Advice Needed - Considering an MS3

[DaleNixon]

Ok here goes.... I've got a pure white Protege5 with 42,000 miles that's in great condition (has a few bizarre water stains on the paint but only visible up close). Overall the car is fine and I consider it a "good" in the kbb standards (close to excellent but it says only 5% of used cars are "excellent").

So kbb says I could sell this car private party for about $9100.

I would only consider doing this if I were to acquire the brand new Mazdaspeed3 that is located in a town about 75 miles from where I live.

Assuming I can't sell the P5 private party for $9100, I have two questions:

1. What is the minimum trade I should accept for the Protege5?

2. What is the maximum price I should be willing to pay for the Mazdaspeed3? The dealer has it listed at $23,290. It doesn't have leather or any of the other fancy shmancy stuff.

I'm thinking I might just call them up on the phone to say "here's what I'll pay and accept on trade". If they accept, I'll take a short road trip. If they don't, they can piss off because my P5 is a pretty sweet ride and could use a hiboost kit.

 

[ndedomin]

Ok here goes.... I've got a pure white Protege5 with 42,000 miles that's in great condition (has a few bizarre water stains on the paint but only visible up close). Overall the car is fine and I consider it a "good" in the kbb standards (close to excellent but it says only 5% of used cars are "excellent").

So kbb says I could sell this car private party for about $9100.

I would only consider doing this if I were to acquire the brand new white Mazdaspeed3 that is located in a town about 75 miles from where I live.

Assuming I can't sell the P5 private party for $9100, I have two questions:

1. What is the minimum trade I should accept for the Protege5?

2. What is the maximum price I should be willing to pay for the Mazdaspeed3?

I'm thinking I might just call them up on the phone to say "here's what I'll pay and accept on trade". If they accept, I'll take a short road trip. If they don't, they can piss off because my P5 is a pretty sweet ride and could use a hiboost kit.

1) Don't take less than the KBB value of your car. If the private party value is 9100, expect maybe 7k from the dealership. I would recommend just selling your car privately for the extra money, but I understand that the convenience of trade-in at the dealer is hard to beat.

2) Are you looking at the sport or GT model? Are you planning on getting satellite radio or navigation systems?? You should expect to pay somewhere between 21K and 24K depending on what trim and what options you get with the MS3. There aren't any rebates or incentives on the MS3 since it is in pretty high demand anyway, so don't expect to get more than a couple thousand off of the sticker price.

Good luck, and keep us updated if you make a decision or have any luck with the trade!

 

[DaleNixon]

Hey thanks for the fast reply man. This is just the base model speed3. I'd love to get leather/nav/etc., but there just aren't any available in my area with that. I can add them from the aftermarket later

Here's my projected scenario:

Since they are asking $23,290 I might just call them up and lay it out (I'm a no BS kind of guy). I'll say I'll accept $7K trade and pay no more than $22K for the new car (I SUCK at negotiating). If they say yes, I'm there. If not, it wasn't meant to be.

How does that sound?

 

[djthom]

1) Don't take less than the KBB value of your car. If the private party value is 9100, expect maybe 7k from the dealership. I would recommend just selling your car privately for the extra money, but I understand that the convenience of trade-in at the dealer is hard to beat.

2) Are you looking at the sport or GT model? Are you planning on getting satellite radio or navigation systems?? You should expect to pay somewhere between 21K and 24K depending on what trim and what options you get with the MS3. There aren't any rebates or incentives on the MS3 since it is in pretty high demand anyway, so don't expect to get more than a couple thousand off of the sticker price.

Good luck, and keep us updated if you make a decision or have any luck with the trade!

+1

def go with the private sale! craigslist work very well for me!

also I don't know where you are located but if you are anywhere near NJ work with Wayne Mazda as they give killer deals!


Good luck!

 

[nextcar]

i agree with everyone. if you sell it privately, you can get about $2k more.

as for the ms3 price, many member here got invoice price, so i'd say that should be your target. i got invoice +200.

 

[DaleNixon]

So what is invoice price on a base ms3? Private sale might not be possible this quickly. Someone in my family might buy the car from me but that's not looking too likely. I'll probably just trade it and bite the $2000 bullet.

 

[ndedomin]

So what is invoice price on a base ms3? Private sale might not be possible this quickly. Someone in my family might buy the car from me but that's not looking too likely. I'll probably just trade it and bite the $2000 bullet.

Invoice on base MS3 is just about 21k (20,990 or something like that). You won't be able to do much better than that in terms of the price on a speed3.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

Does your state give you a tax break on trade-ins? Here in Jersey, they subtract your trade off the cost of the car and then apply tax to that number. For example, if you get $7k for your Protege on a trade and the MS3 is $21k, you'll only pay sales tax on $14k instead of $21k. Here in NJ, that's almost $500 savings in tax.

