Soundwave3k

Hey everyone,

As I've posted on the main boards, I'm about to get an Automatic, cloth, Winning Blue base package Rx-8, with tint, spare tire (installed), and fog lights for $25,500 from Mazda of ClearLake. What really bothers me is that when I asked for the extended warranty the finance guy wants $2400 for a 6 year, 85,000 miles warranty.

From your experiences is the price of the car good for the Houston area? How about the dealership? Also has anyone gotten the Mazda, or other extended warranty and if you don't mind, how much did it set you back? I know I probably don't have to buy it now so I'll probably pass on it and see if I want an extended warranty later.

I've searched on the boards for these answers but I didn't find enough regional info to make a decision on the which is why I wanted to ask the Houston owners.

Also, has anyone gone to Lousiana to get their Rx-8 and avoid the Texas sales tax?

By the way, I only discovered this site the day after the last meet and greet so I unfortunately missed that. But I should make it to the next one!

Thanks in advance!

rotarygod

The sales people at dealerships say certain things like they are set in stone. The fact of the matter is that they could probably easily give that to you but they know you'll pay it if they stick to their statement. If you are dead serious let them know it. Also talk to other dealerships. I have heard only bad things about Mazda of Clear Lake. There are many horror stories on here of their service department. Which ever dealership you decide to buy from, let them know you've been looking at other dealerships as well. When you get a price from one place, get it in writing. That way you can take it to another delership and say this is the quote you got and you are unwilling to pay NEAR that much. What can they do? Get it in writing and take it down the road. You'll come to a point where no one is willing to go any lower. You're not done there. You can always get that little last bit out of them. If you are willing to pay that much, don't let them think you will. Always play with a poker face. Ask for extras at the same price. If you try hard enough, you may be surprised at how much you can get taken off of the price. The only jobs I've ever done have involved sales. It's all in how you negotiate. As a salesperson I love when people are persuasive. You can get the higher price out of them. Those that know what they are doing though can be difficult. Find a young inexperienced looking salesman that constantly has to go back and "ask the manager". You'll get really far with these guys.

Negotiating is really a practiced art rather than something you can read and apply. Give it your best shot. If you can't get them down in price, at the very least be blatant and tell them that if they give you the warranty for free, you'll sign the papers today. If not, you're going down the road. If you end up leaving, don't go back. This is what they are hoping for. Then they've got you where they want you. You may be surprised, they may just give in.

rev-2-9k

Sounds about 1k to high. I bought from MOCL and that finance guy Jerry is a jerk.

I paid 25.1 for base 6MT with an alarm sensor upgrade. Sounds like your car should cost 24.5k.

Exteneded warranty should run oh less than $1000.

Soundwave3k

What would $24,900 sound if I had them also include the MP3 Player installed?

Also, know any good sites for calculating the TTL? I think the tax in Texas is 6.25%. Is this right?

Thanks a lot guys!

wagison

Yeah...madza of clear lake is not where I would take my business, they don't have near the number of cars as other area dealers, and they failed to take me seriously when I was ready to buy. I would recommend Munday mazda, they have tons of cars, and made me a very happy customer.

DreRX8

I got my Nordic Green A/T with Sport Package, spoiler and 6,000 miles on it for 24,900 from Joe Myers Toyota-with a 6 year 100,000 mile warranty and GAP Protection. I was going to go with a base 6spd or Auto from Joe Myers Mazda--but they weren't really willing to budge on the price on some of their cars. I only deal with Jeff Haas Mazda for service or MazMax--I hate Jay Marks Mazda--their service sucks. I've had experience with nearly all Mazdas so I only really trust Jeff Haas and Maz Max.

KhAngFrumHTowN

Ive been shopping around for a blue rx8 with a 6mt. the best deal i have found is from joe myers who offered 26,900 with tt&l already included. jeff haas were a bunch of ******** and the only other dealer that was willing to work with me was Munday. if anyone knows of a place to get a lower drive out price please let me know. also, please tell me how much yall got your rx8 for.

punishr

I bought my 8 from Mazda of Clear Lake on August 8th of last year, which was 7 days after they hit the dealerships. I paid 31,100 drive out, 6MT with GT, no leather, and no nav., but all of the other goodies. If the salesman that sold me the car was still there I would say go see him, but unfortunately he quit and I now know why, because all of the rest of them suck right along with the dealership.

Take your business somewhere else.

At the time I bought mine I visited 7 different dealerships and that one salesguy at MOCL was the only one willing to sell a little below sticker.
Everyone else wanted 2,000 above sticker.

HIX8

I bought my first RX-8 from Mazda of Clear Lake. I bought my second RX-8 at Mazda of LaPorte.

I was VERY pleased with the LaPorte sales folks.


My only reason for returning my first one to MoCL was issues I had with their sales team. It was the very first RX-8 delivered to the Clear Lake area (mid-July). I would have loved to keep it, but I wanted to communicate as positively as I know how that I was a dissatisfied customer.

I hope they have taken steps to improve the way they do business. They are in a great location and get lots of customer traffic. Maybe LaPorte did so much to make me feel appreciated as a customer because they don't get as many walking in their door.

