hi. i'm new here. i'm having a really hard time trying to buy a new 08 mazda3. we can't seem to get them lower than $17k (which is just over $1k off LIST price). does anyone know what i should be paying for a new 3 itouring with auto, ABS, & side air curtains? does mazda historically have a bigger sale in sept? i think we need the instant rebate - they are offering us *nothing*. i think part of the problem we are having is that we don't need financing and so when the dealer gets an inkling about this, they tack on another $500 to the price. what should i do? i NEED a car, asap.

 

Sounds like a decent price to me. Try another dealer. So I guess they know you need a car and not just want one? I'm surprised they are holding firm on an 08 though. They have 09s on the lot. I'd think they'd want to move it. You're getting close to end of month so that will help you as they have to meet their numbers. The last week of Sept ought to be better but that car may not be there by then.

 

If you can get $1,000 off of sticker on a '3' take it and run! I doubt there will be much more of a discount in September and there might be few cars available then given the way they are selling. Some dealers are adding additional markups over sticker due to the demand to four-cylinder cars.

As for paying cash for the car.......Sincea dealermakes more on the financing than they do on the car itself (I used to work for a dealer I'm sorry to say - dirty business) go ahead and get the best financing deal you can then pay off the loan the next month. That way you will get whatever discountthey are offering on the carand, if you work the financing right and have decent credit, you will only pay a few dollars interest for the use of the money for a month.

If you don't want to go that route, at least don't tell the dealer you plan to pay cash. Let themmake you an offer assuming you will finance then "decide" to pay cash. They won't like it butif you have a buyer's order in hand they will likely go ahead and sell the car at the price they gave you. I know it sounds shady but when dealing with car dealers you have to play as rough as they do or I promise you, you willget screwed!

Good luck!

 

I faced the same thing when I bought my 2008 Mazda3 a month ago. Mazda's do not have rebates and they are very good at holding they're value like the Honda. I ended up going with the Sport instead of the itouring and forgot the larger wheels, electric windows and doors.
I did not think it was worth $3000.00 more. 17k is a grerat deal on an itouring though. I would definantely take it.

 

I agree, it sound like a good price. I wish I had bumbed up to the touring now.
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When I bought mine (before gas priceswent to the moon), I was able to get a better deal than what you are describing. You may want to go to http://www.edmunds.com/and use the True Market Value tool to see what price you should be able to achieve in your area.

You don't say where you live exactly. If you live in or near a major city, you should be able toget a few dealers compete for your business.

As far as paying cash goes, when I bought, that is what I did, it seemed to help me get a better price. You don't say if you have a trade-in. If they are being generous with the trade in, maybe that limits what can be done with the sales price.

 

i would take the 17k honestly. but thats just my oppinion.

my father owns mazda of school springs and the sticker price of my 2007 mazda3s HB was $21,000. i got it for around 17k because that is the actual worth of the car. the dealer is probably not gonna go lower than about that 17k. and i got it when all the 08's had come on the lot and mine was actually one of the last 07's on the lot.

...just my input, good luck!

 

I would def take it. I read a great article about how Mazda 3's are holding there value extremely well because the don't have many used ones on the lot because everyone is buying them up. I bought my 2008 mazda 3s sport last september for about mid 19k. It is worth about 19,800 right now with just over 17,000 miles on it. my point is you cant really get deals on them right now because they are in such hi demand. Id take it and run!