Originally Posted by dwynne

Not even Mazda thinks the 8 will hold value well - the MAC residual on a 3 year lease is a lot less than that given by other captive finance companies on comparable cars (G35, Z, S2000). Even the 3rd party banks have the same opinion, the residual from the lease guide they all use shows the same thing - the 8 and the bottom of the list of comparable cars for residual. These folks have more than "their" reps on the line - they have their money on it. If they get it wrong then it costs them big bucks.

If you call around or look on the Internet you can find new, "0" mile 8s for $4,000-$5,000 under dealer invoice - not demos, not loaners - new cars. This means a sport pack MT car will be $21,500-22,500, touring is $23,000-24,000, and gt is $24,000-$25,000. Pretty easy (for the rest of us) to see what that does for resale value of used 04s - really makes them take a hit. Sure, in some areas there are few/none left - but in some areas their are lots. They do TEND to be loaded up cars.....

Go to carsdirect.com and check out their pre-negotiated price for a new 05 8 - this is a no bargain price, just add tax, tags, and title. Using my zip code the prices are $100 UNDER dealer invoice. Carsdirect has a $500 or so fee built into each deal (comes out of the dealer's end) - so the dealer is selling for about $600 under cost. So if you work with the dealer directly, you should be able to save this money. If you opt to lease the 05, there is $2k more incentive money available - so you could be looking at $2,600 under invoice - about $26,700 for a new 05 w/gt.

The bad news: folks that paid full price close to it when the cars first came out are losing a lot more percentage-wise than other similar cars.

The good news: those that are buying the cars NOW at these much reduced prices SHOULD find that they hold a greater percentage of value down the road. If their 8 is worth 1/2 of MSRP in 3 years, but they got it for $7k or more under MSRP then they look a lot better.

I think everyone should quit worrying about about and drive their cars! But don't think that just because someone "predicts" something you can change the facts of the way things are.

Dennis

Originally Posted by IkeWRX

Even then compare the FD to its competition of the time, the Supra TT and the 300ZX TT hold their value far better than the FD, especially the Supra and it was produced for longer than the FD and was more readily available.

Originally Posted by Aseras

the leasing company/bank is gonna be far more conservative. if the car hold it's value better than they thought they win. you aren't getting a refund. they plan for the wrost. right now it's looking like as long as you got a decent deal on a 04 or 05 and bought it you are gonna be better off than if you signed a lease. The cars really seem to be holding their value. edmunds an KBB are both rating a used rx8 with about 20-35000 miles at around 23000. 27000 if they are sitting on the lot. i bougfht my new 2004 for less than 23k. that wouldnt have been possible except for some of the local circumstances here ( hurricanes ) and mazda throwing in the 4k customer cash.

Originally Posted by dwynne

That is not the way to drive up interest. Maybe some nice TV and print ads. Once you resort to rebates and incentives to move cars then you are pretty much doomed to repeat that.

We didn't have any of those problems here and there still are 04s on the lots unsold. There were still plenty unsold up north sitting right next to new 05s long before winter hit.

They just made/ordered too many - and Mazda has done a terrible job of promoting the car. Even with the plant fire, I am thinking incentives will be the norm to help clear out the 05s as well - witness the $2k in 05 lease incentive already.

Dennis