Honda Dealers
 

Hi, I’m considering buying a new Honda. I have dealt with Leesburg Honda and would like a different option.

Have you had good experiences with other Honda dealers? (Willing to drive 100 or so miles if necessary)

Thank you.

If you know what you want and how much you want to spend, it doesn't matter which dealer you go to.

Just go to the dealer and make an offer. If they do not say "Yes", then go somewhere else.

Try Autonation online - I think they have places in Sanford and Clearwater. They won't play games with you. Corporate does not allow it. I used to work there a long time ago.

I agree. You need to know how much the vehicle is worth. Make an offer, and any dealer can sell you the vehicle. It makes no sense to drive 100 miles to a dealership.

I bought from Honda of Ocala and would not do so again. I'm happy enough with the deal and car, but they make you jump through hoops to get there, it was very tiring. As an example, they said they'd give me a free tank of gas with the car purchase. When I picked up the car, I was told the apparently one person with the gas card was not on site and I'd have to come back. Lots more examples of what they do, but I'd not want to revisit it. I've heard AutoNation is good.

If you know what the vehicle is worth, make an offer and give them 15 minutes to accept it. Then, go home. Forget about anything extra, such as a tank of gas. If you do it that way, it is not tiring at all, and no hoops.

If that happened to me, I would leave the dealer and stop payment on the check I gave them.

Seriously.

I know, live and learn, my friend.

I am looking to buy a new Honda myself, unfortunately the supply and demand situation puts the dealership in control, after visiting three dealerships I was so disgusted with the treatment I received I sent a letter to Honda America asking if they exercised any oversight of the dealerships, no they don't. The reason there are more dealerships than needed is that they are able to manipulate the customer so well that they make an exorbitant profit. The supply of new autos is predicted to get much better latter this year, wait till then . When you first talk to the salesman tell him you will price the same car and trade in, out the door, with 3-4 other dealers,get their price and walk, no second chances, if that takes more than say 1 hr get up and walk, if ths BS gets too thick walk, but before this will work the supply situation has to get back closer to normal, I did come close to a deal with Love Honda but price was a bit more than I was willing go, but my experience there was much better than the other two , good luck

Know specifically what car you want, especially the trim level. Research what other retailers are asking.

Do not purchase any of their add-ons. They are not needed on a new car.Tax is tax. Their title and registration fees are inflated so haggle there.

Better suggestion is buy a used low miles car. Research several places first. You’ll be surprised how less expensive a car a 1-2 year old car with 20-25k miles is compared to a new one.

I’d probably go to Honda headquarters down on highway 50 and try them. If my ford Maverick order don’t pan out will be looking at 24 CRV.

I have just bought a Honda CRV at Headquaters Honda in Clermont and much to my surprise the purchase when very well.
I did however used Cost Co at Clermont which recently joined as it has opened on Route 50.
I told Cost Co what I required and they told me to contact Headquarter Honda which is just opposite the Cost Co store.
I got a decent reduction by going with Cost Co and also a reasonable price on my used car.
I am no expert on this as I hate to haggle so I am satisfied. If you want more info you can contact me privately. Also I would like to point out I went to both Honda in Leesburg and Ocala and would not wish to deal with either of them.

A $39 stop payment fee for $40 worth of gas??

Yes.

This sort of thing is typically handled with a "We owe you" form from the dealer. If they refused to provide that then there are some honesty issues. If they provide it then you get your free tank of gas the next time you are in the area. Not really a big deal. I have received "We owe you forms" in the past that were honored without issues.

Happy with Honda of Ocala
 

[QUOTE=tv2016;2297253]Hi, I’m considering buying a new Honda. I have dealt with Leesburg Honda and would like a different option.

Have you had good experiences with other Honda dealers? (Willing to drive 100 or so miles if necessary)

Thank you.[/QUOTE

WE bought a 2021 CR-V XL from Honda of Ocala and after first negotiating, I told guy we were going to lunch and would be back. He said what do has to be done to get deal. First, they had the exact car we wanted on lot - but we (don't think we did) didn't show how much we liked it. They gave us offer for our trade in and I didn't think it was close to what we wanted. After a little haggling they came up $5,000!!!. I then wanted no tax, no add ons, no dealer prep, etc and just out the door with set price. They agreed, we were very happy and got the car in little over an hour!! Even service so far has been fine - make appointment, get service, they take us to mall drop us off and pick us up. Happy with them.

Been in FL for a few decades, I've bought everything in Tampa. Although I will add to that, the Tampa market is beginning to sour like the others.

Honda HA in Clermont was our final stop. We spent much time with many dealerships. Between supply challenges, various issues with sales representatives, lack of customer service (to our liking) and knowing the deals were blatantly bad we finally connected with a good fit (for us) at Honda GQ and an acceptable deal. Very frustrating ordeal. Good luck!

Check out the website of Ray and Zach Shefska. It’s called Caredge. On the site, you can search all inventory by specific model within a designated area ( I.e., 100 miles) and it will show all vehicles including days on market which is a very useful tool when negotiating. You can also see forums where people show the purchase orders and deals offered for similar models. The site is not a lead generator for the dealers. It’s exactly the opposite and dealers hate them. Ray is a retired dealer GM who is tired of dealers ripping off consumers. Search for Caredge or Ray Shafska. You’ll save $$$

Honda Dealer
 

Just experienced buying a new CRV Hybrid. Test drove at Honda of Leesburg 1st, tried to negotiate a deal. The Honda of Ocala. Ended up purchasing at Gary Yeomans in Daytona. Probably not your same situation as I was trading in a vehicle. Yes you can get more by a private sale but with the tax savings we were fine with it. The offered the most for trade in, lowest price on the car out the door, and offered free oil changes and lifetime warranty which local dealers do not. Worked the deal with "internet sales person" over the phone. Easy to work with. The funny part was the color we wanted was the exact car we test drove in Leesburg, so they had it delivered to the dealership in Daytona, tinted the windows and added accessories, then had it delivered to the house here in TV. So far so good!

