Desperate dealer or chance for a bargain?
Desperate dealer or chance for a bargain?
Author
Discussion

tallstevef

Original Poster:

162 posts

195 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
I think I know the answer to this, but it'd be interesting to get the opinions of the learned masses! smile

Went to see a Focus ST3 on Sunday, hideous weather but it proved to be a v.good drive. Looked in great condition, no scuffs on wheels but due to the weather you couldn't really see what the paintwork was like (other than it being Electric Orange!). Dealer gave a decent enough PX figure but I had another car to see.

I didn't get around to seeing the other car (something else cropped up) but on paper it's probably a better option, 20K less miles, newer (by 6 months or so) and Black rather than Orange (I still don't know if I could live with a tangerine car!).

Anyway, dealer came back to me today and effectively asked if they did something with the price would I be interested in the Orange ST... Thing is here, how much do you think they might drop the price? It's up for 8K with a 3 month warranty.

Any thoughts?

sday12

5,066 posts

234 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
ask for £1K off

If not buy the black one.

anonymous-user

77 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
The biggest problem is probably the fact that it is orange! The very reason why people buy resale grey/silver.

I'd love an orange car

Ray Luxury-Yacht

8,918 posts

239 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
Funnily enough was chatting to a car dealer mate today.

Has a small-ish forecourt, around 30 cars, nothing over £10k, mostly everyday stuff but occasionally something interesting.

He reckons that the market has turned again in the last six months back to small, economical and diesel, at this price point. The higher end of the market (ie gas guzzlers / prestige) is still doing ok. Rare classics, massive market.

He said that anything sporty or a bit crap on fuel at the up to £10k price point is struggling.

Who would normally buy the kind of ST you're looking at when it's at that age / price point?

Not wealthy punters, for sure. Probably middle Englanders who want something a bit different / sporty. Or maybe younger Jack-The-Lads.

Middle Englanders are now suffering for spare cash, and the price of fuel, as you've probably seen in the news, is at record highs again and a 'media' talking point.

Younger Jack-The-Lads are probably now feeling the bite from ridiculous insurance premiums, and hence are maybe being priced out of cars like this.


So taking those things into account, plus this specific car, and probably that specific colour - I reckon it's a buyers market for that particular vehicle, and you would probably get away with a seriously cheeky offer....

Whatever, let us know what happens biggrin


66comanche

2,369 posts

182 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
You'll grow to love the orange I bet - black cars are a bloody menace, never again will I buy one, every stone chip, the tiniest scuff and of course any mud/salt/smears after cleaning are all too visible. Saw a lovely Focus RS in the green today, looked mint - really think the loud colours suit it.

Tonberry

2,226 posts

215 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
Can't imagine the ST is flying off the shelf at the minute due to very limited appeal.

Don't pay over the odds as you will never get rid come resale.

I think prices for the ST are artificially high at the minute. I'd personally wait for the crash....

irish boy

3,864 posts

259 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
I had an st in orange....loved it. I'd go for it over black if it wasn't for the 20k more miles thing....price would need to reflect that. Very reliable cars and they drive well.

YeahYeahWhatever

650 posts

229 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Funnily enough was chatting to a car dealer mate today.

Has a small-ish forecourt, around 30 cars, nothing over £10k, mostly everyday stuff but occasionally something interesting.

He reckons that the market has turned again in the last six months back to small, economical and diesel, at this price point. The higher end of the market (ie gas guzzlers / prestige) is still doing ok. Rare classics, massive market.

He said that anything sporty or a bit crap on fuel at the up to £10k price point is struggling.

Who would normally buy the kind of ST you're looking at when it's at that age / price point?

Not wealthy punters, for sure. Probably middle Englanders who want something a bit different / sporty. Or maybe younger Jack-The-Lads.

Middle Englanders are now suffering for spare cash, and the price of fuel, as you've probably seen in the news, is at record highs again and a 'media' talking point.

Younger Jack-The-Lads are probably now feeling the bite from ridiculous insurance premiums, and hence are maybe being priced out of cars like this.


So taking those things into account, plus this specific car, and probably that specific colour - I reckon it's a buyers market for that particular vehicle, and you would probably get away with a seriously cheeky offer....

Whatever, let us know what happens biggrin
Been reading the Daily Mail again?

blearyeyedboy

6,734 posts

202 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
If you buy the orange one, make any deal conditional on you inspecting the paintwork when the car's dry. It's astonishing what rain can hide.

