Car Giant West London
Discussion
I'm looking for a new, but used car. Car Giant seem to have what I want (from what I can see on the website).
But I've heard bad things too, (as well as good things) particularly about after sales care and quality of cars (ex hire/lease, not in good condition).
I'd be going to this place with my eyes open, but what do people think of this place?
But I've heard bad things too, (as well as good things) particularly about after sales care and quality of cars (ex hire/lease, not in good condition).
I'd be going to this place with my eyes open, but what do people think of this place?
Been once. Wouldnt go back.
Issues include, but not limited to:
Piled high with unloved ex hire and lease cars
refuse test drive until committed
Poor/non existent prep
Frequent lack of documents and service history (since most hire car places do their own)
"admin" fees
No haggling
Hard sell on finance and other up-sells
Personally rather buy from a genuine private seller, indi, or main dealer.
Issues include, but not limited to:
Piled high with unloved ex hire and lease cars
refuse test drive until committed
Poor/non existent prep
Frequent lack of documents and service history (since most hire car places do their own)
"admin" fees
No haggling
Hard sell on finance and other up-sells
Personally rather buy from a genuine private seller, indi, or main dealer.
If you go in with your eyes wide open, and play hard ball, you'll be ok.
Yes they will want to know your inside leg measurement before a test drive. Yes they will try and sell you GAP, RTI, warranty, parking sensors, paint protection etc etc, just stick to your guns.
Aftersales will be shocking, don't ask them to complete things before collection (service/tyres etc), just ask for money off to do it yourself. You have a similar amount of aftersales service from a private buyer, so don't pay too much!
Do they own their cars? Lots of these car supermarkets are full of fleet vehicles that are still owned by finance companies, as a chance to sell at higher price before they go to auction!
Oh, and don't let your credit/debit card out of site. I've seen them take it from you as "ID" and won't give it back until you've done a deal!
Scum of the earth, but if they've got the car you want, it can work out OK.
Yes they will want to know your inside leg measurement before a test drive. Yes they will try and sell you GAP, RTI, warranty, parking sensors, paint protection etc etc, just stick to your guns.
Aftersales will be shocking, don't ask them to complete things before collection (service/tyres etc), just ask for money off to do it yourself. You have a similar amount of aftersales service from a private buyer, so don't pay too much!
Do they own their cars? Lots of these car supermarkets are full of fleet vehicles that are still owned by finance companies, as a chance to sell at higher price before they go to auction!
Oh, and don't let your credit/debit card out of site. I've seen them take it from you as "ID" and won't give it back until you've done a deal!
Scum of the earth, but if they've got the car you want, it can work out OK.
I looked at some 200SX's there a few years ago. The majority has some drawback - high miles/low spec/auto/odd colour.
Every now and then a low mileage manual Touring in a decent colour would come in. But by the time I got there the good one would always have vanished. And the row of red auto base spec ones with huge miles and scuffed alloys would still be there.
Oddly enough they were pretty much all the same price despite the huge disparities.
I gave up in the end. But based on my experience good cars do seem to go through at a good price - it's just that they get snapped up instantaneously.
Every now and then a low mileage manual Touring in a decent colour would come in. But by the time I got there the good one would always have vanished. And the row of red auto base spec ones with huge miles and scuffed alloys would still be there.
Oddly enough they were pretty much all the same price despite the huge disparities.
I gave up in the end. But based on my experience good cars do seem to go through at a good price - it's just that they get snapped up instantaneously.
Yes this is the sort of thing I'm expecting - this is a high volume/low margin dealership so I can see that they won't be bending over backwards in certain areas.
Problem is I don't have a great amount of available time to go and see a bunch of cars all over the country, so looking at wide selection in one place seemed like a good idea. At very worst at seeing a wide range of different cars will allow me to narrow my search.
Eyes will be very wide open.... I've just noticed they don't accept credit cards so my plan for 15 months Interest Free Credit on a Tesco card isn't going to work.
Problem is I don't have a great amount of available time to go and see a bunch of cars all over the country, so looking at wide selection in one place seemed like a good idea. At very worst at seeing a wide range of different cars will allow me to narrow my search.
Eyes will be very wide open.... I've just noticed they don't accept credit cards so my plan for 15 months Interest Free Credit on a Tesco card isn't going to work.
I've bought 2 cars from Car Giant - my wifes last 2 cars - and would happily buy another.
The big advantage is that in one place you can happily compare loads of different models, mostly undercover if it's raining. The car's are much cheaper than a main dealer and often cheaper than a private sale. My wifes current car - A VW polo was bought 2 years ago, a one owner 3 year old car and has been faultless.