(Mac was my salesman at LaPorte. And their finance specialist treated me with respect. Very refreshing!)

RX4+30Years=RX8

1. Forget about Clear Lake Mazda. I went in for a S-Plan quote for a base MT and they said I didn't know what I was talking about. As such I ended up at Joe Meyers Mazda and paid $31600 drive out, but got the GT with leather and everything but the accents and nav and I didn't want the nav.

2. Forget the dealer extended warranty. You don't need it, but if you feel like you do, you can get it after market for much less and better features. When you buy the extended warranty, you are putting that cash in the handes of the finance guy. If you like him that much, just give him the cash.

3. Forget about Clear Lake Mazda. I have seen the same car advertised at Munday Mazda for $1000 less. If you really want a deal, reconsider the color. Lots of folks like the Titanium Gray, myself included, but consider the Yellow if you really want to make a deal. It is my understanding that the yellow just does not sell as well as any of the others and they might more agressive if you say you might consider the yellow. That is, if you really are looking for a deal and can either live with the yellow or paint flames all over it. It really isn't that bad and I might have considered it, but I couldn't find one at the time.

4. Forget Clear Lake Mazda.

xlr8ng

I posted this in the general discussion, but it may help you make a decision (If it's not too late).

I Got It - Woooohooooo!!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a couple months of debating, wondering, analyzing, wishing and testing, I finally came to a decision last Thursday night.

I had been indecisive as to which vehicle to purchase. I had the RX8, Infiniti G35, Nissan 350Z and the Acura TL on my list. Like everyone else, I elimated the 350Z and the G35 because of their rough ride and cheap interior.

My conventional, sensible, engineering part of my mind was telling me to go with the safe bet and get the TL. The features were nice, the ride was nice....it was a safe bet. But I couldn't get over the body roll, torque steer and front wheel drive. Not to mention that I already have a sedan and I don't really need another one. Aside from that, I was afraid that I would always regret my decision every time I saw another beautiful sporty 8 passing me on the road.

The only decision left was which color to get. It was a toss up between the blue and the red for me....but my wife would settle for nothing less than red. So the decisions were made and I started talking numbers with the Sales Manager at Jay Marks Mazda.

He had been super in my dealings with him so far. He let me take a loaner home for a weekend (no questions asked, no deposit required and no hassling upon return) just so that I could make an educated decision no matter which vehicle I decided on. The dealership was very patient in letting me make my decision for the next 5-6 weeks. Every time I had a question, I would stop by the dealership to look at the car again, drive it again, speak to the service department, etc. Never once did they hassle me with the typical "what can we do to get you in the car today".

When I was finally ready, they accepted my well informed and researched price and gave me fair market value for my trade in and the deal was done, no questions asked. Unfortunately, with my wife's insistance on red and my choices of options, the only one that was available (without ordering) was one in McKinney Texas with 513 miles on it. The dealer agreed to flat-bed the vehicle in free of charge. My 8 arrived late Friday night and it was sparkling ready Saturday morning.

Needless to say, I can't stop driving it. I've already almost doubled the mileage in 5 days and I absolutely love it.

Thanks to all of the forum members input that helped me make my decision. This site is the coolest.

When we finally get a day without rain, I'll get to wash it again and then post my pics.

Soundwave3k

UPDATE:

Sorry I didn't post earlier to all the people who responded but I did end up getting the car from Mazda of Clear Lake - I wasn't going to but they gave me a good enough deal that I went for it. However, after hearing some of the stories about their service department I decided I'm going to look elsewhere to have my car serviced... especially as I've seen their level of "professionalism" first hand in regards to our deal.

Basically I got the car for $25, 100. It's an base automatic, Winning Blue, with the tire kit, foglights, and an mp3 player installed. I'm going to get it tinted now and I'm also debating on whether or not to get a clear bra...

I was wondering who does a good job with clear bras in the Houston area, and if anyone has done it to their car? I read that some people have had issues with bubbling so I'm not sure if I do or don't want to get it done. Also, can it be removed and replaced later on if it gets damaged enough (I'm assuming the bra will still sustain damage from rocks)?

I also wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations for places that do window tinting and places that do custom chromed decals?

Thanks! Hope I'm not asking too many questions.

BTW, I had fun meeting the Houston Rotary Club guys an' gals last week - hope to meet y'all again at the next meeting!

Jarhead

Mazda Clear Lake is a joke. I stopped in there recently to ask a few basic questions, the first rep gave me some ridiculous made up garbage, so I told the sales manager to give me someone who knew the product they were trying to sell. The next guy was even worse!

I ended up going to Laporte Mazda and they were more than competent, they had a 6 speed black on black, GT pkg, appearance pkg, rear spoiler for 30,500k (Was that to much?), but I think I am going to wait until I can order the 05'. Was that to much?

KhAngFrumHTowN

wow i havent posted in a while, anywayz, i bought mine from jeff haas. Talk to don anderson he is great. he told me not to tell other people about how low i got the car for. after weeks of negotiation, i got my car for a great price. ( almost under invoice) so if you need a rx8 see him!!