New car dilemma
 

So, with all the talk I have heard about killer deals on Mazdas right now, I talked the gf into at least looking at some with me. She has been wanting an RX-8 for a while, I have filled her in on the problems that have been happening. When we were on MazdaUSA's site we watched the Speed3 "Wild Child" video, and she then said that car was cute and was her (I know, but I do love her). So that is now on the list. Finally, I have lusted for both an RX-8 and a Speed6 but now I am leaning towards the 6. Of course any purchase will be predicated on the deal we can get (looked at an '06 RX-8 Shinka edition today, $35k list but the guy said he would do us a good deal. Didn't waste my time pinning him down on his definition of that). We are planning on driving some tomorrow, so far only one dealer in the area has the Speed3 in stock and I don't know if they will allow test drives.

So what do you all think? Would that I had the money to buy two new cars! Hey, anyone want to buy some kids?? :winkyum: Wide variety, some with low miles!!

I'm lovng my speed6...if you get one make sure to NOT let them reflash it. It kills the bottom end.

I've had a 3S, Speed6 and RX8...the rx8 blows them all away. Now the MS3 will be faster than all 3 but it's a smaller car and AWD is a costly addition that you'd almost get for free by buying the 06 vs the 07 ms3.

Just be prepared....the gas mileage in the rx8 was about 17mpg average with a best of 20mpg.... the Speed6 so far gets about 22mpg average..pounding the shit out of it. I'd figure the MS3 would get slightly better (not lugging around 600lbs everywhere it goes.)

Does your wife know about this Matt? :rolleyes:

who do you think holds the camera?

Stopped on the way home from a band competition tonight at the dealer I have had some correspondence with (their Internet sales) and test drove a couple of cars. They had a Speed3 Grand Touring on the floor, but it was already sold. Having sat in it the gf is now convinced that is "her" based upon the flash.

Drove an RX-8 first. Awesome car, couldn't press the handling much due to the location but I did tap into the stability control while getting on the freeway. Decent power, nice interior and held up well over rough roads. We did agree that in reality it wasn't that practical for us now (due to all the kids we have).

Speed6 next. I am in love. Power is incredible. It was dark and lots of traffic so I couldn't mess around too much but I did hit it a time or two. I now understand the talk about the clutch (it was almost like a switch, off/on. Made it hard for a smooth takeoff). For me the accoutrements were nice, the gf thought it was plain. Although she did think the stereo kickin'! Didn't spend a lot of time there (by design) but the numbers they ran showed a price of $26,000. Going to check a couple of other places to see how low I can get it. I will say, if there is any way possible, I will have one. Black cherry mica GT w/sunroof. I'll let you all know.

I looked over the pricing we got from the dealer. Did some calculation, the monthly payments they quoted were way out of line for the price and current interest rates available. Based on what I can get from my bank, their monthly was over $200 more than it should have been (even using a rate of 23% it didn't come close to their monthly). I just sent them an e-mail stating my disappointment and that I would not do business with a company that was so obviously out of line. We'll see what the response is. I have also gotten in contact with one of the other local Speed dealers to see what they will offer. I have never been good at haggling, but I am starting to enjoy this!

if you REALLY want a speed6 you should contact either Roger Beasly Mazda in texas or Jim ellis Mazda in atlanta/alpharetta.

Both dealerships are selling their speed6's for 25% off msrp...in my case that meant a $29K MS6 only costs $21,750...

Don't EVER let a dealer sell you a car based on the payments...they add in all sorts of shit to make them more money. HAggle the price down as much as possible, do the same with your trade...prvide your own financing and just accept whatever the payments are. That's how you get the best deal.

And just to chime in I'd say the average I've seen an MS6 go for these days is about 23k.
21.7 is a great deal, Matty.
At 26k I'd be walking away, though, chief.

