Hey guys,

I've been wanting a 5 for several years now and I'm finally ready to pull the trigger. I'm buying used to save some depreciation.

I have two candidates and both appear in pristine condition.

First is a 2010 Touring. It has about 13,100 miles and is Gray. This unit is at a dealer and price is $14,000 firm and they want their B.S. dealer fee of $599.

Second is a 2012 Grand Touring with 13,000 miles and is also Gray with the black leather(red piping). This is priced at $19,750 plus a B.S. dealer fee of $699.

What are ya'lls thoughts on both offers? I'm not interested in hearing which is the better offer in your opinion so much as what you think of each offer independently.

Thanks in advance.
Craig

 

I just got a brand new 2012 Mazda 5 GT with tint and wheel locks for $22,000, or 21770 with no options (invoice minus $2K). Given rule of thumb that a vehicle drops in price 10% when it drives off the lot, I'd think that your no-options (?) 1-year old 2012 GT should not be more than ~$19,500 with no extra fees.

I'm also guessing that your 2012 is one of the first new gen production models (=potential gremlins), and could possibly be a renter / demo vehicle.

2010 looks like a solid choice with low mileage, cannot comment on price.

 

Iv72,

Thanks for your reply. The 2010 apparently had a deposit on it before I could get to the dealer :-( Snooze you lose I guess.

Sounds like you got a good deal on your new 2012. Lots of luck with it. Hey, have you figured a way to play pandora from your phone via bluetooth? I test drove one yesterday and got it to play MP3s from my phone but Pandora on the phone wouldnt play even though I had Bluetooth option in pandora enabled.

Craig

 

Dealer fees are a rip off. My dealer here doesnt have one, but I bet if you went in and said look. "I will drive away in this car TODAY if you waive the "dealer fee". If you don't I walk and you'll never see me again" I bet they'd waive it.

Look at the economy. Sales are way down. I think they will at the very least drop the price $699 to make the sale.

In used vehicles, dealers make a KILLING in profit. They make way more on used than they do new. To give you an example.

Back in 2005 we were going to trade our near mint 1996 Honda Civic in for a Mazda 3. The dealer offered us $500 on our Honda, no wiggle room. **$500**. Seriously?!? We walked. We sold our Honda privately for $6000. Had they paid us $500, they stood for a possible $5500 profit!!

There is DEFINITELY wiggle room in their price. If you can't get them to drop, consider a private purchase or a different dealer and wait for the right car. If you pay the BS fee, you will always have a bad taste in your mouth from it.

 

Whats considered a good deal on a 2012 GT new leftover?

Craig

 

What a good price would be is a tough call due to location, different states and different provinces all warrant different price points.

I live in BC, and if I sold our 2008 GT, I think I could get around $14,000 CDN. The new price was $26,000 CDN. The best bet is to find a good used car website in your state and compare what people are selling for. Here in Canada, a good comparison site is Used Cars for Sale, but in your area there is probably something similar.

Craigslist may be another good place to check, but usually less selection for comparison.