Downsides to buying new 2018 Clarity?

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by Shawn Ligocki, May 28, 2019.

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  1. I'm shopping for Clarity's right now and got what looks like a great offer for a New 2018 Clarity Touring. This price is about $2000 cheaper than the best price I've seen for a 2019 Clarity Base model! It new (not pre-owned, just 250 mi on it). It looks like the dealer is just trying to move it because of the old model year.

    From what I can tell, there were no changes from 2018 to 2019 models, so the only downsides I can see is that the value will probably be lower because it says 2018 on the tag (but it's Touring vs. Base, so that seems like it could offset).

    Is there anything else I should be worrying about? Will I get the Federal rebate even though it's not from this model year? (I think yes based on reading https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml) Are there differences between 2018 & 2019 models? Will I lose a year on the warranty because it's a year old? Should I be worried about why they couldn't move it?

    Thanks all!
     
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  3. sniwallof

    sniwallof Active Member

    No differences 2018 / 2019, in fact, the base model has most of the automatic features of the touring. 250 miles seems a little high, but maybe better it was driven than just sitting idle in the back of a lot. Be sure there were no accidents or significant repairs (dealer carfax?). Check for the date of manufacture inside the drivers door on the frame and note it here incase that influences someone's opinion. Did you see the thread on prices, also there are threads on differences between touring and base (less important), and even past discussions on buying a 2018 over a 19, just some good info, if you have some time to scan back through past threads.

    otherwise, I had a 2018 touring (long story), now a 2018 base that I picked up on the $200 / mo. lease special. Ironically the infotainment system sounds a lot better on my base model, no idea why. I think my second 2018 was manufactured in Nov. 18 (got it off the truck with 4 miles in Feb, 19).

    Also, you might consider getting them to charge it, and then drive around a while to see how you like it. With that many miles on it, you might be able to get one of those 24 hour or weekend deals to try it out.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
    hanman, Shawn Ligocki and KentuckyKen like this.
  4. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    Warranty starts from day of sale so you’re OK there. You can add a Honda Care D80 8yr/100,000 mile warranty for $1,304 if you are risk adverse. That is an online price from Hyannis Honda that you can use to get your dealer to match or buy online.

    Only concern I would have is has the battery sat for a long time without being charged. You should have them hook it up to their i-HDS and pull the Battery Capacity Signal. Nominal value is 55 Amp hours. That will tell you the health of the battery.

    Since they couldn’t move it, I would ask for an even better deal and ask them to throw in some goodies and accessories like wheel locks, trunk mat, bumper protector, free oil changes, paint protection, etc.

    Your depreciation will be bigger since it’s a year older model year, but you’ve already considered that. If the battery tests good then why not save some $.

    Attached is a Honda Clarity specific pre-delivery inspection doc that has a lot of good information. Read through it and you’ll find the info on the Battery Capacity Signal. Note that many dealers fail to install the 4 underbody sound plugs and deflate the tires to the proper 36 psi.

    Let us know how you do and how you like it.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. sniwallof

    sniwallof Active Member

    for the goodies list - Splash guards! They make big difference on this car, and they don't look too bad, not like mud flaps.
     
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  6. maguzma

    maguzma New Member

    When I leased my 18 clarity, the dealership threw in the all weather mats (at my request) and I purchased the mud guards at dealership cost ($59 after taxes). After that, I purchased the lower doors chrome piece and tinted the windows. Looks better now.
     
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  8. Sandroad

    Sandroad Well-Known Member

    Good advice/information in the posts above. One other consideration for your negotiations is that 250 miles is a lot for a new car. It could be considered a dealer demo because that either represents close to 25 test drives if they were 10 miles each. Or the dealer may have driven it for other reasons. That year old Touring with 250 miles should be super cheap.
     
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  9. Lowell_Greenberg

    Lowell_Greenberg Active Member

    At the risk of stating the obvious, make sure it will be treated as a NEW car for tax/state rebate purposes.

    Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
     
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  10. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    I don't see any down side to buying that car. Since it has 250 miles on it, it may have had the battery charged occasionally. I would do a Kentucky Ken says and if it checks out, I say go for it.
     
  11. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    I think this is the best part of Ken's advice. It's the only measurable way to verify battery health.
     
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  13. 2002

    2002 Well-Known Member

    Not sure where the OP ran off to (another test drive?) but it will help to know where they are located, and exactly what quotes they have been getting, the dealer price before tax and license.
     
  14. Thanks everyone! This advice is all really helpful. I'm asking the dealer to do a Battery Pack Capacity test right now and if it looks good I'm going for it. Wish me luck!
     
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  15. The dealer says that they don't have the equipment necessary to do a capacity check on the High Voltage Battery :/ Does that sound reasonable or are they confused/avoiding this ...
     
  16. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Not reasonable. EVERY Clarity PHEV dealer must be able to perform this test for warranty purposes. Show them the last page of the PDI document @KentuckyKen provided above. Heaven forbid that they don't already have a copy of the Pre-Delivery Inspection document for the Clarity PHEV.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2019
  17. To me it sounds like maybe this isn't the right dealer to buy a new plug in hybrid from?
    Where will you be getting it serviced?
    Are they not equipped to maintain your new plug in hybrid? etc.
     
  18. Yeah, just emailed back with the document link and said that I could not buy without seeing the test results. From reading that doc, it sounds like they just need i-HDS which I assume all dealerships have.
     
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  19. After some handholding I got them to do the capacity test and it came up 55.1 Ah. I'm going for it!

    image1.jpeg
     
  20. Zeddy

    Zeddy New Member

    Congrats! I've been shopping for a clarity as well the past while. If you're in California, do you mind asking if they have any more for sale and passing along their info?
     
  21. Sorry, this is in Rhode Island. I'll ask them tomorrow when I go in if they have any others.
     
  22. IMG_20190531_235136.jpg

    My new Clarity gets its first sips of freedom! Thank you all for your advice and support! Driving this car gives me so much joy!
     

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