Hello,

I'm interested in purchasing a Mazda 3 type S but dealerships around Massachusetts have been very reluctant to negotiate with me. They all state that this is the hottest car on the market right now and just won't negotiate.

What did you guys pay for the car? I was planning on getting Mazda 3 type S, automatic transmission, and ABS.

To make things worse, different dealers are asking for a $100 - $300 "Document" or "Administration" fee for selling the car. They won't really explain what it is except that it's required and not negotiatable. What exactly does this fee cover and is it really not negotiatable?

Thanks in advance.
WantMazda3

 

Different laws for different states. Where are you located?

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/strate...5/article.html

Hope this helps!

 

I quickly had the dealer down to $150 over invoice for my loaded Strato Blue 5-door. They had 4 similar on the lot and so did every other dealer in Michigan. I actually passed up my local dealer and drove 50 miles to another for the best deal. I would suggest looking on mazdausa.com and checking dealer inventories. Know what they have in advance. Find a dealer that has 2 or 3 models close to what you are looking for. Check on edmunds.com for a pricing report as well. don't be afraid to drive 100 miles to find the best situation. At this point you may want to wait another month when dealers are trying to rid themselves of 04 models. There is a premium on titanium grey, so unless you are in love with that color I'd steer clear. NEVER let the dealer know what color you want. Once you do, they've got you.

Good luck!

 

i paid about 1000 below invoice on mine (black mica hatch... moon roof, 6 disc, no abs... eh oh well i like lockin em up anyways).... however, i work with the guy that sold it to me (he part times at the mazda dealership here in maine) and i just talked to him last night and pretty much siad what you said about how hot they are, and even that with the low inventories in new england that they don't have to negotiate to sell them even with the 05's comming out in the next couple of months.... so either try ny/nj... or wait for the 05's to be on the lot with the 04's....??.... good luck...

 

Wow, it sounds like you guys got great deals. Unfortunately for me, it doesn't look like I will be getting a good deal for this car because of my location. Just check out the conversation I had with this guy over email. I gurrantee a nice laugh out of it.

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: ecrowley@128imports.com
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 1:09 AM
Subject: Quote Request for Mazda 3


Dear Ed,

I am looking to purchase the 2004 Mazda 3s with automatic transmission option in Strato Blue or Titanium Gray this week.

I would like to recieve a quote from your dealership. Please response by email and include all the car costs and itemized listing of all dealer fees, such as assessment fees.

Over the next three days I'll be taking bids from local dealers interested in my business. After selecting the most attractive bid, I will formally secure financing for purchase within one week.

Thank you in advance for your time and interest and I look forward to doing business with you.

Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
I have received the same exact message two or three times from different names, so if you are just shopping our dealership to find out what my deals are, you could atleast change the message.

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 11:05 AM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


What are you talking about? What other names were used? From your email, I take it you're not interested in my business. That's too bad. I thought you guys were in the business of selling cars not driving away customers.

Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
I never want to drive away a customer, but it seems to me I get that exact message every other month with a new name on it. Are you going through a service? Either way I am selling them for 2% over invoice.

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 1:20 PM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


No, I got your email off the website. Didn't go through a service. However, the message format was ripped off from some website which could explain the similarities. Now that we got the confusion out of the way, let's talk business.

You said 2% over invoice. By my calculations, for a Mazda 3 type S with automatic transmission and the destination charge included the total price would come to $17,198 given that invoice is $16,861. What additional fees do I have to pay besides this sum? Do you have this car in stock with Strato Blue or Titantium Gray?

Thanks.
Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
What website was that? I do have that car in stock. The only fee we have is 195 for paperwork?

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 3:51 PM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


Are you talking about where I got the message format? I can't remember where I got it from the top of my head. I'll need go home and check on my home computer.

Can you give me the total exact cost of the car (tax, paperwork fees, etc, included)?
I need to figure out if I will have enough money left over that I can probably use to add on some additional options.

Thanks.
Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
Depends on the car you pick, but we usually don't itemize it, you need to come here to do that. Tax is 5%, plates are 80 dollars and the doc fee is 195

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 9:46 AM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


http://www.fool.com/Car/Worksheets/FaxLetter.htm
Letter look familiar?

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
That's the one. I can't believe they actually have letters to tell you how to buy a car, and that letter is such a turnoff to me, I usually just throw them away because it never get's me a customer. Funny though. So what are you thinking?

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 11:17 AM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


There's a website for everything Ed.

As for what I'm thinking, I'm leaning towards getting ABS option since Mazda 3 has such bad side impact crash test results. Do you have that kind of package in stock? I'm not too thrilled about this $195 document fee? What's so special about this document that makes it cost so much?

