Return-Path: <Joshua.Bloch@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU>
Date: Thu, 16 Aug 90 17:54:16 EDT
From: Joshua.Bloch@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU
To: Harry.Bovik@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU
Subject: Mazda Dealers

    After shopping around for a couple of weeks, I bought a Miata on
Saturday July 7.  I spoke to several dealers, and encountered a wide range
of prices and sleaze factors.  This post summarizes my experience.

    Most dealers had 3 - 8 Miatas in stock.  Most were Package A's
(leather wrapped steering wheel, alloys, AM/FM cassette, power
steering).  A few were bases and Package B's (A + power windows,
headrest speakers, and a few other things).  In addition, all of these
cars had air conditioning and limited-slip differential.  All in all,
the supply is such that you should be able to find what you want in
the way of color and options, and you should not have to pay more than
list price.

    I got my Miata (a red base model) at Cochran in Butler for $100
under list.  They normally sell Miatas at list, but I was able to cut
a minor deal by walking in and offering to buy a car on the spot.  I
dealt with a fairly nice guy by the name of Tom Arrigo.  As far as car
dealers go, I believe these guys are pretty straight.

    I would definitely avoid McGee (Dormont) and Airport (Coraopolis).
Both of these dealers add substantial ($700 - $800) amounts to the
price of their cars for completely bogus options called "protection
packages."  A protection package consists of waxing the car (which
most dealers do anyway), and spraying small amounts of various garbage
on various parts of the car.  Typically, this option costs the dealer
less than $20.  Besides being completely dishonest, these things can
actually damage cars if done carelessly.

    I WOULD AVOID HAMILTON (IRWIN) LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!  I had a VERY
bad experience with them.  They wrote me a deal for $100 under list,
but they had to trade with another dealer for the car.  The car they
received already had 300 miles on it, and several scratches in the
finish.  When I declined to buy the car, they became EXTREMELY
abusive, attempting to bully me into buying it.  They refused to
return my $100 deposit, but luckily I was able to place a stop on the
check.