ssimx5

Hey all, I'm considering getting a 2002 Protege 5. I test drove it the other day and liked it a lot. Unfortunately, I'll be trading in a miata to do this, but I have to sacrifice convertible fun for practicality. Anyways, I've been reading posts on how much you US people got your Pro 5's for and it seems that a lot of you got them for at or below invoice. Is this true? Here's what I calculated:

Base Invoice = $15,318
16" Polished Wheels = $400 (Invoice Price)
Antilock Braking System w/Side Airbags = $656 (Invoice)
Floor Mats = $64 (Invoice)
Power Moonroof = $560 (Invoice)
Wheel Locks = $24 (Invoice)

Total Invoice Price = $17,022

I see people posting that they got theirs for less than $17K with the same options. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

SpaR/Ticus

Some haggling, and negotiating know how probably. Bitch till things are included, etc. They'd rather sell a car at a lowe price then no car at all.

njaremka

based on what you have listed there, you should try to get the dealer to throw the floor mats and the wheel lock in for you. then tell them you are prepared to buy if they can do $16.5k and see what happens. usually, if you get the right dealer, when you tell them you are ready to buy they will work hard to meet your price. it can't hurt to tell them you know all about thier pricing structure and the true value of the car and whatever else an 'informed' consumer would know.

ssimx5

Thanks so far. So are most people getting their Pro 5's at invoice or below or just above it? Of course I was ready to haggle the price...was gonna start with a figure of 16,700 and work from there. I just wanted to see what people were getting in regards to invoice pricing. Thanks again.

njaremka

you might look at edmunds.com to see if there is any dealer hold-back currently on these cars. then, deduct any that there is from your asking price, too. (for example, if there is a 5% holdback and the invoice is at $16,500 you should ask for $16.5 - $660 = $15,840)

jcilforever

I bought my 2002 Midnight Blue for $ 17,022 it has:
Base Invoice = $15,318
16" Polished Wheels = $400 (Invoice Price)
Antilock Braking System w/Side Airbags = $656 (Invoice)
Floor Mats = $64 (Invoice)
Power Moonroof = $560 (Invoice)
Wheel Locks = $24 (Invoice)
Since it is 2002 good luck on finding anyone who will go into there 3% dealer holdback until the 2003's are released or when 2003 rolls around. I bought my wife a 2001 ES in July of 2001 and the dealer lost $95 including his holdback. It is all about timing. Good deals can be made on cars in July but the best deals can be made the following year.

Eric F

I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't stand wasting my time negotiating with a car salesperson. They have absolutely no power to make a final decision whatsoever. They are just there to help the sales manager handle the volume of floor traffic in the dealership. They play 'good cop, bad cop' with the sale manager. The salesman is the good cop and is on your side. He takes your offer to the sale manger who says they can't possibly sell the car for that price, and names some higher number. BS, I would get the names and email addresses of the fleet managers of the closest 5 dealers or so. CC them all the same email stating the car you want to buy, color and options, etc. with the invoice pricing from Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book attached. Add about 3 percent to the invoice for your offer and wait to see who calls first. If anyone other than the people you emailed call, or if the fleet sales manager calls and starts trying to negotiate, hang up. Usually the fleet manager is too busy dealing with volume to bother negotiating on one car.

ssimx5

I agree with Eric F about negotiating so that's why I'm trying to get a good idea of what I want to ask for the car on here. I apprciate all your input.

Oh, as for the 3.9% financing, it was just offered beginning of this year and is good till April, 2002. I'm hoping my credit qualifies since I've had some bad roommate experiences with bills and rent this year...ugh! Thanks again!

Brubeck

I picked up my midnight blue mp5 last night... got the sticker in front of me and these figures look high compared to everyone else:

Base Price = $16,335
Floor Mats = $80
ABS w/side airbags = $800
16" polished wheels = $500
Moonroof = $700

delivery and crap = $480

for a total sticker price = $18,895

I went in with the S-Plan cert and got $17,369 without negotiation, but it looks like I coulda done better?

-Brubeck

Brubeck

Nevermind that... I just checked out www.mazdausa.com and the base price they have there is $16,905.

jcilforever

Brubeck
Your numbers are sticker(MSRP) we are talking invioce (what the dealer pays for the car)

Don M

I enjoy the "good cop, bad cop" types of negitiations - My wife watched the whole thing, and she got a kick out of it too.

I made some calls to see what the car I wanted (base model silver, 5 speed) could be bought for elsewhere. The MSRPP sticker was $16,335 plus $480 "delivery."

I found dealerships in adjoining states which would sell me this car for $15,399, everything included.

Then, I went to work on my "local guy" who was the only one who actually had a car equipped the way I wanted it. I really wanted a "dealer demo" but he showed me the only three (he thought) they had, and all 3 were auto's. The sliver base model 5 speed I wanted was buried in the back the first day I wass there, and I drove a similar one, but not that actual car. I called him back the next day, told him I could buy the car elsewhwere for $15,399 and if he could match it, I'd see him in the morning.

So, last Thursday, when I went in he had "my car" out, and all washed up. When I sat in it, there were 5415 miles on the odometer!! (A newly discovered dealer demo) I commented to my wife that if we could get an additional $800 to $1K off this car for the 5400 miles, we'd have a pretty good deal.

After much negitiation, we got the price about where I wanted it, and that's when I found the dealership adds $299.70 to every car they sell. Several more negotiations (to get the price down to where adding the $299.70 brought it back up to where it should have been in the first place) and I bought the car for $14,650 - Everything included but tax, title and tag - I made the salesman throw in the floor mats for free.

Great car, and the "short shifter" is already on order

Don

kenji4861

Don't forget about the $750 rebate they offer now.

ssimx5

Thanks for all the info...yes, I"m aware of the $750 rebate and also the special financing on the Protege 5. They offer 1.9% up to 36 months and 3.9% up to 60 months. I calculated it out and I think I will take the special financing cause it'll save me over 2,000+ in the long run. My payments only differ by about $20 - $30 between taking $750 dealer incentive or the 3.9% financing. Now, I just hope they think I qualify for the 3.9%. I'm just waiting for my darn tax return money to get deposited and then I'm off to the dealerships.

The sad part is that I have to get rid of my 10th Anniversary Miata. The price we pay for practicality I gues...hahaha. I love that car too!