Reason for Visit: Sales
I recommend this dealer: Yes
My Review of Honda Cars of McKinney:
Just like with any dealership, there are good and bad employees. I've worked with sales guys that have bent over backward for us, and others that have been aggressive, confrontational, and arrogant.
If you want to do business with Honda McKinney, here are some key things you must know:
First, Honda McKinney is big, and I do mean big, on dealer add-ons.
By doing your homework and learning the invoice price of the car and all accessories, you'll be successful haggling them off. Do not, I repeat do not, get suckered into paying $495 ea for the paint and fabric sealant. It is nothing more than spray on wax and a $10 dollar can of scotch-guard.
If at first you don't succeed, try again.
As I said above, I'd worked with some truly great salesmen -- but equally so, worked with some that have lived up to the negative stereotype. If the sales guy or sales manager isn't hearing your concerns, walk out and work with someone different. Having competitive bids from other dealerships really gets the ball moving fast in your direction, as suddenly all those dealer add-ons don't mean so much to them anymore.
Secure outside financing.
This way you can't get tricked into accepting a padded interest rate. Whatever you do, don't let your guard down in the finance office. This is where Honda McKinney makes the most money on things like warranties, security stickers, maintenance contracts, etc. This dealership makes spiffs from banks in the area, so if they're heavily directing you toward a bank or a rate, be suspicious.
Not all warranties are created equal.
McKinney Honda's in house warranty is called Hendrick AutoGuard. It's bloated and proprietary, meaning you can only get work done a pre-approved locations and its way overpriced. Instead shop around online and get Honda Care. I've figured out that Honda McKinney ads a "1" in front of the true cost of the warranty. So a warranty that should be $750, Honda McKinney sells for $1,750. Sneaky. You can always get an extended warranty during the first 36K of the car, not just at the time of purchase.
Hypothetical tax savings on your trade.
I really dislike how Honda McKinney approaches dealer trades. Basically they deduct your hypothetical tax savings from your best competitive offer to arrive at their final offer. They will dig their heals in and refuse to budge until the 11th hour when they're about to loose your business. All I can say is get your insulting low-ball bid from CarMax first to serve as your baseline. No matter who you work with at Honda McKinney, all the sales guys use this dirty trade value tactic.
Be ready to have your negotiating 'A' game on.
These guys are professionals at wearing you out. They have a lot of inventory depth and they thumb their nose at the neighboring dealerships. If you want to find a Honda without all the dealer add-ons, you'll have to catch it right when it gets off the truck. Once they sit in the receiving lot for more than a day, they'll be just as bloated as the other cars.
Finally, if you do your homework, legwork, and have patience -- you can get a great deal with Honda McKinney. But if you're rushed and sloppy, they'll burn you real bad.
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