Anyone know the process for ordering a 2006?

[SteveChicagoSC]

I went to dealer A and test drove an 05 CVT insight. That was my first time driving an insight. It was what I expected. I thought the auto stop was really cool.

The salesman first told me they can't order any they just get what they get.
He later told me a $1000.00 non-refundable deposit was required to order one and when it comes in it comes in.


At dealer B the salesman told me that I needed to pay in full and they would order me one and it would arrive in Fed. 2006. So I laughed at him and asked what bank would finance a car that doesn't exsist? He said none.
It was obvious dealer B didn't want to deal with me and my insight.

Does anyone know what the ordering process really is?

Thanks in advance.

[highwater]

Heres an old thread where some of your questions might be answered:

http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/...ghlight=#27649

If you really want an Insight, you will likely have to be_firm_with the Dealer.

Randall

[Doug Lynn]

When I talked to my nearest dealer in Nebraska about ordering a 2006 w/manual and a/c (which requires auto air control, too), he had to do a little research since the dealership had not had one on the lot since 2000. After discussing with the regional manager, the dealership procedure is:
- decide which model, color etc
- dealership fills out order form and mails it to me (prospective buyer)
- I sign the order form and send it to the regional manager
- I wait until Jan or Feb 2006 for delivery
- price about $21500 without shipping, tags, sales tax, etc
- no separate surcharge involved
- payment due on delivery.
So, it appears from other postings that the ordering process differs from dealer to dealer, and probably changes as the market changes.

[Insightful Trekker]

Reads to me to simply be variations in dealer business practices.

The "wait" is due to the fact that the Insight is manufactured in production "runs". Your "ordered" Insight isn't even in existance (yet) Regoinal sales manager involvment is pretty much standard for an in the future order.

Price should still be negotiable. But you'll likely have to "shop" another dealer.

HTH!

[Dougie]

You can try http://www.cars.com in the "used cars" search to find both new and used units. There are several 2005s listed...

[Valiant118]

I may have posted to this type of question before, so pardon me if I'm being redundant. I finally settled for a used '04, which I am very pleased with. I first tried the closest dealer, which here in the Southwest is 60 miles away. I got an automated response, and no followup to my reply. I then tried 2 dealers in Denver and four in Phoenix. A guy from one of the Denver dealers called me immediately, but tried to move me to a Civic hybrid. He claimed they only got Insights when the Region office parsed out the few they received. I then started calling dealers all over the country offff Honda's dealer listings. None I contacted had any Insights in stock, and all described basically the same ordering prcess as the folks in Denver. Further, in no case would anyone give me a firm price.

These are very well made, durable little cars. A used one, if it's been well cared for is not likely to be a bad choice. There are a lot of ways to be sure you're not getting a refurbed wreck or other dog, so you can take some comfort.

The simple fact is that Honda has likely intentionally held down production & allocation of these cars because they're losing money on each one. It's basically an image & tecxhnology platform and as long as a few get sold Hionda can claim a lot of good PR.

[bpapa9013]

I talked to a dealer here in KC about possibly finding a used one, and he said they could get me a new one within 3 months, only a deposit up front, and I could have it configured however I wanted (i.e. CVT/MT, A/C, CC, color, etc.)

[flunkysama]

When I was looking at buying a new (I bought used), I recieved pretty much the same treatment.

I went to the local honda dealer and I showed the salesdroid a hardcopy of some email from a dealer 300 miles away offering to sell me a on-the-lot new insight for about $2500 off list. He said he would match the price. He then said I would have to put down a non-refundable deposit. As for delivery time, he said they would search other dealers to see if a new car matching my specs exists, otherwise it would have to be ordered from japan. He would not be pinned down on a delivery time.

Why do they want a non-refundable deposit? Because, if you back out, they will own a car they'll have problems selling. An Insight on the lot attracts attention, not buyers.

[merigayle]

I ordered a 2006 about 6 weeks ago, maybe longer. Expected date, January 2006. I did not have to give a deposit, but at some point i need to give them a $250 refundable deposit. It was the dealer i bought my last civic from. They explained something about the Insights get allocated by region. Our region's allotment was not until Jan 06. The allotments, he told me, were determined by previous sales in the area. My dealer has sold a total of 3, ever. The only chance I could get one earlier is if someone else somewhere else ordered one, recieved it and did not buy it.

I WANT IT NOW!!!! Ack!

[SteveChicagoSC]

Thanks for all the replies.

I put down a deposit and if the car I ordered(5 speed/AC/blue) doesn't come in by the end of Feb. I can get my deposit back.

I'm paying $20780 plus taxes. Thats basically full retail but a heck of a lot cheaper than some of the USED ones at other dealerships.