saejin

Hello all,
First let me introduce myself. My name is Gene and I had my heart set on an Audi A4 1.8T Quattro until I saw the RX-8! I already own a Passat 1.8T, so I thought to myself why do I need another sedan when I can get a practical sports car for the same price. So here I am.
I'm a member of www.clubb5.com because of my Passat, so finding this forum has been great. I've learned more about the RX-8 and then some from reading numerous posts.
So, now I have my first question. Since the big day is getting closer, has anyone come across a dealer willing to sell the RX-8 less than MSRP? I did a search on this already, but most people were quoting prices for pre-orders. I'd like to see what the situation is now.

To start off and let everyone know there's hope, here's what I got coming.
Winning Blue, 6MT, with Sport Package
$27,500 including destination

Basically, $800 below MSRP. But the dealer is sticking me with a $594 Dealer Fee. I've tried to get this reduced, but every dealer where I live has this outrageous fee. I did get the dealer to throw in window tint, cargo net, and some other stuff for free. It helps, but I'd still like to see the Dealer Fee gone!!!

ReX-8

My dealer said there's no negotiation at all, M.S.R.P. or nothing.
That means if I'm goin to place an order, it will comes to $28,300 sharp. (6sp w/ Sport Pack.) So is it possible to get below M.S.R.P.?

BillK

It's always possible, but given that there is a backlog of demand for the car and that RX-8s will be scarce to begin with, I would say that if you want to pay under MSRP your best bet is to wait until either late in the 2004 model year or wait for 2005; that way those who HAVE to have an RX-8 will already have one and the car will at that point have to hold its own against all the other newer cars that will have come out by that point (like all the turbo rally cars coming from Subaru and Mitsubishi.)

Just my $.02, but it's based on seeing how these things usually go for cars like this (e.g. the Audi TT its first two years, the 350Z, the original Miata, etc.)

For example, dealers in the Bay Area were asking $10K OVER MSRP for Miatas back in 1989; a year or two later they were begging people to take them off their hands.

So it all depends on demand in your area; personally if I saw a Winning Blue w/Sport on your dealer's lot I'd be happy to pay MSRP plus the dealer fee and not ask them to toss in anything more (well OK, I'd probably ASK for the cargo net, but personally I'd just feel lucky to find what I wanted at MSRP...)

notb

I disagree that one should be happy to get one at MSRP. What's the hurt in trying to negociate? The worst that can happen is the dealer says no and you have to either pay MSRP or don't get one. Unless the dealer is 100% certain that he can sell all his RX8 faster than he can get new ones, there is room for negociation. I'm planning on negociating when they finally arrive in showrooms. I may not get much off MSRP, but even $100 is better in my pocket than theirs.

saejin

I feel very lucky I found this dealer. I almost gave up hope and was going to wait until Winter.

This car is going to generate alot of buzz with Mazda dealers as well as profit. With the Mazda 6 doing very well, Mazda dealers are riding high. I'm just trying to get the best deal I can and will keep trying to the end. If I can get them to throw in tint and a cargo net, that's less money I have to pay. I think the $2000 profit they're getting is more than enough.

The same thing happened with the Honda Odyssey. I had to negotiate like hell just to pay MSRP and to top it all the dealer was even rude about it. Mazda dealers aren't as cocky as Honda's, but I hope they don't let Mazda's comeback change that.

Anyone else able to negotiate below MSRP?

RX-Nut

Speak for yourselves.. no dealer here even wants to talk at MSRP. All of them seem to think they need to make buku bucks off this car. Like it's the only car they have left in the world to sell. They like to pull that good ol' crutch of "doing business here is expensive, more so than any other state" BS.

And of course Mazda discourages gouging, but they also like to say they cannot dictate independent dealer pricing.

Of course that wont stop me from negotiating... But I know, they know, some kid with mommy's wallet will pay way over MSRP for it which they are probably betting on if I walk hahhaha.

BillK

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying you shouldn't try to negotiate.

