2013 and Earlier - Mazda6 Prices Paid and Buying Experience
I am shopping for a 2003 Mazda 6, and I am living in San Francisco Bay Area. Could any one please give me your newly purchased specs, price, dealer's name and the sale person's name?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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I think the 6 has better handling and braking than the others, looks real sporty, and the build quality appears good, but pricing was a bummer. The Accord pricing I got was quite reasonable for an EX-L 4 CYL car -- I got it for the Edmunds/CR invoice. The similarly equipped 6i I was trying to purchase was offered to me for about 700 under MSRP, still nearly three thousand more than the Accord. I called Mazda dealers in the bay area and said if they could match or come within range of the Accord price, I would buy the 6. It was their sale to win or lose but they said they couldn't match the Accord price so it was a no brainer for us -- we took the Accord.
We love the Accord and are glad we bought it but wish for Mazda's sake they would wake up and smell the coffee: If you are going to design a car to match the competition, you have to match the pricing too, otherwise, you will go down the road of Macintosh computers: great products with pricing that marginalzes itself because the pricing is so high that it only attracts a small percentage of the market (the die-hards).
Perhaps you will have better luck than I with the 6.
Michael
Black 6s 5spd MT, Bose, Sport, Cass., sport grille
MSRP: $23,315, Sale Price: $22,315 w/BJ's Car Buying discount.
I think BJ's is similar to Costco or Sam's Club. No lipstick required.
http://www.bjs.com/
Every dealer I've spoken to says they are moving them fast (surprise), I've been jumping around just so I can drive the damn thing; but I like U guys don't see any on the road.
This is just a helpful hint to anyone who might be thinking of getting the leather interior in your Mazda6. One of my first concerns when I test drove my first Mazda6 with leather interior was that I didn't feel it was that comfortable or soft. I was pretty set on getting the Mazda6 before the end of the year, but unfortunately the only car that I liked on the lot (Onyx black with beige interior), didn't have leather OR a spoiler (the lip type). Because it was the end of the month (and the new year), the dealer agreed to put leather in it from one of his aftermarket suppliers. Believe me, the quality of this "aftermarket" leather is hands over heels better than the one's that originally come from Mazda. If you've ever sat in a Acura CL, then that is what it feels like.
So my advice to anyone considering leather is two-fold.
1) Wait till the end of the month, and
2) Have the dealer install the leather AFTER the sale, and make sure they don't try to charge you more than what's on the window sticker (even though it is a much better quality leather). Also, ask them to show you their leather samples and "feel" for yourself.
I guarantee you'll love your Mazda6 even more!
One more hint:
Waiting to the very last day to make my decision (of whether to buy the Accord or the Mazda6) probably cost me more than it should have, and yet I still think I got a great deal.
If you live in Houston, don't buy your vehicle with tint or let them put it on after your sale. I know of someone who does excellent work off of I-45 and Parker who can do it for $90.
If you live outside of Houston, check around for some window-tinting shops in your area.
There's a limit to how much negotiation you can do. $600 over invoice is a great price for a brand new model. If they start selling really well, you may not see that price again for a while.
And I agree - life is too short to quibble. I think it's fantasy to think you'll get it for invoice, and even if you manage to cut it in half, you're still only talking about $300. What might that $300 in haggling cost you in your relationship with the dealer?
Profit is not and has NEVER been a dirty word.
Are there not other dealers to go to? What about CarsDirect?
MSRP is just that - SUGGESTED retail pricing.
I do it every 4.000kms - 2.500 miles in my PRO.
Dinu
2, A word of caution as to postings in the "What did you pay?" forums, specifically Honda and Mazda, I've seen figures that were pure nonsense, $2,000.00 and $3,000.00 behind invoice on units that were 2003 and hard to find OR that have not even been released by the manufacturer.
fjb
Local dealer says he would find the car for the above price. Options selected below:
Engine: 2.3L DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder w/VVT
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual w/Overdrive
Leather Seat Upholstery
Comfort Package
Premium Package
Sport Package
Power Moonroof
Quirk Mazda
Not all dealers were too interested in accepting preferred pricing. I had to go to Connecticut (I live in Mass.) to get it. I went to Modern Motors in Thomaston, CT. They were more than willing to offer this pricing. They also offered to match any competing loan APR. I went to Modern Motors as they are also a President's Club dealership for Mazda.
I also called Mazda headquarters about the preferred pricing and was told, "at this time it is up to the individual dealerships to decide whether or not they will accept preferred pricing".
In fact, it isn't even on my list because of the hideously configured tailights. And I know more than a few people who agree.
The funny thing is that the tailights on the coupe look great. Although they'll sell tons, they could have had more if they used the lights from the coupe. Honda blew it on this one, IMO
Both the I4 and V6 Accords have enough go power to show taillights to their Maz6 I4 and V6 counterparts. So they may even start to grow on you after a while?
oh sorry, wrong forum.
As far as the bundling, I agree it could have been handled better, but I would be fine with the package choices as presented.
I'm still at least 6 months away from purchase, and if the 6s sport is still rare and pricey, I'll probably look at the Altima SE
I may be taillight challenged since my other car is an IS300.
And on-topic, I paid $500 over invoice, which I feel is eminently fair for such a new car, particularly since I'm getting the more popular 6s version. I did have to shop around to find that deal. I was actually willing to pay a bit more than that -- a dealer close to me offered $1,000 off retail, which was $777 over invoice. But they couldn't get the car in as quickly as I needed it, so I'm driving farther and getting a better deal.
It's common that when a new model is launched, the manufacturer cranks out only a limited number of more desireable option combinations to get things up and running faster. I read someplace that Mazda is easing the restrictions on package combinations beginning with April production. After that time you will have much more latitude to configure the car just as you want it.