Apotheos

All the new car buying guides talk about invoice price, but the only solid numbers I've gotten (edmunds.com) turn out more expensive than the Canadian sticker price after currency conversion.

We're getting a 2k3P5, Black Mica, Moon/Air/Alloy, thinking of throwing in an alarm, plus a few other accessories.

I've got a Mazda.ca price of $25,195.00 (before tax).
Thats $18,100 US, for those keeping score.

Any helpful tips on what I should be negotiating for? My current strategy is to go for $23,000, and settle for whatever I can get. Thats not what we call an "informed" strategy.

doctor_r

You should be able to go below that... depending on transmission...

Astral

I would try a few things:

See if there's a consistent % markup on US invoice prices. (I could check this for you now, but I'm lazy). If there's a consistent %, then you can calculate the reverse of it as a MSRP-to-invoice discount and apply that to your Canadian MSRP.

Another thing to try is this... When I was shopping for my car in the US, I have had my final-choice dealer and a few other dealers whip get their Sales Manager out and whip out the invoice pricing book and show me the real invoice on a car on the lot.

Typically, I got to that point by making it clear that I was not going to settle for an MSRP-/sticker-based negotiation. I told them "at or some % over invoice or lose it!" (i.e. i'm getting the heck out of your dealership)

Finally, by typing canada invoice pricing into google, I just found www.carcostcanada.com. Browse the google results for some other hits.

Apotheos

I like your plan. I don't know if it'll work well for me, but I might try it.

I being in a smaller town, and it being the only Mazda dealership, I sense the beginning of a "Look at me over the horse!" situation. And since I'm looking to take the nicest P5 he has off his hands, I don't know how much "End of the Line" motivation he's going to have...

I've read elsewhere that in Canada it's a 7% markup. Thanks for that URL, lamentably it features "Membership plans range from $25.00 to $145.00 + GST (If app) ". So I'm trying to see if I can find someone in the know before I consider paying someone for the information.

feldenkrais

Since this is the last generation before the Mazda3, US is having a sale- don't know if Canada is but should be. I bought my 2003.5 P5 Black Mica, polished alloy, sport AT (great option-my left leg is just plain tired of shifting), moonroof, leather. Basically the only thing I left out was that auto rearview mirror. The car stickered at 19,695 with destination. I bought it for 16,695. I love this car!

fks

Astral

How far away is another Mazda dealership? I don't know what your transportation options are, but if you can visit the next closest dealership and try to get invoice out of them, then that could be an option.

Firstly, I'd call them up and say that you're interested in the Protege, but you need a really good bargain and you've been shopping around (of course, they'll probably say "we'll beat anything"). Dunno if you want to mention any numbers at that point, but at least they will be expecting you and will know that you're not one of those "OMG! You took off $100 off sticker? What a deal!" kinds of customers.

Secondly, you can use the quote from your local dealership in that other one. Even if you fail to get invoice pricing from them, if they quote you a lower price, you have a new price than you can now show to your local dealership.

Thirdly, I know that some folks on this board work at dealerships in Canada. They may be able to get you invoice pricing, especially for $10 or something.

I also just found this site: $9.95 and you get invoice pricing for the third one the list. http://66.48.76.151/

jlanger

This site has a good deal of useful information if you follow the various pages. Kinda long though

motley fool

good luck

jg_giant

If your good at haggling then do it yourself, or you can through a broker like Car Help Canada and they can do all the negotiations for you. In the end it all depends on your negotiation technique and the salesman at the dealership...

p.s. On top of your quoted price there's also a $100 "air conditioning" tax and a $75 "fuel" tax.

Start at $22,500


Good Luck!!!