Private Dealer vs Mazda Dealership

[jaybird]

Hi guys, I want to get the opinion of the community on why somebody would purchase a used Mazda from a dealership over a private dealer.

Throughout my research in the last few weeks I've come across what I believe to be some pretty good deals for used Mazda 3's.

Private Dealer- http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1643620&adid=7469000

Mazda Dealership- http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=119097&adid=7518777

$7,000 difference

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Private Dealer- http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=71290&adid=7563393

Mazda Dealership- http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=354454&adid=7331308

$3,500 difference


Note- I know these cars don't have the same specs, but they're relatively the same as far as km's and price.
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What did all of these deals have in common?
None of them were from Mazda dealerships.

How can private dealerships afford to sell Mazda 3's cheaper than the Mazda dealerships?

Looking for answers

I guess one could argue that buying a Mazda from an approved Mazda dealership is a safer bet than purchasing from a private dealer, but when both sides offer the same type of warranty on used vehicles (ex.. 30 days without purchasing extended) and the consumer can purchase a carfax report to find out history of the car, why would somebody spend thousands of dollars extra to purchase a used car from a mazda dealership?

Disclaimer- This thread is not intended to offend anybody in any way, I'm just a curious consumer that's looking for some answers.

Also, I have nothing against the dealers I used in my examples. I chose them at random.

[Darkfrosty7]

i got one word, LEMONS! lol i would choose a dealship over a private dealer because mazda dealers have a standard and private dealers don't. theres a list of reason why but thats the biggest.

[New2Mazda]

My vote, non-mazda dealer for the same reason you specified.

Why pay a premium for the same thing when the premium doesn't add anything to the car.

I would compare cars of the same price not different prices. I would bet that for the same dollar value say $17,000 you would get way more car for the same dollars at a non-mazda dealer.

I just purchased a mazda 3 GT loaded from a used car dealer. I had the car inspected by a third party and it passed without major issue. Dollar for dollar the list price was less and instead of paying a manufacture dealer premium, I got more car for less money.

If you get it under 3 years old and less then 80,000km you could always take it to a mazda dealer and sink the premium you didn't pay to buy from a mazda dealer into an extended warranty and get near bumper to bumper coverage 7 years/160,000km for the premium you would have paid to the mazda dealer. So now which is the better value?

As always buyer beware, do a VIN check, car proof and a third party inspection... this place is excellent for third party inspections:
http://www.safecar.ca/ its $149.95 another good thing to pay for vs the premium to buy from a mazda dealer.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I realize you said the cars posted are 'similiar' but they aren't even close.

In the first example:

You have a 5 speed with 77,000km going against an automatic with 59,000km. Not that an auto is worth $7000 but an auto is going to be easier to sell.

In the second example:

You have a 5 speed GX with no convenience package (roll up windows with 85,000km going against a 5 speed GS with 69,000km

Not a close comparison by any means.

A better question would be why buy used when TheBiz has 2009 GX & GS low kms demos for around the same price with a ton of factory warranty left??




2009 Mazda3 GX Automatic w/ Comfort Package and A/C for $16550


2009 Mazda3 GS Automatic for $17750


2009 Mazda5 GS Automatic w A/C for $19995


No Freight, No PDI, No Air Tax, No Gas Tax


Call me for details.


(416) 642-7777



Jeff Holley aka (TheBiz)

[b.rabbit]

I realize you said the cars posted are 'similiar' but they aren't even close.

In the first example:

You have a 5 speed with 77,000km going against an automatic with 59,000km. Not that an auto is worth $7000 but an auto is going to be easier to sell.

In the second example:

You have a 5 speed GX with no convenience package (roll up windows with 85,000km going against a 5 speed GS with 69,000km

Not a close comparison by any means.

A better question would be why buy used when TheBiz has 2009 GX & GS low kms demos for around the same price with a ton of factory warranty left??

Haha, work your magic Jeff! :P

To jaybird, I'd talk to Jeff-TheBiz. A lot of members on this forum have bought/leased cars from him and you won't find anyone that will say something negative about him. He's a straight-shooter and great person to deal with.

Give him a call at MoT - The Biz is your man.

[berg0004]

I guess one could argue that buying a Mazda from an approved Mazda dealership is a safer bet than purchasing from a private dealer, but when both sides offer the same type of warranty on used vehicles (ex.. 30 days without purchasing extended) and the consumer can purchase a carfax report to find out history of the car, why would somebody spend thousands of dollars extra to purchase a used car from a mazda dealership?


Even though Jeff has a point, I would think that your assertion is correct. The Mazda dealerships know that having their cars listed as "Certified Used" is comforting to the used car buyer. Thus, they can charge a slight premium for that "peace of mind".

[Krakor]

I realize you said the cars posted are 'similiar' but they aren't even close.

In the first example:

You have a 5 speed with 77,000km going against an automatic with 59,000km. Not that an auto is worth $7000 but an auto is going to be easier to sell.

In the second example:

You have a 5 speed GX with no convenience package (roll up windows with 85,000km going against a 5 speed GS with 69,000km

Not a close comparison by any means.

A better question would be why buy used when TheBiz has 2009 GX & GS low kms demos for around the same price with a ton of factory warranty left??


I have to agree with Jeff here.

He did some magic for me! I was getting screwed by another dealer and I posted a message on this site. He contacted me within minutes and I went to see him.

I would rather have a demo vehicle anyway.

Go see Jeff. It would be a great idea!

