On the mazdausa site, you can search the inventory to find what inventory dealers have in stock. Unfortunately, I only seem to be able to search for colors. Instead of being able to search for option package.

Originally, I wanted yellow. But those are nearly impossible to find. So I search red, and there are nearly 50 cars there. I just want to find one that is either Touring + Nav or Sport + Nav. But I don't want to click on each individual car to find the package I want.

Does anyone have any tips (or hidden features) that would make it easier to search the inventory?

 

I went through the same thing. There isn't a way to search based on trim level. Best thing you can do is go to the build your own part and figure out what MSRP is for the options/package you want. Then when you do a search you should be able to tell what ones are the right package based on the MSRP, which is printed on the results page.

Good luck!

 

The inventory search on the Mazda USA website is a marketing tool, not a real online inventory system. It shows cars that haven't shown up on the lots yet and it shows cars that have already been sold.

Whatever you do, don't take a long drive to a dealer without calling first to confirm that the VIN you are interested in is actually sitting on the lot.

I can tell you that my VIN was still showing on the search a full month after I drove away with it.

And no, you can't search by accesories. You need to know the prices for the various packages so you can come close without reading every hit you come up with.

 

There were several yellow RX8s in the port of Tacoma just last week. I found the color I wanted, outfitted it with a few PIO (port installed options) and it was here in about a week.

Find a dealer who is willing to sit down with you and look at the port list...match the color and features and go for it!

 

Do you have less room to negotiate when you do this? I would assume that, by working with you to determine exactly the car you want, they have you over the barrel. First, they did a lot of work for you (as opposed to just showing you the car that is already there). Second, you aren't reducing their existing inventory. Third, they know you really want the car.

 

You actually have more room to negotiate if you choose a car that's just come in. When a dealership orders a car, Mazda gives them a little extra money called "holdback " For Mazda, they get almost $500 right off the bat. So if that car is sold the same day, they keep $500 plus whatever profit they made.

Normally, it's considered "bad form" to bring in holdback into the negotiating process. However, I believe it's also bad form to pay too much for anything. I bring it up if they're being idiotic saying they won't make anything if they sell at invoice. Works most of the time, however dealerships may turn you away because they count on an uninformed consumer to pay $2,000 - $3,000 over MSRP.