2013 and Earlier - Mazda3 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

raypeck

That's a really good price. Where are you located? Do you or anyone know if that's available in the LA area?

raypeck

This cash back incentive has been mentioned a couple times. I didn't find anything available for the Mazda 3i. Anyone know if this is available? Thanks.

watfallet

I'm in Northern California (Bay Area). I just kept my eye on the car ads; the new ads come out Friday morning, so I called the dealership first thing Friday morning. I actually couldn't get over there until that night, but I lucked out since nobody else had bought the car.

Check your LA newspapers for "loss leader" ads. I usually call and find out that the car has already been sold. I just got lucky for once. Keep in mind the car is pretty much basic except for the auto, AC and radio w/CD player.

raypeck

Thanks. I take it these are the ads that say "1 at this price" kind of thing?

In any case I have a pretty good offer on a 2006 Mazda 3i, manual (basic model) which is what I'm looking for at $14,301. I don't know what invoice is but this isn't too far above it. Your price, even better, caught my eye. If I came across it I'd jump on it, but I'm okay on a fair price they make a little on also.

wanta3

hey all,

i've been looking into purchasing a 2006 3 s grand touring fully loaded (including navi) w/ 5spd manual trans. about what are people paying for this? i saw the TMV price of around $24,000 before TTT. is this about reasonable? i keep reading ppl buying at just over invoice. will this hold true for a fully loaded model as well?

speaking of which, anyone know if the navigation is a dvd based one & would i be able to play a dvd movie on it?

thanks all.
-first time poster:

stonehog

Just picked up a 2006 Titanium Gray Black Leather with the moonroof/6CD/Bose package for 20,500 in Everett WA. Nice car!

poops

I was offered a price of $19,580 for a Black Mica 2006 Mazda 3 S Touring with the following options:

- 5 AT Transmission
- 6 CD/Moonroof
- Appearance 1 package
- Wheel Locks
- Compass/Autodimming Mirror

The dealer said this was his invoice price. I almost bit on it, but I walked out saying I had to do a little more research (which was true). I also wanted to wait for the Zoom Zoom event taking place in a few days so I can get the $500 coupon.

Do you guys think I was offered a good deal?

Thanks in advance.

tominsd

I recently purchased a 5 speed Grand Touring Sedan with the moonroof/6 CD/Bose stereo option. Got a great deal here in San Diego: $19,500 plus tags/tax. I also have money coming back to me - the $500 coupon submitted to Mazda Corp. (not received yet). This seem like a fine deal to me. Oh the color is copper red - it is a very nice color. This is about $100 below invoice and about $1100 below Edmund's TMV. I got a good deal probably because I was willing to trade in my 2003 Protege5 hatchback - and they probably made some good money on that trade-in. I also wanted the hatchback but could not find one in San Diego in an acceptable color with the GT package. The GT package was essential since I had recently sold my BMW 323 and needed a little consolation for selling that great vehicle (the best car I have ever owned). The GT is a remarkably good value - if you like leather and lots of extras on the car.

Anyway, the MadaUSA web site does not have an accurate color for this copper red (others have noticed this). It is much redder than shown on their web site.

How good is the car? It is significantly more refined than the Protege5. It is not as good as my 2000 BMW 323 (recently sold) but I was not expecting it to be. I will post more comments about the car itself on the Mazda3 sedan site.

watfallet

I know these can be transferred, not sold. So I just got one, transferred to me by a friend. I'm worried because it has a sticker on the back with my friend's first name and last initial, along with a bar code.

Those of you who used these certificates, you either:

A) Removed the name+barcode sticker or received a certificate that didn't have a sticker. If so, did you have any problems redeeming it?

Didn't remove the name+barcode sticker, and it didn't match your name. If so, did you have any problems redeeming it?

