Negotiation tips

[ottawaP5]

I keep putting off test driving the P5 because of snowstorms and -35 degree weather....I'm getting anxious to test drive it! Just waiting for the roads to actually have pavement on them, so i can get a true feeling for the car.

I was wondering if you guys negotiated on the price of the car....if so can you give me any tips on doing this (first time buying a car). Is it better to tell them to throw in free accesories or try to get the price lowered?

 

[kidkorrupt]

i got a 03 manual mp5 for 15k out the door (no tax, license fee)...it came bone stock with no extras (moon roof, 6 disc cd changer, etc..)

the way i did it was i brought along my cell phone. When the dude told me a price i would call other dealers in front of him and see if they could beat him.

Me and my dad got it down to $15600 and the manager said no more. He offered a year of unlimited oil changes and 3 free detailing but we didn't except and walked out the door. the dude came running after us and we sealed the deal.

good luck on the hunt. oh, also go dressed in bummy clothes..i think that helped..hahahahha

 

[Jim Frye]

www.carbuyingtips.com

Read all seven chapters of it. There's tons of good, useful information there. There's spreadsheets to help you with the pricing. Jim

 

[bmorton]

I was wondering if you guys negotiated on the price of the car....if so can you give me any tips on doing this (first time buying a car). Is it better to tell them to throw in free accesories or try to get the price lowered?

Asking for both has always worked well for me. Once I'm satisfied with the price and they think they've got me ready to sign, I suddenly 'remember' the accessories catalogue and ask them to throw in a couple of items, or throw in one and sell me one at cost, etc., depending on what they are. If you go this route just make sure that the final thing you sign reflects the deal you made on the accessories.

 

[audiohs]

I keep putting off test driving the P5 because of snowstorms and -35 degree weather....I'm getting anxious to test drive it! Just waiting for the roads to actually have pavement on them, so i can get a true feeling for the car.

I was wondering if you guys negotiated on the price of the car....if so can you give me any tips on doing this (first time buying a car). Is it better to tell them to throw in free accesories or try to get the price lowered?

Unfortunately, Ottawa isn't a very big market. There are only 3 dealers here (4 if you include the Quebec side). We just picked up our 03 P5 yesterday but we're leasing it. What are you hoping to get (i.e option wise)? Do you have a trade-in? What kind of accessories do you want? Do you want an extended warranty? Stuff like this can get buried in the overall cost of the car. What I would do is to try and find out what the invoice cost of the car is. A fair markup for me would be 3-4% above invoice. I don't know how much room there is to deal on this car since it's so popular around here. My 3-4% above invoice might be a bit aggressive. Also, do your research on the wholesale value of your trade-in.

We picked up our P5 from Bank St. Mazda. We dealt with Dennis there. My friend who bought his Protege a couple years back got 2 very different prices between Carling Motors and Bank St. Mazda. In this case, Bank St. was much cheaper. But I think it depends on what kind of stock they have too. Do your research and know exactly what kind of costs you should be looking at. For example, I had Bank St. throw in a cargo tray which they said retailed at $130. I called Performance Mazda parts dept up and they said it costs only $75. Dealers will always make it look like your getting a "deal". Also, if you're ready to make a deal on the car, you'll probably be able to get their bottom line. If they see you're not committed yet, they'll give you another price to "think about". But remember, the dealer has to eat too so don't think that you'll get things at invoice. If you get to a price that you're happy with, then ask them to throw in a couple of accessories like the block heater, cargo net, wheel locks, etc.

Also grad rebates, if you qualify, is just like cash. They dealer gets 100% of the money back so it shouldn't be part of the negotiations. It's like a coupon to them.

Good luck!!

 

[ottawaP5]

thanks guys, you've been really helpful

audiohs, I'm looking for a lazerblue p5 with moonroof and air.
I dont have a trade in, but i will be putting a big down payment since i'm buying it.

I live on the quebec side so i've only been to the 1 dealer there, but i will go see the ottawa dealers to see the difference. I'll try for as many accesories i can get away with.

 

[pickupjason]

Hi,

here in Los Angeles, I talked to couple internet sales managers when I was shopping around. I would say most of them quote the selling price as "invoice price+200 bucks."

So, internet sales manager and invoice price are your starting points. Furthermore, check with edmunds.com or some other websites to see if there's any incentive from Mazda to customers. Dealer has some hold-backs from Mazda so they actually paid less than invoice price for the car. Don't let them B.S with you..do some math yourself before you go to the dealership. Also, ask for quote through emails to all the dealers in your area.

I think you will be fine though. I got my 2003 5sp with moonroof+cd and abs+side airbag package $1000 bucks under sticker price OUT OF DOOR. The dealer kept telling me that I stole the car.....:bs:

good luck..

Jason

 

[Stealth5]

dont let them know how much you want it, esp if theres a certain one you wanr really bad...my sticker said 19,145 and my dad got it for 18,200

 

[audiohs]

I think you will be fine though. I got my 2003 5sp with moonroof+cd and abs+side airbag package $1000 bucks under sticker price OUT OF DOOR. The dealer kept telling me that I stole the car.....:bs:

Wow, $1000 below sticker out the door?!?! That is a fabulous deal. Unfortunately, I don't think any of our local dealers here can do anything like that. First off, there's probably around $1200 for freight, pdi, gas tax and all that crap. Secondly, we have 15% sales tax to pay. At a $22k MSRP, all of these added costs can equal to 20% or more of the MSRP. Plus, around here, the dealers know that they are a popular car so you really have to fight tooth and nail for any kind of deal.

