[LiandAl]

We ordered a Mazda3 in December, with all of the options.

We just were told that the leather package is not available with the option combination we ordered.

Have any of you heard anything about leather not being available?

Our dealer said they tried to enter the order into the computer and it wouldn't accept it until they removed the leather.

They will install leather for us after the car arrives, but it's going to be about $400 MORE than if Mazda installed it in Japan while it's being built.

TIA for any information.

 

[vaBooM]

Where are you located? (Update your profile with your area.. helps answers)

What combination are you ordering? In NA, any M3 can come with leather. As for it being installed in Japan: I believe options are PIO (port installed option).

 

[LiandAl]

Sorry - I'm in FL.

We ordered the sedan, manual transmission, with the ABS pkg, Xenon pkg, Moonroof pkg, Navigation and leather - and they said leather wasn't available.

We were given no other option than to have it installed by the dealer.

 

[vaBooM]

Your dealer better stop smoking crack...

Go to www.mazdausa.com and build a 3. Every option can be chosen. The car I was gonna buy had every option available, I just didnt like the color afterall.

I have everything except Nav and Leather, but I was able to get it no problem.

 

[lmp180psu]

Sounds like a bunch of bull! I think they just wanted to make more $$ by installing the leather themselves.

 

[vaBooM]

This was the exact car I test drove:

Black Mica

 

[LiandAl]

Yeah, we did build it on the site, and told the dealer that it came up available on the website.

He was very adament, though, that it just wasn't possible.

Any ideas as to what we can do? The car has been ordered and we've paid a deposit.

I'm sure the dealer-installed leather will be fine, but I HATE to have to pay an extra $400 for it. He says they're doing it at their cost.

We even got this car with an S-plan through a friend who works for Ford, so we wouldn't have to go through any of this dealer stuff. It's very annoying. My husband doesn't think the dealer is being dishonest, but I don't know how else to find out if this is true and get the leather if it is, indeed, possible.

Thanks.

 

[vaBooM]

IMO, the dealer is being deceiving. They are looking to make more money off you.

Its clear that the leather option is $550 and available for all models no matter what options are already equipped.

Let them know that Mazdausa says its that price. Edmunds says its that price. If they wont match it, maybe you need to go to another dealer.

 

[vaBooM]

Oh one more thing, is it an additional $400 or is that the price they gave you for leather?

 

[lmp180psu]

Looks like it is an additional $400, from reading the first post.

 

[LiandAl]

Yep, additional. He said their cost for the leather is $899

Is that believable?

We'll be calling tomorrow. If we end up totally unhappy with them, I'm not sure if we can even get out of it at this point, with the deposit made (which we can not afford to lose).

I just wish I didn't hate the black/red cloth seats. Our car is lava orange. I don't like the combination.

 

[vaBooM]

HECK NO! Even at MSRP leather is only $590 (typo in my other post.. oops)

Edmunds says cost is $507. I smell rip off.

 

[lmp180psu]

I think the dealer wants to put in aftermarket leather, which is said to be of higher quality than Mazda leather.

The price of $899 doesn't sound too bad for aftermarket leather, but if they were installing Mazda leather somehow, then yes it is a ripoff.

If you like the Mazda leather, then save yourself some $$ and find a dealer that has a model on the lot, or is willing to order one for you. As you saw on mazdausa.com, you CAN get leather in your combination/all models.

 

[vaBooM]

Most dealers use Katzskin (spelling?).

Its ok. Ive seen a Honda Accord with it all done and I wasnt all that impressed. Espcially after the guy was refering to his dad's Benz and how his leather was nicer.

Riiiiight.

 

[N8Dogg91]

Leather seats require the sport package. Its in the brochure. Try calling some places that install aftermarket leather yourself. The company we use actually has nicer leather than Mazda, plus you can get them heated while your at it.

 

[LiandAl]

Thanks, everyone.

Oh - we did get the sport package. I just forgot to mention it. We got everything I believe.

We'll call tomorrow and see what they say.

I don't really care what kind of leather it is - I just don't want the red dots! I also don't want to be lied to.

All I know about the dealer leather is that you can get it with the Mazda logo on it, in different colors, etc. They didn't have any models there for us to see but we're going to ask to be called when they do have one we can see in person.

If they say they absolutely can't get it and our car is already on order as it is, we'll be looking around town to check pricing. I haven't done any research on this yet, so $899 might not be unreasonable, but we will definitely be researching it before we just let them do it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[vaBooM]

No, $899 for aftermarket and your choice is very resonable. The leather option on my Jetta was like $1100.... didnt get a choice.

You could go with Orange/white. That would rock! Or orange inserts on black.

 

[LeeLee]

Here is a BIG FAT WARNING:

Since you are ordering ABS, it will come with side airbags, which are built into the seats. The factory leather takes this into account. Aftermarket leather may prevent the side airbag from functioning correctly. Even if they say it does, I wouldn't trust them. It's not just an extra few hundred dollars we are talking about here, it's your and your loved one's health and safety.

Also, there is a weight sensor in the passenger seat that may also be affected. I just wouldn't want to mess with something with such significant impacts down the road.

 

[lmp180psu]

Good point LeeLee!

 

[vaBooM]

Very true.

You figure the guys that do the aftermarket leather would take it into consideration. Since the only way to find out for sure they work, is to deploy them.

Once deployed... lol, well I think you know what happens next.