Thanks for the input guys. Current situation won't allow me to traipse around the country to get a car, if I can't get a good enough deal locally then I won't buy one. I just had a second dealer send me their price, came in around $26,000 also (GT w/sunroof). So now I will see how I can play them and get a further reduction. Like I said, I am not too good at this but as my dad always said, I don't need to buy a car but they need to sell them.

You don't have to go anywhere...Contact the dealership on the phone. Have them fax over the paperwork and add in a $450 trucking fee to have the car delivered..or usually $250 to have it driven (not recommended).

I bought a car from south mississippi that way and just paid to have it brought over. Easiest way to do it. Only do this if you know EXACTLY what you want. Nothing sucks more than buying a new car if you're not sure about it yet.


p.s. My speed6 had it's share of highway victims today. I had some encounters with unsuspecting speeders on I85 and needless to say I didn't lose to anyone that would play with me. The guy in the 80's 911 wouldn't even look over at me.

kills:
240hp Accord 6spd v6
talon TSi (fmic)
sentra SE-r specV (most embarassing)
several suvs

It's a very quick car and I've only got an intake on it right now....still waiting for my other goodies.

I wasn't aware of the ability to have a car trucked. Trust me, I know exactly what I want. Checked out Roger Beasley today, they have the color I want but with white/black leather interior (don't think that would look too good). However I did quote their price to the second local dealer after I was done for the day. I told him I could buy a lot of gas and a plane ticket for the difference between his price and theirs. Can't wait to see how much of a hornet's nest that stirs up!

My gf still wants a Speed3, even though I have explained to her there will be no way to get one for the price of a Speed6 right now (the one dealer informed us that there will be no test drives, due to it being a rare car and the buyers not wanting any miles on them. She told me that it was like a Porsche in that you can't test drive one of those either. Needless to say I won't buy anything from those clowns). However, she wants a sunroof which isn't offered so I think she has convinced herself to wait and see if one is offered next year. Personally I doubt it as I think the car would lose too much structural integrity, but who knows. She didn't test drive the Speed6, I think once she does she will forget (mostly) about the Speed3.

don't EVER buy from a dealership that won't let you test drive the car first. I went to porsche and test drove a $80K Cayenne Turbo with nothing more than my drivers license and insurance card....it's a TAD fancier than a speed3.

Your dealer sounds like a dick. You should buy me a plane ticket and have me come up there and work the deal for you. I'll make them cry before it's over.

Yeah that dealer has been filled with idiots for years (I first went there fresh out of college to check into the first gen RX-7, salesman gave me some song and dance about the Chevy dealer had their demo to figure out why people bought them instead of Corvettes. I finally blew him off). Funny thing is, so far I have gotten no response from them about my e-mail where I called them on their outrageous monthly for the Speed6. Luckily I have several Speed dealers to chose from in my area.

I love getting the run around from dealers and them letting them in on the fact that I know more about how their pay works then they do.

Wow.

Why is the selling point so low (the 25% off) for such a sweet car? I don't get it. I mean, it goes from being class competitive to beyond a bargain...

Either way, definitely way to go on getting the good deal for one.

chief, you need a s-plan number ??

employee price !

let me know....

Thanks, I may take you up on that if things go my way. A company I worked for last year had a number, I think I wrote it down somewhere but have to find it (moving this spring and then going right to work means I still have stuff packed away).

Today's update, no word back from either dealer I have contacted to date. Oh wait, the sales manager from the one we test drove at sent me a message asking if I was still interested. Um, not from you! I'll be getting in touch with the third one in this area tonight, see what they have to say. Basically I think if I can get a GT for around $24K in this area I'll be doing well. Then I have to talk them into my trade-in (2001 MPV LX) and go from there. I can get a 5% loan from my credit union, so if the rest pans out I should be in good shape.

Because mazda makes Niche cars and not mass market cars. Enthusiasts buy mazdas. Everyone else buys hondas, toyotas and ford/gm trucks.

