Howdy - from Austin, Tx. - Honda CRZ Forum: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car Forums

Black Hive · 11-17-2011, 02:40 PM

Hey all!

I'm in the market for a CRZ. Test drove my first one yesterday and was blown away. I drive a 2.3l lifted Ford Ranger (08, bought it new) so speed and shifting was like going from a tractor to a Ferrari.

The one I drove was used and apparently used to belong to a member here (had decals on the windows). Salesman said he traded it in for a preowned S2000. It was in pristine condition and the only extras were a spoiler and diffuser - EX model.

We tried to make a deal, but it ended up only being slightly above $1000 less than buying a new one and this one already had 15000 miles on it. They weren't willing to work with me outside of taking $500 off their asking price of $20,000, despite us being pre-approved for a loan and money to put down and willing to buy then and there.

So, we are still on the hunt for one. There are not many in Austin, that is probably why he thought theirs was gold. Any suggestions for finding a good deal? We are going to start looking in nearby large cities next.

Hope to have fun in the community! I was part of a few Ranger and Focus (ZX3) communities in the past. Very helpful folks - I'm sure this place is no less!

Edit:

Finally got one. Took a picture of it in my garage and added some...stuff to 'express myself', lol.

Scotty001 · 11-17-2011, 07:17 PM

^ Welcome to the Forum..

Generally speaking.. Inventories seem to be drying up due to the events in Japan and now in Thailand. There are some Texas folks here that may be able to assist with a little more local knowledge on where there may be more inventory and good dealerships.

CR-Z Canadian · 11-17-2011, 08:40 PM

Welcome to our forum.
I guess there are dealerships that forget the "deal" part.
And exta's on a car seem to make them ask a lot more than a car is worth. I guess they feel a rear wing will make you go all wobbly in the knees, and turn out your wallet!
We have a terrific Texan contingent on the board. I'm sure they will be pleased to help you.
Good luck in your search. It will be worth it when you see that nice car in your driveway!

Black Hive · 11-18-2011, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the welcome!

We have been calling around - just not tons in stock, but the 2012s are trickling in. One dealer quoted us a price and added $1000 due to "high demand" (my ass - it's one of the worst selling cars on the road - granted its limited supply), making an EX 6spd model $23,000 with no extras. :\

TwoZs · 11-20-2011, 09:48 AM

I live between Houston and Austin, and when I bought mine last March, just did Internet searches until I found one. I ended up buying from Cleo Bay Honda in Killeen, although there were a couple of dealerships in San Antonio that were a couple hundred cheaper but would have been a longer drive. Cleo Bay was good to work with, however, and didn't try to add any extras at purchase. Their document fees were kind of high, but they adjusted those down to lower than anyone else when I pointed it out. I don't think they have any in inventory right now, however.

Completely different market right now as when I was looking, it was a case of trying to find the color and model you wanted and not just trying to find a car at all. I had others tell me the dealership in Round Rock was pretty good, but there were some unknowns in the price that they wouldn't lock down on line. And several of the Houston dealerships were def. "stealerships" to be avoided. They had "branches" in Dallas that I didn't waste my time on even though they had the color I was looking for. If you do end up finding one and you drive to get it, be sure and lock down price, fees, and so forth before wasting a day to drive and look at it.

Black Hive · 11-20-2011, 04:03 PM

Thanks a ton for the info. We have been looking at Cleo and a few dealerships in San Antonio too. Both are equal distance away (60-70 miles). We've managed to find quite a few around, but most have Nav, which I really wouldn't like to pay for but may not have a choice. I'm used to getting 3k-5k off sticker (got my Ranger XLT new for $11,500 - $5k off sticker!) but I am coming to face that I may be paying MSRP on this thing... :\

We test drove a used one. Absolutely loved it, but the experience with used car dealers is often terrible...and this was no different.

It's hard to find a EX w/out nav in the color(s) we want!

Widget · 11-20-2011, 04:07 PM

Also live in the 512.
Is First Texas out of stock? They seem pretty straightforward on their pricing.

