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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Mazda CX-7 Prices Paid and Buying Experiences
705 messages, Last post on Jul 03, 2009 at 12:52 AM
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Replying to: fonefixer (Dec 14, 2008 12:10 pm)  ] Well, first of all, let me insert my usual disclaimer....I am not "officially" in the car business at this time. My family has quite a few dealerships and I grew up in and around the car business, I worked summers there before I could drive- washing cars on the lot, moving cars on the lot whenever I could get a chance to get behind the wheel, and then selling cars when I was old enough to get my sales license (requirement for that state). Much to my fathers chagrin, I went off to college instead of staying the "the business". My goal was to work summers/breaks (although that's not a good model for a sales job), but after a really hard first year at college and a profitable summer selling cars (things were good at one time), I took a leave of absence from the university and became a "car wh*re" (sorry, but that's what they call it). Do I know everything? Absolutely not- and I don't think anyone does, there is always something to learn. But I did learn a lot about the car business (and even more about life) over that time period. Lot's of experiences gained...not all a big deal (at least not to everyone), but I learned from them and that's what's important to me. And, if you lived in (or visited) the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Eastern Shore Maryland, Upper VA, etc) during the late 80's through the mid 90's, there's a good chance you saw me on their TV commercials (hmmm...why was it that I moved so far away again? ). They pretty much have the monopoly on commercials during all the seeing local news programs (some of you are seeing light bulbs I am sure....ribbit). But I did get to see almost every aspect of the car business...what vehicles to put where on the lot and how to rotate them, keeping the batteries charged (nothing more embarrassing than having to jump start a car for the test drive) and making sure than manuals and floor mats haven't been stolen (bigger problem than you think- sales guys take them for used cars to avoid paying the charge back), I've been in sales, I've ordered stock, signed for $1.7 million worth of cars at an auction (when "program cars" first came out- a BIG ego trip for a 17 yr old kid) because my father was too busy scouting and buying, and walked a bank bag with a million in cash and checks in it to the bank (again, at that age, its an ego trip). I've done F&I (finance office, getting approvals, selling warranties, etc), appraised cars, and "repossessed" both employee demonstrators and cars we "signed" for. And lots more- it was an eventful time period. There was plenty of good- (for the race fans) I have pictures of Cale Yarborough holding me as a baby, I had breakfast with Dale and Richard Childress in their bus and played with this red headed kid named "Jr" while our dad's talked about the car business (Dale had dealerships too), and I drove the pace car for the pre-race parade laps at Harry Gant's last race at Dover Downs. I handed him the keys to the pace car afterwards, he made a speech to the crowd, and then gave the keys to Elmo Langley for the rest of the days duties. I had a Porsche (boy dad "loved' that- he was American only when it came to cars, except of course the Pininfarina body on his Allante, that was "different") and a motorcycle at 18. There were some neat times. But, I also worked a minimum of 12 hours a day, 6 days a week (Blue Laws, no sales on Sundays), straight commission (hero to zero, no sales, no check), and the "love" from the other salesmen because my father owned the place. But I would never trade that time back- like I said, I learned a lot about life....from the stories told by the revolving door of salesmen in and out, the credit reports from people from all walks of life, the pros and cons of "pre-judging' people when they walked in the door, etc....I learned a lot and I would not be where I am today without some of those lessons...the good and the bad. And I bet you couldn't guess what my career ended up being if you had a hundred tries  [The actual answer, although it may ramble some too- sorry, long day] Invoice. Invoice, again, is the "net" price of the car. It's the actual base price, plus options (factory installed), minus any package discounts (the key to buying and selling right there- knowing how to order and buy the right packages- I've seen "work trucks" with a bolt action six shooter and just air over vinyl price out within 2k of a fully loaded 1500 series truck), plus the destination charge (set price for that region/state). That is the "invoice" price, and it has a corresponding MSRP. you can get invoice right her on Edmund's or on man of the other car sites (but what else do you need with a site like this?). There may be other charges: A dealer made "add-on" sticker, aka a "bump sticker" (not legal in all states and you do NOT have to accept it, just say you don't want those options- if they give you a hard time, its probably not a place you want to do business with any way), Federal/State fees such as a "Gas Guzzler" tax, etc- but these are not considered part of the "invoice" price. Invoice typically goes up by a few percent every year. If there is a major change to the body style or standard options, it may go up considerably. At the same time, poor sales the previous year, a good recoup on the tooling costs, etc, can actually make the invoice go down a few dollars (this is usually kept quiet as long as possible for obvious reasons...). The 2008 Mazda CX7 Sport FWD had an MSRP of $23,750.00, invoice of $22,225.00, and a destination charge of $635.00 (note most MSRP listings have destination charge included, so you may see a little variance). The 2009 Mazda CX7 Sport FWD has and MSRP of $23,900.00, invoice of $22,365.00, and a destination charge of $670.00. (Note, the invoice price did not change from 2007 to 2008). So, what do you get for your ~$140 increase on the 2009 Sport? Some more available options (not standard)on the Sport model, illuminated vanity mirrors, real leather on the steering wheel instead of vinyl (don't tell PETA), stated (not verified) loss of remote start and parking assist options, and you get an aux/mp3 input and mp3 playing capability. Oh, and a leather/"metal look" gear shift knob instead of plastic (man- if I had only known that a few months ago! ) The biggest difference is that, and this may change in this market, you are not going to see the 7k off incentives some of us got a few months ago for 8-10 months- if they come. Now, as far as the rest of your post.....and this is free advice that is worth what you paid...... -Never buy at the first dealer, especially if you haven't researched (see #2). It will be there later, no matter how many "deals he has working on it". And if it's not, I assure you he'll find you it's twin pretty quickly. -Don't walk into a de |
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So does the Mazda dealer's actual inventory determine whether they charge MSRP or give 7,000 off MSRP ? The dealer I bought my cx-7 had 90 in stock in 10/2006 and currently has only 7 in stock.