Go to Clermont. Much better deals

Honda purchase
 

I drove to Ocean Honda in Port Richy who were fair and good. However, last year’s $500 oil change in Ocala showed me pettiness. That was more than I’d spent the five years I’d had my last two Hondas. I’ve owned Hondas since 1980
Be careful!

"Dealers hate them"? I wonder why they put so much effort into signing Dealers onto their program? []Page not found - CarEdge

CarEdge is just another semi-scam, "buying service". A "lead generator" is EXACTLY what CarEdge is, they're just adding another middle-man that needs to get paid a piece of the action.

A few years ago, I searched all around the area trying to find a fair price : Leesburg, Ocala, Clermont. This was before Covid. What I found was that all the dealers nearby added on over $2,000 of needless options. Some would not sell without their special package. There may have been only a couple things in the package, but I was told they would not sell the car without the whole package.
Anyway, I went back up to Ohio to check and ended up getting exactly what I wanted for $1,850 less.

I have never included needless options in an offer to buy a vehicle. The dealer must accept my offer without charging anything for them or I will not buy the car. Only uninformed buyers will even discuss dealer add-ons. The dealer only adds them as a gimmick to fool uninformed buyers who think they are getting a good deal when the dealer reduces the price for worthless options.

Thank you very much for the great inputs. I appreciate you sharing your experiences.

Good news! I got the new car last night from Honda of Ocala and I am happy! Salesperson Joshua Peacock was great.

Thanks again.

Love honda in Homasassa. Vic is the manager there…tell him I referred you…will put you with a good salesperson and give you the best deal he can.

Honda Purchase
 

I had a great buying experience through Sams Club buying club. If you belong to Costco they have one as well. Narrow down year, model, trim wishlist etc. They contact dealers and get you close to your wishes. Narrow it down by the offers you receive and contact the dealer for the “out the door price”. If your going to trade in put your info into carvana and get a quote on what they will pay you and use this info at the dealer. Remember you would have to pay tax on your full purchase price if you take the check from Carvana and don’t reduce your purchase price with trade in. I bought a Mazda from Classic in Orlando and saved a considerable amount from the local offers. Hope that helps!

Jenkins Honda
 

I have been dealing with Jenkins Honda for 10 years. Never had a complaint until a recent visit. I had an appointment for a repair, but for some reason it was not even started while I waited. I complained to the service manager. I was given a loaner and my car was delivered to my home the next day. The $175 cost of the repair was 'forgiven,' due to the miscommunication on their part, gas tank filled, and the car was completely detailed. Mistakens happen with any business, but the way Jenkins made restitution made me realize that this is a company that honors good customer service. (PS I always work with salesman, Bill Gleason, who has worked with my budget to put me in new Hondas.)

I did not have a good experience with Honda in Leesburg, nor Honda in Ocala.

We went to Honda of Ocala trying to get away from the scam dealerships near the Villages. The problem is, any car that's in demand and short supply puts the dealership in control of the deal. You can get up and walk away but there will be someone right behind you ready to buy the car. That said, after 4 hours we got to a point where I slightly over paid for my 2023 Honda CRV Hybrid but I can say after that their support and maintenance is excellent. They are very attentive to your needs and the work is done well. Never have to worry if it was done properly or done at all. We probably got one of the first few 2023 CRV Hybrids delivered because we didn't see many on the road for at least 4 months after we purchased ours. I don't know if I'll go back to them next time but just wanted to share my experience. Bottom line, in-demand car in short supply = little or no deal no matter where you go based on my experience.

As some others have said why buy new and watch it depreciate significantly in the first few years of ownership (you would not accept that from your investments?). Buy used, save and if you get it from a dealer (who normally provides the carfax for free) you probably still get the free oil changes (which to me is a foot in their door headache too).

Yeah, you can save money by buying used, but you are taking chances. How did the previous owner treat the vehicle? Hard on the brakes and acceleration? Timely oil and filter changes?
I'd rather buy new and treat the vehicle for longevity.

And that would be called a third degree Felony and up to 5 years in jail in Florida.

We went to the Honda dealer in Ocala, are thrilled with the vehicle (Ridgeline) and the service department we’ve encountered so far, just for oil changes, car washes etc has been great. Wouldn’t go to the Leesburg group.

I forgot to mention on my original post (edited now) but a carfax will tell you the maintenance history including oil changes. I contacted the dealer listed on the carfax for the last car I bought and they had all the further detailed records for it (and they were out of state). You can also get an independent mechanic to look at the vehicle before purchase. If you look at the hood and windshield and it’s chipped that is a good indication of following to close and most likely hard on the brakes, etc. My daughter bought a 200k mile Toyota van from a local Toyota dealer and we checked all the service history that was done with that dealer and it had all the major service history done there and for what she needed it for it’s still going (by no means an imaculant van, LOL) Just my opinion.

Great car buying experience
 

We recently had the best car buying experience we ever had using Jenkins Honda in Leesburg, specifically Bill Gleason. We offered a price we were willing to pay and drove off 90 minutes later after trading in our old car and getting oriented to the features of our new car. Can't recommend him enough! Feel free to tell him you are a Villagers friend of ours!

Ditto, also The homework guy, husband and wife team on youtube.

I was just at Honda in Ocala yesterday dealing with a recall. While walking around the showroom, EVERY new car was loaded with junk including an additional $2,000 for "excess dealer profit."

Honda Purchase
 

Do not deal with any dealer with that Jenkins owns, they are the worst.