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Mazda RX-8 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

903 messages,  Last post on Apr 01, 2012 at 10:19 AM

You are in the Mazda RX-8 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda RX-8, Coupe

Messages Page 2 of 91

#8 of 903 graphicguy by himiler

Aug 05, 2003 (10:14 am)

Free oil changes for life? Nice, but what's the frequency -- as stipulated in the service chart, or every 3mos./3K miles?

#9 of 903 oil changes by graphicguy

Aug 05, 2003 (10:58 am)

I don't think the dealer is putting out all that much for oil changes.
 
"Severe" intervals are every 5,000 miles.
 
"Normal" intervals are 7,500 miles.
 
So, If I keep it for 100K miles, which is what I normally keep my cars for, and I use the "severe" schedule (which the service manager recommended) then I'm looking at 20 oil changes for my ownership time.
 
If I pay $20 (which is being conservative) for every oil change and I do 20 oil changes, then I've saved $400. They also kicked in free tire rotations every 5,000 miles. If I put rotations at $10 per (again, conservative), that's another $200 I saved.
 
Better than a "stick in the eye" as they say around here.

#10 of 903 by himiler

Aug 05, 2003 (11:28 am)

You might be doing better than you think. My Honda dealer charges a cool $30 to rotate the tires, even if they've already pulled the wheels to service the brakes (well...duh!), and an online coupon gets you a $24.95 oil&filter swap. For me, it would work out to $1,100 saved, and keep in mind that there would be tax on top (another $80).
 
Around here, it's "sure beats a sharp stick in the eye." Love those colloquialisms!

#11 of 903 rxgreat - 50/50 weight ratio by rx8zoomster

Aug 05, 2003 (11:30 am)

True, passengers would effect the ratio to a bigger margin, but I figured why add more, by getting the spare tire kit. Bigger factors for me not getting it was it taking up space, the added OVERALL weight, and cost.
 
The important thing is that you got a car, even though you didn't plan on getting the spare tire kit originally. You probably won't notice the ratio being thrown off by the spare, unless you are driving it hard (cornering).
 
The spare tire kit is available for those that feel comfortable having a spare, rather than totally rely on the patch kit & roadside assistance. If someone feels more "at peace" by getting that option, then its a wise buy for them.

#12 of 903 himiler and spare tire by graphicguy

Aug 05, 2003 (11:46 am)

himiler....you're right....the oil changes and tire rotations would probably cost more than I stated. $25 seems to be the going rate for oil changes and $20 seems to be the going rate for tire rotations (both using coupons). Figure in tax and the savings will be somewhere around a grand, as you stated. Now that I look at it, that's a pretty good savings. Figure the dealer's cost on all of that is somewhere around $600. They just bought a lot of "good will" for that $600. Of course, they are still making $2K on the car. That's probably the reason the dealer is only offeing it to RX8 buyers. It's also probably the reason they've sold more RX8s in my 'burg than any other Mazda dealer in the state (of OH). They are all sold out of their allotment for this year and are now taking orders for next year.
 
I can't even remember the last time I had a flat tire...it has to be over 20 years ago, so the issue of no spare wasn't a "biggy" to me. I'd rather have the trunk room and deal with the "inflata-flat" stuff, if it ever happens. Moreover, with the roadside assistance offered as part of the warranty, it shouldn't be an issue for at least 50,000 miles, in which case, I'll need new tires anyway.

#13 of 903 a surprise addition by graphicguy

Aug 09, 2003 (12:27 pm)

Well, what started out as a "car hunt" about 2 months ago finally came to fruition last night.
 
My dealer called me last night to tell me that the mica red RX8 I ordered was scheduled to hit their store over Labor Day weekend. We started talking about colors because they only had the Red Mica and the Titanium to see when I ordered mine. While "small talking" with the Sales Manager, he said that they just got their August orders in and that the Red, Titanium and "Winning Blue" were his favorite colors. I told him that it was hard to tell from the brochure how the blue would look. Manager said if I wanted to look, to stop by "in the next couple of hours because it's being delivered tonight".
 
Since the dealer is within 20 minutes from where I live, I decided to check it out.
 