Then again, I'm not someone who is against paying MSRP. Gotta pay for what you want sometimes.
Good luck with colors. I had to settle for black, and was hoping for white.

xxxsteven · 11-21-2011, 06:50 PM

Hope it works out for you to get the CRZ you want. I ordered mine the first week of June, and picked it up the last week in August. But the CRZ is worth the wait. It is really a fun car!

Black Hive · 11-21-2011, 10:06 PM

Thanks xxxsteven!

@Widget: Well, thanks to you we own one now. I called First Texas a week ago and they had none. Called after reading your comment and now they have an EX (non-nav, yay!) coming in tomorrow. Said "f**k it" and put a deposit down.

TEARS OF JOY

Black Hive · 11-22-2011, 05:09 PM

Shipment was supposed to arrive today but for some reason it's been delayed - may not even get here tomorrow. Yesterday they said it was supposed to be in between the 18th and 22nd. :\

11-17-2011, 02:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Black Hive Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 86	Howdy - from Austin, Tx. Hey all! I'm in the market for a CRZ. Test drove my first one yesterday and was blown away. I drive a 2.3l lifted Ford Ranger (08, bought it new) so speed and shifting was like going from a tractor to a Ferrari. The one I drove was used and apparently used to belong to a member here (had decals on the windows). Salesman said he traded it in for a preowned S2000. It was in pristine condition and the only extras were a spoiler and diffuser - EX model. We tried to make a deal, but it ended up only being slightly above $1000 less than buying a new one and this one already had 15000 miles on it. They weren't willing to work with me outside of taking $500 off their asking price of $20,000, despite us being pre-approved for a loan and money to put down and willing to buy then and there. So, we are still on the hunt for one. There are not many in Austin, that is probably why he thought theirs was gold. Any suggestions for finding a good deal? We are going to start looking in nearby large cities next. Hope to have fun in the community! I was part of a few Ranger and Focus (ZX3) communities in the past. Very helpful folks - I'm sure this place is no less! Edit: Finally got one. Took a picture of it in my garage and added some...stuff to 'express myself', lol.

11-17-2011, 08:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
CR-Z Canadian Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,333	Welcome to our forum. I guess there are dealerships that forget the "deal" part. And exta's on a car seem to make them ask a lot more than a car is worth. I guess they feel a rear wing will make you go all wobbly in the knees, and turn out your wallet! We have a terrific Texan contingent on the board. I'm sure they will be pleased to help you. Good luck in your search. It will be worth it when you see that nice car in your driveway! __________________ YES, it's fast. And NO, you can't drive it!

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11-18-2011, 02:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Black Hive Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 86	Thanks for the welcome! We have been calling around - just not tons in stock, but the 2012s are trickling in. One dealer quoted us a price and added $1000 due to "high demand" (my ass - it's one of the worst selling cars on the road - granted its limited supply), making an EX 6spd model $23,000 with no extras. :\

11-20-2011, 04:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Black Hive Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 86	Thanks a ton for the info. We have been looking at Cleo and a few dealerships in San Antonio too. Both are equal distance away (60-70 miles). We've managed to find quite a few around, but most have Nav, which I really wouldn't like to pay for but may not have a choice. I'm used to getting 3k-5k off sticker (got my Ranger XLT new for $11,500 - $5k off sticker!) but I am coming to face that I may be paying MSRP on this thing... :\ We test drove a used one. Absolutely loved it, but the experience with used car dealers is often terrible...and this was no different. It's hard to find a EX w/out nav in the color(s) we want!

11-20-2011, 04:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Widget Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 283	Also live in the 512. Is First Texas out of stock? They seem pretty straightforward on their pricing. Then again, I'm not someone who is against paying MSRP. Gotta pay for what you want sometimes. Good luck with colors. I had to settle for black, and was hoping for white.

11-21-2011, 10:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Black Hive Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 86	Thanks xxxsteven! @Widget: Well, thanks to you we own one now. I called First Texas a week ago and they had none. Called after reading your comment and now they have an EX (non-nav, yay!) coming in tomorrow. Said "f**k it" and put a deposit down. TEARS OF JOY

11-22-2011, 05:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Black Hive Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 86	Shipment was supposed to arrive today but for some reason it's been delayed - may not even get here tomorrow. Yesterday they said it was supposed to be in between the 18th and 22nd. :\