Nolu, you're making me want a CX-5. Stoppit.
DOO EET.
I could even sell you one. Bahaha.
Ahhhh! Nolu, you're amazing! The CX-5 is the top of my list, but I just don't think I can squeak it out under $20k
I can get the escape for $18500 out the door after tax/tags/title... Is the Mazda worth an extra $3-4k? I don't know if I can justify it.
Yes. Really, it is. For reliability alone, it's worth it. The Escape is going to fall apart on you - what you'll spend on time and money with it in the shop will even out the immediate out-of-pocket costs in the next couple years.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money...-toyota-consumer-reports-reliability/1666005/
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/...liability-survey-ford-drops-chrysler.1-lg.jpg
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/10/most-reliable-new-cars/index.htm
That's not the question you should be asking, though - is it worth the extra 3k
to you? And let's be real here - unless you're paying cash, it's not the end of the world to go a little over budget. "Budget" is almost entirely in your head. Take advantage of the 0% Mazda, Navy Fed, or Pen Fed are offering and finance for 60 months. Then that $3k is $60 a month. . . and can you afford an extra $60 a month for a vehicle you're going to keep until the wheels fall off? Whatever you buy, you will live with. Do you want to live with and drive a vehicle you don't love?
I don't. Not at all. But it's your decision in the end, and as long as you're happy with it, that's what I care about.
On a somewhat tangential note, what are the favorites for cargo mats? Plastic to wipe off? Carpeted mats so crates don't slide as much and you can pull them out to was 'em? Plastic tarps because you've given up on controlling the dirt?
Weathertech FTMFW.
As to Chantilly, it's not so much reaching out to the dealer - it's those two particular salespeople who will treat you like gold. The managers - Matt May and Quong Bae - will bend you over backwards just like the sales manager at most dealerships will. Those two guys care about their customers and wont stand for that kind of crap. Most of the other salespeople there will. JMO. You could also ask for Anthony, he's pretty cool.
Also, it tops out at like $22k with the MT. Are you looking at a Touring? They're really highly in demand, but not even Mazdaspeeds sell at sticker. . . I'd go in on Friday evening and tell them if they want to make another end of the month deal, they'll get you a better price.
Or, alternatively, fudge the registration of one of your cars and get another $500 in discounts. You're welcome to use my car's VIN if you'd like. (Yes, I have really had people do this before - and no, there's no way for the manufacturers to check it out TMK.)
I gotta crack on the Fords a bit here. I work for Enterprise and we have scads of them in our fleets. We get brand-new stuff before the dealerships do and all of our cars are pretty much new.
They suck. I drive them all the time and I dislike them quite strongly. You couldn't pay me to drive a Ford product.
As a car salesperson I'm trained not to bash on the competitor's product. . . but I'm glad someone said it.