my car died and i need a cx-5 by monday for my new commute in denver. looking at a 2019 on marketplace for $19k but the seller is sketchy, or a 2021 cpo at the dealer for $24k which is way over my $22k budget. where is the best place to find used mazda cx-5s?
Just saw this thread. Honestly, relying on Marketplace with a Monday deadline is really risky. I've had issues with private sales in Denver lately where the cars were simply not as good as expected once I actually saw them in person. That sketchy seller sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, and you dont have time for a headache. Unfortunately, the pricing on a Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 2021 at a franchised dealer is always going to include high fees that blow your budget. You should look for a Mazda CX-5 Touring 2019 AWD at smaller independent lots instead. They usually sit around $20k to $21k. Just be careful because some 2019 units had cylinder head issues that were quite disappointing. Make sure you check the VIN on a site like Carfax Vehicle History Report before you even drive out there today.
i learned my lesson rushing a car purchase once. i bought from a small lot and it was a disaster cuz i didnt check the frame. you might want to consider looking at non-mazda dealerships since they often price trade-ins lower to move them fast.