Is it time for me to make the deal?
 

My lease is finally up - and there's a silver 05 6SP with GT package and spoiler available near me - sticker is 32,040. Dealer is offering a sale price of 29,600. I can either finance for 60 months at 1.9% for 558/month, or take the 2500 from MAC and finance for 72 months at the normal rates for and pay 528/month.

So, for 30 dollars more per month, i shave a year of payments off by turning down the rebates and going with a low interest rate. That seems like a no brainer.

But based on what I've read - going from 32,040 down to 29,600 is not really a good deal. I am terrible at haggling/negotiating - what should I do/ask for? Or is that a good price?

I also know that the 05's are drying up - and that the 06's will not be discounted as much, right?

Please help - I told the dealer I'd get back with him next Friday (3/10)

Also, thanks to all for convincing me to pass on the AT - I am learning to drive a stick so I can buy this car!

Tell him $28,500.00 and it's a deal. If he says no simply walk away and more than likely he will give in.

you can go alot lower than that

if youre gonna pay this much get an 06 with one of the new colors

the 05 deals are shady .. and if you dont want the hassle of haggling over the price .. just get an 06 .. then youre paying a fair amount

I wouldn't settle for anything more than $27,000. I got mine for $23,499 here in Oregon. As for the financing, take the 1.9%.

I would personally hold out for an '06 given the bad deals presented to you on the '05s.

And I would most definitely shop other dealers if you're set on an '05. Call around, use mazdausa.com inventory search, tell them over the phone you want "significantly under invoice, plus ALL rebates" and see what they offer you. They are the ones who are paying the floor plan on all the cars, that in essence, will be 2 model years old in roughly 6 months. That's really all you need to do; one of the many you contact will step up and offer you something worth taking. For sure.

that is a high price. with all rebates, i've seen dealers in my area go as low as 26k.

What should I look out for if I negotiate a great deal on an 05? Katrina flood damage? Are dealers playing with the odometers on problem cars? Can I verify the build date?

thanks for the advice - i have a new deal brewing thanks to you!
 

talked to another dealer and he is offering me an '05 6SP GT with a sticker price of 31,685 for 25,045 - including the rebates. That's 6600 below sticker - go for it or no? i'm thinking yes.

Hold out for $8000 below sticker.

Dude, here is how to do it.

1. Find the exact car(s) you want online via Mazda's awesome dealer inventory search. Try to pick cars at at least 5 different dealers. Be flexible with how far you might have to travel.

2. Call each dealer and play them against each other. DO NOT SPEAK WITH A LOT SALESPERSON!!! Ask to speak with either the Internet Sales Manager or the Fleet Sales Manager.

3. Tell each manager you speak with that you have a deal for a similarly equipped car elsewhere for $8k below sticker, but you would rather have their car for the same price if you can get it. Tell them their car is better is some small way like color or options preference, but that it's not the biggest deal to you and that if they can't go that low, then you will just settle with the other deal you already have.

4. Negotiate ever detail over the phone BEFORE you got to the lot. The interet and fleet guys will do this. I've bot my last 3 cars this way, including my '04 GT w/Nav which I got for $7400 off sticker last year in Feb, 2005.

Good luck bro!

I've found services like edmunds have to be helpful. Basically you instantly contact several dealers to get their prices. They know right away they are competing against other dealers. And edmunds service is free.

UPDATE!!!

Talked to another dealer - with a silver 6SP with GT - sticker price 31,685 - and I got him down to 24,985. With the financing I am getting, I'll be paying 519 a month for 60 months with only 500 down! So THANKS to all of you for all of your help! I am driving to the dealer (100 miles away) to sign the papers on Monday! I am so excited - but please, if excitement is getting the better of me and this is NOT a good deal please let me know! This is a smaller dealer who I don't think does a lot of volume so I suspect they cannot discount much more - the GM called today and told me he's "all in" on the car and i actually believe him. So here's your chance - congratulate me or tell me I'm nuts to buy for that price - thanks again for the help! This site rocks and I look forward ot contributing as an OWNER from now on!

RX-ayt,

If you think it's a good deal - it's a good deal. Don't let others make you second guess. You know as soon as you get home someone, somewhere, will make a better deal. That's how it is with any major purchase.

With that said let me point something out: Local dealer advertised a base AT w/ sport with a MSRP of $27,889 for $20,889 ($7,000 off)

This included the following discounts -$1,000 Mazda rebate, -$1,000 MAC financing and the dealers discount of -$5000. West Coast doesn't get the $1,500 rebate.

I think on a higher optioned/priced vehicle you shoukd be abl eto get a better dealer discount. The problem may be that the 6 spd GT is more popular then the AT.

Beware the curse of silver!!! :)