Downsides to buying new 2018 Clarity?

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Shawn Ligocki

New Member
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!
 
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.
 
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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.
 

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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.
 
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.
 
Sandroad said:
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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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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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 ...
 
Shawn Ligocki said:
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 ...
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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.
 
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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.
 
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?
 
Zeddy said:
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?
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Sorry, this is in Rhode Island. I'll ask them tomorrow when I go in if they have any others.
 
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