I bought my Ridgeline last year (2014). It's a 2007, and the CARFAX showed an accident in 2009. The only detail that was provided was that the right front of the car was damaged and repaired. The car has subsequently passed several state inspections with no issues.
In fact the CARFAX itself now says that the vehicle should be worth a thousand more than "Dealer Retail" due to added accessories and relatively low mileage.
Now a Honda dealer is telling me that he wouldn't put the car on his used car lot because "nobody" will buy a car with damage showing on the CARFAX, so he is offering me what he says the car will bring at auction (about $10,500). My inclination is to say, "Bullshit." A Honda dealer will put it on the lot at full retail PLUS, and if someone asks about the accident, knock $500 off the asking price. He actually has an '06 Ridgeline on his lot, same model (RTL) with higher miles, for $14,600. Not as nice as mine.
Ignoring for a moment the fact that all car dealers are liars, cheats, and thieves, Is this consistent with YOUR experience: That a reputable new car dealer will not even offer for sale a car with a "damaged" CARFAX?
My bottom line is this: I will offer him a cash difference that I think is appropriate (knocking off $500 of my trade for the accident report), and if he doesn't like it, just walk away.
In fact the CARFAX itself now says that the vehicle should be worth a thousand more than "Dealer Retail" due to added accessories and relatively low mileage.
Now a Honda dealer is telling me that he wouldn't put the car on his used car lot because "nobody" will buy a car with damage showing on the CARFAX, so he is offering me what he says the car will bring at auction (about $10,500). My inclination is to say, "Bullshit." A Honda dealer will put it on the lot at full retail PLUS, and if someone asks about the accident, knock $500 off the asking price. He actually has an '06 Ridgeline on his lot, same model (RTL) with higher miles, for $14,600. Not as nice as mine.
Ignoring for a moment the fact that all car dealers are liars, cheats, and thieves, Is this consistent with YOUR experience: That a reputable new car dealer will not even offer for sale a car with a "damaged" CARFAX?
My bottom line is this: I will offer him a cash difference that I think is appropriate (knocking off $500 of my trade for the accident report), and if he doesn't like it, just walk away.