Well, technically I'm not a newbie just yet. I'm going to the dealership this weekend and I have my eye on the Mazda 3. This will be my first car, even though I've been driving for years. I've been driving a mistsubishi galant the past year and a half. I've never had to negotiate the purchase of a new car and for some reason am very nervous. I don't want to seem like easy prey and portray myself as an uninformed woman buyer. I'm in the process of doing my homework of caparison shopping. I was given this price quote from one dealer:

2006 Mazda Mazda3
Description — $17,450, Sunlight Silver / Black 4-door FWD Sedan, 2.0L I4. Stock# TM6244
Your price is $16761.00 plus taxes and fees

Does this seem about right? Thanks

 

It doesn't seem out of line depending on the options on the car.

Here's a link to some info...

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=49465.0

 

All I know is never pay sticker price. what it says in the window is a joke, and the best method is to buy near the end of the month (salesmen are competing for more sales by the end of the month for employee of the month. also come one day, say you'll think about it and go to another dealership have them BEAT it, not match it but beat it, then come back the next day and use your new quote (get all quotes/agreements in writing even the first one from day before) to have the first dealership beat the new one. Even if you like it, don't impulse buy. I know you'll want to take that baby home when you see it, but the wait-a-day patience is good. also salesmen know if you really want THAT car with the same colors and options as the one on the lot, they know price becomes irellevant. Do not act like "THIS IS THE CAR!" be like, "yeah it's nice but I saw another one I liked at another dealership on (give road name)" if they ask what color stay firm and you don't have to tell them. I re-read a 4 page article on buying a car and talking down dealership salesmen several times after realizing how ripped off my mom was. don't make the same mistakes we did our Mustang was $27,000 (what we paid) and the KBB just 1 year later w/ 7k miles is $13,000. Get a GOOD deal! Good luck.

 

Oh and stay in contol, salesmen get nervous if you say "let's do the paperwork here, on the hood of the car" and be assertive to show YOU are the one with the checkbook, and YOU are the one who sets the rules around here. these little mind games keep them from using you like a puppet.