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Replying to: fonefixer (Dec 16, 2008 10:23 am) So, invoice never changes. The dealer "pays" (finances) invoice when it comes off the assembly line, and he technically still owes invoice when it sells, whether that be the day the delivery truck arrives (I've seen people follow a delivery truck in for almost 100 miles because they spotted a vehicle they wanted), or 150 days later when there may be $5k in incentives. While you get those incentives the day you buy, he doesn't get them until the vehicle is reported sold. The dealer near you could be in several different situations. He may have the 2008's leftover, but was smart enough to "buy" them on the final day on incentives, giving himself that extra $7k-$9k to play with (but the invoice is still the same- don't get too hung up on invoice...that's what the dealer paid and is on his copy of the window sticker most likely in a safe in the sales office. You can buy at invoice and honestly say you bought at "cost", but if there were a few $k in rebates and incentives, you left money on the table - and in his pocket). I am not sur ehow things are in your area, but around Charlotte, there are several "Big 3" (unfortunately soon to be "Small to Middle 1 or 2") that sell all their new inventory at $1 over invoice from the day the hit the lot (usually excluding Corvette, Viper, special editions, etc....usual fine print). How do they stay in business at $1 a sale? Well, they obviously wouldn't. They usually have that made up $499 "doc fee" (there's a little profit), and then they get the advertising hold back when it's reported sold (around 3% until close to the new model year, then jumps to 5% or so). Then, hopefully, you have a trade and/or finance. Even if you trade in a beater they can expect to pick up $500 or so from a wholesaler. If its clean, they can try to low balll you a bit and make the money on the sale of yours instead. And then there is financing....F & I as it was called when I was there (finance and insurance). If there are any deals I "regret" (as in guilt) from my car days, they average 5:1 in the F&I office compared to the sales floor. Hope that helps. -Shawn |
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| Sounds like the average customer can never find out what the Mazda factory pays the dealer in rebates, incentives, dealer cash and advertising incentives when a vehicle is sold. You have finally explained the "1 dollar over invoice" game in a way that makes perfect sense. When I was buying the Cx-7 in October,2006 for $2300.00 off MSRP, one of the dealer managers offered to have the Mazda "rep" call me and verbally confirm to me the "invoice" pricing for the car, which she assured me would match what was on Edmonds at the time. The Mazda "invoice" price probably is correct, or close to correct, it is the "secret" and confidential deals between the dealer and the factory that the customer will not know about. I'm sure Mazda and the dealers have a revolving relationship that changes sometimes on a daily basis. | |
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Replying to: supershawn (Dec 09, 2008 12:16 pm) |
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Replying to: stadler311 (Jan 06, 2009 3:07 pm) if you don't mind my asking, where in indiana did you buy? Were you able to locate many leftover '08s? Thx. Jeff
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Replying to: zq8 (Dec 07, 2008 5:59 pm) |
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Replying to: jeffb1 (Jan 06, 2009 4:45 pm) I hope that helps. Todd |
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Replying to: jinx1832 (Aug 22, 2008 6:37 am) I own a CX-7 GT-AWD and I am currently gettting about 15(city) /19(highway) MPG. 
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Replying to: jeffb1 (Jan 06, 2009 4:45 pm)
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