2009 Mazda3 i Touring VE, $15,965+TTL

[weirdichi]

Some dealers have the "price on the sticker is what you'll pay" promotion going on. I was wondering if there is any haggling room with those promotions. Also, I've read up on some new car buying advice, I just want to know your own experiences. I'm specifically looking at a Scion xD in the Twin Cities area. Thanks in advance.

**UPDATE 08-15-08**
So I stopped by the Scion dealer and after talking, the salesperson asked me what it would take for me to ride the silver xD home that night. The price on it was $15,600. I told him that I really wanted a black one instead. That xD was one of the two on the lot. I know there is not much room to stray from the price on the sticker, but I'll ask anyway:

How much room do I have to negotiate (if I even have any room)? And do you think I have him throw in some rims and tires for free (about $800)?

I then stopped off at the Mazda dealer and inquired about the Mazda3's they had in stock. They had a lot of them in stock, but what I really wanted was a black base model with manual transmission. They had a grey one that was pretty close to what I had in mind (about $15,600). I'm thinking that they have many on the lot and that car is not in as much demand as the xD. So the question is:

How much do you think I can get the base model for? And would I be able to get some free rims and tires out of it?

Thanks for all the input. This will be my first car, so I really appreciate all the input.


**UPDATE 08-15-08**
2008 Mazda3 I sport with nothing but AC, Manual Transmission
$15,745 MSRP
$15,745 DEALER QUOTE

2008 Scion xD
$15,220 MSRP
$15,220 DEALER QUOTE

I really wanted a black colored car, but the Scion is silver, which I could probably live with. The Scion also has auto windows and keyless entry, things which are a perk but not necessary for me.

The Mazda is absolutely barebones with AC only (manual windows etc...).

I'm split between these two right now. I'm open to all opinions on which one I should get. Thanks!


**UPDATE 08-21-08**
2009 Mazda3 I Touring Value Edition
$15,965+TTL

According to Edmunds and Carsdirect, they have the exact same numbers:
Invoice Price: $16,503
MSRP Price: $17,565
Target Price: $17,565

I know the model might be new and information might not be as accurate as the 08 models. I'm going in tomorrow to bring it home.

So how'd I make out?

 

[Chunkee]

No. There is not. Other than maybe having the cut the Friggin Fees...becareful of the extra profit fee.

 

[Xyclone]

Don't all Scion dealerships have this "promotion" all the time?

 

[Elstupido]

As a general rule' you are going to loose your ass driving off the lot in a new vehicle. I have done it a number of times, stating that I and only myself will maintain this car/truck, which in itself is worth it for loosing my ass. And, I will never pay more than MSRP for anything period.

 

[NaOH]

loosing your ass? Dealers didn't use Analube huh?

 

[Elstupido]

lmao, yes they do

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: NaOH
loosing your ass? Dealers didn't use Analube huh?

bring your own just in case

 

[Riverhound777]

All I can say is do your research, know what the invoice price on the vehicle you want is, and try to get an internet or fleet manager to work with. If you have Costco or AAA or a family member who works for the company, you can get a very good deal.

 

[vexingv]

In regards to Scions, the dealer will not sell above or below the sticker price; there's no haggling. At least, that's how the rep explained it to me and also what' I've read across various boards/sites on the internet. Perhaps the dealer-installed options might be negotiable...

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: NaOH
loosing your ass? Dealers didn't use Analube huh?

They do as a courtesy, but they also throw in crushed glass.

 

[weirdichi]

Thanks for all the replies. I was kinda thinking that there was no room to negotiate regarding smaller cars, and more specifically the Scions.

 

[dud]

First, you've picked one of the worst car lines (the other is Saturn) to try and negotiate on ... they don't like doing it with Scions. Scion = Toyota = Lexus.

If you choose to buy a car from a manufacturer that WILL negotiate ... follow these simple steps:

1) Make sure you are SURE of what model you want.
2) Go to the dealership ONLY to touch/feel/test drive the car ... do not talk price in person.
3) Do your research to determine the best OTD price you can get.
4) Sit at you computer desk.
5) Go to the manufacturers website ... find the dealers withing say 50 miles of you.
6) Send an email to each dealership (via their website) asking for their best OTD quote.
7) Compile the dealership quotes.
8) If you get a quote at/close to your best OTD price then buy the car.
9) If not then ask the lowest dealer if they can match it.
10) If they match your price then buy it.
11) If they do not match it then either pay the price or go buy something else.

 

[dirtboy]

E-mail is a waste of time.

Call the Internet or fleet managers at nearby dealerships. You can find out pretty quick which ones will make a deal.

 

[dud]

Originally posted by: dirtboy
E-mail is a waste of time.

Call the Internet or fleet managers at nearby dealerships. You can find out pretty quick which ones will make a deal.

A total waste of time. Email each dealer and work them against each other. Calling fleet managers is a waste. Let them "bid" against each other. I have used this method to buy high-demand cars in the past.

