You're offended by me saying you did not do your homework? That's not what I was trying to get across. What I was saying by that comment was that If you really tried, then you would have not conceded to paying a ridiculous over MSRP price and not be suckered by "market adjustment" garbage dealerships spew to see who will bite and take the candy because their eyes are on a shiny new metal object their heart is set on. You should have never said you will spit that BS fee with them. YOU have the power to negotiate and walk. THEY need to sell cars. You don't have to buy one. If you have a weak stance, they will walk all over you. Your due diligence would have been to contact every single dealerships general sales manager within a 300 mile radius or better yet 500 miles via email/telephone (email is best) ONLY and negotiate that way. You can easily get their emails on the dealer websites or by calling reception at that dealer and asking. You then figure out what vehicles VIN numbers they have in stock or in transit from their website, the Mazda website or many other public websites. Then you take that info and construct a to the point, no nonsense email stating facts and what you will pay for a deal today, no markups, no add ons, no nonsense and state that you are well aware of inventory and are a seasoned buyer that only negotiates this way. You only visit the dealer to take delivery. You ask for a real line by line quote to be sent in a buyer's order for you to review. You then take those quotes and secretly pit those dealers against each other again back and forth with your closest dealers again by email only. The first to meet or beat your best quote is the dealer who wins. Give a deposit ONLY after this and make arrangements. By doing it this way, you take away the control and power they would normally have over you if you were inside trying to make a deal. They are all shark infested waters and you are their dinner. Not this way.
That is how everyone should do it to come out with an acceptable deal or better. It works.
If you are happy with your deal, then enjoy the vehicle. You can't change the deal now but you will always wonder if you would have called their bluff and could have saved much more $$$.
Deals can still be had but it is alot harder nowadays... and at least for a few more months.
It sounds like he did try to get the best deal possible.
Back in the day, i was able to figure out what the manufacturer invoice price to the dealer was,(and it was low...car manufacturers made $$ on volume not markup... all dealers initially wouldn't budge but then after weeks of calls back and forth, eventually got the vehicle I wanted for 10k less than sticker. They still made decent profit on it.
That was $10 k that would have went in someone else's pocket instead of paying my bills.
During this recent inflated market I didn't fare as well. However I was able to find a dealer that sold a decent used cpo without all kind of add-ons(like laser engraved parts, convenience packages, etc) and for the best used car price on the market at the time. It was still inflated but still saved a few thousand compared to other dealers.
If a person can wait the market out for several months and then haggle for a few weeks with several dealer's, they should be able to get a decent deal.
The recent problem with getting good deals was the perfect storm and is threefold:
1.) Limited new and used car inventory , backlogs, and part shortages caused decreased supply and price increases.
2.) Govt handouts which gave everyone more $$ to spend which increased demand.
3.) Lastly, part of the issue is more of the younger generation doesn't like to haggle, become very stressed when haggling, was not taught to haggle by their parents and just want to buy it now. I see and hear it everyday whether it be friends kids, relatives, coworkers, etc. People would rather pay a few extra thousand than be stressed by negotiations. It's mind-boggling considering the extra amount of hours you would need to work at a job just to avoid stress of car buying. Me, I'd rather haggle and work less or use the $$ saved on a vacation.
The way things are going, I might sell cars part time.
Also, I like some of your ideas and will be using some of those during my next negotiations. Ive always negotiated in person/phone but like your email idea.