The reason for the steep rebates is because they have been sitting on lots for a year now and the 07's are out. Also, dealers are starting to give into their holdbacks so as not to pay any additonal interest on cars left unsold at the end of the month.

Invoice plus rebates plus half of holdback is about what I got...... S-plan pricing was about $1100 higher.

I practically have to chain myself down to keep from buying an MS6 right now.
The only thing that's stopping me is that I know two years from now or sooner if I buy one, Mazda will probably comeout with a Speed version of the RX-8 and I will kick myself into the depths of hell if I miss out on one.

then why not just do the 2yr lease...it's a STEAL. Sign and drive is only like $360/month...If you put the $2400 down it's $269/month. In 2 years when the speed8 is out you return the 6 and pick it up.

Win/win situation.

matty, you can add rebates with s-plan....

regardless of what dealers tell you, there is no such thing as a "better price" than s-plan

There is also s-plan leasing...

I am just pimping out the numbers here because Ford gave me 4 extra pin numbers this year

when I mentioned it to them they told me it was higher with s-plan than just haggling outright.

Looks like I've been lied to yet again.

a car salesman lied you say ??

I can't believe it !

fyi..another great thing about s-plan, is that it locks in the price...no dealer prep fees, stamp fees or other bullcrap they try to charge

...and I know I saw this in another thread, but using s-plan does NOT affect what they give you for your trade-in

I can't do a lease on a car that will serve as my DD. I put on 25k-ish a year. It'd kill me in mileage fees.

wuss.

Yup, that's me.


*cowers under desk*

sure you can lease it...you just Have to go to into it knowing that you'll buy the car out at the end of the lease. What it does is give you a pricer car for less money for the first 2 years. Put that extra cash into a C.D. and earn yourself 3% then when you go to "terminate" the lease just put some extra down on it, lower the payment even more. That's what I'm doing.

My lease payment is so low I'm taking the extra I would be spending and saving it in a seperate credit union so when I go to turn the car back in I put it down and then just finance the residual for another 2 years.

Also, my wife SHOULD be finished with school by then....damn carreer students.

Okay, here's what I got from the first dealer today:

Dear Micheal,
Saturday night the quote you were given was just an approximation because the banks were closed. Micheal, Jake Sweeney Mazda is competitive and as per our conversation you know we would love to earn your business. Financing options are up to you whether you chose to go with a credit union or bank of your choice. We would be more than happy to submit your loan for approval and see what interest rate. As far as the price of the MazdaSpeed3 or MazdaSpeed6 please give me a price you and your wife would be comfortable with and I will do my very best to get you there. Please let me know what you guys would like me to do.

Notice she can't spell my name properly (and missed the fact I am not married). This is the first dealer I contacted, they gave me the high monthly payments which she is trying to say was due to things being closed. Um, that means you just pull stuff out of your ass? So, what do you think I should do next?

What's the loan term you're looking at? 60 - 66 - 72 months ..? Down payment, no down payment? I work at a credit union so I might run some monthly payment quotes for you just for fun :wiggle:

Here they are :cheers:
All quotes are based on the finance amount of $25,000.

60 months - 0% down
Rate: 6.5%
Payment 480/month

60 months - 10% down
Rate: 6.25%
Payment 427/month

66 months - 0% down
Rate: 6.75%
Payment 430/month

66 months - 10% down
Rate: 6.5%
Payment 395/month

72 months - 10% down required
Rate: 7.0%
Payment 370/month



EDIT: POST 666 :FIREdevil :FIREdevil :FIREdevil

Thanks Krayzie. What I am looking at is if I can get a Speed6 GT for around $24K. I have a van which should be good for about $6K trade, that's $19K financed. Looking at a max 60 month term, I can't see paying for a car for longer than that. I can get a 5% loan through my credit union, not sure what that will give me for monthlies but it will be less than the over $600 quoted by these clowns.