Car Spec:
Strato Blue or Titanium Gray
Mazda 3S
Automatic Transmission
ABS Package

Thanks.

Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
Check around, ours is cheap. It pays for a sticker, running to the registry, cleaning the vehicle, and keeping your records for 10 yrs(MA law). Every dealer has one and there is no way around it. I have the abs package in stock.

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


Please, don't make me laugh.

1. I'll pay for the sticker. That's $30
2. Cleaning my vehicle? It's a new car. I expect it to be clean and shiny. I shouldn't have to pay extra for that
3. Running to the registry? I'm not paying you guys to have some kid run to the registry for $165
4. And keeping records? How hard is that? It's a few kilobytes in your hard drive. You enter it and nobody ever looks it up again.

And don't tell me there's no way around it. My roomate bought a Mazda Rx-8 from YOUR dealership less than a year ago and he did not have pay this $195 document fee.

I'm offering you $17,900 for a

Brand New Mazda 3 type S
Strato Blue Mica Exterior
Automatic Transmission
ABS Package

And please waive that $195 document fee.

Will you accept this bid?

I plan to make this purchase in full by this Saturday. And I'll be going with the first dealer that accepts this bid. So please respond as soon as you can.

Thank you for your time.

Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
Your roomate paid it, it's right on the Purchase and Sale agreement PRINTED, you can' t take it off. Your not paying us to do all those things, they are cost involved to sell you a car and the doc fee pays for them and the million other things that make my dealership different and better than the rest. Deals don't get saved on a hard drive, paper only. Check around, they all have a doc fee.

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 5:18 PM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


I have to disagree. I think I know what my roomate paid and what he didn't. And he did not pay that fee. If you can't remove that from the Sales agreement and then just subtract that amount from that base value of car. If they are the cost of selling a car then why does every dealership have a different price? Oh and by the way, there are plenty other dealerships out there that have a smaller Document fee than you do. Champions and IRA are just charging $90 compared to your $195. So tell me, if this is a standard deduction for selling a car then why is there such a huge discrepancy in the cost? I find it hard to believe that your process for preping a car is that much different or better than other dealerships.

Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
The car is the hottest car on the market, and I don't have to discount them lower than 2% to sell them. EVERYONE pays the doc fee, no way around it. I have the 3's in stock, not many dealers do. If you don't like my price, sorry to hear that. But that is the best I can do. And my dealership and service is ranked WAY higher than any other and we do take care of you far after the sale if you have a problem, that is why we are #3 in the country, no one else in the northeast can even come close. For the 100 or 200 you are trying to save, it's not worth it in the long run. It's up to you.
Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


I'm sorry to hear that Ed. I think you're letting your ego get the better of you. I'm not interested in your quality service. I'm interested in the car. And if you don't want to sell it to me at that price, that's fine. There are plenty Mazda dealerships that will. The car may be popular but it's not that popular. You've got stiff competition from other Mazda dealerships as well as the new Scions.

So good luck moving those 2004s.

Thank you for your time.

Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
Thanks for the luck, although I don't need it to sell the mazda 3. It has no competition, especially a SCION!!!(LOL) I want to sell one, you just don't want to pay a small 350 dollar profit and a doc fee of 195. Sometimes people trip over nickels and fall right past the dollar, which to me it seems like you are doing. We sell 2-3 a day and have about 35 left, so at that rate we should be out by the end of next month, perfect time for the 05's!

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 11:06 AM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


You're a funny guy Ed. I like you. Too bad you can't do math. $17,900 gives you a $350 profit. Invoice is $17,549. You won't give me the deal just because I won't give you a $100 to wash my car. It seems like you're the one tripping over nickels and dimes. And you most certainly underestimate the Scion tC. That car has more standard features including ABS and dual moonroofs for a far cheaper price than the Mazda. Talking to you has made me realize that there's really nothing the Mazda 3 has over the Scion. I guess I'll be getting that Scion after all. Thanks for showing the light Ed.

And 3 cars a day? LOL!!!
With your attitude and ridculous fees, you'll be lucky to sell 3 cars a month. It's no wonder you guys are only #3. If I were you I hold off on those 2005s.

Anyways, it's been a pleasure talking to you Ed.

Have a nice day.

Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
3 mazda 3's a day, I didn't say anything about the rest. #3 in the country doesn't sell 3 a day, we average about 160 cars a month. If you don't want to pay the doc fee, that's your choice, I have to abide by the rules. There's a reason why SCION is, and I quote "far cheaper price", key the word, CHEAPER. Good luck if you do go that route. My attitude is reflected in the way you write emails insulting a business you have no idea about or concept of quality. To insult a car that gets the best reviews out there is quite amusing.

