We moved from another state to El Paso, Texas, a few years ago. As anyone who has done a cross-country move knows, it is never easy—especially when you have a one-year-old. Your brain feels overloaded, but the excitement of a new job, the reassuring smiles of your family, and some logistical help from movers (thankfully, partially covered by the new employer) make the transition manageable.

One thing quickly became clear: transporting our thirteen-year-old car across the country would cost more than the car itself. It was time to part ways with an old and loyal friend. We weren’t proud of it, but we sold it for $1,550. Craigslist came through. Letting go was bittersweet, but practical.

That decision led to our next dilemma:
Should we buy a car on the East Coast and drive it to Texas, or wait until we arrived in El Paso?

Buying a car is challenging under normal circumstances. Doing so during a relocation amplifies every frustration. As most people know, the first step is research—before ever setting foot in a dealership. If you are buying used, that research has to be even more thorough. In our case, we decided to buy new.

After comparing several Ford, Toyota, Mazda, and Honda sedans, we leaned toward a new Honda. Once you decide on the car type and set a firm budget, you are already halfway there. During this phase, Edmunds was an invaluable resource for understanding fair pricing and dealer incentives.

We test-drove cars on the East Coast but quickly realized that dealing with multiple dealers was exhausting. Many conversations followed a familiar script.

The salesperson starts with an inflated price. You respond politely—“We’ll think about it”—even though you already know what the reasonable price should be. Then comes the classic line:
“Give me two minutes. Let me talk to my manager.”

They return triumphantly:
“Today is your lucky day. My boss reduced the price by $981.89.”

The numbers and theatrics vary, but the pattern stays the same. Another favorite is:
“If you bring me a lower quote, we’ll match it.”

At that point, the obvious question—Why would I come back if your first offer was so unreasonable?—goes unsaid. Like most buyers, we swallowed our frustration and stayed polite.

Eventually, we realized we needed a better strategy.

Fortunately, we had already secured an apartment in El Paso. After several brainstorming sessions, we decided to try something unconventional: long-distance car buying.

Yes, it sounded risky. But every challenge makes for a good story—and sometimes, a good outcome.

We contacted Honda dealers in El Paso and nearby New Mexico cities and asked one simple question:
What is your out-the-door price for this specific model?

Remote communication was not easy. Many dealers did not take the inquiry seriously. Instead of providing a quote, we were repeatedly asked questions such as:

• “What monthly payment are you comfortable with?”

• “What’s your budget?”

• “If I give you a price, will you come back if someone beats it?”

We consistently redirected the conversation to the total cost. Monthly payments only obscure the real price, and we wanted transparency.

Most quotes came back higher than Edmunds estimates. In fact, we believe we contacted nearly every Honda dealer in the El Paso area.

The “Last and Final” Price That Stood Firm

One dealership stood out.

A representative from El Paso Honda—let’s call him Mr. X—responded to our very first email with a clear, final price. No games. No follow-up negotiations. And notably, the price was lower than Edmunds’ listed value.

The deal also included complimentary mudguards, SolarGuard window tint, and a full tank of gas.

The standard Honda warranty applied:

• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper (excluding wear items such as brake pads and filters)

• 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain coverage, including major components like the fuel pump, water pump, seals, and gaskets

Everything was straightforward and transparent.

We landed in El Paso, where Mr. X kindly picked us up from the airport and later handed over our new car at El Paso Honda. The vehicle had just two miles on it.

All loan paperwork had already been completed remotely, making the handoff seamless and stress-free.

What made Mr. X memorable was not merely the deal itself, but his professionalism and genuine willingness to help. Our very first interaction in El Paso was with someone who embodied warmth, integrity, and pride in his city.

That first impression mattered—it set the tone for our new life here.

From a Family Blog: Settle in El Paso