What is the best Honda dealership in Houston? (College Station, Allen: sales, broker)

[newhomebuyer281]

I am looking to buy a 2018 Accord EX-L. What is the best Honda dealership in Houston? Where do I have the least chance of getting a lemon? I read the other post about the Honda lemon, and I am now really concerned, but I love my old EX-L and I want to buy a new one. Thanks in advance for your help.

[kreeyax]

My suggestion is to use the inventory search on each dealer's web site to find the exact model/options you are looking for. Then contact the internet sales managers at each dealership via e-mail and ask them for their best "out the door" price. Making sure to include the VIN number in any correspondence so there's no "bait and switch". You can then buy from the one with the best deal, or use the e-mail price quote as leverage in negotiating at the dealership of your choice. Good luck.

[swopoe]

We were happy with Gillman. No problems with the dealership or our CRV.

[K LoLo]

I've heard good things about Spring Branch Honda.

But, I don't know that I'd be concerned about a "Honda Lemon".

[Even Further]

I wouldn't be worried about a Honda lemon. That said, talking about a new car, a lemon would have more to do with the car maker, not the retail dealer.

I use Spring Branch, its a great dealer IMO for service work. Never bought a car there though.

[dd1153]

I had a great expirence with Honda Cars of Katy

[descovy]

Honestly, email the dealers and negotiate a price. Lowest price wins! Try your best to get out of the "packages" (tint, pinstripe, nitrogen) They're all gimmicky ways of the dealership to make money. The only thing of value is tint, but you can get that done elsewhere. Likely a higher quality for less money at a tint shop.

I bought a new 2017 accord last year and this is what I found.

Honda of Katy was the closest to me, but the worst deal. They put their Pro Package on everything at an instant $2000 bump in price.

John Eagle was willing to do just Tint only at $499. Too high for mediocre tint on an accord.

Honda of Spring offered me the best deal on a new accord online. No ad ons. I took their quote to Honda Spring Branch, Clear Lake, John Eagle, Gillman, Honda of Katy, Big Star. None could match it.

So I drove from my home in Katy to Honda of Spring. I was expecting to get the run around, or have the deal not offered (as other dealerships said it was too good to be true) But they really did honor the deal. No funny business at financing either (got the 0.9% financing)

I took it to Kool Kars in Katy for tint. Literally the best tint job I have overhead on a vehicle. I will never pay for dealership tint again. Ceramic tint that cost less than $300 too.



In summary... I highly recommend Honda of Spring, but what I really recommend is getting the best price online first and shop it to the others. And compare the DRIVE OUT price so they don't try to fleece you with all those ad-ons.

[huma281]

Best dealer is the one that offers you the best deal. Most Honda dealership will add their rip off sticker inflating the msrp by $1k-$2k and say it's mandatory. Call out their bs and tell them you're not paying for it and throw it in for free or remove it.

My next Honda purchase is going to be at Honda of Spring because they offered the vehicle I'm interested in purchasing at MSRP with no add ons or mark ups. All the other dealerships want a $3k to $10k mark up or add on for this vehicle.

Btw, if you are trading in a vehicle, do the same due diligence. Get quotes from multiple dealerships and even Texas Direct Auto. Get the highest bid and ask the dealership with the lowest offer on their vehicle to match it. That way you get the best of both worlds.

When I traded in my previous vehicle years ago, dealerships gave me a range from $14,500 to $19,000 trade in value. I was able to get the dealership to give me $20,000 trade in after all was said and done and got a good deal on the new vehicle purchase ($5k under msrp).

[rbheeler]

We've bought from Gillman (both in Houston and in Fort Bend) before without problems. Last month when we decided we were ready to get a new CR-V, we decided to use a broker and not have to go through all the misery of negotiating, etc. For $299 she searched all the dealerships in metro Houston for exactly the vehicle we wanted, and then went a little farther out and got the best deal at Allen Honda in College Station, $500 less than the best quote she got in metro Houston. She also got them to deliver the car right to our driveway for no additional cost. They have followed up with us several times and have been great. (If you want more info about the broker service, let me know.)

If we planned to use a dealer for routine maintenance, I wouldn't have a problem with using either Gillman location. (other than distance) A close friend uses Gillman in Houston and has always been happy with the service.

[Stevehanrahan41]

Originally Posted by newhomebuyer281

I am looking to buy a 2018 Accord EX-L. What is the best Honda dealership in Houston? Where do I have the least chance of getting a lemon? I read the other post about the Honda lemon, and I am now really concerned, but I love my old EX-L and I want to buy a new one. Thanks in advance for your help.

If you’re a Costco member, use their Auto buyer program. $500 above dealer cost, no haggling.