It's just that if I walked into a dealer and there was a Winning Blue MT6 w/Sport Pkg sitting there and they wanted MSRP and wouldn't budge I'd be more than happy to pay that, as (1) the car would be there and available and (2) I suspect most dealers with unsold RX-8s on the lot this year will be those asking $5000 or more in "additional dealer profit."

bbrammer

Hello,

There are a few dealers in the L.A. area offering MSRP for pre-orders. I'm sitting on one. Serveral others said they expected to get 2000-4000 over MSRP for their alloted cars. They said to jump at an MSRP deal.

I'm not surprised at ALL that a dealer has tacked on the 500+ plus fee. I've got a written offer from my dealer on the MSRP and will use that if they "fee me." They ain't your buddy, no matter how wonderous the RX is.

But, note, even with the GT package, there are a NUMBER of adds to the deal like 6-CD player for 500.00 etc. etc.

My guess is there's more demand that cars and it will be a sellers market.

Me, I'm on the edge of simply buying a race-ready spec class Miata for 15,000 and too heck with the RX-8 (which I still REALLY, REALLY want . . .). <grin>

j-apex rx

the company i work for has a plan called the xplan and iwill get the car at company prize that below msrp.If you work for ups you most be jumping for joy.:p

RX-Nut

booooooooooooooo........ I'm not your friend. :D

zoom44

rx-8 is not offered in the xplan or the s plan

j-apex rx

I got my millenia s below msrp with the x plan and I talked to my dealer and i got my rx8 below msrp.

zoom44

let me know again when you pick up your car. when last i checked with "people in the know" mazda had said no xpln or splan pricing. of course they could have changed their minds. but if they are willing to do that i don't know why i have to pay $500 for a freakin cd changer!

RX-8 Zoomster

My sale was the same way. We did not want to pay over the MSRP + tax + tag. The dealer wanted to throw in a $500 dealer fee. We said no sale then. The dealer took off -500 from the original MSRP and then added on his dealer fee of $500. Why? Must have been some kind of record keeping or something. So.. I ended up paying right at MSRP ($33,100).

I wouldn't complain. You are getting the car for approx. $200 less than MSRP. Anyone that can get this vehicle near the MSRP, nad not over, should jump on it. If you are too stingy about paying around the MSRP, then wait a year and hope you can get it for less than MSRP. In the meantime, you will be missing out on the fun since you want to save a few bucks.

saejin

RX-8 Zoomster quick question.

You sig says, "cheers from Qatar", and you live in Valrico, FL. That can only mean one thing.
I live in Brandon and am also in Qatar. Drop me a line offline at saejin@hotmail.com . I'd like to know which dealer you went with. For me it was an out of town dealer, way out of town.

RX-8 Zoomster

saejin,

Small world! I sent a reply to you hotmail account.

BillK

Hey, I know it's off topic, but since Qatar's not exactly a tourist hot spot these days, thanks for being there, guys...

simonr

Hawaii might be expensive but I bet petrol is cheap. In the UK we pay something like $6 a gallon, but look at this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2952241.stm

That's more to fill up the tank than rent a decent car for a week.

rx8racer

I went to two different dealerships to negotiate. One dealer offered me $200 under sticker and no b.s. fees. The other dealer offered $600 under sticker and I ordered the car. It is one of the dealer allocations that is expected in May-June so I feel pretty lucky.

bwayout

Hope you don't mind me adding this to the mix. but if you haven't checked out www.edmunds.com or Consumer Reports Auto buying guides at any store or local library ... please do!
This is what I've learned from past experiences...

A destination charge, is levied by all manufacturers. However, the invoice price might vary in certain regions where advertising costs and other dealer fees are included.

Consumer Reports calculates most Dealer Advertising fees around $200 - $400 if applicable. Consumer Reports takes the stance that Dealers are entitled to a reasonable profit (I agree with them on that). Consumer Reports advises that during your negotiations tell the dealer that you do not want to pay any advertising fees. Some dealers may not be willing to waive the advertising/dealer fees. In this case , the only way around this is to choose an other dealer or another car that doesn't charge any of those extra excessive fees...

Consumer Reports feel that for most "new" models, a 4-8% over invoice price which includes the deduction of any "Dealer Holdback" amount is a fair price. However, if the car is in demand, the dealer often sets the price and good luck to you. Edmunds recommends paying only the fees listed on the invoice, but questioning any advertising fees that appear on the purchase contract.) American made cars like GM or Ford sometimes are able to sell their cars for below dealer invoice. As far as I'm aware no other car manufactures ever have done this.