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

----- Original Message -----
From: Jian H
To: Ed Crowley
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 3:22 PM
Subject: Re: Quote Request for Mazda 3


If the tone of my previous emails have offended you then I apologize. It was not my intent to insult you or your business in anyway. It's just the shock of this so called "Document fee" and your refusal to negotiate the price had me confused. Perhaps, it is as you said, my knowledge of the business is a bit lacking. Maybe you can enlighten me with your years of experience on the job. You gave me an explanation for the "Document fee" before which I felt was unsatisfactory. You never elaborated on why this whole process of selling a car cost an additional $165. Care to give a better explanation? It's never been about nickels and dimes. I just need to know what exactly am I paying for. I think as a customer, I'm entitled to that information.

And please, don't use my words out of context. You know very well, that I meant that Scion is cheaper in price and not in quality. And I think many Scion owners and technical experts will agree with me on that.

Jian

Ed Crowley <ecrowley@128imports.com> wrote:
I don't know how else to explain it. The doc fee pays for all the things I told you before and also for problems that might go wrong in the future. We have 12 girls that work upstairs doing paperwork, a sticker machine that cost 40k, and a recon department that has 6 guys working on your car. Whether you like it or not, it is a part of buying a car, that is why every dealer has one. We do a better job at everything, and I know ours isn't the highest, or the lowest for that matter, but we offer more. And the price is a great price for that car. They are too rare, we should get sticker for them.

Edward Crowley
Internet Sales & Leasing Manager
128 Imports
781-245-8000

The funny thing is that his dealership doesn't have a second floor. It sounds very much like to me he won't sell the car for anything less than $500 over invoice and that's that. So much for negotiation.

 

The 3 is hot and selling well. I'd been trolling the dealers and I might see one I like, but it was gone in a day. Not much leeway to negotiate or haggle when the car is moving itself no matter how big an a** the dealer is.

Now, if you want to negotiate, try for a 6. Dealers are giving huge discounts. But you'll always have a doc fee, like it or not.

 

Almost every male in my family works at a car dealership and I can tell you that there is a Doc fee involved with every sale. Sometimes it's referred to as a processing fee but it's usually between $150 and $250....so just pay it and don't worry about it. If you want to attack the price a little more, then take it at a different angle. The seller is giving you better than what is considered "Fair Market Value" for the car since FMV is 3% above invoice. However, he wants to get rid of the car as quickly as possible. There is a holdback on Mazda's of I believe 3% of MSRP. This money is to allow the dealer to price the car closer to invoice to make the customer believe they are getting a better deal than they actually are. If the car sells off the lot in the first month, the dealership will get 100% of the hold back, 2nd month, 2/3 of the holdback, 3rd month 1/3 of the holdback. So, if you look on the vehicle to see when it was delivered, you can find out how much additional money there is cushioned behind that sticker. If it's been on there for less than a month and the sticker is $19,000, the dealer is making an additional $570 on the vehicle. Do the math if you want to figure out the rest. So the dealer would actually be making over $900 on your deal...So deal with it how you will, but the car is on the lot about $600 under invoice (and there might be even more holdback on 3's for incentives, but standard mazda is usually 3%).

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the info guys. The sticker on the car actually tells you when it was delievered? I didn't know that. So that's how dealers really make money. All these little things does add up to a pretty significant profit for them. That is if they can sell the car.

 

I don't like the idea of document or other junk fees - but in the end it's the bottom line price that counts....

I just drove off a Mazda3 Hatch, 5spd, Titanium Gray, ABS+safety pkg, Moon/6CD pkg, Leather, wheel locks for ... $19,250 + registration + tax. This was in the Metro NY, Westchester area.

The Edmunds TMV price was about $19,600. So I feel I probably wasn't rooked, or not by too terribly much....

Dealer insisted he was "only" charging me $500 over his invoice -- but according to most online sources it was more like $700 over the "national". Regional variations?

I used the mazdausa.com web site to find out which dealers had mazdas with the options I wanted or would go for (I didn't start out wanting Moon and Leather, but what the heck...!)

I called around to all dealers within a 100 mile radius in three states. Many dealers would quote similar prices presumably enticing me to "come on down" ... only after a few minutes more of chit chat - most would reluctantly mention that there would be a doc fee of $150 to $300 before we got to the bottom line (varied with the dealership.) ("No thanks!")

My philosophy is not to sweat too terribly much over the last 1%. 1% of a 20K purchase is $200.

Am I a spendthrift?

BTW - I just stumbled on this forum AFTER buying the car and looking for some more info on maintenance