Is It Possible to Order Special Color Combination?

samson2006

Hello all,
While we really like the CX5 we don't care for the exterior/interior color choice combinations they offer. Am wondering if anyone knows whether or not it is possible to special order, for example, the light (sand) interior with the lighter blue or a gray exterior color. Don't mind waiting a bit and would even pay a little more for the change but will not be ordering one with the existing color combinations. Thanks.

Mr_Shiftright

what did the dealer say? If it's possible, they'd probably try to help you in order to make the sale, but it won't be easy. Some automakers are more accommodating than others--usually the luxury car makers.

samson2006

The sales rep I spoke with "didn't think" it could be done so I thought I'd see if anyone else had been able to do this. I'll be speaking with a sales manager next time around but it would be good to know if it is even possible. Understand the economics of mass sales but sure wish Mazda had a more interesting variety of colors than they do currently.

samson2006

Spoke with three dealerships today and the answer was consistent - "No can do". One dealer suggested the aftermarket trade (e.g. Katzkin affiliates) which will run around $1,500 to recover just the seats with leather with a good variety of colors/styles available. Maybe next time around Mazda will have a better color selection available and we can do business.

Mr_Shiftright

I think you hit the nail on the head--economy of scale is a major factor. When it's a Ferrari or Porsche, they can afford to "put a man on it" to create something special but in the mass market, it's just not justifiable, even if they lose a customer.

isellhondas

The color combination that would appeal to you may be a tough sell to others so even if this were possible a store would be reluctant to order something oddball that might be a tough sell should you back out of the deal.

I had an old timer in the car business tell me a story of a woman who ordered a yellow 1967 Impala SS with a BLUE interior! They tried everything to talk her out of this but she insisted.

I think they made her pay upfront for the car. It arrived weeks later and according to that salesguy it attracted a lot of attention from the employees who thought it was disgusting.

But, she got what she wanted!

For some people COLOR is everything. I don't get it but that's me!

samson2006

Thanks for the perspectives folks! Just a couple last points and then I'll drop this issue as the reality is what it is.

First, while I do understand that odd or radical color combinations can be a problem for a seller, in this case it was going to be a cash upfront transaction with no urgency for delivery along with a willingness to pay a small premium to cover any inconvenience. And using standard Mazda colors just in a different combination. So the only party facing any potential penalty in this case would have been the buyer - me.

Second, this is an incredibly automated industry from original parts supplier to sales lot which causes me to wonder why the number of keys to be stroked and buttons to be pushed would have been such a burden. I suspect that many of you have spent much of your life trying to accommodate or mitigate that classic divide between software/and the real world and it's always frustrating to see a system that is apparently based on the idea that KISS is only about making it more convenient for the manufacturer. And considered in light of consumer experience with the CX5's technology package this past year it does make me wonder about Mazda's interest in or ability to react to consumer issues beyond the initial sale.

So - end of rant! Again, thanks all for your comments.

cx5t_lover

Just bought a NEW 2015 Mazda CX-5 Touring in Crystal Blue with Sand interior right off the dealers lot. So in my case it wasn't hard at all.

CX5T_Lover