Jimmy No Hands

5,065 posts

179 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
MIL has an Orange ST3. It's a lovely colour (when its clean!)


Go for it.

Ray Luxury-Yacht

8,918 posts

239 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
YeahYeahWhatever said:
Been reading the Daily Mail again?
What, that sensationalist Nazi comic?

You must be joking!!!


tallstevef

Original Poster:

162 posts

195 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
As per suggestions, I got back to them this evening and mentioned seeing the paintwork in the dry and asked if they would take 7K. I'd want to check the boost levels too, especially if they have no record of any fiddling with the engine mapping. It didn't feel super quick, although I didn't have a real chance to open it up.

The prices on ST's are a bit variable at the moment, but I think that 7K is about right for the age, mileage and owners.

Am aware it might be a bit harder to shift come resale, but there is a fairly keen owners group and you might get interested parties on there (I've been looking).

Ball in their court now - lets see what they come back with! smile

Ray Luxury-Yacht

8,918 posts

239 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
tallstevef said:
As per suggestions, I got back to them this evening and mentioned seeing the paintwork in the dry and asked if they would take 7K. I'd want to check the boost levels too, especially if they have no record of any fiddling with the engine mapping. It didn't feel super quick, although I didn't have a real chance to open it up.

The prices on ST's are a bit variable at the moment, but I think that 7K is about right for the age, mileage and owners.

Am aware it might be a bit harder to shift come resale, but there is a fairly keen owners group and you might get interested parties on there (I've been looking).

Ball in their court now - lets see what they come back with! smile
Nice work. Good luck! thumbup


okie592

2,711 posts

190 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
focus ST is a fun car therefore it needs to be in a fun colour orange or impy blue please

blearyeyedboy

6,734 posts

202 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Nice work. Good luck! thumbup
+1. Good thoughts and good opening offer.

Ki3r

8,635 posts

182 months

Wednesday 7th March 2012
quotequote all
Be easier to find in a car park if its bright orange!

tallstevef

Original Poster:

162 posts

195 months

Friday 9th March 2012
quotequote all
Ok, Dealer got back and (surprise surprise!) couldn't accept the offer of 7K. He came back with £250 off which he "might" get if he talks to his manager. He was also pushing the other "products" GAP, Finance etc.

To be honest I think the additional mileage on the car (54K) compared to others that aren't THAT much more (£500 or so, and have done only 25K) makes me inclined to look at the Black ST and Blue ST that I saw yesterday.

forzaminardi

2,298 posts

210 months

Friday 9th March 2012
quotequote all
tallstevef said:
Ok, Dealer got back and (surprise surprise!) couldn't accept the offer of 7K. He came back with £250 off which he "might" get if he talks to his manager. He was also pushing the other "products" GAP, Finance etc.

To be honest I think the additional mileage on the car (54K) compared to others that aren't THAT much more (£500 or so, and have done only 25K) makes me inclined to look at the Black ST and Blue ST that I saw yesterday.
£250 is hardly much of a deal is it? Just go for the black one, it sounds better and you'll be happier with it.

Pommygranite

14,452 posts

239 months

Friday 9th March 2012
quotequote all
forzaminardi said:
£250 is hardly much of a deal is it? Just go for the black one, it sounds better and you'll be happier with it.
This. Could probably get the black one down to 8 and then you're only 250 apart for 20k miles. Don't buy the orange one even at 7 - you'll regret the colour, have more trouble selling it and it'll be at 80k miles + before you know and lose lots more.

briSk

14,291 posts

249 months

Friday 9th March 2012
quotequote all
your hunch must be right.
these are very capable cars but they're very much mass produced and have crap economy and are expensive to tax.
they're great value for what they are but you only want to buy one at the right price in a dull colour. and ideally only then if you intend to keep it for a bt and really use it.

it's barking how much people will pay for some 1.6td thing that'll more likely need a new turbo than something like an ST, is slow, not as economical as you'd think etc etc. whoop de fvcking doo it costs £35 to tax. it's still dull, it's still slow(enough).

my mate has picked up a 3.0 z4 coupe that's 2 years old with 20k miles for about £17k from a dealer. 335is are £11k... why are som many people buying dull stuff that does a little bit more in terms of MPG..?

arrghh.