I negotiated an invoice price with my dealer- then when they finally got back to me it was $200 over what edmunds and what someone here mentioned consumer reports said. (which were the same)

 

I think the dealer arrives at the "invoice price" figure some different way. It's kind of like going to Tijuana: the best price is the price you're happy with. If you're really dead set on a number, tell the guy, "it's this number or nothing". Do not, however, attempt this maneuver while standing in the dealership. They know, or think they do, that you'll weaken because you can already feel yourself driving away in their car.

 

i managed to haggle them down to better than $100 under invoice. Go on cars.com or autobytel.com and send you specs to local dealers and just sit back and watch the magic. Actually you gotta do some work..lol. take the best offer and send it back to all the dealers, and keep doin that until most of them drop out. even if youre not, play the dealers as though your flexible on options and color, but keep it pretty close to what you want. then take that the lowest quote and present that to you LOCAL dealer or the dealer that has exactly what you want (do NOT tell them they're the only ones that have what you want if that is indeed the case), local dealers are much more willing to work with you as the believe they can tax your *** through dealer services and all that. helps is the local dealer is a high volume dealer, as in my case (fairbanks mazda, longwood, FL). dont be afraid to use the phone, it's faster than e-mail and it lets the dealers know you aren't just screwing around. the internet salesmen dont pressure you at all and are used to playing this game as well...best of luck!

FWIW: in the process of doing this i visited a dealer who hadn't contact me just yet, and the salesman refused to budge more then $400 off msrp. i got home that day and checked my inbox, and low and behold the internet sales manager had made me the best offer i'd seen..from the same dealership, on the same model!

 

I believe Mazda is giving the dealer 500 rebates so the true cost to the dealer is under invoice and whatever incentives they give the dealer when you have 30 sports cars on your lot sitting in the freezing cold waiting for spring. It's really a good time to buy but the garage has seen more of my car then the road.

 

I'm working on a deal now through mycar.com and so far, I'm at $600 under invoice. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

$600 under invoice is good... i got mine $300 or so under invoice at the start of december, so over 1.5mths its gotten cheaper by $300... not bad i'd say, we can only expect the price to get lower as time passes until the hotter months come.