2 New Abarths - Discount?

2 New Abarths - Discount?

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Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

226 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys. The salesman from Edinburgh called back to advise his manager intends to call their bmw dealer in the morning to get me a p/x price - hopefully we can do a deal.

To be honest, most folk probably think I'm mad going from the M135i to an Abarth but it's a no brainer to me. I'm paying £400 per month for a car that's sitting on the drive every day (due to a change in job that sees me commute now). I'd rather pay a fraction of that for something fun and sporty and something I can mess around with over time!

Will update with how things go.

Raman Kandola

221 posts

122 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
Martin_M said:
Thanks guys. The salesman from Edinburgh called back to advise his manager intends to call their bmw dealer in the morning to get me a p/x price - hopefully we can do a deal.

To be honest, most folk probably think I'm mad going from the M135i to an Abarth but it's a no brainer to me. I'm paying £400 per month for a car that's sitting on the drive every day (due to a change in job that sees me commute now). I'd rather pay a fraction of that for something fun and sporty and something I can mess around with over time!

Will update with how things go.
Good luck!

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

226 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
So...Arnold Clark Edinburgh called me back this morning with a deal which was almost £1k more expensive than their on-line deal.

I'd appreciate peopoles' views on this...the advertised deal is here:

http://www.arnoldclark.com/new-cars/abarth/595/1.4...

The manager advised that the guaranteed future can change at any time and he would need to call the marketing department on Monday to have the above example changed. Is this really the case folks?

Rather than the £249 deposit above, they wanted £423 and then £265 per month with the same final payment. When I called back to query it, the manager brought it down to £252 per month (I don't exactly know how but there was some reason given).

Essentially then, I was using the advertised figures as a starting point for negotiations when in reality, it seems that the starting point is actually much higher.

Are they simply trying to make more money or is the manager genuine?

Thanks


Mercury00

4,098 posts

155 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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Well how can they advertise deals they can't actually do? What about it was different, maybe APR or purchase price?

loskie

5,143 posts

119 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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not called arnold shark for no reason

cayman-black

12,625 posts

215 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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Bloody hell two cars you think they would be jumping, fkers.

HTP99

22,443 posts

139 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
Martin_M said:
So...Arnold Clark Edinburgh called me back this morning with a deal which was almost £1k more expensive than their on-line deal.

I'd appreciate peopoles' views on this...the advertised deal is here:

http://www.arnoldclark.com/new-cars/abarth/595/1.4...

The manager advised that the guaranteed future can change at any time and he would need to call the marketing department on Monday to have the above example changed. Is this really the case folks?

Rather than the £249 deposit above, they wanted £423 and then £265 per month with the same final payment. When I called back to query it, the manager brought it down to £252 per month (I don't exactly know how but there was some reason given).

Essentially then, I was using the advertised figures as a starting point for negotiations when in reality, it seems that the starting point is actually much higher.

Are they simply trying to make more money or is the manager genuine?

Thanks
Well as the final payment of your quote is the same as advertised then the GFV hasn't changed so the sales manager is telling a bit of a porky to try and get out of the fact that the figures are different, however the advertised offer may be a mistake in figures or an offer that can't be done anymore and someone has just forgotten to take it off their website; it happens.

There could be many factors why your quote is more per month than the advertised offer:

1) the advertised offer is a genuine mistake
2) your mileage may be higher than the advertised offer mileage
3) check the interest rate
4) are there extras that you have asked for on the car that you want, perhaps the advertised offer doesn't include metallic paint?
5) he could just be trying to get a big more money out of you.

Arnold Clark aren't around in my area, however from what I read and what I've heard it amazes me that anyone buys a car for them, but then again then there is a massive dealer near me who sell loads of cars and I'm amazed they sell any what with the way they prep cars and treat their customers.

alfa daley

879 posts

233 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
TBH I wouldn't bother with the Abarth. I have been driving a rental one over the last week: 595 in grey. Looks fantastic is more spacious than you would think but that gearbox! Awful hateful, sloppy, argumentative change. The engine is also IMO seriously lacking, not enough power and very slow pick up. the only car where you can blip the throttle gently and nothing happens, no rev rise, nothing (and my daily driver is turbo so it's not that)

No doubt Fiat will sell thousands because it has a cracking interior and looks great.

MrsFallon

9,586 posts

242 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
Martin, I've sent you a pm.

I can't help you with an Abarth but I've made a suggestion for you.

