matt777

Went to buy the wife a new Mazda3 Sport. I thought everything was good until we were escorted to the SM's office without explanation. I think the guy is 25 years old. I hate being put in with the pro negotiator without any explanation first of all. He then proceeds to offer me a $1000 for our '99 Saab w/ 80k miles and writes down a price for new car $2k higher than what the salesman gave us. It included things I didn't want like Etched ID??? and a few other things. Let's just say we walked out pretty quick and the wife was somewhat disappointed. Tomorrow I will e-mail a few dealers with my request like I promised myself I would.

chris walrod

Walking is the only way to get their attention. You did the right thing. You'll find a better deal elsewhere Or, perhaps an honest dealer.

I enjoy walking when dealers play games.

gonzilla

Ughhh. I hate buying cars!!!

Mark in Baltimore

Eff 'em. I am okay with negotiating and go into no-nonsense mode when I buy a car from a dealer. I think you have to be very direct and blunt with them, and call them on their sh*t if a scurrilous situation arises.

Chuck W.

Living in Los Angeles I always point out that they are not the only game in town. I enjoy the game.

95 C4 993

I hate selling cars!!! Want to buy an Explorer?

And no I wont trade a duck boat, 1 donkey, and a box of cracker jacks plus $200.

flatspin

The best thing to do is get the invoice price from the internet (along with any dealer incentives and holdbacks for that model). Calculate what the dealer paid for the car, and add $500 or so (depending on what you're buying). Then just call a dealer, tell them what you're willing to pay; and ask if they're interested in moving a car? In this economy? You shouldn't have any problems.

droy3

I had the same experience last year when helping my sister buy her CX-9. All car dealers are difficult...Mazda sets a new benchmark though. It took me 5 hours to get out of the place with extended this...extended that...I.D. crap...you name it. Then they completely reneged on their promise to have the vehicle to us by the end of the week and it ended up taking another 3 wks...no love for Mazda.

dcdude

Me too.

Exactly. However, all of this preparation can't prevent them from trying to add on all kinds of crap from Lojack to paint protection. Of course, we all just say no no no. Our best defense is to set a time limit for all of their shenanigans..."I need to leave by 11:30" for example. Helps move the gross margin nonsense along. When I put my mom into a Scion XD a year ago, I didn't even want to test drive it. I did my research and just wanted to take it home, vending machine style. Simple exchange.

vjd3

The first time I saw that stupid "zoom zoom" commercial with the annoying little kid, I swore off on Mazdas for life.

But there is nothing more satisfying than raising your voice, telling a 25-year-old sales manager what a crooked turd he is in front of all the salesmen, then slamming his door so hard on the way out his pictures fall off the wall ;-)

Falcondrivr

Having worked in car sales, I will now burst your bubble. After you do this, everyone laughs their asses off, and the sales guy gets patted on the back for trying...

The following is NOT directed at you vjd3:
Car dealers sell cars every day, all day. It's amusing to think that someone who does it once every couple of years can outwit them and "win." The best you can hope for is a fair deal, and the strategies above are good. Know the price you should pay, don't buy the extras, and walk if it gets too difficult. The dealer in the next town will love to get your business.

Kcreager1

"crooked turd"? THAT is funny. It is not foul language, but if invokes such really funny image. I think thatis what I will refer to all car salesmen from now on.....CROOKED TURD

Rinty

I don't like buying either, but I just helped my brother get a low mileage Ford Ranger from a local dealer (Universal Ford) and they weren't bad. My brother had done his research, figured out his bottom line, had cash, and finalized the price by phone (he got his pumpkin orange discount).

All along I kept thinking that it was so much easier than buying a 993 in another country.

It sounds like the Mazda guys know they have a good thing going. But the real grinders I know will work a few dealerships at the same time.

95 C4 993

Its a matter of doing your homework when buying a vehicle and it's only as difficult as one makes it.

If I had a choice of saving $500 for a few extra hours of my time shopping for a vehicle, I'll take the extra time any day of the week.

AX993

Recently bought a Honda Civic for daily driver. Looked up MSRP and then sent out several e-mails for price request to local dealers, including two in small towns nearby. Only two gave me a price. One in town for over MSRP (Before all the add-ons) and one in a smaller town about an hour away for under MSRP out-the-door. This was at the height of the gas prices going up every few hours & most Honda dealers were selling for well over MSRP, because they were selling every one they could get. So I called this last one (the one in the smaller town/ below MSRP OTD) and the price they gave me didn't change. I placed my order with them and picked it up two weeks earlier than what they expected.

Just about the easiest car buying experience I've ever had. You just gotta weed out the greedy bastids first until you find a decent place. In my case, it was a small family owned dealership in a small town. The family patriarch was even there hanging out to shoot the bull with customers.

Guess where I'll by my next DD in the future.