While I said I wouldn't buy from these particular clowns, if I can manipulate them around to my advantage then it would be foolish of me not to do so. While I don't need a new car, after driving the Speed6 I majorly want one! I am sure Matty can back me up here.

5% is a good rate, I'm impressed ... but not surprised. It is a credit union after all ;peace; I would guess your payment at $19K shouldn't be more than $370 a month on a 60 month term. Good luck.

payment should be $332/month for $19K financed @ 60months.

once again....theyre is no price you can haggle better than s-plan....you can use splan, plus current incentives, and a MS6 would only be about $21,000....since the are no incentives on the MS3, it would still be about $21,000

DO NOT let some dealer screw you, please

PM me if you want a pin number

I work for Ford Credit, I deal with car financing EVERY DAY

I'm sick of seeing guys I 've talked to on this board for years paying too much for their rides....

But I'm not gonna beg to help someone either......

You have a PM.

Dealer called me today, the woman gave me some story about how the numbers they gave me on Saturday were high because it was the weekend and no financing people were in, and if they gave me a number that was too low then I could hold them to it, blah, blah, blah. However, I am taking that to mean they are willing to try to work something out (and sell a car) so I am going to continue. My plan is to sit down tonight and draw up some groundrules for me dealing with them. Also a price I am willing to spend (based upon what I can get the car for from the cheapest online dealers) and then go from there.

PM returned...

I'll hook you up bro....

Thanks Mike.

For anyone else, here is what I have drafted to send to the dealer. Let me know what you all think.

Melanie,

Yes, I was able to look over your e-mail. I think it might help all parties concerned if I outline what I am looking for from a dealer. I don't want to seem arrogant, but I have limited time at home due to my job and no patience for any wasting of that time. I also do not wish to waste any of your valuable time. So here we go:

1) Per your inventory shown on the MazdaUSA site, I am interested in the vehicle with VIN XXXXXXXXX. This is a Black Cherry Mica Grand Touring with sunroof and wheel locks.

2) I have found dealers on line in other states advertising the MS6 for $21,999. I presume that is for a Sport model. Since I am interested in a Grand Touring I would expect that it would cost more (but not more than the difference in MSRP between the two models). I would like to know if you can meet this price (by my calculations about $24,000 for a GT).

3) I can obtain a loan for 5%. Unless you can meet or beat this then I do not wish to discuss loans or amounts any further. This also means there is no reason for my credit to be run by you.

4) I will discuss my trade-in only after such time as we reach an agreement on the purchase price for the MS6 and I have that in writing. I can provide more information on the trade-in vehicle as needed. If this point is reached then I will bring the vehicle in for inspection/assessment by your used car appraiser.

5) If we are able to make it through all of the above in agreement then I will be able to purchase a vehicle from XXXXXXXXX.

Please let me know if we can proceed based upon the above list. Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Michael Green

looks good...FYI

MSRP on a GT with moonroof is $30,625

S-Plan is $28,200

Current incentives on Mazdaspeed 6: $2500 Manufacturers rebate

Mazda American Credit offers another $1000 to finance with them

This would put you around $24,700

The Sport is $27,995 MSRP...no moonroof available on sport...

S-plan is $25,833

After incentives that would put you at $22,333...

Keep in mind this does NOT include any dealer incentives........

All this talk about MS6s on here has really got me thinking about it. I even stopped by my local Mazda dealer to see if they have one ... which of course they didn't. I might have to hit up a few bigger dealerships in the surrounding cities instead.

Good luck on the purchase Chief, that letter was awesome. That's definately the way to do business and not get screwed over .. if only everyone knew how to approach dealerships like you do I don't think half of them would even be in business anymore. :rolleyes:

Thanks Krayzie. I'll see if the dealer shares your enthusiasm for my letter! I'll keep everyone posted on my experience.

If you want to find the nearest Speed dealer to you, go to the MazdaUSA site and type in locate a dealer. There is a box to check for only Mazdaspeed dealers.