So I went to the dealer today to check out the RX-8 cause my car is on its way out, it has been 6 years since I've purchased a new car. When I walked up to the dealer, this guy was sitting on one of those motorized scooters with a mazda shirt and smoking a cigarette. I never realized this guy and some other deadbeats sitting around were part of sales since they looked like they were just idiots. I walk up to them and ask for sales and the guy with the cigarette and not to mention his inner lip was bleeding said "yeah we're sales." I took his card and told him I was interested in an RX-8. Of course I walked in to the dealer with just jeans, t-shirt and sandals so I doubt he thought I was serious. I will be able to put 50% down. Money is not an issue but obviously he didn't care too much. (He pointed me inside to check out an RX-8).

I walked in, chatted with the receptionist and checked out a silver grand touring RX-8. I walked back over to the receptionist and asked her who she would recommend for a salesman and I went to that guy instead while the first guy was out twiddling his thumbs and playing with the motor scooter. My friend and I walked around a bit and looked at the other 8's in the parking and walked back in. I talked to the 2nd salesman briefly since he had a delivery to take care of. I told him I would be back in a week to do a test drive. He apoligized about rushing off so fast and that he would help me when I came back. I'll go back there and check out the RX-8 in a week and go from there. Hopefully my car will be back out of the shop in order to do a trade in. So 70% was a good experience cause the receptionist was cute, nice RX-8's strewn all over the lot, friendly 2nd salesman who invited me back and gave me literature, spec sheet on the different builds, etc etc. I will definitely have to do an update next week. If the first guy represented Mazda, I would never buy one. He dressed sloppy, looked/talked like he didn't care and was just a mess. Oh well, he's not getting my money.

 

Just one comment: If you return to the dealership, ask to speak to the Fleet or Internet Sales Managers. These guys are paid to move volumes of vehicles, so they are more willing to be professional, honest, and able to get you lower prices than a stooge on the sales floor.

I never buy from salespeople, and every car I have purchased (over 10 vehicles in my life) have been well below listed prices, and the entire negotiating/purchase/out-the-door has taken less than 2 hours!

 

less than 2 hours...including the financing work? That's crazy! Do you negotiate price before or after you get to the dealer?

 

But how will you really know if you are talking to the internet sales manager or if they just give you another sales person acting as if he is.

 

most of the dealers I call say they don't have a fleet manager and don't even know what that is!

 

I guess I didn't realize they were so many shady dealers around.

First, if any car deal takes longer than 3 hours, it is too long. A favorite tactic to use is acting that you're impatient and need to go somewhere. Then, the dealer will "cut to the chase" and not screw around.

Second, I ask to see the saleperson's business card. If it doesn't say "Fleet Sales" or "Internet Sales", then I ask for that person.

Finally, every dealer who represents a car line (Mazda, Honda, Dodge dealers) and not independent dealers will have a Fleet Sales person. This person sells vehicles to taxis, rental car companies, police departments, city workers, and so forth. There job is to move product, and they do not receive commission on the sales. If a dealer says they don't know what Fleet Managers, they must not represent a "major" dealer line or inventory.

Good luck!

 

I have no time this weekend to go test drive.