I checked with consumer reports who issue price reports on all cars. For the MAZDA3 with the options I mentioned the invoice comes to 19,900 after taking the holdback incentive into account ($380 for the mazda). So 21k would be a 6% mark up for the dealer. Also all the options will be factory installed and the car will come only in April if I go thru this dealer. I checked with a couple of other dealers and they were not even close to 21K.

sathya

 

For comparison, They've got an RX-8 for 22K at my local Mazda dealer.

 

Well I have Mazda's ACTUAL invoice pricing lists and they differ from what KBB and edmunds say...I certainly can't post them all here though

 

I signed the deal for 20450+ taxes. Will get the car in march. Thanks for your inputs.

kalambur

 

why won't you get the car until march. Do me a favor....scan and email me a copy of the window sticker when you get it. I'm interested in seeing what you actually paid.

 

i never realized it was so complicated to buy a car. the only car buying experience i had was buying my used 2003 ES. i think they were desparate to sell because after about 45 minutes of pleading i got them down to below what they actually paid for it. after that they tried to get the financing guy to talk me into buying a $1300 extended warranty and that lasted a good 1 hour before i actually saw any paperwork.

after what you all are talking about, i am not looking forward to buying a new-new car at all.

 

That's why I bought slightly used from a private party

 

I just look at buying a new car as a challenge. It's fun, in a twisted kind of way.

 

Not sure how buying a used car is any less stressful. You still have to determine/negotiate a fair price, and you also have to worry about the current condition of the car.

 

i think the idea is when you buy a used vehicle from a private seller, there is less pressure and a more relaxed environment. dealers usually try to squeeze every penny out of you, and do everything but turn you upside down and catch the change from your pockets. putting down that much money for anything; car, boat, whatever, is usually a stressful experience for anyone.
-meGrimlock

 

We are in the process of trying to buy a mazda3 GT with manual tranny, bose and moonroof package and the price we were quoted is $19711. This is supposed to be the s plan price. Could someone confirm that or are we being overcharged?
Thanks.

 

www.edmunds.com will tell you. go there and build the EXACT car you're looking to buy. Then look at the invoice price. Pay that price. Not a penny more. Tell them thats how much you'll pay or you'll walk. If they let you walk then go to the next closest dealer and do the same thing. If they tell you they don't have the car you're looking for tell them the name of the previous dealer and they will dealer-trade it for you. Keep doing this until you find a dealer to sell you the car. Then go back to every previous dealer and show them you were serious aboutbuying the car and tell them next time you come in,. IF YOU COME IN, not to jerk you around.

 

I have prices from consumerreports.com which has invoice prices of $18112 for the GT hatchback manual + $1100 (invoice) for the bose/cd changer/moonroof option. Since Mazda makes very few of these cars, a 2-3% markup over the above price will be a good deal. It is a wise idea to shop around multiple dealers and start negotiating from the invoice price and stick to 2-3% markup as your final price. good luck.

kalambur

 

no it's not. ANYTHING over invoice is a waste. It's just giving them money. I promise you man. I wouldn't make this up. I've worked at 4 different dealerships. I know how the game is played. I've bought probably 6 new cars in the past 5 years.

don't EVER let them tell you some crap like "it's rare" or "we can't keep these on the lot so we're not discounting them." It's bullshit.


Don't ever let someone take advantage of you or they'll do it every chance they get.

 

my brother is part of the "S-plan" and he sent me a copy. The s-plan pricing matched the invoice pricing I found on autos.yahoo.com. I know that there is other money in it for the dealership.

If I decide to buy new, I will go in with the s-plan in hand. If they don't give me that price, I will walk. My other alternative is to have my brother buy the car and "gift" it to me. I'm paying cash, afterall