So NewMexiKen and Donna are driving down the street the other day and we see an ’03 Honda S2000 roadster in the front of a dealer lot. I continue on down the street, think what the heck, make a U-turn and we go back to check it out. I’ve had my eye on this particular model since 2001 — considered one then but took a pass because dealers were getting several thousand more than the MSRP.
The sales consultant wanders out and tells me $18,995 for this particular vehicle, which appears very clean. One owner he tells me. Traded it in because his wife was pregnant and the car would be too small with a child.
I’m interested but it’s hot, and besides I know better than to act too interested. I’ll come by next week, I say.
Guess what? The car is listed online by the dealer for $1,000 LESS THAN THAT and has had three owners in its five years (in three states) according to CarFax. Not good.
(Even before she knew the car’s biography and actual price, Donna told me she’d offer just $15,995 for the vehicle. I am hiring Donna to negotiate all my major purchases. And “major purchase” for NewMexiKen is anything over ten bucks.)
Update: Donna called the sales manager late this afternoon. He acknowledged two prices and two (but not three) owners. She said he didn’t seem to care all that much that we had been interested in the car, but now wouldn’t trust them enough to buy Cinderella’s used pumpkin.