IMHO what you describe is not uncommon and one has to search to find a "fair" dealership (or one who appreciates your business). It sounds like you have tried most of your options and unfortunately have yet to find a good dealer. I, as some others have said, have been lucky and have a good dealer very close to home. I had used another dealer for many years (I actually worked for their VW dealership when I was a teenager) and had purchased many makes of cars from them over the years (from VW to Mazda to Porsche). When they tried to pull a fast one in 2019, I walked out and tried my local dealer - they have been great ever since. As for add on's you mentioned, this has always been a thing at some dealers, but worsened with COVID when cars became in shorter supply, dealers had no cars, and folks would pay anything to get a car. It is getting better now, and I expect it to continue to improve as the economy slows and cars start building up on lots again. I still see it though. My nephew just ordered a 2024 Porsche Boxster GTS. This is a 110k car and they wouldn't put the order in unless he agreed to $3k for an Expel clear bra and/or a $5k extended warranty.

 

Well - I hate to say thats ok , but at least they are being 100% up front prior to your purchase about exactly what they want . Hopefully there wont be any adjustments prior to the final sale -
Each dealer has allocations , and decide in advance on profits for the rare models ( as you know ) , and or color combinations -Im sure the GTS is limited production-

 

Yes it is and this will be the last year for the ICE 4.0l flat 6, so it will likely be in high demand.

 

I was thinking about this matter JUST yesterday as I sat in the local dealer, packing up to pick up my car after a 10,000-mile oil service and tire rotation (included as part-of-purchase). They seem to be of the “value-added” mindset that businesses (some) started to adopt about fifteen years ago, where if they are going to take your money, they will provide touches just a bit beyond the minimum.

For example, technicians film and narrate the multi-point inspection, including the taking of brake and tire measurements, the results of which the service manager sends to the customer’s phone. I saw the ‘ol dirty cabin filter—it was so—and was told I would be charged circa $50 to replace it. I laughed as the glove box space was open, and they could have just popped a new one in. But I do not begrudge their trying to make money, though I will change it myself.

Having followed a thread, whether here on another forum, about transmission fluid changes, I asked about this dealer’s recommendation and offering. Dealer recommends at 30K; I know Callisto here in a thread spoke of “Changing the Transmission pan and filter at the earliest miles and then following up with a simple pan fluid change at 10-15k miles” but I am not doing a change myself at this time. In any case, the dealer includes in the service also oil and filter change, brake fluid flush, tire rotation, cabin and engine filter change, fluid top-off, and inspection for $425. At current prices for services in other trades, and compared to some local other-brand Japanese dealers, I find this price acceptable; at least the manager made it clear this is the dealer’s recommendation, whatever else the manual suggests, so I have a point of comparison and a point-of-trust.

 

Dealers specifically NEW VEHCLE DEALRS have been getting bad raps for decades on their selling practices .

Do we have any Medical billing members on this forum? Perhaps you should chime in and explain the medical profession is not much unlike a car dealership when it comes to what they are charging insurance companies and also that so called discount for cash,,, better look again.

Many of you also forget that dealership are INDEPENDENT business and as such they are going to try to make as much profit and sales as they can generate. There is nothing wrong with that. So honestly, I say stop beeching if you dont like the price go to another business until you find one that YOU think is giving fairs cost on services and parts.

For all that are business owners I am sure we as such understand OVERHEAD to remain in business and that varies with so many things.

For anyone that has worked in upper management at a New car dealership, maybe you can explain flooring cost and car preparations cost that need to be paid by the dealers themselves and they do not get many kickbacks from the loan institution or the auto manufacture .

 

...and that is why I appreciate the value-added video. They did not have to do that, and would still have charged the same price; this step should keep the jaded customer in check, and I am sure the Mazda folks may be tired of the bad raps. In any case, here I have only seen positive interactions, as customers seem to appreciate this business.

 

[QUOTE=egdrive;218398]...and that is why I appreciate the value-added video. They did not have to do that, and would still have charged the same price; this step should keep the jaded customer in check, and I am sure the Mazda folks may be tired of the bad raps. In any case,here I have only seen positive interactions, as customers seem to appreciate this business.[/QUOTE]
Yes indeed.

I belong to several forums on various vehicle platforms so I get to read more negative responses from members then positive.