Alex E. Luyando

Hi all -

Thinking about a 2002 Protege ES.. have a pretty good deal from a local dealer, but wonderring--given that 2002s are almost done with their model year--if I should take a chance and wait until the next Mazda-to-Dealer Incentive comes around (if there is another one). Current one for the Protege is $1,500 back, and expires 7/8/02. Anyone have any insight into what will happen next?

Thanks!
Al

jstand6

The only people that know what incentives are coming after the end of this current incentive period is Mazda corporate. Dealerships won't know until they receive a fax on the morning the incentives start and/or the incentive information is updated on Mazda's dealership connection website that same day.

BTW, traditionally, the end of the model year for the Protege sedan is typically October or November. You'll have a long wait until the end-of-year incentives are introduced. 2003's won't start trickling into dealerships until that time, and until then, a good supply is needed, so don't expect end-of-year incentives until October, or maybe even September. We may see 2003 Protege5's and the 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege earlier, but they are treated as different models that the DX, LX, and ES sedans.

BTW, $1,500 incentives are the largest I have ever seen on the Protege. Don't expect them to get any better than that. Plus, right now, you can get 0% financing. I don't think that will be around that late in the year.

-Jerry

ProtegeMaster

I bought my Pro in September, and was able to take advantage of the Mazda rebates provided at that time. If you can wait, I'd recommend it, as you'll be able to save a lot of money by buying 2002 model year close outs. Although your choices will be comparatively limited, there's still a good chance you could find the model/color you want by buying through online providers like CarsDirect.com . I'd also recommend making use of Consumer Reports Auto Price Service. With it you'll be armed with a printout of ALL the hard information regarding how much every component of your Protege really cost the dealer to buy. We're not talking the "invoice" price, which is something dealers have caught on to and figured out a way to make it inaccurate. The invoice price they'll tell you about, which you're supposed to feel all happy and warm about, is a bunch of bullshit designed to make you think you now how much the car really cost them to buy from Mazda. They'll tell you, "Yeah, here's the invoice price-- See how much it really cost us? We need to charge you a percentage above that listed in our invoice price, being that we need to make a fair profit... Blah, blah, blah". Well that ain't it, dude! Don't be fooled: Get the real information. Case in point being that, after I got done with my focused, informed, and intelligent research, I bought my brand new Protege for only 4% over what it cost the dealer to buy. And that includes an extra shipping charge I paid to have it flatbed trucked from another dealer in a different state. 26 miles on my odometer when I picked her up. Perfect condition. A beautiful car. Ha ha ha haaaa. I win.

Good luck in your decision/Protege buying experience! Don't get ripped off! Get your money's worth!

Fez

ProtegeMaster, wondering how much you payed for your Protege and what kind of options it has.

I got mine for about 1500 below invoice.

ProtegeMaster

Hey Fez!

I got my '01 ES for $15.5k, U.S., $15.6k with that flat bed shipping charge I mentioned before. It had almost all the major options, including ABS, Moonroof, and Side Air Bags. Other components, normally options in many other cars, were included in the standard ES package (alloy wheels, fog lights, 60/40 rear seats, sucky stock CD stereo, rear spoiler, cruise control, remote trunk/fuel door release, etc.). Overall I've found it to be an exceptional value for the price (although I have to admit I'd rather have a Mazda6!), and she's loaded! After the initial buy I've since added the electrochromatic compass/temperature rear view mirror (which I think is kind of cool), nose mask (which I only use for road trips to keep 'er protected), cargo net, and wheel locks, all of which I installed myself to save on costs.

So, except for the newer kind of "curtain" or "head protection" side air bags and leather seating that tends to come with more upscale cars (both of which I still wish I could have), I've got just about every option that those kind of cars come with. This is the best equipped car I've yet owned.

Indeed, if you can hold out until that time, buying your car at the end of the model year is really the way to go...

tttP5

u might also want to take this into consideration....
when my friend was looking for a car this time last year the toyota corollas had like 3000 cash back and all the sales were like go get that one and stuff, saying it was a really good price and crap.... but good thing she didn't get it because the new 2003 corolla which looks 100 times better came out just after that.... I feel for all the people that bought the 3000cash back POS looking corolla...

so my advice is.... be sure that u want to invest in this car..... mazda might just offer a new model pretty soon and it may look much nicer... I dunno.... and 1500 off really isn't that much of a difference if u take into consideration of a new style.... but also ... any money off is a good deal