Mazda 3 MPS - Realistic used prices and recommended dealers

JimmyHart84

So, I'm looking for a new car and have decided to go for the MPS. My local dealer (HG Bryer and Sons) in Carmarthen seemed very friendly and helpful, but they are asking 20k for their 59 plate with about 2500 on the clock. I've noticed lots of others on the Mazda used car locator for 18, one in Southampton for 17200 and one in Nottingham for 16800.

Clearly 20k is far too high considering the other garage prices and that the car is 21k brand new, but I want to try and think of how low I could realistically push them. Ideally, I don't want to go above 15k all told after part exing my 55 plate 1.4 Corsa, which I think is realistic as I should get 2.5 to 3k for mine, but if I can get lower, then perfect.

So does anyone have any advice on a ball park figure I could aim for? Obviously I know it all depends on the dealer and how willing to give discounts they are.

Also, does anyone have any recommended dealers when buying? I'll just take it locally for servicing and repairs, but if it means saving a significant amount of cash (as it may be in this case with Southampton), I'd be more than willing to travel.

vikingaero

£19,800.68 on Carfile.net for a new one. Will probably need to be collected from Stoke though.

£20064.57 on Drive The Deal and probably delivered to your door.

JimmyHart84

Ah sorry, what a dummy, I forgot to mention I'm looking at used, not new. 59 plate ideally, but 09 plate is fine too. It's the Mk2's I'm looking at.

plane_boy2000

Jimmy - i think the point is you could get a new one for what your dealer wants for an ex demo. I see they also have a cheap finance deal on the mps where they give a 1K deposit contribution. if you could combine this with the broker price you are down to 18.8K for a brand new one with 12 months tax, full warranty etc etc

calypsored

Perhaps you might want to consider getting a slightly older car maybe on an 57/07 plate or 58/08 plate - the reason I say this is the first three years you suffer the worst depreciation where as it significantly levels out after 3 years. Sorry if I'm stating the obvious to someone that knows already. Also Mazda have done no technical advancements since the car was released so its the same car as the newest ones.

For example there is a 17k miles 08 plate 1 owner MPS in Glamorgan but not from a Mazda dealers though its from an independent dealer for 11,500 pounds. Check on autotrader there is loads of choice on there.

Also watch dealers part exchange offers as sometimes it is crazily low and you should sell your previous vehicle privately. There will be a stong market privately for a 1.4 Corsa so you will get good prize.

Kilty_2

calypsored wrote: »

For example there is a 17k miles 08 plate 1 owner MPS in Glamorgan but not from a Mazda dealers though its from an independent dealer for 11,500 pounds. Check on autotrader there is loads of choice on there..

I'm always wary of such a new car being out of the dealer network - what happened to it that caused it to be sold at auction to an independent dealer (most likely scenario)

calypsored

You are right to be wary but there are a host of reasons why it could have ended up out of the dealer network not necessarily all bad - TBH i have never bought of a car of this value so cant really say much but I just think main dealers rely on the fear factor of buyers that stops them buying outside the dealer network.

If it was me personally I would be looking at a private sale with a good bit of haggling but it is of greater risk and you got to know your way around a car mechanically - as an aside autotrader had some cheaper dealer priced MP3s in the dealer network around the 18,000 pounds mark for an 09 plate.

Kilty_2

calypsored wrote: »

You are right to be wary but there are a host of reasons why it could have ended up out of the dealer network not necessarily all bad - TBH i have never bought of a car of this value so cant really say much but I just think main dealers rely on the fear factor of buyers that stops them buying outside the dealer network.

True but the two big problems spring to mind when a 2 year old car is at an independent dealer:

1) Insurance write off - bought and repaired (if it was crashed as part of a company fleet it could even be undeclared and uncategorised)
2) Reposessed - ragged like hell by the previous owner who knew they couldn't afford the payments anyway so didn't care about it at all.

Kilty_2

JimmyHart84 wrote: »

So, I'm looking for a new car and have decided to go for the MPS. My local dealer (HG Bryer and Sons) in Carmarthen seemed very friendly and helpful, but they are asking 20k for their 59 plate with about 2500 on the clock. I've noticed lots of others on the Mazda used car locator for 18, one in Southampton for 17200 and one in Nottingham for 16800.

Clearly 20k is far too high considering the other garage prices and that the car is 21k brand new, but I want to try and think of how low I could realistically push them. Ideally, I don't want to go above 15k all told after part exing my 55 plate 1.4 Corsa, which I think is realistic as I should get 2.5 to 3k for mine, but if I can get lower, then perfect.

So does anyone have any advice on a ball park figure I could aim for? Obviously I know it all depends on the dealer and how willing to give discounts they are.

Also, does anyone have any recommended dealers when buying? I'll just take it locally for servicing and repairs, but if it means saving a significant amount of cash (as it may be in this case with Southampton), I'd be more than willing to travel.

TBH either a) stretch your budget and buy brand new or b) travel to the one at £16,800 after phoning the dealer and discussing it in great detail with regards to condition, history, etc........

taker920

I'm sure there was an 09 plate for sale in Cardiff for £11.5k the other week, can't find it now though. Says it all about the depreciation to expect though.

The new model prices will hold up a bit better, but still steep - £435 tax too. On the plus side, Mazda dealers are pretty good & 29mpg average for 260bhp is excellent.

If you are buying new you may be better off leasing, around £400-£450 p/m I would have thought

Edit to say this one looks decent in Cardiff, best colour too! Biy worrying they don't know the correct tax rate though http://www.victoriaparkmazda.co.uk/used_car_mazda_mazda3_hatchback_1016.htm

Foggster

Kilty wrote: »

True but the two big problems spring to mind when a 2 year old car is at an independent dealer:

1) Insurance write off - bought and repaired (if it was crashed as part of a company fleet it could even be undeclared and uncategorised)
2) Reposessed - ragged like hell by the previous owner who knew they couldn't afford the payments anyway so didn't care about it at all.

Pay out a little bit of money and find out i.e. HPI check and an independent mechanical survey. You never know the previous owner may have landed a superb job with a company car and just got rid of the car to a dealer to avoid the hassle of selling privately.