Any advice here today would be greatly appreciated. I need to decide whether to remove the sticker before trying to redeem it or just tell them 'hey, it was transferred to me from a friend'.

sunsh05

Does anyone have any experience with negotiating a deal before the car has actually arrived at the dealership? How far along the process can you go without having the actual car in inventory (VIN, invoice price etc.)? I would imagine that there is a good chance that the dealer could charge "additional fees" and it's obviously impossible to use the incentive that I'll buy it today to get a better price. I'm waiting patiently for the 2006 Mazda3 s's to arrive, but I'm running out of time (current car is on its last wheel). Thanks.

backy

I have done that many times. It can actually be a good thing for the dealer because they will have no holding/financing costs. The invoice price will be known based on equipment on the car, so you can still negotiate based on invoice. There should be no fees just because you are buying a car that isn't in stock yet. The one thing you want to do is stipulate (in writing) that if you need to leave any deposit, it is fully refundable if you don't like the car for ANY reason.

bobbyseal

I know mazda is giving out $500 in dealer incentives until the end of october. Any word on incentives for november-december?
Thanks.

corey310

Hey.. You mentioned your from the Jersey area??? What dealer were you dealing with... I'm planning on making a purchase from Wane Mazda and maybe the same deal will work for me.

corey310

My bad, Wayne Mazda.... I hate typos...

lovswr

I just got an 06 Velocity Red i fron Hennesy Mazda in Atlanta. 16630 & they would not come off the price one cent It is a 5-speed with the 2.0 engine. I think it's great. I drove a S in the parking lot with auto, sunroof, leather, etc & it was the same color. All those other options (plus the 6 grand difference) just did not add up to the Zoom-Zoom that the manual did.

Yes that glove box is enourmous! Paul Bunyan would feel right at home, LOL.

I got to do about a 6 mile mostly road & a little bit on I-75N circle. Plenty of get up & go, but you can tell it is a 4 when you are doing about 75 & then try to "punch it". Having said that, on the way home on I-75S, I found myself doing about 97 likity-split

nfriday

Hi I am in the market for a mazda 3itouring with 5 speed and ABS and these are hard to find. I thought I would be able to order one from mazda, and I was told by one of the dealers that mazda will not let you special order a car. I think this is crazy. Thanks, Nancy

allfiredup

Most Japanese car companies don't let you order a car. The good news is that they do make the car you want, you'll just have to spend some time trying to find it. Did the dealer not offer to try and locate one for you? If he didn't, perhaps go to another dealer and ask them to try to locate one for you.

Another good resource is the Mazda website. You can search the inventory up to a range of 150 miles based on the zip code you input. It's easy to filter the results at the top of the page, too. Good luck!

mrblonde49

Grecco Mazda in Rockaway

corey310

Ahhh.. I should check them out... Thanks!

djnathan

I am going to buy a Mazda3 5 door, Grand Touring, Titanium Gray, Moonroof/6 CD/Bose package. Added accessories include: rear step plate, cargo tray, and all weather mats.

Now, I was quoted a price of $22,401 (+ some change) out the door. That is with the S-plan.

However, the only problem I have is the fact the closest one to me is about 250 miles. The dealership will send someone to pick it up and drive it back. I'm not obligated to buy the car once they have it. I just don't like the fact the mileage will be put on the car.

Does anyone think they will go any lower than this? If so, how much? I'm going to come at them with a counter offer anyway, but I just wanted to get some ideas from those of you on here.

Thanks!!

Kirstie_H

You mean go lower than this because they will have put 250 miles on it??? In doing you a favor by sending one of their employees to retrieve it and drive it to a location that's convenient for you, and yet putting you under no obligation to purchase it? Sounds like a decent dealership to me, and I wouldn't "grind" them.

I don't know whether the price is just right, but if you can get the car you want basically delivered to your door, I wouldn't cry about the 250 miles. Over the lifetime of a vehicle like this, that's really a very small drop in the bucket.

kirstie_h
Roving Host
Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions

mrblonde49

I agree w/ kirstie_h. Just firmly stress to them you want to "break in " procedures followed on the drive home. And remember, your warranty starts with the miles as given to you, not from zero...

audia8q

On an s-plan the dealer is going to get apx $245-300 for making the sale....pay the salesperson a mini commission of $100, pay the driver $75 to go get it, pay $50 in gas fees plus they have to give up a MZ3 in swap that the dealer can probably sell at or near MSRP.....