[liquidzyklon]

Even though Jeff has a point, I would think that your assertion is correct. The Mazda dealerships know that having their cars listed as "Certified Used" is comforting to the used car buyer. Thus, they can charge a slight premium for that "peace of mind".Be wary of Mazda of Canada's "Certified Used" tag. Before I bought my 2008 Mazda 3 from The Biz, I was also considering buying used and look to compare Mazda dealer vs. other dealers. But I couldn't find any information on Mazda of Canada's Certified Pre-Owned (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=29182&highlight=certified) Vehicle information, such as how much "extra" warranty that they cover and so on. It seems that purchasing from a Mazda dealership would usually mean that the car would be inspected by a Mazda mechanic/technician.

[mazdabetty]

Stay far far away from Downsview Auto. Not only are those cars completely run down/rejected by other dealerships at auctions, but if you ever run into a problem you are going to have a hell of a time getting someone to take care of it for you. (And I think that pretty much goes for almost any private dealer).

You don't necessarily need to shop at a Mazda dealer per se, I've mentioned before on this forum that I actually purchased my GS at a GM dealership and have had the best experience with them so far. The car had a couple of scratches but they fixed them all up for me no charge, and threw in a great set of winters. They gave me a massive discount annnnnd a lifetime engine warranty! So point being, you might score a great deal at another dealership other than Mazda so don't rule them out completely.

Oh yah someone else on this forum just recently scored an 07 GT at a Lexus dealership at a killer price. Keep looking! And I say stick with the dealerships for your own peace of mind!

[New2Mazda]

I just got a 07 GT Hatch at a Suzuki dealer, and got a killer deal.

I would read up in the posts to see my post that got lost in others posting.

Gget an extended warranty (mazda's) and a Mazda 3 from non-Mazda dealer would probably be the same as buying a used Mazda 3 from a Mazda dealer.

Or go a year old on a mazda 3 say 2009 or 2008/8.5 and get the extended Mazda warranty. The depreciation pays for the warranty and you get 80,000KM more on a near bumper to bumper warranty. As well as road side assistance for 7 years (factor in CAA premium is $100). If you factor CAA out of the extended warranty the extended warranty is $400 less if you put your CAA dollars towards the warranty.

I think a 1 year old car with a 160,000km 7 year near bumper to bumper deal is an excellent way to go. Given you do your homework and find a car get it 3rd party inspected, and its not a lemon or a wreck.

You have to determine if the extended warranty is worth it. I'm just using it as an example of how you could spend the premium paid to the Mazda dealer. You could also save it and put it towards future repairs (brakes, tires etc).

[jaybird]

I realize you said the cars posted are 'similiar' but they aren't even close.

In the first example:

You have a 5 speed with 77,000km going against an automatic with 59,000km. Not that an auto is worth $7000 but an auto is going to be easier to sell.

In the second example:

You have a 5 speed GX with no convenience package (roll up windows with 85,000km going against a 5 speed GS with 69,000km

Not a close comparison by any means.

A better question would be why buy used when TheBiz has 2009 GX & GS low kms demos for around the same price with a ton of factory warranty left??

In all fairness my comparisons weren't "that close" I suppose but my intention was to compare the drastic differences in the private dealer prices vs the mazda dealer prices.


[QUOTE]
You have a 5 speed GX with no convenience package (roll up windows with 85,000km going against a 5 speed GS with 69,000km
[QUOTE]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this vehicle a GS without power options? I see the handles on the doors match the color of the car and there's button controls on the steering wheel as well.

I though both of those options aren't available on the GX?

[jaybird]

Stay far far away from Downsview Auto. Not only are those cars completely run down/rejected by other dealerships at auctions, but if you ever run into a problem you are going to have a hell of a time getting someone to take care of it for you. (And I think that pretty much goes for almost any private dealer).

You don't necessarily need to shop at a Mazda dealer per se, I've mentioned before on this forum that I actually purchased my GS at a GM dealership and have had the best experience with them so far. The car had a couple of scratches but they fixed them all up for me no charge, and threw in a great set of winters. They gave me a massive discount annnnnd a lifetime engine warranty! So point being, you might score a great deal at another dealership other than Mazda so don't rule them out completely.

Oh yah someone else on this forum just recently scored an 07 GT at a Lexus dealership at a killer price. Keep looking! And I say stick with the dealerships for your own peace of mind!

Great information. I'll keep this in mind.

Thank You.

[jaybird]

I would read up in the posts to see my post that got lost in others posting.


This may just be my new signature. haha

Simple awesome!

[jaybird]

I realize you said the cars posted are 'similiar' but they aren't even close.

In the first example:

You have a 5 speed with 77,000km going against an automatic with 59,000km. Not that an auto is worth $7000 but an auto is going to be easier to sell.

In the second example:

You have a 5 speed GX with no convenience package (roll up windows with 85,000km going against a 5 speed GS with 69,000km

Not a close comparison by any means.

A better question would be why buy used when TheBiz has 2009 GX & GS low kms demos for around the same price with a ton of factory warranty left??

1. I can't afford a vehicle at $17-$18k.
2. I'm looking for a 5spd

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I got my car from a non Mazda dealer, at a very good price all things considering (I never thought I would be able to afford a 3 and was looking at p5s).

However I did not expect it to be in the shape in when I went to look, it was just not attractive to a lot of buyers because of the mods done to it.

I went to downsview auto though and was very much not impressed by any of the cars they had on the lot.