Suggest you look up the KBB trade-in value for the CX-9. In my area it shows $34-$36k which IMO is surprising high.
Looking at retail prices on a 2019 Signature, there are quite a few with between 10K and 30K miles listing at $32 to $38, the higher being Mazda Certified.
$36 is not a bargain but not out of line. As far as $6K in dealer add-ons go, you can't blame them for asking, but I think that is out of line.

 

I use to really hate the "KBB"... and this is the main reason...
I use to buy used vehicles from a few hundred miles on the odometer to over 100k at a DEALER ONLY AUCTION so I use to know the pressure of bidding on a vehicle in hopes to get it at an acceptable price to turn it over on the used car lot.


INTERNET COOMONLY FOUND INFORMATION:

KBB quotes for retail values are not always accurate because they may not account for additional investments that a dealership has made in a vehicle. For example, while all dealerships try to purchase cars near the wholesale value, a car or truck may require thousands of dollars in reconditioning before it is offered for sale.


To add because there is truthfully more positive information why to use them the biggest negative is many people that use them do not look or consider the date of the published information. KBB is not always current for the market that changes weekly. h

 

I agree the 'books' KBB, NADA, etc. do not buy or sell cars, but the average buyer needs some basis to determine what monetary value to place on a used vehicle.
In this case the KBB trade-in value makes no sense, it's the same as the actual retail pricing at my local dealers.
The 2019 CX-9 in question is at $42 ($36+$6), I would expect to buy a similar car (if I did nothing more than walk in and write a check) closer to $34-$36. (Only adding tax, license, and reasonable transfer fees).
That said, a 2023 Touring CX-9 lists less than $41 and '23 a lot of options are now standard, one has to decide what the extra bells and whistles are really worth.
Good luck to our shopper, and Calisto, its always good hearing from you.

 

Dealers tend to like quoting KBB as if it's auto sale bible. In all my experience selling/buying cars, I always thought KBB did not steer me into a clear direction, their evaluation, for example, for private sale tend to be less than what people actually ask for on the market if you look at different sites, including Craigslist.

 

Hmm most Dealers I know have delt with and also once for a short time worked for as a practice do not allow the use of the salespeople using sales aides like KBB? I might add that other places like Craigslist are the domino effect when it comes to what vehicles are offered for pricing. You don't see when they final are sold what the negotiated price was. In the world of buying and trading vehicle's each single sale is different. The use of Kelly Blue Book that once held respect in the market no longer has that status nor does any other sales media portal when it comes to what the "MARKIT" value is of a vehicle new or used.
You are following yourself if you think otherwise.
But hay I am still learning after buying and selling my own personal vehicles which is guessing so far in my lifetime about 150+...and for companies I have worked for or my own business maybe around 45ish? LOL

 

In your first post, a week ago, you state "This is the first time I am looking to purchase from a dealer, hence the questions:"
Today its: "Dealers tend to like quoting KBB as if it's auto sale bible. In all my experience selling/buying cars...".
You learned a lot in the past week. I'll ask you, is $42K is a 'fair price' for a 4 year old CX-9.
Callisto - my first car was a 1955 Fairlane I purchase in 1962 as a Jr. in HS. Dealer asking price was $199, I stole it for $150.

 

nice!!!!!

 

I've bought over 30 cars over the years. Have got some great deals on some and probably overpaid on a couple others. Most recent was used 20 CX9 Signature 15 months ago. The used car market was extremely tight and prices were high but I wanted a certain color combo with low mileage. Finally found one at a dealer over two hours away. I'm very particular....car needed to be low mileage in perfect condition. Point is this CX9 only had 2300 miles and was a Signature in the right color combo and perfect condition. Dealer wouldn't budge on price, $42k. Most others were going for around $40k but higher mileage. Got the extended CPO warranty included and the vehicle now has 20k with no problems. We got exactly what we wanted but probably paid slightly more than "market". But how do you determine market on an 18 month old vehicle with only 2300 miles that looks like new? We plan on keeping it until at least 100k so any extra cost we paid with the warranty piece of mind can be amortized over the years. No problem since we really enjoy it. Takeaway......it's not all about price. If you find a vehicle that meets your needs/wants exactly, the end goal doesn't need to be all about price. With respect to your proposed purchase. I would not deal with a dealer that pulls that type of price switch.....advertise for $36 then up to $42....deceptive dealer practice. Shop elsewhere. There really is no such thing as a "dealer discount" when it comes to used car pricing. It's all relative....every used car is different, unlike buying a new one. Go online and you'll find low mileage 2021s for the same $41-42k. Keep shopping, get a bottom line out the door price up front and get the CPO warranty.

 

I had been 'shopping' for a new car since the Fall of 2021. I'm never in a rush repeat the process every 3 years or so. I had money down on a 2022 Pilot last November, the dealer has a good reputation, was selling at sticker, and had a firm trade offer of $32 on my 2019 Ford Edge. I was looking at about $14K difference. Two things bothered my about the Pilot, 1. a completely new 2023 redesign was due, and 2. they did not offer it in blue with black leather. I called the dealer and backed out of the deal. I know what you mean about the 'right' car.
This October I decided on a 2023 CX-9, it's the 3rd new Mazda I have purchased. This year my Ford was bid at $26.5K, a fair price, dozens of retail listings at $29-$32K. In addition in my state I get 7% sales tax credit by trading, saving about $1800 over a cash buy. I shopped two of the five local dealers, I never play them against each other, but the 'best we can do' number on identical cars and obtained on the same day, varied by $4700. By waiting a year to I 'lost' $6K on my trade but I feel the CX-9 fits ME better than a Pilot with grey interior and the soon to be dated body style. The only thing I wish my CX-9 had was rear parking sensors.
I feel you made a good deal on the CX-9. One year old, 2K miles, your preferred color and trim, the CPO warranty.. Congratulations.

 

I understand your point about price not being a definitive factor, but ultimately achieving your objective. I, as a matter of principle and habit, do not like to overpay for stuff. If you take into account the typical depreciation, selling a 2,5 y.o. car with $20k miles at ~20% off the original sale price is a rip off. Cars have always depreciated at a higher pace. Since the pandemic the prices stayed high for artificial reasons (part of which may be objective, part is - opportunistic dealers that hugely benefited from it, especially at the beginning when the prices practically froze in time). I bought in 2018 Kia Optima SXL for $18k with 45k miles, new it was priced at ~$36k. In 3 years the car depreciated by 50% - that's within typical depreciation rate.

I managed to get a dealer to agree to $39k out the door for 2020 Signature with 20k miles, but I feel it's too high anyway. In the summer I barely saw the Signatures with this kind of mileage below $40-$41k. Now they typically go for ~$36k asking price. In a few months I might be able to get it for $36k OTD. I'm not in a rush to buy, the dealer had it on the lot since September and wouldn't budge on the price below $39k OTD claiming he'll make $100 on the sale. I mean..these arguments just insult my intelligence.

Another one refused to reduce the asking price at all. He thought he was being a genius negotiator by adding $2.5k as a "market adjustment" and $2k as a "Total VIP Care package". After negotiations he "agreed" to remove those two and pretended it to be the grace of gods. But wouldn't budge on the car's asking price. Again..it's insulting to be treated like this so let him sell this nonsensical deal to a sucker who doesn't know any better. And, mind you, I know their trade in appraisals. They appraised my car 30% less than what I can sell it myself. So..it's pure greed, they absolutely can knock even a thousand off the asking price without going to a manager. Let them keep on the lot longer, the car has been there for 2 months already.