I went to a Mazda dealer in CT (rural, they mainly sell SUV's) just to see what's new. Made it VERY clear right away to the rep I was only looking at their 2021 2.5 turbo 3. Still got dragged to the finance office 🤣🤣
The big news is that they went back to sticker (online MSRP) prices on everything, and they stopped all leases on sedans. No dealer markup, and they really wanted my old 3 sedan. Also got the sense there was a bit of haggle room. My guess is: their sedans are slower selling, and the new model year is about to come out. Meaning that specific 2021 2.5 turbo which I know has sat there for at least 3 months according to their online inventory (even had some sizable scratches on the red paint) is taking up space that they're going to need, and may soon have to be discounted as an older model year. If you have a trade-in Mazda like I did I got the sense they'd be willing to go even further down because the margin on used works in their favor.
I'm not in the market for new until I have covered parking, but seems like there are some deals on sedans even now. Not sure if it's this specific dealer, Mazda dealers in general, or sedans in general.
Remember, when you walk in the door, dealers are looking at you with dollar signs in their eyes. You should assume that dealer is looking to rake you over the coals. I'd bet they'll make up in F&I plus document fees plus mandatory overpriced addons (they'll say "all the dealers are doing it") what they would have been making on outright markup from sticker.
Unless there is something grievously wrong with your current ride it's best to wait until the market returns to some sense of normalcy before buying anything else.
I 100% agree. I'm in no rush to trade up, especially with all of the repair help I've gotten from here. But it was interesting to see the the 8-15% markups seen everywhere are disappearing, at least in some instances.
Worth noting they did print the final price printout for me: 200$ "etch fee", 600 doc fee, and 350 "non tax fees". Sticker 3,1965, final after fees tax and rebate 33,253. Again, this was without haggling at all or valuing my trade-in. I almost wish I tried because Some of that does seem bogus, and I'm not familiar with required costs of CT doc fees. But again, I had no intention of buying that day. Mostly just wanted to see a car where the most advanced tech wasn't an aux cord plug.
The doc fee is pure profit, takes them maybe 5 minutes to fill out the paperwork. Are dealers still pulling the window etch scam? Thought that was done years ago. At least it doesn't look like they're charging for a $500 pinstripe or $600 door edge guards.
If you go to a dealer, you are getting screwed, period.
Unfortunately if you want a new car you're stuck with them. (Though I personally am way too cheap to buy a new car or even late model used. Instead I practice "beaternomics".)
Yep. Especially if you're looking at a turbo'd car too, I'm less inclined to trust a used car in general, or a private sale from someone who's maintenance and driving habits i don't know.
That's why you really have to do your due diligence and research.