket that just so happened to blow less then one week after we bought it) and the winstar didn't have the 2nd sliding door and we just had our second child and it was a pain strapping in a toddler and a infant seat so this van came up and we bought it. Otherwise, I have always liked the Odyssey ever since they came out. I like the sto n go option on the Dodges but they lost a lot of comfort in making them fold away. The odyssey has fold down seats in the back row and they are still way comfortable. Plus another huge seller on the Odyssey is they have the 8 passenger option where we can put 3 girls in the second row all with shoulder restraints or we can take out the center seat and have classy looking quad seating.

Those are the exact reasons we bought the Odyssey, but they are pricey. Also if you look at the chat sites close, Honda had a lot of transmission problems in the 99 to 04 models. Their new cylinder deactivation system seems to have a fair number of bugs too and it doesn't appear the mileage is that much better then the standard engine(which is what we bought.).

We love the van however. The seats are great, it runs great, and it handles like a much smaller vehicle then what it is.

The value leader is probably still the Dodge however...

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

Those are the exact reasons we bought the Odyssey, but they are pricey. Also if you look at the chat sites close, Honda had a lot of transmission problems in the 99 to 04 models. Their new cylinder deactivation system seems to have a fair number of bugs too and it doesn't appear the mileage is that much better then the standard engine(which is what we bought.).

We love the van however. The seats are great, it runs great, and it handles like a much smaller vehicle then what it is.

The value leader is probably still the Dodge however...

Do you have the 8 passenger seating? or the navigation system in your van?

 

[Bobber]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

Do you have the 8 passenger seating? or the navigation system in your van?

It's an EX. Yeah it's got the 8 passenger seating capability but we have that seat out right now so we can get to the back to access kids in route. It should be a nice feature when the kids get bigger and we're transporting more people.

No on the navigation system. I think they're a waste of money for most of the driving we do here in Iowa. I suppose you could justify one on big trips, but then again you can buy some portable systems cheaper and use them in multiple vehicles.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

No on the navigation system. I think they're a waste of money for most of the driving we do here in Iowa. I suppose you could justify one on big trips, but then again you can buy some portable systems cheaper and use them in multiple vehicles.

Ya you got a good point. I just think it would be fun to mess around with for awhile and like you said, when we are taking a long trip where we have never been. I would imagine it gets boring pretty fast and wouldn't be the best investment. Then again, I know how us men can have problems stopping and asking directions and we would avoid fights with the boss when she thinks I need to stop and ask and I say "we're almost there my dears"...Been there done that I'm afraid and it wasn't pretty for me after a couple hours.:wink0st:

 

[cyputz]

I would go for the Honda, even though I am a Toyota fan. We bought our Highlander (love it), from Lexus of Palm Beach off the internet. We bought the vehicle in 2005, it was a 2005 model with 9,000 miles and we saved $4375 after taxes and ship ($600) versus local prices. Not sure about todays market. Excellent to work with and we have never had an issue to date with service (Wislson's in Ames) or otherwise, currently have 72,000.

Main things is to determine if you want to build a long lasting relationship with a local dealer buy and service or not. I figured at the time, the local dealership would make enough off me on service.

Shop and use one dealer against the other, it's business.

 

[tigershoops31]

Re: How about a Toyota Sienna?

We have a Dodge Grand Caravan with 122,000 miles and the only problem we have had was the starter went out of it last fall. And when I replaced the starter it took a total of 45 minutes. We have been very happy with our Dodge. If you service them like you should and not get to stupid towing boats or campers, they'll last you a long time. When we bought the van it had a 2" receiver hitch installed like you really need that beefy of a trailer hitch.

We just bought a basic Caravan this fall. We drove a couple of them that were loaded, but ended up getting a sweet deal ($12,850) on one brand new without most of the bells and whistles. I figured for that cheap I can handle rolling up the windows and unlocking the doors by hand. As long as it's automatic, has heat/ac and a cd player that's good enough for me. And if it isn't as well built, we'll just have to pop in the Adam Sandler cd and have a good ole fashioned family sing along to "POS Car". :yes4lo: I too, did not bite on the warranty plan. The guy was saying that I should get it in case something went wrong after 3 years, to which I responded, "If you think theres a chance it breaks down in that short of a time maybe I'm looking at the wrong vehicle." He shut up and showed me where to sign my rejection of the warranty with a nasty scowl as my wife hid her face and wished she was somewhere else.