Utah Mazda Car Dealers

New to this forum. I purchased a used 2008 Mazda 5 Touring with 15k miles on it for $14,800 over the weekend. I think I am happy about the deal although its not as great as I (initially, before visiting here) thought before. This is from D. Dahle Mazda dealership in Salt Lake City, UT. The sticker price on the car was over $17k. The dealer was OK. Nothing too special about their service. Salesman was appearing too busy on the day of sale. The guy who had to print all the sales documents took sometime as well. He was offering $1100 for extending the warranty to 6 years and 75k miles. If not used, the money will be refunded at the end of the warranty coverage period. What do you guys think of that deal? Should I get it? Thanks,

try carsdirect.com for a quote, it will give you some idea. In my zip the target price is $17,077... this is about $375 over invoice (ie base invoice + destination fee + $375) minus $3k in rebates. I would offer $16,700 which is true invoice - rebates if they have the exact car you want in stock, they still make $$ on the holdback...see my post above for the deal I had worked out. It's the end of the month so you should be able to get a nice deal.

I, too, have a 5 speed AWD Tribute, an 05. Have had it for two years now. I guess my biggest gripe has been creaking sounds which seem to intensify during transitions to and from cold temps. I recently slathered petroleum jelly onto all the weatherstripping, and it is again quiet, but for how long, who knows. I am debating selling the vehicle, but then, that's me. I get the itch every two years. I am bringing it in for the recall Monday, and at that time will have the dealer address an idle speed that shoots to 2500-3000 rpm when cold, for about 30 seconds to a minute after startup. That began this year, and they feel it might be the idle control valve. They will probably reflash the pcm. As for this configuration, I am convinced it it the best balanced and best handling Tribute available. It is amazingly competent at speed, and as for the AWD, it is excellent. So with snow getting close, I might decide it is still the best choice all the way around, and choose to hang on to it; falling gas prices also help. I doubt I'll ever break 30 mpg on the highway, running at 75 mph, but 28 is not too bad.

A 5-speed Mazda Tribute? So, you are the one... ;)

Just purchased a 2006 Mazda Tribute-i, 4-cylinder 5-speed with AWD, options were all weather mats and rear bumper step. Metro-West Boston, MA region. MSRP was $22,515, invoice was 21,089. Paid $20995 - $3000 rebate - $1000 MAC finance bonus cash for a net price of just $16995. Added cruise control (not available from the factory on "i" manual transmissions) for $300. Financed the minimum required to get the $1000 bonus ($7k) and will pay off as a lump sum when first payment is due (interest rate with MAC is much higher than prime...about 9.8%, something around 6-6.5% should be available if you need to finance). Very happy with the vehicle and with the dealership! Also cross-shopped the 2007 Escape XLS AWD. Found one that was base with alloy wheels (MSRP $22090, invoice $20876) and had negotiated a price of $20,800 - $2000 Ford cash for a net price of $18,800. Went with the Mazda as they gave me a much better price on my trade-in, plus the Mazda had 16" alloys with wider tires, tinted glass, firmer suspension tuning, and 4year/50k mile warranty...all with a lower net price due to higher rebates (but it is a "leftover"). For those who are shopping any of these models there is no reason you should pay higher than invoice, the 2006 and 2007 are "lame ducks"...the redesigned 2008 will come out in early spring 2007 so push hard for a deal. I used quotes from Edmunds and from Carsdirect.com to "cut to the chase" :).