Neotropolis

Hello all,

Just signed up for these here forums. This is my first thread/post

Anyways, I am located in Detroit Michigan. I am in the market for a RX-8.

Just got back from the local dealer & the salesman claims that he cannot do better than sticker ($29,XXX to $33,XXX+). After viewing a few threads here, I noticed that some of you are picking them up (brand new) for $24,000 & $25,000! What am I doing wrong? Where can I find these deals?

I'm also hearing about all these incentives/rebates ($4000.00?). The salesman mentioned nothing of this (I asked if there were any promotions).

Not too worried about color at this time, but would like at least a moon-roof; leather is also fine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Mandy :o

Edit: I forgot to mention that my brother's wife works for Ford. Will this help me at all?

Zofran

We get them at that price because we buy the '04 model (which is virtually identical to the '05). The '05 has 0 incentives that I'm aware of (besides gerber and graduate, but I didn't bother looking because I don't have the money for an '05)

There is currently $4,000 worth of dealer incentives for the new 04s. On top of that is a $500 gerber rebate (do a search for it), $500 recent graduate rebate, and I've heard something about an S-plan but I don't know anything about it.

I bout mine a couple weeks ago for 22.6 (after 2k worth of taxes and fees, and 5k worth of rebates). It's an '04 AT sport package with spare tire.

since you're interested in moon-roof, you'll be paying a bit more then me (I think you have to get leather in the moon roof version), but you should still be able to get a fantastic deal if you can find one somewhere.

poorman

Well with your sister in-law will be able to get you the "S" plan that will allow you to buy the car at invoice with no haggling. This option will be available to you no matter what i believe since she does work for Ford. However if you are willing to wait you can test your luck as will I...

poorman

Hmm sorry about the crapy html post....ill just post again...
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/tic...&Symbol=US:HMC

Neotropolis

Thanks for the info guys. I am currently making calls to dealers that have new 04s on their lots.

Please keep the tips coming

dwynne

If you can't find an 04 you like, you should be able to get an 05 for close to invoice without knowing anyone at Ford. The discount plan may be priced HIGHER than you can get on your own, but the dealer may give you an evern better deal since they will get money back from Ford on the deal.

Look at www.carsdirect.com with your ZIP code and see what dealers in your area are offering on the car.

Dennis

MI_FamilyMan

Neotropolis,
I'm not sure what dealerships you have gone to thus far, but I got mine from Sterling Mazda in Sterling Heights. I would like to recommend my salesman if you are interested. Just let me know. I guarantee he will be easy to work with and always helpful and pleasant.

You should be able to get S-plan from your Ford tie-in. It's an alright discount and saves you the trouble of having to haggle. I don't think there are too many '04s left in our area. If used isn't an issue for you, I saw one on the corner of 14 & Van Dyke this afternoon at a Dodge dealer. It looked to be a grey GT.

I think if you are going sunroof then you have to be a GT w/leather, but I could be mistaken. Good luck in your search... and BTW, get a manual!

RX-8GT

There are a few brand new fully loaded 04's on the eBay. Not sure what color you are looking for but there is one beautiful yellow which is only available for 04's.

I got my 05 for about S-plan price without Gerber Rebate. I went back to my salesperson and he was kind enough to submit the rebate for me. I haven't received the check, though.

Good luck.

PaulieWalnuts

If you're looking for 04s go to www.autotrader.com - they list new 04 dealer inventory

Neotropolis

Hey, close to home

Yes, actually I went there on Friday afternoon. The salesman was informing me of a "fire" at the assembly plan in Japan, so there was a shortage & he couldn't do anything on price. I sense this is bullshit, so I left.

I've been scouring the internet trying to find dealers near the Detroit area with new 04s on their lots. Found more than I had thought I would. Are these cars not doing well?

Thanks again guys for the info. Should be finding mine shortly

Mandy

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

just a friendly note, if you are looking for '04s, make sure to get one with later build dates, say, like at least 02/04 or so. Or look at the VIN on the driver side dash and make sure it is greater than 32000 (the last 5 digits)

and yes there was a fire at the assembly plant in Japan, but that should have NOTHING to do with how the '04s sell here. I bet you 9 out of 10 that the dealer's BSing you because they see you're female and want to take advantage of you, because they assume you know nothing about the car.

I say get your sister-in-law involved so you can get the Ford Employee discount price w/o haggling (I think it's about 50-60 dollars below invoice)

good luck

dwynne

You (or someone else) has posted this several times before. I think if I owned an early 04 I would get hacked that you are saying these cars are not worth the same as later build cars.

Once the "old" 04s have been flashed to the latest load - what is the difference that makes you make these comments?

It is a new car under warranty, so what is your reasoning? Is this something you know or just something you think? Any problems with a new car, no matter when it was made are covered. Now it is true the early build cars - the first few months of assembly could be more problematic but that is usually due to design issues not being put together wrong. The design issues would be fixed in an ongoing basis and recalls or TSBs issues to cover the early cars.

Dennis

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

my reasoning is simple: why get a car that will have a higher likelihood of repeated visits to the dealer to fix all the teething problems (read: WASTED TIME), when you can get the exact same car with *all* the fixes right off the factory floor...

dwynne

That is what I figured.

A better way to phrase your advice would be: "If the dealer has several 04s that meet your specifications, be sure to check the VIN and build date before choosing one. All other things being equal, you would be better off with a later built car - fewer recalls and updates need to be done."


Most dealers are not going to have that many 04s left over now do give a lot of choice, however.

Dennis

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

how is describing it in that manner gonna help her pick a later-built 8? I just saved her the hassle of trying to figuring out what you just said meant, and gave her some good build dates/VIN range to work from

but thanks for flushing out the reasoning from me nonetheless, i guess, lol

dwynne

The way you put it:

Someone goes to the lot looking for a yellow 04 w/sports pack and 6mt. Aha- they have one left and will sell it for $4,500 under invoice. Then they remember to check the VIN based on your strict instructions and find it is "too old" so they think the car is no good and walk away. By the time they figure out no other yellow 6mt w/sports pack only can be found - someone who never read or ignored your "rules" has already purchased the last yellow and is out enjoying it.

Dennis

MI_FamilyMan

Mandy,
Sorry to hear you were turned off at Sterling. If you go back, ask for Kevin and say FamilyMan sent ya... and hopefully he will take care of you. That doesn't sound like something he would say. I think S-plan is a fair price anyhow, if you can get it. So unless you're unsure of the cost, why not just go for an '05 on the S-plan?

If you do find an '04, as long as they produce the list of warranty items and TSBs that have been performed, I wouldn't be too worried about it if it's got low miles and there are no body issues. I've got a July 2003 that has been on the road for only 7 months, and so far no issues.

Good luck and let us know how it goes...