I read the whole post, and that's why I didn't block-quote any reference to the chip shortage as part of any conspiracy. I only block quoted the unverified portions where car manufacturers and state and federal governments are colluding to inflate car prices.

 

It really does, but she can’t wait

 

Venza is a good choice 👍
you are right about the market. I bought a accord v6 from Carvana which I thought was priced high at that time. Same car is easily 3k-4K more expensive now !

 

My mother just replaced a 2014 CX-5 with a 2021 GT Reserve. Definitely a huge upgrade with the turbo engine, standard safety tech and restyled materials. Whenever I visit them I prefer to drive the CX-5 but if we're all going out I'll let them drive me in the RX450h. Every year at the Auto show Mazdas get nicer and nicer. I don't think they have a loser in the whole lineup right now which is pretty amazing.

The UX is what the CT should have been. It's definitely nicer inside and a non-hybrid option is nice but too small for me in reality. I've always liked the NX but the next gen PHEV looks interesting; and for what it is the pricing is approaching ambitious. Agreed the GLA is a joke; a friend bought one and I thought I was in an Austin Mini. The GLB makes much more sense for most people for not much more money. The X2 looks cool but I've heard it drives like crap (like many new BMWs). So many choices in the segment right now.

I'm not surprised the Venza was so nice, it's sold in Japan as the Harrier which was the previous JDM version of the RX. The overbite / long hood situation (see the Toyota Mirai) is the result of the limitations of the TNGA platform which dictates a fixed distance between driver, front axel and the firewall because of the crash structure. As more cars move onto these shared architectures I suspect we'll be seeing more long hoods and shorter rear doors.

Agreed the new (and used) car markets are insane ATM. Even for vintage models like mine the prices on the used market have gone up substantially. IDK if this will mean a glut on the used market in a couple years but agreed if you don't have to buy a car right now you'll save some $$$. Fortunately (or unfortunately) like many I'm still WFH so I calculated I'm averaging less than 3k miles a year across the fleet; which means I'm making runs to Malibu to keep batteries charged and fluids circulating. Interesting problems.

 

As a new owner (March) of a Venza (Limited) that I got for my wife, I've got to say that we both love it. We literally only drove the hybrid as a joke (I wanted a V-6, AWD), and fell in love with it. We both love it even more now (5 months later). At time has gone on, I find that the power/acceleration is adequate. Because of the transmission type and 2.4L engine, it's noisier under hard acceleration that I'd like, but it had enough get-up-and-go to keep my wife happy.

As far as comparing it to the RAV4.... don't. On paper, it looks like the RAV4 is better (size), but the "feel" is very different. The Venza is much more luxurious and refined. The RAV4 doesn't feel premium at all.

Unfortunately, we never test drove a Lexus. The price just put them out of range (although I drive an older Lexus sedan, so I'm in love with Lexus).

 

So we closed a deal on a CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve. It was just too hard with the Venza, people wouldn't even call us back, nobody would commit to anything, with the CX-5 the cars were in stock and we got her a below MSRP deal, they matched Carmax on her trade, they marked up the money factor and I got her the retail rate and all is well.

 

Too bad it didn't work out with the Venza, but as long as she's happy that's all that matters.

 

Congratulations.

Where did you close the deal...in that big complex out by Dulles, in Chantilly? They have one of the largest Mazda dealerships in the area......but even that doesn't guarantee a good choice of new vehicles any more.

There's also a large Nissan/Mazda place at Tysons....Rosenthal. I haven't shopped there recently, but, in the past, they have tended to use high-pressure tactics...but do deliver a good price.

 

She's happy, she would have preferred the Venza but best case it would have been $100 more a month with the same MSRP, and thats if we could have found one. With the Mazda she had plenty of choice.
No this was Ourisman in Rockville.

 

Yes, I'm familiar with the place, right on 355 (shared with VW)...but haven't been there in a while.

Maryland is suspending the sales-tax on some items right now.....but I'm going to guess that it doesn't include new vehicles LOL...but I hope I'm wrong.

 

Unfortunately not on vehicles! lol

 

Congrats to you AND you agent. Great choice IMO.

How were Mazda inventories in your area? I've been looking at dealerships around me to find some Mazda 3's for my wife to look at so she can get a better idea of the size, styling etc. Most of them are showing only 1 or 2 in stock and some dealerships don't have any. Maybe things are better with the CX-5 due to the volume?

 

Awesome! All 3 are great vehicles - luxurious and good interiors. There weren't any bad choices here - all that matters is that you're happy!

 

Really, really hard to go wrong with a CX-5!

 

congrats and thanks for sharing your impressions!

Congrats!

What does that mean, retail rate?