advice for buying an Audi A3

[Salterns]

Would appreciate any advice regarding buying a new Audi A3 Sportback. I haven't bought a car from a dealer in 20 years so I'm sure I'm totally out of the loop. I would just like to know if its possible to get a better deal than the listed price? The salesman said 85% of customers finance their cars through pcp? I'm able to pay for the car without finance, but was quite impressed by his sales patter as to the benefits of being able to change the car regularly with pcp.

The salesman said he couldn't show me any examples of finance, because every car is different..

Is there a cheapest way to buy an Audi or do I just have to agree to everything I'm told? and is pcp better than just buying it?

Thanks for your time.

[va1o]

PCP will cost you more in the long run as you're taking a loan and paying interest. However the advantage is you have less capital tied up in the car since you're only paying of the depreciation.

Look on www.drivethedeal.com to get an idea how much discount is available on new A3s

Sometimes the cheapest option is to take out PCP finance initially, and then ring up VWFS and pay it all off within 2-weeks of buying

[Dr G]

I've got a 1 year old A3 that cost 38k up for 26 with 3k miles.

Probably about the same in depreciation as the lease would have cost for 2-3 years.

[loskie]

What the salesman will avoid telling you is that with PCP you may also get a decent dealer/manufacturer and service pack included.
There is nothing in the t&c's to prevent you taking that out then paying off the amount in full soon after (plus a little interest). You will still retan the discount and service pack. The salesman may lose his finance commission but hey, tough titty to him (or her).
Remember they are not your friend just there to facilitate a sale and commission earning products.

[va1o]

Dr G said:

I've got a 1 year old A3 that cost 38k up for 26 with 3k miles.

Probably about the same in depreciation as the lease would have cost for 2-3 years.

Ah but a lease is different to PCP. Leasing can definitely be cheaper than buying and selling every 2-3 years if you get a good deal, but with PCP not so much unless the GFV is deliberately inflated.

loskie said:

What the salesman will avoid telling you is that with PCP you may also get a decent dealer/manufacturer and service pack included.
There is nothing in the t&c's to prevent you taking that out then paying off the amount in full soon after (plus a little interest). You will still retan the discount and service pack. The salesman may lose his finance commission but hey, tough titty to him (or her).
Remember they are not your friend just there to facilitate a sale and commission earning products.

Agreed and you can pay it off without having to tell the salesman.

[zeduffman]

My dealer tried the same thing with me, initially claiming that going with a finance option and paying off early would save me £2000, then £1500, then £400, and then the sales manager came and failed to explain how any of it works and couldn't give me any accurate figures. It sounded like a lot of hassle that may or may not save me anything. I appreciated the dealer wants to sell their products but they didn't convince me when I started questioning it.

[Salterns]

Thanks for the advice all. I don't think PCP will be the way to go for me although it could have been if they did 0% like some other manufactures. I'll have a look at drivethedeal.com, its really all about trying to get the best price now.

[andrewparker]

I think what people are trying to say is that you can use PCP to drive the cost down and get extras such as service plans etc. however you can then just pay it off straightaway. Do that in conjunction with DTD and you're on to a winner.

[silentbrown]

Dr G said:

I've got a 1 year old A3 that cost 38k up for 26 with 3k miles.

Ouch. A3 or S3? Presumably that's been optioned up to the max, or in a painfully bad colour? Surely that's not normal depreciation...?

[loskie]

Do you mean cost £38k or listed at that?
If the former you were robbed.

[silentbrown]

loskie said:

Do you mean cost £38k or listed at that?
If the former you were robbed.

I assume Dr.G has the purchased said car from owner and is now selling it for £26K? Can't see it on his website yet tho.

[daydotz]

Dr G said:

I've got a 1 year old A3 that cost 38k up for 26 with 3k miles.

Probably about the same in depreciation as the lease would have cost for 2-3 years.

anymore info on said A3

[silentbrown]

Dr G said:

I've got a 1 year old A3 that cost 38k up for 26 with 3k miles.

This, I guess? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Loaded to the gunwales (except they forgot to specify leather - doubly bizarre!)
That's an expensive lesson in how to approach the options list...

[va1o]

Agreed, the options are what's made it loose loads of value rather than natural depreciation. Does look nice though, hoping to be in a position next year to look at those alongside the 125d or a new GTD

[daydotz]

Sounds a nice car shame its a diesel