NEWS: Why Buying New Is Smarter Than Ever13nov08

This blog is important to me because it is my way to connect with my customers, to show them that I am not the “old fashioned” car salesmen of stereotypes and bad jokes. No one likes to buy cars in the traditional, high-pressure, “What will it take for you to take this car home today” kind of sales environment. It is exactly because of this type of unpleasant atmosphere that Internet departments blossomed and allowed the customer more control in his or her interactions with the dealership. Continue reading ‘Why Buy From Me?’

You might have seen articles such as “Ten mistakes to avoid when buying a new car” or “Tips to save money on your next car purchase” in your favorite magazines and websites. At first glance, it could seem that suggesting these tips to you on my website would be counterproductive but that is certainly not the case. The better prepared customers are when they come in to the dealership, the smoother the whole process will go. The most important thing I can emphasize even before I get in to my list is have realistic expectations. If you do your research and know about what the car should cost, about what interest rate to expect, and about what your trade is worth, not only are you going to keep from being taken advantage of by some unscrupulous salesman, but you’re going to make the process go a lot more smoothly in general. The hardest thing to do is convince someone that the price is fair (be it on the new car, the payment, or the trade) when the customer has no evidence or understanding to help determine whether it really is in fact fair. Continue reading ‘Best Car Buying Practices’

New car sales are down a staggering amount. Financing a new domestic has begun to border on the impossible. Yet, I’m suggesting that you would be making a good move by buying a new Honda… how can I justify that?

Dealership service departments are reporting increases in business, as are used car dealerships. Why? The used car market is booming.

As people have become worried about the economy and their financial situation, they have gravitated to used cars instead of new. However, many people may be financially better off buying new.

1. Because they are more in demand relative to new cars, used car prices are less likely to be discounted.
2. Used cars, even certified used cars, will cost more to maintain than new cars. Take a close look at that certified used car warranty. For many manufacturers, it doesn’t cover as much as the new car warranty, and may even have a deductible.
3. Finance rates on used cars will always be higher, sometimes by 3 or 4 points or more. Automakers are offering special finance incentives on their new cars now that have often resulted in a new car costing less monthly than a very similar one or two year old certified used car.
4. Because used cars are in demand, dealers want to increase their inventory. This means a higher price for your trade.

For sure, buying a new car isn’t going to be better for everyone. You’re going to have a hard time buying a new car if your budget is below a certain amount. But for those looking in the $12,000-$20,000 range, the value of buying new instead of used is worth close consideration. Between higher value for your trade, lower interest rates, and other incentives, you may find that you can finance that $16,000 Civic for less than the $12,000 used Corolla. Which sounds like the better deal to you?

From this weekend’s Wall Street Journal:

The Fit truly offers everything you need in a car, and nothing you don’t. Americans are famously skeptical toward small hatchbacks, but if ever there was a car that could lead us to embrace the genre, this is it. These sobering times demand a more pragmatic approach to personal transportation. Call the Fit the automotive change we need.

Continue reading ‘A Candidate for Best Car on Road’

At the SEMA 2008 show, Honda introduced the Civic Si HFP concept car, with modifications by Honda Access America, Honda’s accessory development division. The design of this car is focused on lightness, aerodynamics, and increased performance, to create a car that is both more fuel efficient and more fun to drive than the stock Civic Si. From Honda:

Through aerodynamic improvements to the next generation HFP body kit, super-light alloy wheels with aerodynamic covers, a lighter HFP exhaust system and an upgraded HFP suspension kit, this concept offers the possibility of improving both fuel economy and performance. In fact, a very similar package has proven its worth on the race tracks of Japan on the Civic Type R race car, which campaigned in a spec series called the Super Taikyu Series.

Continue reading Honda Press Release

Today, Honda Financial Services announced special rates for 2008 & 2009 Accord, Civic, Element, Odyssey, CR-V, Pilot (09 only), and Ridgeline (08 only).

For qualified applicants, the special financing rate is 1.9% for 24-36 months and 3.9% for 37-60 months.

Contact your Honda dealer for more details.

I’m a big Formula One fan, and some interesting news is coming from the F1 rumormill. The word is that Bruno Senna, nephew of the late three-time Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna, will be testing with Honda F1 this fall.

Reports indicate that Honda is one of the most likely teams for Senna’s Formula One debut. Senna, 24, recently wrapped up second place overall for the 2008 GP2 season for the iSport International team.

More information from autosport.com

Starting November 1, qualified applicants will be eligible for 2.9% APR on 24-36 month loans and 4.9% APR on 37-60 month loans on all Honda Certified Used Pilot, Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Accord V6 models from model years 2003-2009.

Click here to view our pre-owned inventory: Jim Coleman Honda Pre-Owned Inventory and just send me an email or give me a call for further details. Or, as always, if you’re out of the MD/DC/VA/DE/PA area, call your local dealer.

Honda Press Release:

10/29/2008 - TORRANCE, Calif. - The restyled 2009 Honda Element entry-level SUV builds on its spacious and versatile character by adding a more chiseled exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design with an expanded selection of available high-tech and functional features. Manufacturer Suggested Retail Pricing (MSRP¹) starts at $20,175 for the 2009 Element 2WD LX, plus a destination and handling charge of $670. Continue reading ‘Redesigned 2009 Honda Element Starts at $20,175′

My sales manager told me this morning that we need to move out the rest of our 2008 models, so we’re doing some pretty extreme discounting. Please send me an email if you’d like pricing on any of these cars since we’re not allowed to post discounted pricing online.

2008 CR-V EX 4WD Automatic - Eligible for 1.9% 36 3.9% 60 Financing!

2008 CR-V EX-L 4WD Automatic - Eligible for 1.9% 36 3.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Accord EX V6 Sedan Automatic - Eligible for 1.9% 36 3.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Accord EX-L Sedan Automatic Navigation - Eligible for 1.9% 36 3.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Accord EX-L Sedan Automatic - Eligible for 1.9% 36 3.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Civic Si Sedan 6-Speed Navigation - Eligible for 1.9% 36 3.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Civic Si Sedan 6-Speed Navigation - Eligible for 1.9% 36 3.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Ridgeline RTS - Eligible for 0.9% 36 2.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Ridgeline RTS - Eligible for 0.9% 36 2.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Odyssey EX-L with Rear Entertainment System - Eligible for 0.9% 36 2.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Odyssey Touring with PAX Run Flat Tires - Eligible for 0.9% 36 2.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Odyssey EX-L - Eligible for 0.9% 36 2.9% 60 Financing!

2008 Element EX 4WD Automatic - Eligible for 0.9% 36 2.9% 60 Financing!

The 2009 Honda Fit has been awarded the Automotive Excellence Award for Value by Popular Mechanics.

From Popular Mechanics:

We all want vehicles that provide excellent fuel economy. But rarely does that penurious stance at the pump come with the additional one-two punch of driving excitement and interior flexibility. Well, the Fit hits all three attributes and has enough interior volume to qualify as a family car—at least if it’s a small family.

Continue reading ‘The Popular Mechanics 2009 Automotive Excellence Awards’