Finally (after much frustration with bait&switch at 2 NJ dealers[my prior comments]) bought the base model at a PA dealer--picking it up tomorrow. 31,800 including destination/dealer fees. And higher VIN (see below) than cars I'd looked at previously (built in May, dealer rec'd in July). I added $770 worth of accessories to that (wheel locks, splash guards, body side molding, all season mats, cargo tray), bringing total before taxes and PA title to about 32,600. Yes, I might have gotten the accessories cheaper by mail as some have posted in the forum, but the convenience outweighed for me. Tomorrow I'll see if they'll match or better the Hondacare price quote I have from Hyannis (found through this forum). They promised to install the software updates, including SB 18-069 and SB 18-079, fully charge the car, and insert the 4 body plugs.
Things I learned that might save you time & angst:
Only residents of NJ (I'm PA) qualify for the 1,500 dealer incentive in that state. Might be the same for all the states that have that EV dealer incentive. Despite me telling 2 dealers I live in PA, they quoted me a price with the 1500 discount built in and then tried to reneg at the contract-signing stage. This, in addition to some other absurdly low (fake) quotes from the 2 dealers I named earlier in this thread.
Clarities that sit. You've read cautions about batteries going dead since dealers aren't charging them. And you've seen the advice to pick cars with higher VIN numbers so they won't have been sitting around as long. Here's another one: I was about to buy a car and the dealer found an insect infestation in it. They used a pesticide bomb. Thankfully they were honest about this and told me they'd find me another car (and then didn't get back to me, but that's another story). So assure you go to the (remote) lot where the car you plan to buy is sitting and check it thoroughly before purchasing. Ask about pesticides if that concerns you.