Disadvantages? Well although fully valeted in general the cars don't have any scratches/dings fixed and because of that some of them can appear scruffy (but honest?). You can't negotiate on price and yes there is an admin charge - but only 65 quid I think.
When we bought the Polo we looked at Clio's, Panda's, Fiesta's and then settled on the Polo. Then went through their stock until we found a Polo that we would be happy with (from about a dozen or more they had in stock). Yes there was a scratch across the bonnet, but for the price we weren't bothered. We were offered a fair price for the part-ex and did the deal (and took the car home) all on the same day.
If I was looking for car for me, I'll be honest I wouldn't choose car Giant as I'm fussy on type, condition, colour, options etc. But if you need a car to use as an appliance and arent too bothered by exactly what is you buy then yes I think Car Giant are great.
The big advantage is that in one place you can happily compare loads of different models, mostly undercover if it's raining. The car's are much cheaper than a main dealer and often cheaper than a private sale. My wifes current car - A VW polo was bought 2 years ago, a one owner 3 year old car and has been faultless.
Disadvantages? Well although fully valeted in general the cars don't have any scratches/dings fixed and because of that some of them can appear scruffy (but honest?). You can't negotiate on price and yes there is an admin charge - but only 65 quid I think.
When we bought the Polo we looked at Clio's, Panda's, Fiesta's and then settled on the Polo. Then went through their stock until we found a Polo that we would be happy with (from about a dozen or more they had in stock). Yes there was a scratch across the bonnet, but for the price we weren't bothered. We were offered a fair price for the part-ex and did the deal (and took the car home) all on the same day.
If I was looking for car for me, I'll be honest I wouldn't choose car Giant as I'm fussy on type, condition, colour, options etc. But if you need a car to use as an appliance and arent too bothered by exactly what is you buy then yes I think Car Giant are great.
I've bought there. What I found is
Don't just go by their website. If you call them they can tell you about cars shortly arriving.
- Cars are just valeted and not repaired, so kind of more honest
- Test drive is simply end of street and back, and only if you're about to buy
- Price is fixed plus admin fee
- Check all paperwork before. If it needs a service they won't be doing it
- Hard sell on after products. Just say no
- You can browse with no hassle
- If you have the keys to a car they won't sell it to someone else under your nose
Don't just go by their website. If you call them they can tell you about cars shortly arriving.
Purchased a C200 Kompressor Estate from them a few years ago, liked the approach.
Went on a Wednesday morning to avoid crowds, sat in a few cars, helpful staff. The car was not prepared at all, but a weekend of detailing brought it up very well ... the satisfaction at turning a black Mercedes bonnet mascot into shiny chrome!
2 years and 30,000 problem free miles before selling it.
I would advise extreme care choosing. I found little price difference between identical models where one had problems, tired components and tires. Then again, I was the only one obsessing as most people just tested the radio worked and revved the engine.
I also purchased "Warranty Direct" cover at a fraction of the Car Giant quote.
I'd buy from there again. Only negative was the horrific paying process, made Argos or a Communist era Soviet department store seem reasonable.
Went on a Wednesday morning to avoid crowds, sat in a few cars, helpful staff. The car was not prepared at all, but a weekend of detailing brought it up very well ... the satisfaction at turning a black Mercedes bonnet mascot into shiny chrome!
2 years and 30,000 problem free miles before selling it.
I would advise extreme care choosing. I found little price difference between identical models where one had problems, tired components and tires. Then again, I was the only one obsessing as most people just tested the radio worked and revved the engine.
I also purchased "Warranty Direct" cover at a fraction of the Car Giant quote.
I'd buy from there again. Only negative was the horrific paying process, made Argos or a Communist era Soviet department store seem reasonable.
I think it also depends on what kind of car you want, and how you intend to pay. Plenty of dealers are doing 0% Apr and 20% (zero vat) across the range so lots of cars are reduced - you can pick up a fair few motors now with big savings across the range. The benefit of that is the warranty, the new plate, the cash or credit is invariably better, the history is guaranteed obviously, and the car is immaculate - and a better service as well.
If you are looking for a premium car for less money, or an ex fleet car for a low price, then cargiant could be the answer. Golden rules:
Check it isn't an import from Cyprus
NEVER agree to a purchase where they say "the second key/V5/MOT/Tax disc" will come next week - it won't, and nobody will answer the phone.
Do not give them your crdit card until you want to pay
Do not pay a deposit before you see the car
Insist on a test drive and go through the gears, brakes etc - they may keep it to half a mile around the block - so insist you do it three or four times to see if any engine faults come on.
