Has anyone here bought a new Honda through their Buy Online program?

TLDR... I've been trying to find a new Civic Si for the past twelve months. Still have yet to see one at a dealership or even on the road here in Connecticut. A few months ago, I put down a deposit of a new CRV, and then... waited. Called the dealer yesterday, told him that my heart wasn't really into the CRV and that I really want a Civic Si. Told him to hang onto my deposit for now and find me a Civic Si.

They have yet to have one allocated to their dealership. As in, zero 2022s. They will find out about this month's allocation later this week and get back to me.

While doing a little more looking on Honda's website, I see they have the option to buy online at selected dealerships (none within 50 miles, but that's not a huge issue). The advantage seems to be getting exactly what I want at MSRP without any extra add-ons that I don't want.

The disadvantage is that I can't see and drive the car before delivery day, but I haven't been getting any closer to that doing it the old fashioned way either.

There seems to be enough demand for this car that I'm not really worried about getting stuck with the car if I decide that I don't like it after a year or two.

So... has anyone here bought a car online directly from Honda before?

I think there is enough demand that on the day you go to pick up the car, the dealership will be happy to accept your cancellation and they will sell it to someone else for more. 

I long ago stopped buying the old fashioned way.   Sometime in the 1980's I started calling around. ( yes before the internet )   Getting a quote  for the lowest price and going to pick it up there. 
   Not once in all those years did anyone try to raise the price.  ( yeh, I know, car dealers!?!??!). 
       Back when it was a new car every 2-3 years.  Or my last Ford Pickup.  After 20 years with a Chevy. ( that's the first one I bought on line).  
     I keep the deal clean and simple. Buy a car.   I'd trade separately if I ever had a trade in.  But so far everyone has gone to the Junkyard. Or been handed down to family members.   ( they drive them briefly before visiting the junkyard). 
  If you just get tired of a car  you are going to pay the Piper. Or detail it and deal with the looky, Loo's. 
      

I haven't tried the online option yet, but I've had some good experiences with Executive Honda.  And there are several larger dealers down by NYC and in NJ, as well. I would think someone should have either inventory or the ability to order for you.

In reply to dj06482 (Forum Supporter) :

Per Honda's website, there only seems to be one allocated to a dealer in Connecticut at this point (not Executive), but there are a bunch going to Westchester county, including some dealers who participate in the Buy Online program. Not all do, not sure why they wouldn't. 

Are you sure it's at MSRP? From what I see it says "get a quote". What if that quote is over MSRP? You're not buying direct from Honda, you're just doing the transaction through their portal, with the dealer selling you the car. 

NY has a fixed dealer documentation fee capped at $175 that's typically less than the neighboring states. We looked at a minivan in NJ that had something like a $700 doc fee. 

In reply to Steve_Jones :

I see two buttons: Get a Quote and Buy Online. 
 

I've got a dealer who is actively searching for a car for me right now. If we don't come up with anything by this weekend, I will pursue the buy online option, but only if I can get something at MSRP. 

In reply to dj06482 (Forum Supporter) :

Wow...good to know. Thank you. 

Got a text from my dealership yesterday. Not sure what exactly the APEX is, but I guess this is okay news:

I made management aware that you decided against the CRV. There is nobody on our APEX waiting on a Civic Si so you will be first waiting on one. I can’t guarantee color but IF and when we get allocated one I will try for Orange but if they give us something else I’ll have to let you know when the time comes. I did make it clear that you do not want red. Cross your fingers and hopefully we get some news I’ll let you know. 
We did get our APEX 2 days ago but I haven’t heard anything about what we got yet. 

In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :

Allocation Preferencing and Exchange.  It's their ordering, allocation, and dealer exchange system for vehicles.

In reply to Steve_Jones :

Thank you. 

Wow thats exciting!  We had a turbo Civic EXL (2017) and it really was a fantastic car!  

When I sold my Stinger GT I got warm on ordering a Golf R. Similar situation to you,  nobody had one.  I've only seen one in person, and it was an order that had just arrived.

I think the manufacturers are internationally dragging their feet and keeping scarcity high to hold on to more margin in each unit.  I can't say as a blame them...until I want to buy one.

All the best!

There's a black one in stock at Walnut Creek (CA) Honda.

there's also a black one at Honda San Francisco that's available to buy online.

In reply to 67LS1 :

Thanks, but that's a little far, even for a fly and drive. But I was contacted by a dealer in NY today who has two black cars allocated and being built.

I've had black cars before and they're a huge PITA to keep clean around here (I live on a dirt road), but I do think black looks good on these cars (although the black wheels would have to go) and I guess it would be an acceptable backup choice. Waiting to hear back with a price.

I just heard back from the dealer in NY (DCH Honda of Nanuet).

They mentioned several times that "Our documentation fee is only $175 (NJ dealers charge $600 & higher!)"

Of course, they also stated that they want $3000 over MSRP for the car...

No, thank you.