This is something if you don't know about you should quickly learn: Dealer Holdback. Many consumers don't understand what the dealer holdback is, what it is used for and what the holdback's role is in the deal-making process. Let's try to clear up some of the confusion.

Dealer holdback is a percentage of either the MSRP or invoice price of a new vehicle that is paid to the dealer by the manufacturer to assist with the dealership's financing of the vehicle. The holdback itself can't really be used as a negotiating chip. However, knowing about it might help you get a better deal on a new car.

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/incent...ack/index.html

Also, be warned that if you ask the dealer to cut his profit, he might try to take it back somewhere else. Remember, a good deal isn't just the lowest selling price. It's the lowest total out-the-door cost on a car that meets your needs. This means that to ensure you get a fair deal you have to be vigilant throughout the entire purchase process, even after you and the salesman agree on a price.

10 Steps to Buying a New Car (common sense but still good to read up on)

Step 1: Starting out.
Step 2: Using incentives and rebates.
Step 3: Pricing the car.
Step 4: Finding the exact car you want to buy.
Step 5: Test driving the car salesman.
Step 6: If you are trading in your old car...
Step 7: Negotiating for your lowest price.
Step 8: Closing the deal.
Step 9: Reviewing and signing the paperwork.
Step 10: Inspecting and taking possession of your new car.

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...6/article.html

My personal experience is if at all possible find a Auto Broker instead of a auto dealer, in California I used AutoLand (in 1990 to buy my Probe - which at the time was a very hot car and at the dealer they were asking an extra $5,000 over MSRP and then they also had included those dealer "packs" that I didn't want) and it was great - $100 over dealer invoice and it was a no hassle - a truly wonderful experience. When we bought my wife's 2000 Passat (when that was also a hot car) we got it for $250 over dealer invoice but it was a very painful 4 hour experience. But to make it up, last feb. when I got my 2003 MP5 it was as almost as good as AutoLand - I went though Freeman Mazda (here in Dallas) and did it for $200 over dealer invoice. (I did think that some of their document/tax/title fees were a little high, but I checked with the DMV and the said it was in line for the dealer to pass that along.

Anyway, Good Luck!

Yeah, the best thing to do is shop around and be prepared to walk!

Lucky for me I'll be waiting at least 3+ years before I get my RX-8

:D

ZoomZoom

If I want my 8 it's MSRP baby; I'm number one on their list (they have an allocation of three units) and the list is seven or eight deep, you have to pay if you want to play.

DTECH-RX

You read my mind BillK!

To everyone overseas......stay safe and THANK YOU!

Tinman

I saw some thoughts on x plan, but what about A Plan? I work for Ford and get the a-plan on mazda but did not know if that is a dealership decision... I HOPE I Do

N20SA22C

Nice try with the plan codes, I work for Mazda and they will not give you "S" plan(as it is called at Mazda), it is the dealers discresion, and they are retarted if they sell it to you for that. Need less to say they wont. If they are only getting 40-75 cars a year why would they give up $2500 easy? I am paying MSRP, and working on better. You should all be exstatic that this is not like the S2000 which was being sold for $7500-$10000 over window. It is a good value and Mazda and your dealer deserve the profit they are about to make. If you dont think your dealer is worth it why are you doing buisness with them?


Kyle Lancaster--Double Agent Salesman

saejin

I kinda agree that Mazda deserves the profit they are going to make on this car as long as the car lives up to all the hype. But why does the dealer deserve the +$2000 profit? All they are doing is taking our deposits and reserving a car for us. This car is selling itself, the dealer and salesperson are hardly lifting a finger doing anything to sell this car. At most a few phone calls and then prepping the car for delivery.

I could almost understand if the salesperson is actively trying to get the status on vehicle delivery, delay problems, and little other things to help keep the customer informed, but from reading the posts it's the exact opposite.

Is my dealer worth it? Not +$2000 profit worth it, but since they are cutting me a deal for $800 below MSRP, then yes. But other dealers who are not willing to negotiate, then no they are not worth it. They only reason they are getting our business is because they have the RX-8 for sale. I'll pay a little more for customer service and overall good buying experience, but it's hard to give away $2000 without a fight.