I suspect if your grind them they will tell you to drive the 250 miles to the other dealer and buy it from them...

reichowjr

I am waiting to purchase the exact same combo less cargo tray and mats under S plan. I just got my Zoom Zoom coupon off ebay and will add it to the discount.

My dealer located one 350 miles from my home. I share your same concern regarding break in. If your not in a hurry simply wait until something comes up closer to your home. Unless of course you end up waiting for the same vehicle I am waiting for.

I agree with the rest, I would not haggle the mileage issue as they are doing you a favor.

z71bill

Sounds like good advise - I am not disputing it - really.

But -

In most cases the dealership is not doing you a favor by selling you a car. So they need to go get the car at another dealership - that is something many dealerships do - I would call it normal.

Also

Maybe they already had a deal with the second dealership to provide a car for one of their customers - so this completes a 2 car swap - so now they only need one driver - rather than two!

reichowjr

Z71bill, I concur with your assessment. I believe my choice of using the word favor was not as accurate as it could have been.

Dealer 1 typically is not making a whole lot of money on S plan deals and has less motivation to go any distance unless there is some type of trade that would be of benefit.

Dealer 2 will typically give up the vehicle that is needed but will take something in exchange that is very desirable in his own market. This might also be a very marketable vehicle for dealer 1.

There are many variables to consider as to how much the dealer goes out of their way to make the sale especially on a low profit S plan deal.

allfiredup

The price sounds reasonable, but I'd consider one of two things.

I'd try to see if there's a way I could go pick up the car. I really wouldn't trust somebody (probably a young porter) to go pick up the car and drive it any way they choose back to the dealer. There's really no way to know if they mistreat it or follow proper break-in procedures.

The other option would be to just find where the car is located and get a quote from that dealer as well. If you get as good or better of a deal you could always get a rental, drive there and pick it up.

Are you certain this one 250 miles away is the closest one? Have you checked using Mazda's website. You can search inventory on there by area, just in case you didn't know.

djnathan

Yes, that was the closest one to me. Mazda's website is actually incorrect when it comes to available models at dealers. According to the Mazda website, the dealership in my city has 3-4 Mazda3 5 doors on their lot when they actually only have 1 2005 model.

Anyway, I decided to go with a S-Touring model. Leather, heated seats, and the sound system were not worth a lil' over 2 grand to me.

So, I will be picking up my new car within the next couple days. 2006 Mazda3, 5-door, cloth seats, moonroof/6 CD package, cargo tray, all weather mats, rear bumper step plate. Out the door price of $20,019.91. I was able to get them to not charge the delivery fee.

Also, should I find any problems (as far as the exterior anyway) when I take delivery of the car I'm not obligated to purchase it.

I'm not too concerned about the person driving the car from the other dealership because I know it will be a retired gentleman. I highly doubt he'll be putting the vehicle through it's paces. :shades:

bfox

My wife is wanting to buy a Mazda3s. What is the gerber coupon and how do you get the zoom-zoom coupon?

bfox

tony31

Where can I get a hold of this coupon? I am planning to buy a M3 in the next couple of weeks so it would be cool to get one before I do so.

robl1

2006 MAZDA3 i Touring 4-Door $16,550
145-hp 2.0L DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder Standard
4-Spd Auto $900.0
ABS/SIDE AIR BAGS/CURTAINS $395
MOONROOF/6CD PACKAGE $890

COMPASS/AUTODIM MIRROR $175
WHEEL LOCKS $40
Total MSRP: $18,950 + $180 for pinstripe(unnecessary dealer markup) = $19,130
Invoice $18,062 (they showed me the invoice but this dealership is very high volume so they get them for less than invoice.)

