Urgent New Car Pricing Help-- Picking Up Tomorrow!
07-18-2009, 02:32 AM
#1
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Urgent New Car Pricing Help-- Picking Up Tomorrow!
As some of you may have read in the Vehicles Section, I am helping my friend shop for a new car.
She has decided on a 2010 Mazda 3i Touring Automatic in Graphite/Black. The only option she wants is the Moonroof/Bose package. MSRP on the car she wants is $20,495 and I've been getting quotes between $18,800 to $19,200 + Tax, Title and License.
Today, I spoke with a dealer that I had previously requested a quote from. While the salesman no longer had the car that my friend wanted, he did have a car that just came off the truck and matches the color combination that my friend is looking for. However, this car has Sirius Satellite Radio and Wheel Locks in addition to the options that my friend wants.
So, the MSRP of this car is $20,975 due to the additional options. I told him that I do not want the additional options, but he insisted on selling me what he had on his lot. He told me that he'd go straight to his General Manager and get me a great deal.
I gave him the go ahead and waited to see what he'd bring back.
Two hours later, I get an e-mail with the following info:
MSRP: $20,975
Invoice: $19,524
Offer: $18,307 + TTL.
Out-the-door price: $20,477.05 (includes 9.75% sales tax, $55 doc fee, $8.75 tire fee and $321.37 title)
I think this is a decent deal for the following reasons:
1) Even if I wait until the end of the month, I doubt the price will decrease by more than $200.
2) My friend wants a specific color combination. In addition, she wants a car that's new-- not one with 50 miles on it. Since inventory is low for this particular color and option combination, I fear that by the end of the month, I may not be able to find a car at a good price that will satisfy her price, color, option and mileage preferences.
3) This deal is $1217 below invoice. The lowest price that I have seen on the Edmunds Prices Paid forum is $1184 under invoice. Most transactions for this car are currently at $500 under invoice.
4) Someone will always get a better deal than me. However, I think the offer that I have is within $200 of the best price that anyone will get. And a few hundred bucks is insignificant for such a large transaction, right?
5) I want a smooth transaction. This must be done right the first time. I am doing the negotiations remotely-- I do not want my friend to get screwed when she goes in to sign the papers. If I find a salesman that I am comfortable with, even if my friend does pay a few hundred bucks more, it is worth it for a positive experience. In other words, I don't want my friend to get screwed by some weasel just because I tried to save her an additional $100.
Personally, I think this is a good deal for the reasons that I outlined above. Therefore, I told the salesman to get the car PDI-ed and my friend will pick it up tomorrow afternoon. And most importantly, my friend is happy with the price.
On the other hand, some of my friends think I'm nuts and I'll save a few hundred more bucks if I wait until the end of the month.
What do you guys think?
Thanks.
She has decided on a 2010 Mazda 3i Touring Automatic in Graphite/Black. The only option she wants is the Moonroof/Bose package. MSRP on the car she wants is $20,495 and I've been getting quotes between $18,800 to $19,200 + Tax, Title and License.
Today, I spoke with a dealer that I had previously requested a quote from. While the salesman no longer had the car that my friend wanted, he did have a car that just came off the truck and matches the color combination that my friend is looking for. However, this car has Sirius Satellite Radio and Wheel Locks in addition to the options that my friend wants.
So, the MSRP of this car is $20,975 due to the additional options. I told him that I do not want the additional options, but he insisted on selling me what he had on his lot. He told me that he'd go straight to his General Manager and get me a great deal.
I gave him the go ahead and waited to see what he'd bring back.Two hours later, I get an e-mail with the following info:
MSRP: $20,975
Invoice: $19,524
Offer: $18,307 + TTL.
Out-the-door price: $20,477.05 (includes 9.75% sales tax, $55 doc fee, $8.75 tire fee and $321.37 title)
I think this is a decent deal for the following reasons:
1) Even if I wait until the end of the month, I doubt the price will decrease by more than $200.
2) My friend wants a specific color combination. In addition, she wants a car that's new-- not one with 50 miles on it. Since inventory is low for this particular color and option combination, I fear that by the end of the month, I may not be able to find a car at a good price that will satisfy her price, color, option and mileage preferences.
3) This deal is $1217 below invoice. The lowest price that I have seen on the Edmunds Prices Paid forum is $1184 under invoice. Most transactions for this car are currently at $500 under invoice.
4) Someone will always get a better deal than me. However, I think the offer that I have is within $200 of the best price that anyone will get. And a few hundred bucks is insignificant for such a large transaction, right?