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

226 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for your input folks - good to hear your thoughts. Would you believe the original salesman in Edinburgh (who was actually a genuinely nice guy) called me back asking if I would take the plunge if they did indeed get to the advertised figures. I politely explained that given the previous offers, I actually felt quite insulted that they would suggest this is actually possible - I think he understood but had perhaps been told to ask.

All a money game at the end of the day I suppose.

I know the abarth has its flaws but for me it represents a sporty, good looking (subjective perhaps) car which sounds good, isn't exactly slow and is pretty economical - basically a car I wouldn't resent driving hard and doing a lot of miles in when I can. The BMW however is so capable but somehow lacking in excitement for me and, combined with high monthly payments and a low mpg when driven hard, just doesn't make me really enjoy driving it.

Back to the drawing board I guess.

w00tman

603 posts

144 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
Why am I not surprised - I love my car, but like I said, if I was to do it again, I'd go the route of a Fiesta ST for a car that was equally as fun but with a 1000% better dealer network - and, I would suspect, better PCP deals too.

I've had huge fun out of mine, but when March rolls around and it's time for a service and the usual bullst, I just roll my eyes and prepare to be lied to - which is sadly a common occurrence.

irish boy

3,522 posts

235 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
If you like the car don't worry about the dealer. You'll not exactly live there. You can also get it serviced in any vat registered garage meaning as long as there is no warranty issue you'll never have to go back there.

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

226 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
irish boy said:
If you like the car don't worry about the dealer. You'll not exactly live there. You can also get it serviced in any vat registered garage meaning as long as there is no warranty issue you'll never have to go back there.
But I can't get a decent deal.

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

226 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
quotequote all
Don't want to speak too soon but Adam at Research Garage is doing well so far. Will offer me more than what I owe on my current car but unfortunately has no campovolo grey cars in stock. He does have two cars coming in next week but won't know the colours until Friday or Monday so I could be tempted to take the plunge on a different colours if the numbers are right.


Mouse1903

839 posts

152 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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Interesting swap. The build quality is certainly not BMW standards, and my Abarth 500 Esseesse doesn't feel as well built as my old VW Polo GTI, but its more reliable.

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

226 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
quotequote all
Mouse1903 said:
Interesting swap. The build quality is certainly not BMW standards, and my Abarth 500 Esseesse doesn't feel as well built as my old VW Polo GTI, but its more reliable.
How do you find it to drive overall?

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
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No problem with the abarth, looks a great car.

Buying two identical cars though - a bit mental really.

StefanVXR8

3,603 posts

197 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
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My Wife had a Campovolo grey Abarth with a Monza exhaust and she loved it, she had a 500 1.2 Lounge before that for 3 years, both were absolutely flawless, never had any breakdowns, faults, rattles or bits fall off.

I enjoyed driving the Abarth, it was a fun little car, but definitely needed a TMC tuning box or similar.

Both cars had excellent residuals, I think the Lounge cost us £11k fully loaded with all options and we got around £8k for it after 3 years.

Stef

Mouse1903

839 posts

152 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
quotequote all
Martin_M said:
How do you find it to drive overall?
Overall? Loads of fun. Criticisms? Brakes are average, struggles with traction off the line in the wet because it's pretty light, suspension can be quite upset over really bumpy roads (even with the Koni FSD's which I have installed). Pros? Decent steering feel, throttle response and handling is good, great fuel economy (41 MPG combined), feels a bit special, loves to pop out the exhaust on the upshift and burbles nicely at idle without being loud.

I've never driven a standard Abarth 500, only 2 Esseesse's (mine and the one I test drove the year before I bought mine). People say the Esseesse is too hard a ride but I disagree, it's fine enough as a daily driver and long distance commutes.

Martin_M

Original Poster:

2,071 posts

226 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys.

I've been offered the following deal against a white 595 with optional white 5 petal alloys and black Abarth side stripes:

£500 deposit (px equity)
47 x£271.28
Final Instalment £7676

The car is advertised in the showroom for over £20k and the finance quote shows £17300 so quite a discount for an unregistered 64 plate.

The only query I have is the final instalment is £199 dearer than the guranteed future value - I thought they would both be the same. Any thoughts?

I also get mats and the standard exhaust - haven't asked about fuel yet though.

On the finance quote it states Mr X and then my surname - and it's their address in the address section - does that matter? The reason I'm a bit nervous about it all is because they are a 7 hour drive away if I take the plunge.

Cheers,

Martin