Buying from Car Giant

Author
Discussion

illmonkey

Original Poster:

18,212 posts

199 months

Tuesday 27th March 2012
quotequote all
Normally wouldn't cosider it, as I think they are just factorys to do quick turn arounds and hope for the best. But, I've found a perfect car on their site, a good price too. Worth going for it? Anyone had any (good or bad!) experiences buying from them?


Wafflesmk2

1,347 posts

155 months

Tuesday 27th March 2012
quotequote all
Im sure there was a topic a few weeks ago about this company.

Iirc, the general consensus was that you get what you pay for. If you want a car without the bells and whistles, they can be ok, just don't expect much.

MissChief

7,114 posts

169 months

Tuesday 27th March 2012
quotequote all
They're a supermarket, only interested on numbers rather than personal service. Once you've got your car they'll be highly uninterested in helping sort any problems that you may have. Assuming the car is a good one with the right info, why not?

sday12

5,053 posts

212 months

Tuesday 27th March 2012
quotequote all
The admin fee would make my piss boil alone.

Go in with your eyes open.

Said before:

Minimum prep.
No discounts.
No test drives without deal agreed.
Pressure sell of extras.
Don't assume a car is there because it's on the website.

I wouldn't but many have.

ETA http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


Edited by sday12 on Tuesday 27th March 14:03

illmonkey

Original Poster:

18,212 posts

199 months

Tuesday 27th March 2012
quotequote all
Its not a cheap motor, its a £12k BMW. It has the whole spec I'm after and is a good price.

Just don't want to get it and find out they 'done' a service and its now fooked!

VoziKaoFangio

8,202 posts

152 months

Tuesday 27th March 2012
quotequote all
MissChief said:
They're a supermarket, only interested on numbers rather than personal service. Once you've got your car they'll be highly uninterested in helping sort any problems that you may have. Assuming the car is a good one with the right info, why not?
I've bought nearly new cars there 3 times.

First, an 18 month old Mondeo 1.8LX estate, 13k on the clock. Paid £7k (this was in 2000). Kept the car to 100k miles and never had a single problem with it - only servicing and consumables. No need for any help from CG.

Next, a 3 yr old ex-motability Mazda 6 2.0TS auto, 30k on the clock. No history with the car, but I called the supplying franchised dealer before buying (details on the number plate) who confirmed the car had a full sevice history with them. The car was due a service when I bought it, so I took it to a franchised dealer and they diagnosed a slight weep on the water pump. Quick call to Car Giant and they paid for this to be replaced at the dealer, no quibble. Didn't keep that car too long but it was otherwise faultless and an utter bargain at £5k (bought in 2008).

Lastly, I bought a Smart Roadster there for my missus. Again, they didn't have a copy of the service history but the supplying dealer had one. So we bought the car. Clutch actuator failed outside of Car Giant's 3 month warranty, so we had to stump up a couplea hundred for that. But still, the purchase price had been very low. The car was 4 years old when purchased, with 20k on the clock.

Overall, I can't really fault them. And I would/probably will buy there again.

But don't part ex with them if you can help it, they will offer you absolute rock bottom prices.

SWoll

18,446 posts

259 months

Tuesday 27th March 2012
quotequote all
Can't be arsed to post my experience again so will just point you here as well.




j_richards123

123 posts

193 months

Tuesday 27th March 2012
quotequote all
sday12 said:
The admin fee would make my piss boil alone.

Go in with your eyes open.

Said before:

Minimum prep.
No discounts.
No test drives without deal agreed.
Pressure sell of extras.
Don't assume a car is there because it's on the website.

I wouldn't but many have.

ETA http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


Edited by sday12 on Tuesday 27th March 14:03
Yep agree with most of the above.

The test drive I had, no deal was agreed but I did go on a Friday lunchtime so was quiet. Insist on doing the same circuit many times... they only have a limited test drive but you can do it as many times as you like (thats what I was told and thats what I did - within reason!)

Just say no to the extras (GAP etc..) not unless you want it!

Always phone before turning up.

Generally a good experience but I went with viewing one car in mind and thats it. They give you the keys and you can take as long as you like looking over it (I spent 45 mins).

No prep = you get to see the car in all its glory (or not) so you see an honest car.

All in all a good experience, but as most have said go with your eyes very wide open.