Steering & SuspensionDeal checkCommunity Starter

Need advice: Alignment still pulls after tires were rotated

RustEnthusiast12Community StarterMay 22, 20262021 Mazda CX-5 TurboNashville
Car started pulling slightly right after a tire rotation. Alignment printout is technically in spec. Is it worth cross-rotating tires to check radial pull before paying for another alignment?
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27 replies

CleanNerd68Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2021 Mazda CX-5 numbers without them. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. Sleeping on the number either way.
CleanNerd68Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Then the comparison gets honest. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
FlatSixTech31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
Yes, with one caveat: A written buyer’s order on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
PixelTraveler15Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. Call your insurer in Nashville before you fall in love with the 2021 Mazda CX-5. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “alignment still pulls after tires were rotated,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
TowBuilder45Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
FlatSixTech31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. In Nashville, insurance quotes flipped a 2021 Mazda CX-5 comparison for me more than the sale price did. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
EVGeek62Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
Asking because it changes the advice: Two 2021 Mazda CX-5 quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Then the comparison gets honest. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
BoostedDetailerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. Ask for out-the-door on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. If they balk, that's your answer. This is from a 2021 Mazda CX-5 in Nashville. Do that first. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
BoostedCollectorCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
BoostedDetailerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
I'd want competing paper, not competing stories. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2021 Mazda CX-5 numbers without them. If they balk, that's your answer. This is from a 2021 Mazda CX-5 in Nashville. That's the whole play. Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
CleanNerd68Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, i would not wire money until I've seen the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
EVGeek62Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: A written buyer’s order on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “alignment still pulls after tires were rotated,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
RustEnthusiast12Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
OP update: I got two written quotes on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and the out-the-door gap is bigger than the ads made it look. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
BoostedDetailerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. Ask for out-the-door on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. If they balk, that's your answer. On “alignment still pulls after tires were rotated,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Do that first. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
HybridDriver42Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 price probably got worse. Then the comparison gets honest. Was this after sitting overnight? I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
EVGeek62Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
Not convinced that's the whole story. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. If they can't show the line item, I assume it's hiding. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
FlatSixTech31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, two 2021 Mazda CX-5 quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2021 Mazda CX-5 in Nashville. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
BatteryScoutCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, if they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
FlatSixTech31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. If one piece looks too good on the 2021 Mazda CX-5, hunt doc fees, accessories, and the APR next. Then the comparison gets honest. This is from a 2021 Mazda CX-5 in Nashville. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
RustEnthusiast12Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
OP here. Still looking, but I'm waiting on inspection notes before I send money on the 2021 Mazda CX-5. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
BoostedDetailerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
That's a good start, but I wouldn't stop there. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2021 Mazda CX-5 in Nashville. That's the whole play. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
RustEnthusiast12Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
Quick update: a second 2021 Mazda CX-5 quote made the first offer look ordinary. I screenshotted the quote for later.
CleanDaily50Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. A written buyer’s order on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. Was this after sitting overnight? I'd rather be boring and correct. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
DetailHunterCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 25, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: A written buyer’s order on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
FlatSixTech31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. Two 2021 Mazda CX-5 quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Then the comparison gets honest. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
FlatSixTech31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. Keep sale price, trade, and financing split on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 so a “good payment” cannot bury a worse deal. Do that before you talk monthly again. This is from a 2021 Mazda CX-5 in Nashville. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
PixelTraveler15Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 24, 2026permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. A written buyer’s order on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
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