Best time to buy?

[Tvar']

Hi Everyone -
My wife and I are expecting our 3rd child in about 7 months. We've decided to get a Mazda 5, since there's no way we can fit 3 car seats in our Saturn, but we want something small with good gas mileage. So, we have some flexibility as to when to buy, since we don't need the new car for quite a while yet.

I think my preference would be to get a 2008 Mazda5 when they're on clearance at the end of the 2008 model year. But I'm not sure when that's going to be - I noticed that Mazda has already started a year end clearance sale already, but I remember that last year, they were still clearing out 2007 Mazda 5s all the way into January 2008. Do any of you have any insight as to when the best time to buy a 2008 Mazda 5 would be during the next 7 months or so?

Thanks.

 

[obiedobe]

Well, it's true that last year it took them a while to clear out the 2007s, but it seems that the 5 is MUCH more popular now than last year. We were in a similar situation (didn't HAVE to buy a car right now), but when I found the color (Stormy Blue) and model (Base Sport w/ Auto transmission only) we wanted at an acceptable price, we just went ahead and bought it last month.

It definitely seems that 5s are not sitting on dealer lots for very long right now -- the dealer where we bought ours said they're selling them as quickly as they get them in. So, I don't think I'd wait very long as the situation is definitely different from last year! Also, I know that I probably could have bargained them down another $500 or so, but I feel the price of the Mazda5 is already very fair, considering everything that's included, even in the base model.

Good luck!

 

[coolmazda5]

^^ That is correct, the Mazda5 s much more popular than last year, just check this article from few days back. First time on my 3 years of ownership that I see this. Now, if you are in Canada, even worse...


The family sedan and wagon aren’t the hot sellers they once were, but there are quite a few new models that are selling quickly, like the Chevy Malibu and Mazda5. The Kia Optima is a surprise on the list, but it also had significant incentives in June as dealers prepared for the upcoming 2009 model, which goes on sale later this year. Check out the losers and luxury winners and losers below.

Top 10 Sedan, Hatchback and Wagon Movers

* 2008 Toyota Prius: 4 days
* 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid: 10 days
* 2009 VW Jetta SportWagen: 13 days
* 2008 Kia Optima: 23 days
* 2008 Chevy Malibu: 24 days
* 2008 Chevy Impala: 25 days
* 2008 Honda Accord: 25 days
* 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid: 25 days
* 2008 Mazda5: 28 days
* 2008 Pontiac G8: 30 days



Source:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/07/movers-and-lo-3.html

 

[Rocket]

I bought mine on December 23rd. The dealer was dealing for sure!

 

[SonicBoy]

I'd say best time to go shopping is the last 2 weeks of the month. Dealers like to make those month end numbers and are willing to move more.

As for the Mazda 5, yes popular car and not sitting on the lots. If you can afford it, try to get the vehicle as soon as possible as when the baby comes, there tends to be a lot of expenses around that time related to diapers/formula as well as some adjustments to the family schedule. Just one less thing to have to worry about.

 

[AIMWO4]

I find the best time to go shopping is when they are trying to make room for the next year model. So if the dealership is expecting a load of 2009's, they will try to make room for them.