Let your fingers (not your ear) do the walking. Use the Internet ... it is your friend.

 

[apac]

I just purchased a new Subaru 2 months ago. My family has a AAA agent they've used for all of their car purchases (who works very closely with the fleet manager), and he was able to get me a car with the color I wanted for $800 under invoice.

So my suggestion is to find an agent like that and skip the dealership sales negotiations altogether.

 

[Elstupido]

I totally agree with finding a good broker who will do all the negotiating for you. I have used them twice in the past and have found a very good, ie , dealer invoice or below, with no haggle pricing for exactly the model and options you are looking for.

 

[weirdichi]

**UPDATE 08-16-09**
So I stopped by the Scion dealer and after talking, the salesperson asked me what it would take for me to ride the silver xD home that night. The price on it was $15,600. I told him that I really wanted a black one instead. That xD was one of the two on the lot. I know there is not much room to stray from the price on the sticker, but I'll ask anyway:

How much room do I have to negotiate (if I even have any room)? And do you think I have him throw in some rims and tires for free (about $800)?

I then stopped off at the Mazda dealer and inquired about the Mazda3's they had in stock. They had a lot of them in stock, but what I really wanted was a black base model with manual transmission. They had a grey one that was pretty close to what I had in mind (about $15,600). I'm thinking that they have many on the lot and that car is not in as much demand as the xD. So the question is:

How much do you think I can get the base model for? And would I be able to get some free rims and tires out of it?

Thanks for all the input. This will be my first car, so I really appreciate all the input.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: dirtboy
E-mail is a waste of time.

Call the Internet or fleet managers at nearby dealerships. You can find out pretty quick which ones will make a deal.

Even quicker is emailing the Internet Manager. I've had super luck with that.

 

[Maximus96]

when we bought a TC couple of years ago, it was strictly sticker price, no haggle what so ever. it was an easy buying experience.

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: dud

Originally posted by: dirtboy
E-mail is a waste of time.

Call the Internet or fleet managers at nearby dealerships. You can find out pretty quick which ones will make a deal.

A total waste of time. Email each dealer and work them against each other. Calling fleet managers is a waste. Let them "bid" against each other. I have used this method to buy high-demand cars in the past.

Let your fingers (not your ear) do the walking. Use the Internet ... it is your friend.

Yea, sure. The last fleet manager I e-mailed didn't reply. I called him and within 90 seconds agreed to invoice price. When I showed up the next day, I got it below invoice. He said they don't respond much to the Internet because people who do that aren't serious.

Plus if you read about people e-mailing dealerships, the response rate is not that good.

Cars are a commodity. If you can't find out who will make a deal within a day of making some phone calls, then it's your time wasted playing WoW waiting for an e-mail. When I'm ready to buy, I call the shots and get the deal done quickly. As a result, I know who will deal right now and who won't, so when I'm ready to replace my car, well when it tells me it's time to go, I know exactly who and where to call to get the best deal.

 

[antyler]

I was able to get my new truck at below dealer cost. It was already priced way low, and I was able to talk them down about 250 dollars. Its not a pot at the end of the rainbow amount, but It got the price to one that I was willing and pleased to pay. I think depending on when you go in, month, day, time, certain places will be more likely to haggle with you.

My salesman, "claimed" that since it was a slow day I was able to get the price i did, and that normally they would have just let me walked when I asked for the 250 off.

Also, If you let the salesmen know that you are looking around at other lots, for the same car, and also for some top competitors to the car you want, then they will be more likely to make a deal with you, as they will not want to lose your business. Just don't be shy with voicing things like that.

And I do believe that internet salesmen is the way to go. I think that they get a flat commission on any sale they make, so they will not care about how much that you are paying as much as normal. (that was the case with the guy i was dealing with. )

 

[weirdichi]

Originally posted by: Maximus96
when we bought a TC couple of years ago, it was strictly sticker price, no haggle what so ever. it was an easy buying experience.

Did you get to bargain on the accessories?

 

[alkemyst]

A new car is nice to have at least once in your life...but in my experience it fades fast and the difference of even picking up a even 10000 mile 'used' car is very little.

What is a big difference is the amount you will pay monthly. If you have the cash and don't care then it doesn't matter, but even those making in the lower six figures usually try to skip the brand new purchase because you money goes a lot longer.

 

[weirdichi]

2008 Mazda3 I sport with nothing but AC, Manual Transmission
$15,745 MSRP
$15,745 DEALER QUOTE

2008 Scion xD
$15,220 MSRP
$15,220 DEALER QUOTE

I really wanted a black colored car, but the Scion is silver, which I could probably live with. The Scion also has auto windows and keyless entry, things which are a perk but not necessary for me.

The Mazda is absolutely barebones with AC only (manual windows etc...).

I'm split between these two right now. I'm open to all opinions on which one I should get. Thanks!

 

[zerocool84]

I think the Scion xD is ugly but it comes with more standard features which is always nice. Is the Scion auto or manual.