Topic: 2008.5 Mazda 3 Sport GX w/ Comfort Pkg. vs......

[carcrazed]

Hi everyone,

My brother is Edmonton needs a fuel efficient and reliable car asap and needs your guidance.

I recommended him a 2008.5MY Mazda 3 Sport GX w/ Comfort pkg.
Although he has some cash for down payment, I told him not to put any money down since Mazda has 0% financing at the moment. (He will be financing)

He'll get $500 off as he just finished teacher's college at U of Alberta.

He doesn't like the idea of a lease since he plans to drive thecar for a long time and he would prefer to stick with Japanese for reliability and potential resale issue should he change his mind about keeping the car for a long time.

So as for pricing, with Auto, A/C, and Comfort Pkg., it comes to $23,714.25 after taxes and the $500 grad discount. Which comes to $388/mo. w/o down payment)

Do you guys have a better suggestion as for a choice of a vehicle in terms of his preferences and price range? (He wants to keep the monthly payment under $400.)

Thanks in advance for all the help!

[Wolfe]

So as for pricing, with Auto, A/C, and Comfort Pkg., it comes to $23,714.25 after taxes and the $500 grad discount. Which comes to $388/mo. w/o down payment)

  $23,714 sounds rather high for a GX with AT, AC + comfort package.

He'll get $500 off as he just finished teacher's college at U of Alberta.

Congrats to your brother

[hoodlum]

You can also get the sedan with the same options for $1400 less than the Sport.  A savings of $25/month.

[quadzilla]

This is the price I got when I built one.

$25,565.45 w/taxes, freight and PDI.

GX, AT, AC, Comfort

[Wolfe]

This is the price I got when I built one.

$25,565.45 w/taxes, freight and PDI.

GX, AT, AC, Comfort

  and the GX is the base model.

[dorin]

Keep in mind that's the on-the-road price in Ontario.  In Alberta there is no provincial sales tax so the price will be about $2000 less.

[Leviathan]

Keep in mind that's the on-the-road price in Ontario.  In Alberta there is no provincial sales tax so the price will be about $2000 less.

And all financing costs.

[carcrazed]

Keep in mind that's the on-the-road price in Ontario.  In Alberta there is no provincial sales tax so the price will be about $2000 less.

Yes, fortunately, he will be buying in Alberta, hence the lower total price.

You can also get the sedan with the same options for $1400 less than the Sport.  A savings of $25/month.

I gave him the choice between the Sport and the Sedan, but he liked the practicality of the Sport more.

Do you think he will be able to negotiate for a lower price either with or without the dealer pricing from the CarCostCanada?
Considering the financing rate is 0%, I don't know if the dealer would be willing to negotiate...
Isn't there a redesign coming down pretty soon for this model? Could that work as an advantage for negotiations?

If anyone in the Edmonton area had good/bad experience with the dealer, please share

[Wolfe]

Isn't there a redesign coming down pretty soon for this model? Could that work as an advantage for negotiations?

IIRC the 2009 models will be virtually identical to the 2008.5 with a complete redesign due for 2010.

[Ice]

Pricing sounds bang on... taxes and all that other stuff.  MSRP is totally irrelevant in my mind.  The drive away from the lot price is most important and that sounds to be right. Check over the numbers if you have to at the dealership.

As for the car... I think the Mazda3 is a fantastic vehicle...I'd be driving one if the proportions suited me better. The 2008.5 has some great upgrades over the 2008 and previous models at no change in the MSRP.  Sounds like a good deal and a great car.  The 2.0L is a good mix of performance and fuel economy and the handling is great.

[Arctic_White]

You should be able to knock off at least $500 off of MSRP, even with the 0% financing. 

Keep in mind that even the 60-month financing is at 0%; take full advantage of this!

[Dante]

I think you (your brother) should make an offer to the dealer as follows:

OTD=Invoice (CCC) +$500 (dealer profit) - $500 (Grad Rebate) - Incentives (if any) + $1,245 (freight+PDI)+ applicable taxes (government only).

