2012 Honda Pilot — cheap project has enough margin to fix and resell? — anyone dealt with this recently?

Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2012 Honda Pilot so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “cheap project has enough margin to fix,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' Wrote this up on my lunch break.

I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. Ask for out-the-door on the 2012 Honda Pilot with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. Do that before you talk monthly again. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.

Coming back with numbers — insurance in Baltimore changed the 2012 Honda Pilot comparison more than the sale price did. If the story changes I'll post the new data.

Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2012 Honda Pilot so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. Do that before you talk monthly again. On “cheap project has enough margin to fix,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2012 Honda Pilot in Baltimore. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. I screenshotted the quote for later.

Walked a dealership this week on the 2012 Honda Pilot and the doc fee was the tell. This is the version I'd tell a friend.

Update from me: I finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines for the 2012 Honda Pilot. This is the version I'd tell a friend.

Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. If one piece looks too good on the 2012 Honda Pilot, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. If the story changes I'll post the new data.

I would not stare at the monthly. If one piece looks too good on the 2012 Honda Pilot, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.