My price $18,203
+ $1084 tax
+ $269.00 conveyance fee (too high)
+ $85 registration title
Total $19,641
- $400 trade in

Final $19,241

Deal is actually better than it looks. The trade in was a 1994 Acura integra with 177,000 miles on it, no antenna, body rust, a trunk that fills with water when it rains and a balky transmission. Neither the Honda nor the Toyota dealers would give me anything for it. Did not have or use a coupon. I only negotiated for 2 minutes (you guys can probably do better).
Purchased at Partyka Mazda in Hamden CT. Over 30 Mazda 3 cars in stock. I would have ditched the extras aside from ABS/airbags and AT but M\my wife wanted Red and all they had was loaded models or manual transmission in red.

oreyes

I live in california and here's what I paid for my Mazda 3 a couple of days ago on Halloween... hope you can use this when thinking about prices for buying a Mazda 3

2006 Mazda 3S Touring Sedan Manual
Titanium Gray

added options:
Rear wing spoiler
6 disc CD changer
Moon roof

Edmunds.com - invoice price for exact car
- $18114 before taxes

Purchased for $17915 before taxes
Total: $19547 after taxes and fees
I put $5000 down and I financed the rest through OCTFCU
Traded in my beat up 93 Mits Mirage (188,000 miles)- $250
Final price - 19297.00

I think I got a good deal out of this... I spent some time dealing and talking to surrounding dealerships... hope this helps anyone out...

socalbyr

I had the same concern. My son was trying to buy a Mazda 3 but the only available model that he wanted was 150 miles fm us. My dealer said he can get it for us but I was hesitant cuz I don't know how it will be driven back. Don't know if the "break in" procedure will be followed.

Because of this, I decided to just directly deal with the distant dealership. Searched the Mazda Inventory site to accurately determine the car's location. Lucky for me, they agreed to the lowest offer I got which is $100 above invoice.

Hopped into an Amtrak train with my son and got hold of the car last Saturday.

The manager was even happy that we personally took delivery of the car cuz he doesn't have to deal with swapping this car fm another dealer.

Got my zoom zoom and gerber discounts credited so I was a happy driver that day.:)

richml

I got frustrated dealing with local dealers, who only wanted to discuss cars that were on the lot. After spending a night on the Mazda site searching dealers in NJ, and then moving to surrounding states, I located a 3 equipped exactly as I wanted - a true Eureka! moment.

In the morning I called the dealer, confirmed the price and details, and made the deal in minutes. The following day we drove from the Jersey Shore to the suburbs of Philadelphia, traded in our Navajo, and drove home in the new 3. I haven't regretted it at all.

We hang onto our cars for many years. I'd rather search for the car that I really want, and maybe drive a little further to get it, than settle for something just because I could buy it closer to home. Your ride home from the dealer will be that much more fun - although you should control the zoom zooming on the interstate.

who_m3

Wanted to say "thanks" to all the posters who have shared their purchasing experiences. Armed with this knowledge, I now have my own experience to share:

2006 Mazda 3s 4 door in Pearl White
Automatic transmission, side air bags/air curtains
Invoice (w/ destination charge): $17603
MSRP: $18835
Purchase price: $17400 before TTL & $45 doc fee
Final: $19103

The first dealer where I test drove did not have an automatic w/o other options in silver or titanium gray. They were "pushing" a winning blue AT w/ moonroof package that I didn't want. They told me that they could "find" me a car in the color I wanted and showed me a price that was even higher than the car I'd turned down w/o showing me the options. When I objected to the price, he wanted me to name my price. I did, he laughed, and I walked out of there.

The 2nd dealer had a silver when I'd spoken w/ them mid-week. By the weekend, it was gone but they had a pearl white model. They were unable to locate a silver or gray exactly as I had specified, but accepted my offer price which was for a car w/o the SAB/SAC & pearl paint options. I was a happy camper.

This was in Northern California.

rosenatti

Hey, who_m3, sounds like you did really well. I'm in Northern California, too. Want to share the name of the dealer?

bobbyseal

I just worked with a dealer in WI on this one.

2006 Mazda3 5 door touring, black mica, manual transmission. No extras.

MSRP $18175
S plan -$1126
Vehicle price = $17049.00

Service fee(non negotiable) +$75
Add on to splan for tax purposes +$352
total taxable = $17476
TTL + 1084.68

Rebates
Manufacturers -$500
Zoom Zoom -$500
add on removed -$352

Final OTD price $17208.68

Good luck to you all.

corey310

The zoom zoom coupon you can get by going to a mazda zoom zoom live driving experience. http://www.zoomzoomlive.com to check upcoming dates. You can also buy one off ebay.

who_m3

Hi rosenatti,

I bought from Mazda Oakland @ 23rd Ave & Telegraph.

reichowjr

I was not aware of a $500 manufacturers rebate. Please explain as it is not listed on Edmunds or Mazdas corp. site

mikezoomzoom

There are no factory rebates or finance rebates from Mazda towards the purchase of 2005 or 2006 Mazda 3 models.

