2004 RX8, new left-over.

Touring package
Nav (wish it wasn't there, but there it is)
Yellow

Would $25k be a good deal?

 

Yes, $25k is a great deal assuming its the Grand Touring package with an MSRP of at least 32-33k. Don't forget the Gerber rebate for another $500 off (do a search on this site for details) . I just got a $33,604 MSRP left over new 2004 for $25,163 after Gerber rebate. It was exactly the color and interior I wanted (black/black). You can't expect to get 8k off MSRP on a non-GT 2004 though.

 

sounds exactly like mine, except i have black. i paid $26K about a month ago. wo weeks later, the same dealer was running a special of $22K to try and get rid of the reaining 04's

 

Nope, just Touring Package, not grand touring.

 

Most info has been regarding 2004s which are now rare. I test-drove the 2005 Rx-8 last Saturday, 4/30. It's very cool. I'm going to buy one this month. I'd like the 6-speed titanium with red black leather seats with the grand touring package, spare tire, and navigation system.

I purposely did not negotiate with the dealer regarding price, as I am going to first go to a few dealers and solicit their opening offer. This dealer said he would sell the car one hundred dollars under invoice and $200 less than any other dealer in northern California.

1) What’s a great price?
2) What additional fees should I be aware of (my first new car experience)?

Thanx,

Kawika

 

$100 under invoice is a decent price. For April, there was only some lease incentive money so anything under invoice is a good price. We will see in a day or two if Mazda puts any rebates and/or cheap financing on the 05 8s.

When comparing dealer prices ask for the price for the car including destination and dealer fees. A lot of dealers will quote a price just for the car, making them sound the cheapest - then add the fees on once you are ready to sign. Also "doc" fees can vary from $50 to $300 and more, so get this figured into the price.

Unless there is a rebate that is tied to MAC (Mazda) financing, you can probably get a better rate from your bank or credit union - or maybe CapitalOne online. Get your financing pre-approved before you car shoip, then hammer them on the price and when you get to the finance step tell them you have your own and challenge them to beat your rate for the same term with simple interest. If they can't use your pre-approbed financing, if they can then get the cheaper rate.

Dennis

 

Dennis,

Thanks for the great info.
Oh....you think we'll know about rebates soon?
1)What are the destination, dealer, fees and do they vary from dealer to dealer?
2) What are "doc" fees and why do they vary?
3)ALso, where is the invoice posted (online)?

Thanks,
Kawika

 

Destination is what the car maker tacks onto the price of the car for shipping it to the dealer. The dealer pays the same as what we pay and it is marked on the window sticker. In the case of the RX-8 this is $560. So if dealer "a" gave you a cheap price and left it out, then you THINK they had the best deal then at signing they add that to the price they quoted you for the car. Since we all have to pay it, get it on all your quotes.

"Doc" or dealer fees are just extra profit for the dealers. This covers the cost of handling your paperwork, the time and trouble of registering your car, etc. In some small town dealership this is still free. In some states it is regulate to a max of $50 or so. Around here, it is just what the market will accept and ranges from nothing (rare) to $100 to $300 or more. Since this can vary widely, get all your quotes for the car including destination and any dealer or doc fees. Then when you compare there should be no surprised when you show up at the cheapest dealer to get your car.

You can get invoice pricing lots of places including Edmunds and KBB, but my favorite is:

http://www.carsdirect.com

You add the options and it shows you the MSRP and invoice - AND a no-haggle price from a dealership in your area. Try putting in various area ZIP codes to see if you can find a better price.

Incentives and rebates to the customer are normally posted on the MazdaUSA web page. Incentives to dealers can be found on Edmunds - or sometimes not at all - they are "Secret" after all.

From checking around a little, $100 under invoice is like the no haggle price - and $500 under should be pretty easy to get.

Dennis

 

Thanks!

It seems that price is often stated relative to "Invoice" which I just found to be 31,251 according to CarsDirect. But they also stated that factory to dealer incentive deals may allow th edealer to have the car much cheaper then the posted invoice. Is there a way to find out about these"inside" deals? This knowledege , seems to me, could be used to bargin.

Thanx,

Kawika

 

http://www.edmunds.com/incentives/step1.jsp

is the best list I have found, but it is by no means complete. Any customer money is listed on the MazdaUSA web page as well.

Dennis

 

Thanks again

Hey...any general agreement noted on this forum regarding specific options as a major plus (pleasant surprise) or minus (wish they would'nt have)?

Kawika

 

The sports pack to me is a must have - HID lights, stability control, etc. On an AT car you have to get it to get traction control, low profile tires, bigger brakes, etc. After that it is do you want a moonroof or not and if you want leather or not.

Poor gas mileage, poor resale value, and the potential engine flood issue would be the turn offs.

Dennis

 

Yea...I'm going to get the Grand Touring Pkg. I think the "Sports pkg" is embedded in the GT package. Is that right?

Kawka