Experienced/Expert Car Buyers -- Help.

[RocketManJames]

Hi, I have some general questions about buying a car... and a few specific ones that might not be easily answered.

I am in the market for an Acura TSX (2005) without Navigation. MSRP is 27760 (MSRP went up 200 in the last 2 weeks). Now, I've done quite a bit of shopping around, and basically, I'm down to a few dealerships and their quotes. What I am unsure about is whether or not the quotes include "destination charge" which is over $500.

Invoice (from various internet sites): 25350
Quote 1: 27450 + fees
Quote 2: 27850 (INCLUDES Destination Charge) + fees
Quote 3: 27470 + fees

Now, quote 2 is the only one where they specifically said "includes destination charge" and the other two kinda just tacked on + fees.

What do you think?

Now, specific question:

For California... are my prices above reasonable? I am not looking to get the absolute rock-bottom price... but if I'm not getting ripped off, good enough. Just want a fair price... lower is better obviously, but I don't want to spend tens of hours more to save $100.

I will be financing this outside of the dealership, so this won't come into play...

Please help me... and provide suggestions and other things to watch out for. I am a first time new car buyer.

Thanks in advance.
-RMJ

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

www.carbuyingtips.com

[Ray Zee]

you should be able to find a dealer that will sell you a car for 500 over the factory invoice after you see it for yourself. they still get to make the 500 and about 3% from factory holdback. plus check for rebates both dealer and customer. you should be able to get those as well.
uninformed buyer is one that gets taken.

[mostsmooth]

edmunds.com