Miata Mailing List: May 1998, Message #59

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Hi everyone!

First of all, I wanted to thank all the great people who responded to my
email about the packaging I should get for my Miata.  I was
overwhelmed by all the helpful advice!  To sum up, everyone pretty much
agreed that the hardtop wasn't necessary in NY state, and that it could
always be bought later.  Manual vs. automatic was a more difficult issue,
but I decided to try the manual, since a lot of different people described
it as pretty easy to learn (including a couple of terrific friends who
were more than happy to show me how to drive stick in my new Miata ;)).  I
has an unpleasant experience in the past trying to drive an ex-boyfriend's
'89 silver Supra w/ turbo.  Beautiful car, but very difficult to drive
stick-shift.  Just a little bit of advice, when you're teaching someone to
drive stick, don't scream, "you're going to ruin my clutch!". This is a
self-fulfilling prophecy.  ;-)  

So, what I decided on was a silver Miata with the touring package.
Unfortunately, it seemed all of them in this area are equipped with air
conditioning and floor mats.  What genius thought that up?  

In case anyone is curious, the MSRP on that is $22,300 (this includes
destination charge) and the dealer invoice is $20,071, dealer cost being
$19,676 (2% of base MSRP from Mazda). My deal was $21,000 even plus $39 to
the referral guy. It's being shipped to a dealer from Mazda on the 7th or
8th, and I've already put a $100 deposit down.  I got a comparable deal
with another dealer, who offered me $20,900 but then they'd have to drive
it 100+ miles from another dealership, so I'd get it with 100+ miles on
it.  This was all done over the internet and phone, so I think I did OK
for my first time and all. :-)  $1,300 below sticker, with the dealer
getting around $1,300.  After my experience I just really feel sorry for
the people who pay MSRP or higher, the markup's so outrageous.  That and
apparently silver is soooo hot that it's worth $100s more than other
colors (yeah right).    

Recap through the many many dealer conversations.  I must have spoke to a
dozen at least on the phone.  Even after I quoted another dealer's offer,
some dealers insisted on pulling the "advertising fees" and other bogus
charges on me. Very stupid.  Once I realized I had to take air
conditioning and floor mats, I considered ordering from Mazda direct and
save myself $1000, but that takes 8 weeks and unfortunately I don't have
that kind of time.  Also, I wasn't sure how to bargain with that one...how
could I know which dealer wouldn't pull extra charges on me after the car
came in?  I've heard stories like that.  It could very time-consuming to
keep walking away, and I'm sure they're betting on that.  Brief range of
offers: several hundred over MSRP to $20850 (but for a different color -- 
and the guy sounded sleazy).        

So, I'm signing in a week, and I'll be sure to bring two friends. :)  If
they pull anything, I fortunately have that other dealer to fall back
on...otherwise the hunt begins again.  I hope my experience will be some
use to others.  If anyone is in the Pennsylvania area and wants to know
the details about the dealers I spoke to and so on, please email me and
I'd be happy to share.  But I'm not going to give them free advertisement
here. They weren't THAT great.

This week is going to be soooo long....

Yonnie