5) I want a smooth transaction. This must be done right the first time. I am doing the negotiations remotely-- I do not want my friend to get screwed when she goes in to sign the papers. If I find a salesman that I am comfortable with, even if my friend does pay a few hundred bucks more, it is worth it for a positive experience. In other words, I don't want my friend to get screwed by some weasel just because I tried to save her an additional $100.
Personally, I think this is a good deal for the reasons that I outlined above. Therefore, I told the salesman to get the car PDI-ed and my friend will pick it up tomorrow afternoon. And most importantly, my friend is happy with the price.
On the other hand, some of my friends think I'm nuts and I'll save a few hundred more bucks if I wait until the end of the month.
What do you guys think?
Thanks.
07-18-2009, 02:40 AM
#2
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
Try this:
Kelley Blue Book
That should get you the ballpark figure you need. Or Edmunds.com even lets you enter your zip code and get the prices in your area.
It does sound pretty good. The other fees are out of your control, but he's offering less for a car that is not exactly what she wants but is the right color. I say it's a go, but look at the websites to be sure that is what the pricing should be.
Kelley Blue Book
That should get you the ballpark figure you need. Or Edmunds.com even lets you enter your zip code and get the prices in your area.
It does sound pretty good. The other fees are out of your control, but he's offering less for a car that is not exactly what she wants but is the right color. I say it's a go, but look at the websites to be sure that is what the pricing should be.
Last edited by mrmako; 07-18-2009 at 02:44 AM.
07-18-2009, 02:53 AM
#3
Moderator
Thread Starter
Try this:
Kelley Blue Book
That should get you the ballpark figure you need. Or Edmunds.com even lets you enter your zip code and get the prices in your area.
It does sound pretty good. The other fees are out of your control, but he's offering less for a car that is not exactly what she wants but is the right color. I say it's a go, but look at the websites to be sure that is what the pricing should be.
Kelley Blue Book
That should get you the ballpark figure you need. Or Edmunds.com even lets you enter your zip code and get the prices in your area.
It does sound pretty good. The other fees are out of your control, but he's offering less for a car that is not exactly what she wants but is the right color. I say it's a go, but look at the websites to be sure that is what the pricing should be.
Edmunds' TMV is $20,274.
KBB Value is sticker, wtf?
Something is terribly wrong with these two sites.
07-18-2009, 02:58 AM
#4
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
Maybe KBB was off, but based on your area, if the car is a hot seller, Edmunds may have quoted what it goes for in your market.
$18K plus fees sounds pretty good for what (she) is getting. To me anyway.
$18K plus fees sounds pretty good for what (she) is getting. To me anyway.
07-19-2009, 10:40 PM
#6
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You're one of those people that think SO much, that by the time you are ready to bite the bullet, it's too late.
And FYI, the Mazda3 is one of the only Mazda models selling at a brisk pace, so don't expect any significant price reductions or crazy rebates anytime soon.
And FYI, the Mazda3 is one of the only Mazda models selling at a brisk pace, so don't expect any significant price reductions or crazy rebates anytime soon.
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07-19-2009, 11:03 PM
#8
Moderator
Thread Starter
Well said Shoofin, it's true. 
Anyway, my friend picked up the car yesterday for $18,227 + TTL, out-the-door was $20,399.25.
Sticker was $20,975. The car only had 1 mile on it.
My friend put 5k down. When she went in to do the paperwork, they tried to base the finance charges on the full $20,399.25, not $20,399.25-$5,000. Luckily, her mom caught them or else my friend would've needlessly paid an extra $10/mo for five years.
Thanks for all of the help.
Anyway, my friend picked up the car yesterday for $18,227 + TTL, out-the-door was $20,399.25.
Sticker was $20,975. The car only had 1 mile on it.
My friend put 5k down. When she went in to do the paperwork, they tried to base the finance charges on the full $20,399.25, not $20,399.25-$5,000. Luckily, her mom caught them or else my friend would've needlessly paid an extra $10/mo for five years.
Thanks for all of the help.
07-20-2009, 03:38 PM
#15
I shoot people
eh' tell they dealership you guys are going to buy the car
elsewhere because your friend only wanted to spend the quoted amount. I'm sure they'll work something out. Car dealerships are in no position to be losing ANY sales right now.
elsewhere because your friend only wanted to spend the quoted amount. I'm sure they'll work something out. Car dealerships are in no position to be losing ANY sales right now.
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