Sadly, on our income with a 3 month old baby, the GT and or new is totally out of the picture. We do not have employer provided health insurance and so it eats a lot of our budget. A new vehicle period is not what I want but its part of life. Cars wear out so you replace them. I like the idea of being debt free haha
Our budget is 17,000 dollars. On the used market I can get a touring for around that or less. Certainly less if I get the standard 6 speaker system. I know I can add better speakers, I just don't know if its worth paying 1500-2000 more for a moon roof and 3 extra speakers.
If this is typical for car buying I must be sheltered. Only once have I had such a bad experience and that time I was only looking to test drive and not buy.
My next question is, how to not go upside down on the loan. How accurate is Kelly Blue Book for re-sale value? Should I pay over KBB value for a used cx-5? How am I to know a real "value" on these?
If I were you - i would do this:
See the # of CX5s in sale in your area. See mazda website for any certified in your area. Expand area to get good deals. Mazda dealers are more centered around major cities - so you may get a great deal just 20 miles out of your zone in some cases.
Never, never walk in to a dealer unless you have an email price you are interested - unless dealer is literally next door. Find the cars you like, list them by order and email asking for a confirmed quote - a nissan dealer lists cars as certified here but says its additional 1400 when you walk in.
Once you have a list of cars - next stage is to get more for the same money. You can usually say the dealer is honest or not in a short time, i dont mind leaving few dollars extra for a no hassle service. Your options are:
1. Get price down.
2. Ask for a free stuff if price cannot come down.
3. Ask for service (if within few miles of home)
4. Find out bad things about the car and bring it into the conversation. Damaged trim peaces, not clean interior etc. And then get price down.
Always have options two three or four ready. Your aim is to walk out with the car you want and with as much stuff you want. The dealer may give you a free oil change which is nothing for him but 60 bucks for you. You need options two or three if he is not bringing price down - be ready to walk.
I got a camry SE and did not haggle much - but got auto dimming mirrors free since it sits low and many trucks are driven in DFW. If i would have seen a cigarette burn marks before i would have nicked 100 more off the car.
KBB value is kind of a ball park but supply demand is a thing. The Mazda 6 here has good resale since its exclusive and not many are available. But when rental companies turn in their camry's oh - there are like 800+ in DFW so the price can drop if you haggle hard. Do your research - internet is your friend.