I ordered my RX-8 yesterday (Titanium, 6-speed, black/chapparal, GT package, no nav) and my dealer asked for a $500 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit. I know the deposit is at the discretion of the individual dealership, and I'm not really pissed about it being non-refundable. It is still a dealer "credit" that can be used in some other way if I end up not taking delivery of the car. They told me that they had to make it a non-refundable deposit to hopefully keep people from coming in and ordering an odd color/option combination, not taking delivery of it, and sticking them with a butt-ugly car that they couldn't sell....like that would happen.

I was just curious what other dealerships were doing in regards to the deposit to see if they are jacking me around or not.

 

I have the same thing going for me, $500 non-refundable deposit.

However it's different at different dealers.. There's another dealer that's a LOT larger and they wanted $2000 non-refundable. I also had a prior history with the guy whom I was dealing with (I sent him three other customers) and I know he'll treat me right when time comes to pony up the dough and walk out the door w/ the car.

I know I'm getting the RX-8. He guaranteed me MSRP in writing, ordered my car, and made a few follow up phone calls... all before I put the money down.

He asked that I put down the $500 because it's a small dealer and somebody has already re-negged on a Mazdaspeed Protege sitting in their showroom.. and they don't have the resources to take hits like that like larger dealers do. But I get good attention and I'm not complaining

 

$500 Refundable - MSRP guaranteed. Dealer wanted $1,000 but I said everyone on the internet is reporting $500 and he accepted with no questions.

 

$1000 Fully Refundable.

However, they did tack on a "Dealer Protection" package for $885, which I was told is a silicon coating they spray in and out once it gets there. Hmm.... a.k.a. Scotchguard. This sounds like BS to me, but I was told they sell it on all their cars and don't sell them without it. I at least wanted to get an order in, as it was the last day and I was first at the dealer, so I went along with it. Now, I'm thinking they are trying to screw me, so I'm gonna talk to the manager about it.

They also talk about a "Market Adjustment" for other customers, who tried to buy them off the lot. Dealer said he ordered 4 or 5 for the lot, but I was the only preorder so far.

Has anyone else had the dealer try to tack on additional junk?

 

uh, dealer protection package & scotch guard inside and out sounds like a load of horse...manure to me. for $885 you sure could buy a whole heap load of zaino, armor all probably to last you the entire life of the car, and then some motor oil to boot.

i'd recommend talking to the manager about it, and see if you can get out of the $885 bit, if not, start cutting your losses and search for another dealer to sell you at msrp, atleast then you'll save $385 ... which will still buy enough scotchguard to protect your car from anything short of a nuclear fallout.

 

Agreed on that. Any dealer addon for the clearcoat/body of the car is a total waste of cash.

 

No deposit for me. This will be our fifth purchase from Mazda South in six years , and we're on first-name terms with the management team down there, so I guess they decided they didn't need one from us.

However, I have heard from another forum member who was asked for a $1000 deposit by the same dealer, refundable only if the car is not exactly what he ordered.

 

I originally had a $1k deposit that was fully refundable and gave me first right of refusal on the car. I.e. I get my choice of what they have and if I didn't like, I can get my refund. Once info on the pre-order process came out, since I would be ordering my specific car, the terms changed so that the deposit would be refunded once they sold the car (if I didn't take delivery).

Anoter dealer told me $2k non-refundable. I eventually got him to say $2k refundable, but I bet I would have had a hard time getting it in writing. I didn't push them though 'cause I went with the first dealer.

I would suggest to keep looking for a dealer that offers MSRP w/o any required extras, but now you're probably looking at a 2nd allocation.

 

$500 Refundable - MSRP guaranteed.

Roachman

 

I have MSRP in writing. The Sales Manager said they don't do that over-MSRP stuff that other dealers do. No argument from me.

When I went to the dealership, I had forgotten to bring a check along for the down payment. They had asked for $500. I offered to put it on my credit card. They took the card but then just gave it back to me. They just decided to write down my card number on the order and wave the down payment. Maybe because I am in my upper 40's they might have felt I was more trust worthy. I don't know.

One side note: I was BSing with the Mazda Sales Manager and he mentioned that he had a brand new 350z he was driving. (I saw it outside, it was a very pretty black). Apparently he doesn't like it very much and is thinking of selling it to buy an RX8. He was about to go into what he didn't like, but was interrupted to sell a Mazda6 to someone.

 

$100 refundable. First order on list. Price is MSRP no packages or anything else required. Sometimes it is nice to live in a small area with a small volume dealer, they like to be nice to people (fact I work for another car dealer might help as well).

On a side note to all the non-refundable deposit people - just so you know most dealers if pushed even slightly will return your deposit on a car. The reason for this is simple, they may have a legal leg to stand on, but fighting it would be expensive and bad press. We have had people back out of custom Porsche orders (bizzare colors/options, etc) and if they push the dealership always returns their deposit. I don't know the legality of it all but most places when pushed prefer to be rid of you then have you make a scene and waste their time.

 

Yeah, I'm the one that Eccles was talking about. 1000 dollar deposit refund only if not exactly what is wanted. South Point Mazda. They tried to put on "Extras" like Dealer Prep, and Window serial etching. But I told them to take that Bull$hit off. For being a Repeat Mazda Customer I sure didn't fell like I was treated as one.

 

.... at West covina Mazda, West Covina, Southern California