Here is the final update:
Today, the new car manager calls and proposes his “best” deal on the 2018 CR-V Touring AWD:
36/15
RV: 58%
MF: .0022 (5.28%)
Selling price: $34,900 (up from $32,949). When I asked about the $2000 increase, he replied that Honda requires him to add certain accessories to most of his vehicles such as splash guards, cargo nets, paint protection, etc… and that increases the final sticker price due to dealer added accessories. He said he was discounting the vehicle $1000 resulting in the $34,900 selling price.
Payments: TT&L plus “fees” rolled into the lease with just 1st month due at signing: $605/mo.
TT&L plus “fees” due at signing: $555/mo.
I told him there was no way I was paying that selling price, MF and those payments for that vehicle. In fact, I actually told him that is the equivalent of paying $6.00 for a can of Coke. Not gonna happen.
And, I told him that I didn’t appreciate him just now mentioning there were dealer added accessories which ultimately raised the selling price $2000 over the quote the other day. What he did was lower the MF a bit, but more than compensated by increasing the selling price. In this case, the selling price impacts the cost of the lease more than the higher MF.
And, that was the end of the conversation. I told him we were way too far apart on the numbers. Honda is a good car and I like the CR-V, but I’m not into being price gouged. So, there will be no CR-V in the driveway.
Normally, I’d call every Honda dealer within 200 miles to get the deal, but I really think that would be fruitless with this model.
Honda offers no incentives and ridiculous MF’s and the dealers barely discount the vehicle so I’m convinced that there really is no feasible way to get a solid lease on the CR-V regardless of which dealership is contacted.
Several years ago, for example, I literally contacted 11 regional BMW dealerships to get a Z4 before I found one who’d make the right deal. That dealership was 200 miles away, but my persistence paid off and I got the car for the right price.
In contrast to Honda, two local Jeep dealers are offering the 2018 Cherokee top trim level Overland 4WD with virtually every available option and a $43,865 MSRP for $35,865. An $8000 discount. I won’t debate the Cherokee vs. the CR-V. I’m sure both have their pros and cons. It’s just an example of how some manufacturers/dealers will offer hefty discounts as opposed to Honda. And, the ironic thing is how several posters commented on the great deals with the Acura MDX. Which company makes Acura?
I’m not knocking the CR-V. It’s a good vehicle and is the best seller in its class which speaks for itself. However, just forget trying to lease one. Better to buy it.