What would you pay for this car? I went to Autonation (a no-haggle dealer, unfortunately) and was quoted $27,988 for Sport + Spare Tire + Spoiler (Which I don't want.) This included a $1000 Mazda Rebate, according to the sticker. (This is news to me that there is a rebate on purchase.) MSRP is 29,488 and Edmunds TMV is 27,736, invoice 27,127.

Now I'm definitely not afraid to haggle on a car, so I might go to another dealer in town and just have them trade for it, or even go to another dealer that has a similar car. I'm under the impression that I would be able to get the car for at least invoice minus any available rebates. There is apparently no official word on what the rebates are right now, but it looks like it might be $1000 for a purchase and $2000 on a lease. Some people have even reported getting under invoice on an '05.

Now I'm also seriously considering the lease, due to the rebate. Doesn't it make sense to negotiate the price of the car up front and then work out the payment method? I know they advertise the lease as $299 a month, but isn't that completely dependent on what you negotiate as a price for the car. I think that's just a trick to get people to pay MSRP (minus the rebate.)