Hi all,
I currently have a '15 Mazda 3s GT that the dealer has been bugging me to trade for about 6 months. I guess they've got some year-end and loyalty incentives going, because they finally quoted me a payment on a red 2017 CX-5 GT that I can live with. This dealer is itching to move cars this week. Going to there tomorrow to check out paperwork and leave a deposit if it all looks good. Kinda torn because I'm very happy with the 3, and I don't really want to give up any more performance; but I sorta need AWD here in the snowy northeast, and I've read nothing but good things about the '17 CX-5. I've been considering other options for a compact SUV, but it's kinda hard to top the Mazda for the money,and it seems like a decent step up all around from what I've got now. Merry Christmas to all!
If the dealer is that desperate and they REALLY want to move out of your current car into one of their
newer cars, then when it comes time to trade your older car that you are COMPLETELY happy with; you tell the dealer that you want DOUBLE BOOK value of your current car...otherwise, deal is OFF.
YOU are doing the dealer a favor buy entertaining their offer. YOU are completely satisfied with your current car and there is absolutely no reason for you to change or "upgrade". If the dealer is willing to play, then they (the dealer) will pay. yes, the pay to play door can swing BOTH ways.
How do you "sorta need AWD"? Your '3 should be perfectly capable with and without dedicated snow tires. AWD helps you get going, but really doesn't do much for stopping and or turning even though Mazda's literature will tell you otherwise and use technical mumbo-jumbo to say their iActive AWD is smart. It is, but only to a certain degree.
I like getting a new car like the next guy, but not prematurely based on the dealer hassling me for my current car. Backstory: in '05/'06, each time I brought my '04 VW GTI into the dealer for service, one or more of the salesmen would ask if I was interesting in trading in my car because there WAS A DEMAND for my particular car. And each time they would tell me this, I would ask them to give me DOUBLE BOOK for my car and their smiles/happy faces quickly turned to puzzled/confused sad faces. They wanted to deal, but they didn't want to pay that much for a car that was literally a dime a dozen. Now, if it was an '04 .:R32, it would have been a different story, but I only have the lowly 1.8t 5spd.
Now, back to you...YOU must be firm and not be a pushover when it comes to DEMANDING top dollar for
your car and for the dealer to do everything in their power to get you the most money for the '3. Again, you are doing them a favor by taking one of their CX-5s off the lot. Your '3 might end up as a CPO or it could go straight to auction - they really don't care.
If your '3 is clean and has popular options and is a good color, AND they have to give top dollar, it might end up on their lot as a CPO car so they can get some of their money back. If the car goes to auction, they won't get all of their money back.
Best of luck in your transaction. Don't forget, you have the power to WALK away if things start to stink or go south.
Cheers. (bolt)