1) For cars like Toyota and Honda when dealerships don't behave, Costco is a viable option. I've had good luck with the Costco new car program, and was satisfied I got my money's worth.
3) I don't like the Edge or the way it drives. Rent them from time to time. It's sub-standard, IMHO. They were steeply discounted for a while there.
4) I like the RX and the way it drives. Nice V6 too. There are times when Toyota's are overpriced and Lexus are discounted, nicely blurring the line between the two choices.
I'll respond to a couple of points and update:
We went to a Toyota dealership yesterday and could get no one to wait on us. Seriously.
We found one unlocked and sat in it. It is nice, but I don't think that it is exceptional for the price point.
I got on cars.com for that dealership and looked at the discounts they were offering. They were still pushing 40K for a mid level XLE w/leather discounted.
If I was going to drop that kind of coin, I'll ante up a little more and go for the Lexus.
So, for all intents and purposes, the Toyota is out of consideration, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Went to a Honda dealership and looked at the Honda. They didn't have the exact model we are looking for, but she liked it if we found the proper color.
As I mentioned, I really want a FWD. However, there are about 2 in the state of Ohio that I have located. That is going through Honda's own website.
There is a plethora of 2020 AWD's , and the '21 is out.
I did some keyboard comparisons, and found a dealer in NC where I can buy a AWD cheaper than I can buy a FWD here.
So now I am toying with looking at an AWD and aiming for the NC price here. (about $2700 difference.)
I may take a step back and bide my time, and stump a few dealers and see if they will bite on coming close or matching the NC price.
If not, has anybody ever bought a new car several states away? How big a hassle?
As for the Edge, amazingly it is still her #1 choice.
I'm amazed she likes the cheapest of all the options. Don't think that has ever happened before.
She understands my reservations about it, and says she would be okay with a properly colored Pilot.
We haven't driven an Edge to determine if we hate it or not. I guess for me it would be a default choice.
I haven't bought a new car since the 2012 Accord, and am having trouble finding pricing information.
Edmunds has totally changed their site, and at least I am having trouble finding the dealer cost, invoice, holdback, etc information that they used to have that was useful (if it is even still on the site.)
I hit a couple of news stands and see that the old (I think it was Consumer Guide) books that also provided all that information appear to be extinct.
Anyone have any ideas on where to get that information now, or where are the best sites that are most helpful? Did some googling and came up somewhat empty, however, the KBB website did provide a range of prices by model and zip.