Should I buy it?

[ChEPhD]

Dealer has quoted me $23600 OTD for a red 2014 Mz5GT. He had it brought over from another dealer 25 miles away. When I went to test drive it
yesterday, I noticed it was a little dirty and scuffed and had 160 miles on it. Should I buy it? Is that a good price? I'm a little worried about
the 160 miles - can that even still be considered a new car?

 

[Vasy]

Up to about 5000 I belive is considered a new car.
The price seems OK, you can ask them to wash and polish the car so it would be spotless.

On a side note, you can be purchasing a car that had $1900 previous damage in it, we used as a demo and still consider a brand new car with no declarations. This is how the rules here work. Dealers don't have to disclose any damage below 2000 to you. So if a lot guy backed into doors and they had to be repainted or replaced, you would never know.

 

[DougNuts]

Seems like a good price. I would've bought new last year if they had given me that deal.

 

[90210]

Not good price, per Los Angeles standard.

 

[thaxman]

Seems like anything more spacious than a Kia Rio goes for north of $30K nowadays :sigh: :shrug:
Did you get a pic of the damage? GT or not (leather seating right, if not, beware) I wouldn't pay a premium for anything with damage. Particularly since dealers are notorious for cramming in extra fees and charges for things not agreed on that are "package deals" or "already done" or "mandatory."

 

[90210]

^^^
Not only that, they can't give the Mazda5s away. They haven't been able to sell them when new in 2011 (when I bought mine), and they can't sell them now.

They are always sold at deep discounts.

To pay that high of a price for a damaged example, makes no sense, unless you like flushing Benjamins down the toilet.

And if you have a PhD, as the OP has, I would think he is not that daft, to pay that price.

 

[ChEPhD]

Thanks for the input, all. Some good points were made. The car is not so much "damaged" as "looking a little less than sparkly new". However, I've decided to let the car continue to be the dealer's problem, not my problem. I'll just wait to purchase until the next one comes along!

 

[DougNuts]

Not good price, per Los Angeles standard.

Mazda5 GTs (that's the loaded one) sell for ~$21500 in L.A.?

I still think that the OP's price is good for a GT. I tried to get two dealers to come down to that price last year and neither one would drop below $26k out the door. They both let me walk away, said they couldn't do it.
The 160 miles wouldn't concern me, it was probably driven home by an employee a few times and had a few test drives. As for the blemish, just tell them you'll only buy if it's cleaned up to your satisfaction.

 

[90210]

^^^

OTD price is not a valid comparison. Some states have taxes, some don't, some have higher license, and doc fees etc.

My local dealer selling Touring for 20K, GT for 20,900.

 

[90210]

Thanks for the input, all. Some good points were made. The car is not so much "damaged" as "looking a little less than sparkly new". However, I've decided to let the car continue to be the dealer's problem, not my problem. I'll just wait to purchase until the next one comes along!

Good decision! Smart man.

P.S. we have a summer home in Raleigh (By crabtree mall), and have a realtive in Cary and Fayetville.

My Cary relative liked my Mazda 5 on a trip to LA, and when I was there last, we went to ATL and bought a new one.

He paid 20,450 for his Touring.

 

[DougNuts]

^^^

OTD price is not a valid comparison. Some states have taxes, some don't, some have higher license, and doc fees etc.

My local dealer selling Touring for 20K, GT for 20,900.

Wow, I just did a Cars.com search (new only) and was shocked to find that:

250 mile radius from me, there were only ~6 Touring models under and the rest Sport models under $23k.
500 mile radius had ~35 Grand Touring models under $23k, some down into the $20K range!!

That's messed up...

 

[90210]

^^ Why are you shocked to find that?

No one wants these cars. WHen I bought mine in summer of 2011, brand new 2012 model, sports were going for 17,500-18K locally. Touring a bit more, and GT a bit more.

There are deep discounts on this car all the time.

This is my 11th Mazda since 2003, so it isn't like its the only one I bought. Dealers can't give them away.

Mazda has long killed their own resale values. Used cars ask for more $$ than new cars go for.

I bought my new 2004 Mazdsaspeed Miata for 18750. STicker was $27500.

I bought my new fully loaded PHRT Miata in 2011 for 21,500. Sticker was 32,000.

 

[DougNuts]

I am shocked because those deals don't exist around me. Did you read my 250mi findings? Zero GTs for under $23k, and that includes some major population centers.

If I'm willing to fly 450 miles and drive home, I can get a deal that two local dealerships told me was impossible only 11 months ago.

 

[90210]

^^

Last 3 cars I bought, I drove 1100 miles, 1500 miles, and 2700 miles away. One way ticket and drove home. Saved thousands, and was worth it to me.

 

[ChEPhD]

Glad I held out! I'm getting what I wanted from another dealer. Picking it up Saturday. New 2014 red Mazda5GT with FOUR miles on it, not 160. And cheaper, too.
$21000 plus tax, tag, doc fee. ($22,400 OTD)

 

[90210]

^^^

congrats

 

[Silentnoise713]

Glad I held out! I'm getting what I wanted from another dealer. Picking it up Saturday. New 2014 red Mazda5GT with FOUR miles on it, not 160. And cheaper, too.
$21000 plus tax, tag, doc fee. ($22,400 OTD)

Good deal! Welcome to da klub.