[carcrazed]

You should be able to knock off at least $500 off of MSRP, even with the 0% financing. 

Keep in mind that even the 60-month financing is at 0%; take full advantage of this!

That is exactly what I was thinking, another $500 off at least.
But I'm wondering if it'll be worth it to obtain the invoice price through CCC.

And yes, the 60-month financing is what he'd go for, of course. (I should've mentioned that before)

I think you (your brother) should make an offer to the dealer as follows:

OTD=Invoice (CCC) +$500 (dealer profit) - $500 (Grad Rebate) - Incentives (if any) + $1,245 (freight+PDI)+ applicable taxes (government only).

Do any of you have any idea what the difference would be between the invoice price and the sticker price?

BTW, is there any other car with 0% financing that he should consider?

[hoodlum]

Saturn just announced 0% financing for the new Astra.  This vehicle is built in Belgium (Opel Astra in Europe) and Saturn brought it over with very few changes.  I've had a chance to test drive the Civic, Mazda3, Rabbit and Astra.  For me the Mazda3 and Astra were the most fun to drive.

[jcon]

If you can find an '08 - 3, they have deep discounts available ($4000 off I believe). If you can pay it off quickly, that a lot of coin off a still new car.

[Dante]

I think you (your brother) should make an offer to the dealer as follows:

OTD=Invoice (CCC) +$500 (dealer profit) - $500 (Grad Rebate) - Incentives (if any) + $1,245 (freight+PDI)+ applicable taxes (government only).

Do any of you have any idea what the difference would be between the invoice price
and the sticker price?

BTW, is there any other car with 0% financing that he should consider?

I'd say on this car is about 1,200-1,500. FWIW, on my 2005 Mazda3 GT Sedan was a little over $1,500.

I think, if you cannot find the invoice price on the forums, the CCC is money well spent. It gives you a perspective of what the price should be instead of going into the dealership totally blind.

I too believe that the Astra is another option worth considering. It's just few hundreds dollars more expensive, but it has some extras (I'm talking 5-door XR).

[carcrazed]

I think you (your brother) should make an offer to the dealer as follows:

OTD=Invoice (CCC) +$500 (dealer profit) - $500 (Grad Rebate) - Incentives (if any) + $1,245 (freight+PDI)+ applicable taxes (government only).

Do any of you have any idea what the difference would be between the invoice price
and the sticker price?

BTW, is there any other car with 0% financing that he should consider?

I'd say on this car is about 1,200-1,500. FWIW, on my 2005 Mazda3 GT Sedan was a little over $1,500.

I think, if you cannot find the invoice price on the forums, the CCC is money well spent. It gives you a perspective of what the price should be instead of going into the dealership totally blind.

I too believe that the Astra is another option worth considering. It's just few hundreds dollars more expensive, but it has some extras (I'm talking 5-door XR).

Thanks, I will probably convince him to get the dealer price from CCC.
The Astra was not in my consideration.. but after reading wing's day-by-day review on one (I can't remember if it was the 5-dr or 3-dr), I wasn't very impressed with the fuel economy that he ended up with.
I do like the design outside, but not too keen on the inside. Maybe my brother will like it.

Thanks for the alternative suggestion, I'll mention that to him as well.

If you can find an '08 - 3, they have deep discounts available ($4000 off I believe). If you can pay it off quickly, that a lot of coin off a still new car.

Really? I had no idea. How is that so? with the A/C added, I guess the 'real' discount is roughly $3000.
To my understanding, A/C is not included in 2008 GS (sedan or sport) models, right?

[jcon]

I honestly don't know.

You used to be able to build it on the Mazda website (both 2008 and 2008.5), can you still do that?

[jcon]

Sorry...

$3300 off GS (AC is $1000 )

$3900 off GT

$4100 off Speed3

[carcrazed]

Sorry...

$3300 off GS (AC is $1000 )

$3900 off GT

$4100 off Speed3

Where did you find the discount amount? I can't seem to find it on their website.
Does the discount apply to Alberta as well?