How to Shop for a 2015 Honda Odyssey

In case anyone else has been shopping for a 2015 Honda Odyssey, here are a few quotes and chatter that has taken place between me (alias: Brian), and various salespeople at Chicagoland Honda dealers. The company and salespeople’s names have been removed for confidentiality purposes. If you would like a recommendation for a Honda dealer, feel free to contact us.

Most of the quotes below were sent based off this email request:

I am looking to purchase a new 2015 Honda Odyssey LX. Color is not an issue. I am looking for your best out the door price, including all taxes, fees, destination, etc (I live in SoandSo County, and need new plates). I own a Honda Accord and am a recent college grad (please include any owner loyalty and college grad rebates if there are any).I am sending this to four local dealers, and will contact the dealer with the lowest price by this Friday. I have already test driven this car and like it. Due to my busy work schedule right now, I am only able to reply via email. Thank you in advance! -Brian

Hello Brian,

My name is Salesperson’s Name and I wanted to thank you for your vehicle purchase request on the 2015 Honda Odyssey LX here at dealer.

I am sending you our special March Internet Pricing for the vehicle that you selected.

Your Special Internet Sale Price is * $25,901.63

Special Financing 0.9% APR with approved credit.

Your out the door breakdown is below: In stock # F00000 Modern Steel

2015 Honda Odyssey LX 25,901.63
Document Fee 193.00
New Plates and Title 196.00
Taxes (7.25%) 1,891.86
Rebate 1,000.00
TOTAL 27,182.49

There are no current loyalty program rebates with ownership of a Honda Accord at this time.

My goal here is to provide you with hassle free shopping process, so let me know how I can help?

We would be happy to set up an appointment and have the vehicle pulled up and ready. We’re open 9 Am to 9 Pm on weekdays, 9 Am to 6 Pm on Saturday. What date and time would work best for your schedule to stop in?

Sincerely,

Salesperson’s name

Somebody else responded with:

Hi Brian,

Thank you for your interest in the new 2015 Honda Odyssey LX! Below is the Out-the-Door (OTD) price you asked about including all applicable taxes and fees…

If you’re interested in special financing, Honda is now offering dealer special APR rates as low as 0.9% on all 2015 Honda Odysseys. APR rates and price are good thru March 31st, 2015.

This model is currently in stock and available for immediate delivery! Total Price OTD includes destination charge, doc fee, applicable sales tax, title and license but does NOT include any options or accessories.

**BE CAREFUL!**

RED ALERT: “does NOT include any options or accessories”

This is a dead giveaway that the dealer is going to try to tell you that the car is $xx.00 higher due to added options or accessories.

The Real Deal

This dealer was the first to grab my attention. I liked the straightforwardness and no addition of bogus fees or accessories:

Hello Brian,

My name is Saleperson’s name . I am the Internet Sales Consultant here at dealer. Thank you for your interest in our dealership as well as the Honda product. I received your request for a 2015 Honda Odyssey. Below is your current pricing information. No games, No Hidden costs, and no accessories required for purchase!

What time Friday works best for you as this will be the best price you find! I would really appreciate your business as I will be personally be working with you upon your arrival. (unlike other dealerships) I will also make sure it’s a quick and easy transaction!!

Ok, this guy’s good.

The other dealers

There were quite a few dealers who ignored my inquiry altogether. That is OK. The dealers who did reply were the ones interested in making a sale.

Sorry folks, matching isn’t good enough

I said to a different dealer: “Bring your price down about $1,000 and you’ll be in the ballpark of 2 other local honda dealers,” he replied with:

Hey Brian,

this is what I can do for you bring in your best offer in writting if i can’t beat the number I will match it!

Thanks for your time!
Salesperson’s Name

I’m fairly sure I won’t be taking him up on this. If one dealer is good-natured enough to send me their best price, I’m going to shop there. Loyalty means something to me.

Likewise, speed to respond was very important as well. I looked very highly upon the people who responded very quickly to my initial inquiry.

Yet another quote:

The promised land

This dealership, residing in a rich Chicago suburb, was about $2,000 higher than everyone else:

Brian,

Below is the OTD quote you requested. Thank you again and we look forward to working with you. Have a great day!

After letting him know he was $2,000 higher than his competition, he says:

Thank you for your response. My sale price was $300 over the invoice of the vehicle. If someone is beating us by 2k, sometimes when things seem to good to be true, they are. If and when they start playing games with mandatory additional accessories, paint protection, or extended warranties, please keep us in mind. Thank you and have a great day!

This makes me chuckle a little bit. He apparently is living on a different planet. Or, perhaps everyone in his well-to-do town doesn’t comparison shop… I’m not quite sure.

The Van

These quotes are for the 2015 Honda Odyssey LX, which has an MSRP of $29,855 including destination.

2015 Odyssey LX Automatic Transmission

$28,975 (without destination)

Prices shown are manufacturer suggested retail prices only. Installation cost for accessories is not included. No accessories selected. Dealer costs may vary. Prices exclude applicable taxes.

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