Hey everyone....
I just bought a P5 last week and I've been lurking around this board since I got it. You guys (and gals) are filled with great info and I thought I would contribute my thoughts on this subject. Better go get a drink 'cuz this is a long one....
I've seen this thread more than a few times and I think it's great to help out somebody who is thinking about or is about to purchase a new/used MP3/P5. But what I think would make this post and other similar ones more complete would be to provide to following info:
Year/Model/Make:
Price: AFTER shipping, processing, etc. but BEFORE any rebate/incentives, tax and tags
Classification: (New, used, demo)
Currency: US/Canadian
Color: (obvious)
Rebate or incentive: (obvious)
Options: (obvious)
Region: (obvious)
Mileage: when purchased
Month of purchase: (obvious)
Buying Service: (None, S-plan, UBS)
Comments: Anything else you think would help a future MP3/P5 owner!
Admittedly, we will find that some people paid more and some people paid less but I think it is hard to determine what is a fair price unless more information like the above is provided. There are alot of factors involved in getting the car you want and the price you pay. As a very simple example, if you want the car with the options that everyone else in your area seems to want then you will end up paying a little more probably. If you happen to live in an area where P5s are not popular (I know, hard to imagine
), you will more than likely get a very good deal on one. How much more are you willing to pay for the color and options you want. Another example, yellow seems to be rare around here in the DC area. I haven't seen one yet. If I found one, how much extra would I be willing to pay to get that yellow in my name? I guess that's why I went with red!
Another thing to think about. It may seem trivial, but it was important to me. Mileage on the vehicle. Personally I like to break in a vehicle myself. I was extremely happy and lucky that I got a car with only 7 miles on it and I was willing to pay a little more for it. The reason? You never know what happens to a car that may have 100 miles or 200 miles or even more. People take it for a TEST drive. Heck I took another P5 for a test drive to see what it could do. There is no way I would do what I did to that car to my own personal P5 until it was broken in. Some people say it doesn't matter whether the car is broken in or not. Personally, I am planning to keep the car as long as possible so I want the engine to last.
As for year end model sales. Yes, you can get a better deal on year end models but you have to realize you might have to give up on the color you want and/or the options you want on it. Some things they will be able to add at the factory such as CD changer etc but some things they can't such as ABS. The only surprise to me was that the dealer said all the moonroofs are added when the car arrives in the US. They still fall under Mazda warranty and can still add that as an option after purchase. Whether this is true or not, I have no idea. Personally, I like to see everything on the car that I am about the purchase. Especially something as big as a moonroof. But then again if you have the option to install a sunroof afterwards, maybe you have a choice as far as the type or size. Don't know, didn't ask.
The best way to get a price is to do your research (like here and edmunds) and to get dealers in your area to compete for your business. The only problem with getting dealers to compete with each other is finding two cars similarly equipped at two different dealers. Another thing. Set your the limit of what you want to pay. If it goes beyond that, walk away.
As for rebates and incentives. You should go to yahoo:
http://autos.yahoo.com/finance.html
and calculate your monthly payments if any. I had an option to go with either a lower interest rate or with cash back. Check with yahoo, sometimes you are better off with the cash back and sometimes you are better off with a lower interest rate. I opted to go with a low interest rate at my local bank and take the cash back option.
With that said, I guess I can start with my own details.
Year/Model/Make: 2002 Mazda Protoge5
Color: Classic Red
Price: 17250 (before rebate)
Currency: US
Rebates: $750
Options: ABS/Side Air Bags
Moonroof
Cargo net
Floor mats
Region: Washington DC Area
Mileage: 7
Date: April, 2002
Buying Service: None
Comments: I checked with Edmunds' TMV and UBS and what I got was lower so I'm happy.
If we get good number of responses, we could probably prevent this question from coming up by "sticky"ing it to the top of the forum.
Enough rambling! I hope this was helpful! Remember, this is based on my experience. Everybody has different experiences. That's what makes this forum great because we can share our experiences.
I hope anyone thinking about purchasing a car finds this helpful. If I am wrong, please correct me.
Good luck!