If there are several Speed dealers around you, I would send out a few emails to their internet managers and get them competing for your business. I agree that Wayne Mazda in NJ will probably get you the best deal around. They're the largest dealer in the country and are more concerned about volume sales than nickel and diming you. They quoted me $20,890 for a sport with absolutely no haggling over the phone and I know I could have gotten it for less than that. Wound up with a GT from another dealer closer to me though. Looks like you're from LA, so coming up to NJ to buy a car is probably impractical.

 

[DaleNixon]

Yep, I'm in Louisiana and there's really only one dealer option

 

[phillyb]

to the op - i've never seen ANYONE do a car deal over the phone. they might negotiate the price of their vehicle over the phone, but even most dealerships probably won't do that...(some will)

but none of them are going to say yes or no fo your trade. who the **** would appraise something without seeing it. the road trip to the dealership is essential if you are trading your car in.

i'm with everyone else, list it on craigslist and autotrader. good luck.

also, see if carmax has an ms3 in your neck of the woods

 

[djthom]

to the op - i've never seen ANYONE do a car deal over the phone.

Duuhhh its a phone not some space video communication device from the future!(naughty)
j/k

negotiate the price over the phone, come to an agreement, then have them fax or email the sales slip to you. Once you get to the dealer, then you work on the trade portion of the deal!

good luck!

 

[DaleNixon]

I can't think you guys enough for all the quick feedback. I'm in talks with the family about selling it to one of them... I'll be calling the dealer soon to work out a price.

 

[MikeHTally]

Yep, I'm in Louisiana and there's really only one dealer option

Is that the dealer off Airline Highway? I was in Baton Rouge late last month. We drove over to visit family and give the Speed some highway excercise. Man, those guys had some inventory! Big sale goin', too.

 

[MikeHTally]

I've finalized many deals over the phone. But you're right, they will want to see the trade early. After that, you can phone in, carry out.

 

[DaleNixon]

Wait what? No dealer in Baton Rouge has the Speed3.

 

[ndedomin]

Wait what? No dealer in Baton Rouge has the Speed3.

Only certain dealers carry it. They have to be specially licensed by mazda to sell speed3's

 

[coololddude]

Hey thanks for the fast reply man. This is just the base model speed3. I'd love to get leather/nav/etc., but there just aren't any available in my area with that. I can add them from the aftermarket later

Here's my projected scenario:

Since they are asking $23,290 I might just call them up and lay it out (I'm a no BS kind of guy). I'll say I'll accept $7K trade and pay no more than $22K for the new car (I SUCK at negotiating). If they say yes, I'm there. If not, it wasn't meant to be.

How does that sound?

dont give them your final offer up front. salesdemons are programmed (special brain implant) to expect you to accept less. give them some wiggle room and the brain implant will appear successful. do your best and then buy the MS3. in any event, you will probably feel you got screwed on the deal, but still bought a really cool hatch. and you probably did both!!

 

[DaleNixon]

Only certain dealers carry it. They have to be specially licensed by mazda to sell speed3's

Oddly, the dealer I go to for service is a Mazdaspeed dealer (they sold the MSP and the MS Miata). They do not carry the Speed3 though. They told me no one in Louisiana does... liars!

 

[coteyma]

I found my 08 Sport at carmax the day they put it on the lot.. Flawless with only 7500 miles only a 21.5k sticker price.. Granted they messed up and put it in the computer wrong, but it works.. and happens quite alot.. just keep an eye out online and if you're open to a used vehicle with low miles then you can pick one up for a steal. I for one have always been opposed to paying full price for a car, but if you'd rather have the security of knowing you have been the only owner then more power to you.

Basically I'm saying look around for a bit, do your research if you're open to it.. Wish you the best of luck and hope you find a great deal

 

[Gmac03]

I'd be very interested to see if any dealer will do business with you over the phone.

And from a few of your posts it seems like you don't have all of the bullets in your gun just yet.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/mazda/mazdaspeedmazda3/100987551/prices.html
http://www.carseek.com/reviews/mazda/2008-mazda-speed-3/

Look at these sites real quick, they will tell you what retail, TMV, invoice, if any rebates, dealer holdbacks.

These are all things you need to know going in there. Not that you need to put them on the table right away, but how do you know how to play the game if you don't know what the rules are.

Do some research, never tell them how you are paying for the car (what should it matter), and always buy a car when you don't need to.

Gmac