buying 2-5 years used vs new (Mazda 3 GS hatch)

[anxiety]

A guy was asking about 0% financing on Mazda 3 on another thread, funnily enough, I'm looking at Mazda 3 hatch (GS models, but GX will also work) with 0% financing as well. Wanted to ask some questions as well haha. I posted there and created my own thread here so I can get some answers.

1. Are there good discounts to be had on brand new Mazda 3?

2. I was looking at the pre-owned sections, looks like you can save ~$7000-8000 buying a 2014-2016 year model GS hatchback which runs between $16k to 17k, assuming you get brand new one at MSRP price at $24.5k.

Used 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 for Sale in Port Moody BC | OpenRoad Mazda Port Moody

Yea you do get quite a bit of saving from the first 2-5 years depreciation, but then I was thinking you have to change tires, brakes on a 50000km car too, if not right away, probably pretty soon after buying. then saving on a lightly used model dips to $5500 to $6500, asumming tires + brakes cost you $1500.

Is my math correct? Is that how much you can save buying a 2-5 years old Mazda 3 with around 50k clicks on it? If you can get a brand new car less than MSRP, then you save even less on depreciation probably more like $4000 to $5000.

I thought that depreciation amount isn't that great given it's a 2 to 5 years old car?

[lowside67]

Cheap economy cars have some of the best resale values around, so they are relatively not much cheaper used. I always said I don’t know why people buy 3 year old Tacoma’s for 15% less than new, that’s no deal. However at $16k vs $24k, that’s still 1/3 off - for 2 or 3 years that’s a nice chunk of change.

-Mark

[GabAlmighty]

If you have cash, buy the used car. If you have to finance either way, get the new car.

Or, just be smart and buy a $5000 car and call it good.

[IMASA]

I sent you a PM.

Originally Posted by anxiety

1. Are there good discounts to be had on brand new Mazda 3?

This is what the sales guy told me

The Mazda Shift into Spring deals which ends Apr 30 are:
-$1000 if paying by cash
-$750 if financing
-Up to $1000 of accessories. $350 for accessories if buying Mazda3
- 0% financing up to 6 years
- 0.99% financing for 7 years

There's also these existing offers
- Loyalty rebate: $500 towards cash purchase or 1% rate discount if financing
- Student rebate: $500

I prefer the 2017+ models as there's a slight face lift and they have a nicer interior.

The 2018's will be the outgoing model and dealers will want to clear their inventories. Plus it's month end, use this along with the Shift into Spring sale to get a deal on a new one if that's what you want.