Hi Guys,
First post here. I test drove a used rx8 yesterday at a local mazda dealership. I have to say that I fell in love with it. They are advertising the car as "on sale" from 20,995 to 17,999. The interior and paint are in great shape. The car hasn't got much for options though, no moon roof, cd changer, leather spoiler or anything.

It does have cd player, electric locks, windows, cruise, ac and traction control (sounds like the sport right?). After looking at some of the other figures posted in here it sounds like they are asking for quite a bit, despite the car being on sale.

Edmunds gave it a TMV at the dealer of just over $18k. I was curious as to what you guys thought the value of the vehicle might be. I was thinking of offering them $15k with hopes of getting $16k or better. Any thoughts?

 

I think you are in the right balpark...

 

honestly, don't buy that one.

if you think you WANT a sunroof or the leather - then look for a car that has THOSE options.

the RX8 resale prices suck. so essentially, when these cars were NEW - yeah Mazda charged a lot more for a loaded up one vs a stipped down base car. now that they are used - the price spread is gonna be a lot smaller. they still might get MORE for the better car, but not much.

odds are some good negotiating on the RIGHT car will get you all the stuff you want at a fair price. these cars don't sell well, mpg is a big selling item and the 8 gets $hittymileage. majorly $hitty.

they will eventually sell the cars, but tyhey aren't jumping off the lots. use that to your advantage. tell them you are considering an s2000 that gets much better mileage...so they need to drop the price to make up the difference.

FYI - if you compare average mileage of an rx8 and s2k, and assume you drive about 12000 miles each year - in a few years you will spend several THOUSAND dollars MORE on gas in the 8.

factor that into the sellign price of the 8....at least tell THEM you are factoring that...and work them. then when they don't give you the price you want, tell them there are 75 other rx8s for sale in a 100 mile radius and you are goijn to go look at some of the other ones.

believe me - you have ALL the cards. all of them. if you go test drive the car, get all emotional over it and act like you want it - then you are putty in their hands and they will rake you over the coals and stick it up your rear.

you have to be unattached, not care. you have to convey to them that you want THIS make/model car but not THEIR car and that there are a LOT OF OTHER ones you an pick from. then walk away. your strongest weapon. if they have any wiggle room they will cave in. i promise you.

 

I suspect that a number of '05s are coming off leases, and the residuals on these are around $15K. Add a little profit for the dealer, and you are probably still abit hiogh at $18K.