Since the dealer refused to come down on their selling price for a new RX-8 (I got one down to $21900), I have decided to go back to the used car market to find my RX-8. Since my stock options dropped 40% in value this past year, I have to get a loan instead of paying cash for my car. With the dealers trying to charge $5000 in surcharges (basically asking $5000 more than what they buy it for), I have decided to look at private sellers. While some sellers are over their head in what their car is worth, I was still able to locate a few that I thought are reasonable. Unlike years past where I can just walk into the bank and receive a check to buy a car, now I am subject to lot more restrictions before I can even get a check issue to me. The situation is worse when it comes to a private seller vehicle since I have to get copy of their title, bill of sale and a bunch of other BS before they can even start the loan process. The days of walking in and out in one day is virtually gone. I guess it makes sense as they are trying to minimize their risk, but now I know why I had a tough time selling my $30K car privately. I guess the moral of the story is pay cash for your vehicle, save your hassle and then you can find a good deal. Of course I would be curious to see how many people would want to blow $20K cash into a car rather than holding it for emergency.

The funny thing is that some dealers would rather sit and hold onto their vehicle for a $4000-5000 profit rather than just cut their losses and only make a small profit on the vehicle. Most RX-8s in the northeast have been sitting in the lot since April, so I am not sure how they want to get a premium for it given the current economics and gas prices and the snow tax. Oh well, I don't run their business.

 

I always figured the car dealers just expect that if you don't want their price, someone else will come along and be dumb enough to pay it.

Probably all depends on where you look. Some dealers are just ******** and don't give a crap but others will always do some work on the prices, specially now, some of the places I went to when looking would just do amazing dealing to get the car off the lot.

 

much agreed. i was comparing two used 2006 BB Shinkas (both conveniently for sale in the same city at the same time with the same mileage - go figure): One at a dealer who actually raised their price after it sat for two weeks citing increased local demand (I called BS, but someone bought it) and the other a private party car. When it comes to pricing "flashier" cars, dealers, concerning their used car business, may do a fair amount of "fishing". Now, since they probably don't have a plethora of inventory coming in forcing them to move cars, they probably don't mind waiting and seeing if they can hook a big sale.

i bought from the private party, but making the transaction was like you said . . . pulling teeth - especially since the previous owner had a lien on the vehicle. took over a week and a half. Electronic versions of the paperwork helped, but i felt like i was playing chicken with the previous owner. he wouldn't give me the signed title or the car until his bank cleared the checks and i didn't want to give him the checks without anything in return (so i eventually i convinced him to let me take the car while he held the title and i hoped his bank actually forwarded the lien release). worked out in the end and saved several $k, but yeah - lots of hassle the private party route.

 

You got a new one down to 22k, and that wasn't good? What trim/options?

 

i don't get the point of your posts complaining about the price of a new 8? if you don'twant to pay that much don't pay...buy what u want with whatever money you want.....not that big of deal...If I really wanted a Lambo and couldn't get the price to where I wanted it then I'd walk...but I wouldn't go in saying I will only buy it if they take 50k off the sticker price...

 

base model, no options.

With the stocks coming backup, they are going to be reluctant to make any deals. I am amazed at how cocky some of those guys are given the fact most people are looking and not buying. At any rate, I am going to call this guy about his 06. If he accepts my offer, I should be able to drive it by next weekend. If not, I will hold off until August and see if Mazda will jump the incentives to $3K or $3500. I sort of doubt it, I think the deal will come in September. Also with the cash for clunker in effect starting Friday, dealerships will get their volume, so they will be less incline to do more deals with you. I guess I will have to live without a sports car for a little longer.

Here are some wacky ones I have seen

Private seller, 2006 Shinka 19K miles, asking $21K
Dealer, 2009 GT 10K miles, $25K
Dealer, 2005 Touring 36K, $18K
Dealer, 2007 Base 19K, $19K

 

^ Where do you live at? Those are some high prices...

 

Those are taken from the NY/New England area. That's what those people are asking, they will keep sitting unless they get very lucky.

 

I don't know...


When I was shopping for a Genesis Coupe a few months back the dealers were falling over themselves to sell me what they had on the lot.
The problem was I wanted what I wanted [a black 2.0 turbo manual base] but they had more 3.0 and 2.0 automatics all loaded.
One guy wanted to sell me a 3.0 for the price of a 2.0 base.
I walked and started looking at RX-8's.


In about 2 days of internet shopping I found my car which I got below Blue Book without even trying.


I guess I'm trying to say is that in the Atlanta area the dealers are trying to move cars in a bad way.

 

I saw this here when I was going through the paper work on my 8, they were doing anything and everything to sell vehicles and they were pushing cars out left and rright. I overhead many people get amazing deals on used and new cars.

 

Those prices are exactly what I saw for the NE section before I got my '06 GT trim at 19k miles for mid 16k, not too shabby. The whole NE is expensive in general, need to move out of this fricking area of the country and move out northwest or south off the coast.

 

before the internet, I think people can away overcharging. in this climate and time, people should make smarter decisions. I just had 4 shops rejecting my offer on their 07 08 and 09. so I said to heck with them, I am buying the 06.

the 09 they want 22k and it has 10k miles gt
08 19k base and they want 19k
07 base with 15k they want 19k

I guess they don't realize a new base is around 22s with rebates. even a gt should only be around 27s new

lets not even get into private sellers. of course I live in the northeast, harder to get deals.

prices are higher now because economy is showing life. I had to pay sticker on a 3rd gen prius and there is a waiting list for them

 

Bah, dont complain.

In Canada a GT is about 38000$ USD (MSRP). Thats in US funds, today's exchange rate taken into account.

+12.5% sales tax in Quebec

NOT counting prep fees, etc...

Buying a new RX8 in Canada IMO is not a good move.

Got mine used.

 

ive never understood the mad depreciation the rx-8's get... most ppl that i know want to upgrade from japanese cars to european or german cars. well, coming from owning a german car, i actually wanted a japanese sports car. and, i was excited that there is a car as unique as the rx-8 on the market. to me, our 8's ought to be holding their value more- given its such a unique vehicle. maybe mazda ought to charge more, so that the used market is better? lol... we're screwed either way i guess...

 

Sports car+Mazda+rotary engine+shady reliability record+bad rep+crappy fuel economy=low resale value

 

Go through a credit union if you can. As long as the seller has a clear title, you're good to go.