Some folks have mentioned the ZoomZoom Live, Gerber, or A.C.O.G. certificates which each have a $500 value, yet can't all be combined.

reichowjr

Thanks mikezoomzoom. I have S plan pricing and a zoom zoom coupon which I got off Ebay. I wanted to be certain I was aware of all discounts before getting my 3. Hopefully the dealer will find the color I am looking for near my home.

Rick

socalbyr

"We hang onto our cars for many years. I'd rather search for the car that I really want, and maybe drive a little further to get it, than settle for something just because I could buy it closer to home. Your ride home from the dealer will be that much more fun - although you should control the zoom zooming on the interstate." Exactly...find the car we like and enjoy it. Being forced to buy cars because it's the only one available is a thing of the past. It's really great that we have "d'web." We're able to search for that exact car and haggle for the price that's acceptable to the dealer and not to heavy in our pocket/wallet.:)

bobbyseal

It must have been a dealer rebate then. One way or the other I got both the zoom zoom live and the dealer rebate added together. Also, the car is being delivered later this week. Oh boy!!

mvaaa

ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!!!

Titanium Grand Touring Mazda 3 Hatchback
Moonroof/BOSE package
Navigation
$21298 (S-Plan Price)

7 Year 85000 Warranty
$1009.35

Out the door After Tax & License
$24128.15

I really had no intention of buying the Navigation System but I waited so long to finally land one of these in Titanium (and my significant other told me I should go ahead and get it since I'm getting the S-Plan price).

rosenatti

Thanks, who_m3! The Oakland dealer is just across the bridge from me. I'll see what their inventory looks like.

Kirstie_H

A major news magazine would like to hear from consumers who are thinking about/planning to sell/trade in their SUVs (and similar large gas-guzzling vehicles) for more fuel efficient cars. If you have a story to share with the reporter, please respond to pr@edmunds.com with your daytime contact info., the make/model that you are getting out of and which more fuel-efficient vehicle you are now looking for, no later than EOD Thurs., November 10, 2005.

pete22

Has anyone got the 500 dollar back from the Gerber rebate. I bought my car Oct 7 and sent in the rebate on the 8th. Anyway the email I got said to send the certificate number and contract and I would get it within 30 days max from mailing. I get a different story each time I call. Last 2 weeks ago is that all my paperwork is in and I should get it in a week or so. Today I was told that I need to start over again, get a form from the dealer (in person 60 miles away), send it to a new address (not the one in the email), send in the original certificate (that I have) and
then would get it. Maybe I'll call again to get tomorrows story to see if the next person I get has a different one.
Anyway if anyone got this through the mail how long did it take and did you have extra hoops to go through.

nfriday

Hi- I finally decided to go home to SW Michigan where I grew up, hoping that I could get a better deal, the only Mazda dealer I visited was the one that I purchased my Protege from 14 years ago. They did not have the car I was looking for, but the salesman did some researching while I test drove another mazda 3, and he came up with 2 dealers that had the exact car I was looking for including the right color. When I called him up a few hours later to see if he was able to track down either one of the cars, he told me that he put a hold on one of the cars, and then told me the price, and his price was much better than the price of the salesman who wanted me to put down a $500 deposit on a car which still has not arrived yet. All the cars at this dealership have s plan pricing, so I am getting a 06 mazda 3i touring 5 speed with air conditioning, ABS and the side air bags for $16,086, which is $632 cheaper than the first dealer. The salesman has to contact the dealer that has the car to confirm that it is still available, and to let him know that I want it. Hopefully I will be able to pick it up this Saturday. I know that I cannot get a better deal anywhere else, and the salesman made it clear that there are not going to be any additional charges other than taxes. Thanks, Nancy