These things apply to all car supermarkets but the key ones are do not buy their aftercare cover, paint treatment, additional warranties, any of that stuff. Just pay cash (your own or bank loan at a better rate than theirs) and walk away with the car and no other ties and you should be okay.
These places can serve a purpose, the choice is always great, but the wuality of car isn't so brilliant usually. Ask yourself if you want to spend 6k on a car that may cost 4 in maintenance over the next 3 years, or just 10k at the start for a new or nearly new car from a dealer with more backing.
Not everyone has that kind of cash, but it's just my help, if you want it lol
If you are looking for a premium car for less money, or an ex fleet car for a low price, then cargiant could be the answer. Golden rules:
Check it isn't an import from Cyprus
NEVER agree to a purchase where they say "the second key/V5/MOT/Tax disc" will come next week - it won't, and nobody will answer the phone.
Do not give them your crdit card until you want to pay
Do not pay a deposit before you see the car
Insist on a test drive and go through the gears, brakes etc - they may keep it to half a mile around the block - so insist you do it three or four times to see if any engine faults come on.
These things apply to all car supermarkets but the key ones are do not buy their aftercare cover, paint treatment, additional warranties, any of that stuff. Just pay cash (your own or bank loan at a better rate than theirs) and walk away with the car and no other ties and you should be okay.
These places can serve a purpose, the choice is always great, but the wuality of car isn't so brilliant usually. Ask yourself if you want to spend 6k on a car that may cost 4 in maintenance over the next 3 years, or just 10k at the start for a new or nearly new car from a dealer with more backing.
Not everyone has that kind of cash, but it's just my help, if you want it lol
Bought our curent car from them last year (E60 Touring).
No pressure on you when you look at the cars, you swap your keys for the set of the car you are looking at and take as much time as you like on your own to check it over.
Mixture of good and bad cars from lease companies, which is to be expected. They don't seem to do any prep on the cars, which to my mind was a good thing as I got to see how it had been looked after by the previous keeper.
No negotiation on price as they are already pretty much rock bottom and valued based on condition which seemed fair.
They will try and sell you finance/warranty/Gap just like every other dealer but not overly pushy TBH.
It's a lot like going to a supermarket. You get a number and then go from window to windows sorting out documents, payment, keys etc. Pretty effecient TBH.
Sorted mine out during the week quikly and easily but apparently they can get very busy at the WE.
Overall I would recommend them.
Upon closer inspection one had cheap half worn tyres, no options, was due brakes pads and a service within 2000 miles and seemed a bit tired inside.
The other had 4 brand new Good Year RFT's (horrible things but a good sign), upgraded stereo/climate, didn't need anything doing for 14,000 miles and although superficially dirty just looked right.
Guess which one I bought?
No pressure on you when you look at the cars, you swap your keys for the set of the car you are looking at and take as much time as you like on your own to check it over.
Mixture of good and bad cars from lease companies, which is to be expected. They don't seem to do any prep on the cars, which to my mind was a good thing as I got to see how it had been looked after by the previous keeper.
No negotiation on price as they are already pretty much rock bottom and valued based on condition which seemed fair.
They will try and sell you finance/warranty/Gap just like every other dealer but not overly pushy TBH.
It's a lot like going to a supermarket. You get a number and then go from window to windows sorting out documents, payment, keys etc. Pretty effecient TBH.
Sorted mine out during the week quikly and easily but apparently they can get very busy at the WE.
Overall I would recommend them.
HON2A said:
I would advise extreme care choosing. I found little price difference between identical models where one had problems, tired components and tires. Then again, I was the only one obsessing as most people just tested the radio worked and revved the engine.
Would agree with this. They had 2 near identical cars with identical prices I was interested in. Upon closer inspection one had cheap half worn tyres, no options, was due brakes pads and a service within 2000 miles and seemed a bit tired inside.
The other had 4 brand new Good Year RFT's (horrible things but a good sign), upgraded stereo/climate, didn't need anything doing for 14,000 miles and although superficially dirty just looked right.
Guess which one I bought?
Edited by SWoll on Wednesday 22 February 14:34
edo said:
Been once. Wouldnt go back.
Frequent lack of documents and service history (since most hire car places do their own)
"admin" .
I bought a car from there a few years ago, car was fine. The Mrs traded in her Megane and she had kept all the paperwork and service history and repair receipts (being French, there were a few). When we handed them over with the keys, the keys went into one plastic bag the paaper work went onto a pile of other paper work, probably never to be seen again.Frequent lack of documents and service history (since most hire car places do their own)
"admin" .
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