Got to the dealership and it was sitting right in front, polished, prepped, gleaming, waiting to be delivered. Started talking to the guy standing next to it as I pulled up. He ended up being the guy who ordered it and was just waiting for his financing paperwork to be completed. I told him that I had ordered the red, but liked to blue more since I had seen it in person. After a bit more "chit chat", the Sales Manager came out to get the guy. About 5 minutes later, I see the same guy rushing out of the dealership to his (old) car and drive away. Right behind him was his sales person saying "well, that sucked". Curiosity got the best of me and I asked the sales guy what happened. He said the guy coudln't get financed through the dealership and stormed out. Sales manager comes out, looks at me oggling the car and tells me "this one's available if you want it".
 
The color is stunning and since I now prefer the blue over the red, I tell him I like the car but I didn't want the NAV system. Sales Manager says "if you really want this color, let me see what I can do". He goes back in the dealership, comes back a couple of minutes later and says "I'll split the dealer cost of the Nav system with you if you take it tonite" (about $1,800). That means I spend about $900 more for the car than the one I originally ordered, but also received about a $900 discount from MSRP.
 
I don't think I could find a car more fun to drive for $32K (all loaded up).
 
If I could ever figure out how to post pictures here, I'd show it.

#14 of 903 Congrats!!!! by jaquino

Aug 09, 2003 (1:49 pm)

Congratulations on your purchase graphicguy, that is one sweet deal! Most people would be happy just to get MSRP, and to get $900 off of MSRP is simply awesome.
 
I dont know how you would be able to post pictures here, so I cant help you with that. Hopefully some of the more knowledgeable folks around here can help you.
 
Again congrats, and happy driving!

#15 of 903 jaquino by graphicguy

Aug 10, 2003 (7:43 am)

I think there was more to the story.
 
I'm not privy to how the sales people and their managers get paid, but I got the impression that it would not have been a good thing to remove the winning blue RX8 from their sold list.
 
Apparently, the "original buyer" had told the dealership he had financing taken care of. When he came in and asked the dealership to do the financing, things got a little "hairy" since the guy couldn't get financed. He was probably turned down by all the other sources he supposedly had.
 
I think the sales manager saw an opportunity to turn "lemons into lemonande" and I was in the right place at the right time. Sales manager seemed like he wanted to keep the unit as sold more than he needed to get MSRP for it. By the time I had decided to buy the blue, the dealership was getting ready to close. So the opportunity to "re-sell" the vehicle the same day was gone. The sales person and the slaes manager stayed an hour and a half after closing so I could run home and get my check book.
 
As it was, the dealer still made a nice profit and didn't have to remove the unit from his "sold" list.
 
I also think it was important to the dealership to continue their practice of only dealing with pre-sold RX8s as opposed to having stock. The only one they have (outside of customer ordered vehicles) is the one their General Manager drives and the dealership uses for demo drives. From that one demo unit, they then sell units that they pick and choose from whatever is hitting the port to fit what the customers want.
 
I asked the Sales Manager what he was going to do with the one I originally ordered. He said he'd add it to his sheet of units potential customers to order from. He also said that since it was red mica, he'd have it sold before the weekend was over.
 
Another customer was taking delivery of a green one while I was there. I was curious about that color, too. It's more of a "greyish" green. I didn't like it, but I can see its appeal.
 
Sometimes I get lucky....not often, but sometimes!

#16 of 903 congrats graphicguy! by blh7068

Aug 10, 2003 (8:51 am)

Absolutely, there was a narrow opportunity for the dealer to make a quick recovery by offering that one to you. He already knew you curious about that specific color, plus it was late so the motivation was in place. It sounds like you got a very good deal. Isn't great when the ball bounces your way for a change!
 
Here in OK...still waiting to see a RX-8.
 
GRRR!!!

#17 of 903 RX8 Touring & Appearance Pkg by odycee

Aug 10, 2003 (10:15 am)

The local dealer offer me $30,350+fees but MSRP is $30,780. Is it hidden FEE added up to be same as MSRP or the dealer trying to make me think I save $430 off MSRP?

Messages Page 2 of 91

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