OttawaP5 (shouldn't you be named HullP5 or GatineauP5? ), there's been some good advice here. Just be ready with your info and get ready to wheel and deal. Keep in mind some numbers that you'll be happy with. Unfortunately, you probably won't be able to score a deal like our neighbours south of us. You may be able to get a bit better in Toronto, but I'm not sure if it would be worth your time.

Again, good luck.

 

[REMillers]

I got lucky and found out my work place has deals with Ford/Mazda.

Got a fully loaded 03 p5 (no leather) for just under 17'000 (think it was 16750..)

It also helped that the week before my dad bought a 02 Miata, so the salesperson was really happy to see us return.

But as some said, try not to seem eager. I use to pounch on people back when I worked retail, just by watching how strongly they wanted a product.

For the most part though dealers are givening good prices and deals on the cars, just depends where you go and live.

 

[MadBiker]

Use the Internet!! I got my manual 5 spd midnight blue mica w/moonroof (no abs), w/chrome 16" wheels for US$16,800 plus tax and whatever. Dealer said that it was invoice plus $400, and financing was 1.9% over 3 years. This is in New Jersey.

And definitely make dealers compete. If they can't match price, then make them throw in extras. AND YOU CAN ALWAYS WALK OUT if you haven't signed anything yet and they start to try to throw the wool over your eyes.

 

[ottawaP5]

I'll go into every dealer and have the attitude "why should i buy from you when there are 4 other dealerships? What do you have to offer that the other ones dont"

The problem, like audiohs mentioned, is the P5 is so popular in ottawa (we have good taste in cars i guess) that i don't know if this will work. I heard bank st mazda have 53 P5's in stock..i'll go check them out.

Still waiting for pavement on the roads so i can test drive it...

 

[JOS3]

the sticker price for my p5 was $18,600, but i got it for $17,100 ($100 over invoice). my p5 is an automatic (sportshift) with a moonroof. i also have 0% interest for five years. just find a good dealerand tell them what you want. thats what i did.

 

[Amarek]

OttawaP5

Definetly shop around but you don't have to do it in person. Call the dealerships and leave your number they will be calling back (daily) and you could play the number game from the comfort of your own home.

You didn't mention automatic or not but you should get the car for at least $700 off of the sticker. If not walk away.

As far as dealerships go Bank St. usually gives the better price but then they gouge you on the frills (undercoating, block heater) And they have a very good sales closer.

Carlings sales manager is frustrated with losing sales to Bank St. so he might be willing to deal a good price and their service is top notch but you can service it anywhere.

Performance Mazda unfortunately I haven't been there since they started their renovations but ripping apart your shop must make you hungry for some sales.

Bottom line take your time and always remember they need your money so make them work for it.

Hope this helps and enjoy the test drive

 

[mypfizzle]

never be afraid to walk out if your not being treated right
never compliment the car - point out the flaws or the dislikes
if you like the car they assume they can get more money. if it has some downsides they will usually drop the price.. like with my car. .it came with the katskinz custom leather.. i told em i wanted cloth.. got the leather free.
find a salesperson that doesnt bumrush you when you walk in.. the people that run up to you are hungry to make sales.. find a salesperson wandering around aimlessly.
if u dont feel comfortable bartering or arguing bring someone with u who does
go late in the day.. or late in the month. -=)
- John

 

[rmedoc]

Any dealer should be able to get you an outstanding deal, IF, and a big IF, they really want to sell the car. When I got mine, the sticker said $19365. They asked me what I was gonna put down, and I told them I had nothing to put down(and I really had about $4k).
It took about an hour of negotiating, and they couldn't come up with what I wanted. So, I told them I would go across the street and get a WRX, my second choice in cars anyways. Well, they finally gave me the deal I wanted. Sold for $16,900, $1000 down, and oil changes while here on the island.
Needless to say, the 2 cars I bought the last 2 years, the scare tactic of going to another manufacturer/dealer has worked both times. Not to say it will work everywhere, but stick to your guns and you should be able to get a good deal.

 

[cbcbd]

They key is to show that you're in no hurry to get a car in the next 2 months. It's really hard when it's such a nice ride

There was a P5 on the lot and I kept telling them that I wasn't interested in all that it had (too much extra) and wanted to order.

I was also lucky that they were having a $500 cash back for recent graduates.
My invoice was $17,877, they offered to me for $18,366.00, so with the $500 cash back it ended up being $17,866.

I probably could've gone lower but accidentaly told the dealer that I was planning on trading in my current car before he gave me the final quote.

And also, during the last dealings, while trying to talk him down even more, he said that he couldn't give me any lower quotes because his manager was "out" and wouldn't be back until the next week.
Yeah, he was good and I was weak, I caved in and said "enough of this, gimme, gimme, gimme!"

 

[ottawaP5]

Good idea on mentioning the cars faults

I'll mention the piss poor gas milage it gets...it is the worst in its class for that.

i'm looking for a 5 speed..not automatic...they seem to run out of their 5 speed's before their autos...I thought more people drove autos. I save myself $1,300 right there!

so you are saying that if it retails for $21,800 , i should get it for $700 less?

 

[mypfizzle]

you have to remember.. when dealing.. if the sticker is 21,800 find out what their cost is.. offer then 100 over invoice.. if they need to make a sale they will take it.. cus u need to remember.. even if the sales person doesnt make money off you.. the next person will prolly just take the sticker price.. most people wont haggle.. no matter how much they want to save money

 

[ottawaP5]

really? I thought everyone haggled, it was a given when buying a car. You mean some people walk in and pay the full price?