Firstly, according to this thread, you CAN get a better deal (at least in Toronto) through negotiation with a dealer. This is not the money-best route to go; but I am a terrible negotiator. To work this, you need to call all of the dealers in your city (four in Ottawa) to get e-mail contact information for sales. You then identify all of the desired particulars and generate a letter like that below and send it to all dealers.
Request for Bids
I am requesting bids for the purchase of a 2013 Mazda CX-5 GT. Bids must include an itemized breakdown of all elements included in the bid total. The bid total must represent a "drive away" price including but not limited to the costs of options, accessories, registration, plating, dealer's fees, all federal and provincial taxes and levies, and any associated labour costs.
Additionally, the bid must include the amount of the deposit required, its acceptable payment method, and a reasonable rather than optimistic delivery date. Note that this is a cash purchase which does not require financing. The bid will include and identify any dealer or manufacturer purchase incentives (such as free scheduled maintenance). I am current owner of a 2010 MX-5, VIN JM1NCxxxxxxxxxxxx.
This request for bids is being e-mailed to all Mazda dealers within the Ottawa City Limit. Bids will be accepted by e-mail until end-of-business Friday, May 25, 2012. They will be reviewed over the following weekend and a winner contacted Monday, May 28. The lowest package bid will be deemed winner. In the event of the winner subsequently identifying costs in addition to those included in the bid, the purchase process will cease and the next lowest bidder will be contacted.
In the event that any respondent expresses an interest in the disposition of the vehicle this purchase is replacing (see "Replaced Vehicle" below) then the awarding of the bid will be delayed so that any dealer can have the opportunity to assess the condition of the replaced vehicle. Disinterest in purchase of the replaced vehicle does not eliminate a bid from consideration.
The New Purchase
� Vehicle: 2013 Mazda CX-5
� Trim: GT
� Exterior Colour: ZEAL RED MICA
� Interior Colour: SAND LEATHER
� Packages: TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE
� Options and accessories:
o Floor trays
o Floor mats � carpet
o Cargo tray
o Cargo cover
o Mud flaps � front
o Mud flaps � rear
o Touch-up paint pen
o Rear bumper guard
o Trailer hitch (complete)
o Trailer light adapter
Replaced Vehicle
I have a 1999 Volvo S70. This car has 180,000 km, dealer maintenance records, manual transmission, is in good condition, rust-free, and with a leather interior also clean and in good condition. I have a current private offer of X,XXX$. If you believe it unlikely to be worth more to your dealership, then please do not consider this vehicle as part of your bid.
Questions can be e-mailed to me, Brian Amirault, at
xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.ca
Note that I have no way of telling what accessories were "throw in", as I received bottom-line bids. Thus there may have been "free" carpet mats and some other accessory at a discount; although it is only the bottom line that counts. As for the bid responses. I had previously dealt with a salesman at my local dealer after first making clear my purchase strategy with which he had no problem. When after a test drive I assured him that this is the car and I would be generating a bid letter, he complained that this is unfair to him as he had invested time - possibly to no end. I never received from him a response to my bid. A second dealer responded with a bid of nearly full MSRP but a rider that if I bring in my lowest bid he would beat it by 500$. I could have saved an additional 500$ taking up this offer and changing the rules of the competition to the disadvantage of the other participants, but I thought this bid did not speak well to the dealer's opinion of my integrity or their own. I replied that the bid did not follow the rules, my ethics would not allow me to take advantage of the offer, and they were disqualified. The remaining two dealers submitted legitimate bids; both below MSRP and with a 600$ spread. I took the lower and arranged to go through the purchase process on the Monday afternoon. With the agreement signed I notified the other responders of the outcome, but not the value of the winning bid.
I have no idea if this approach will work in all markets and I do know that you CAN do better face-to-face. I also know that I can't. The amount I was able to reduce the MSRP by is still better than a poke in the eye with a pointed stick.
Brian