2005 Mazda 3 SP23, need your advice!

[ballacheez]

There's a 2005 SP23 at my local dealer that I'm interested in. It has an auto trans w/ 40k miles, leather, navigation, heated seats, sunroof.. The dealer's list price is $16,895, but the salesman I talked to gave me $15,400. It was built February 2005, making almost 3 years old. Should I jump on this? Also, what kind of gas mileage can i expect with this particular model?? Anyone have a brochure or spec list for the 05's? I'd like to see all the details on it...

Thanks!

 

[MakeMeGoFast]

but the salesman I talked to gave me $15,400

If he is giving it to for 1400 under the sticker price, you could probably get him to go lower. As for everything else, someone else will have to chime in.

 

[BlackCherry06]

Excellent condition KBB for that car is $18,305 so I don't think you're far off the mark. It's unusual that the dealer is starting below that, but you've still got some room to beat them down.

 

[ballacheez]

well it's either this or an 01 BMW 325ci w/ 71k miles for $13977.. what you say?

 

[BlackCherry06]

Unless you have an extensive maintenance budget, leave the BMW alone.

 

[ballacheez]

true, the SP23 is still under warranty.. still time to get an extended one if need be..

 

[jbiird317]

still seems kinda high for a 3 year old mazda. I can say from experience that this is a risky move. I bought my 2000 protege in 2003 for ~11k, had it for 3 years and sold it last august for $4000. That is a large depreciation. The bimmer might hold its value better. Either that or look at a new mazda with less options, you can get them for around the same $$

 

[knowledge007]

It does sound a little high. I am sure you can get him to go lower. As for the specs. Its just like any other Mazda 3. Don't think the SP has anything do with the motor or anything. It is just a 2.3 4 banger like all the other Mazda 3 models. Mileage should be like 25 to 32 or something like that.

 

[tsunami]

yeah milleage is the same as a reg 2.3l 3 it just has some interior accents that the reg 3 doesn't have... with it having the full optimum package i would deffinatly consider it try to bring them down another 1k and would say go for it... still seems high but a fully loaded n/a 3 is still 23 or so iirc??

 

[redspeed]

balla, a brand new 08 mazda 3 HB start at $18,560. I know the sp23 has all the options, but is 3 years old with 40k miles, for $15,400, that is too close to the price of a zero miles model.

I say, skip the options and go for a 07/08 model.

 

[ballacheez]

just got back from the dealership...

what it boils down to is that I'm getting screwed over on my trade.. I have a 06 F150 supercrew that they only offered me 16k for. price of the 3 was firm at 15,400.. I still owe 19,200 on my truck. KBB trade in on it is between $19-20k

The dealership also owns a nissan place right down the road, so I called one of the salemen over there and just went and talked to them..

They offered me 16,800 for the car but 18,000k for a trade on my truck, which is better, but only by $600. I'm going back tonight to see if they can work with me more on the numbers.

I know the sales manager at another mazda dealership that will sell me a 3 for invoice at $16995 (i touring, auto) and give me 18000 for my truck. What do you think the i touring value package will invoice at??

thoughts?



Link to the car:

http://www.auction123.com/showroom/...BK323651286711.html?dealer_id=3605&wait=false

 

[rc50cal]

I am not a big fan of trading in your current vehicle. I know it is more convenient, but the dealer is screwing you. You could get a few thousand more if you just sell it to a private party (and it shouldn't be hard to do).

 

[Mocoso]

Stay away from the 2001 BMW less you have 400 bucks to spend on window regulators... (yes Im jaded on BMW - you would be too if you had 9 of the damn things break..)

 

[BluMicaR]

just got back from the dealership...

what it boils down to is that I'm getting screwed over on my trade.. I have a 06 F150 supercrew that they only offered me 16k for. price of the 3 was firm at 15,400.. I still owe 19,200 on my truck. KBB trade in on it is between $19-20k

The dealership also owns a nissan place right down the road, so I called one of the salemen over there and just went and talked to them..

They offered me 16,800 for the car but 18,000k for a trade on my truck, which is better, but only by $600. I'm going back tonight to see if they can work with me more on the numbers.

I know the sales manager at another mazda dealership that will sell me a 3 for invoice at $16995 (i touring, auto) and give me 18000 for my truck. What do you think the i touring value package will invoice at??

thoughts?



Link to the car:

http://www.auction123.com/showroom/...BK323651286711.html?dealer_id=3605&wait=false

You need to call around and spend some effort; figure out by KBB what you 'feel' your truck is worth, fairly, and then find it. If it's 'top' condition and you want that or a little more, and can justify it, then do it; go get that much for trade. I wanted 1500 over top KBB for my 05 3s when I got my MS3, and the dealer I bought my old 3s from offered me 1500... UNDER worst KBB value. I told him to stick it in his ass (literally) and called around. I got the trade in I wanted after about 2 hours of calling people, and it took a little drive, but it was well worth it. Any 'phone' quote is contigent on them seeing the car, but see if you can't find a car you want, figure out the term and interest you want (knowing your credit score) AND what you want in trade, then call them well-armed and don't budge. I guarantee you'll find someone who will sense your seriousness, as they did mine, and they won't pass up a 1 hour in and out sale, even if they only make a couple hundred bucks. Screw the dealers you've been working with.

 

[TheMAN]

my sp23 has been very problem free... it's built in january 05... a late build just like the one you're looking at.... the ones built after january 05 up till the 06 models came out seem to be the most problem free mazda3s out there IMO... they don't have the weird electronics issues nor mechanical issues associated with the 04 and 06 models

what you're looking at is a fully loaded model that would've costed about 25k new... it *will* have everything, heated seats (unique for the 05 year), abs, side curtain airbags, side airbags, HIDs, LED tails (if it's a hatch)

the residual values of the 3s have been pretty good and are comparable to civics and corollas (goes to show that people think more highly of mazdas now) and seeing as only 1500 of these cars were made, the dealership *maybe* trying to screw you on both counts.... I'm willing to bet that a normal GT model 3 of the same year wouldn't cost that much (it won't have heated seats nor LED tail lights)

 

[Raymo853]

I would rather get a new one than this used one. The price they are asking is inline with the KBB but getting a brand new one with a full warranty and no risks the last owner was an jackball seems worht the little more cash. Plus one of the improvements in the 2007 model year (better sound insulation) means allot to me.

 

[ballacheez]

ended up not getting it.. still have my truck..