Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all.

Ask a car salesman anything...anything at all.

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Osinjak

5,453 posts

121 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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daemon said:
Probably answered already, but 24hr test drives promoted by the manufacturer - whats typically the dealer / sales peoples feelings regarding these? I see BMW were / are running a BMW for 24 hrs promotion and there seems to be various outcomes from various dealers when people ring - ranging from "no we're not doing it", to "we only offer 1/2 an hour accompanied" to the odd one actually doing it.
I had a Macan diesel for 24hrs last year, the sales seemed genuinely surprised when I told him I didn't like it very much. I got the impression from him that once you were in one for 24hrs it was a surefire sale, in some shape or form.

Dan W.

1,196 posts

78 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Osinjak said:
I had a Macan diesel for 24hrs last year, the sales seemed genuinely surprised when I told him I didn't like it very much. I got the impression from him that once you were in one for 24hrs it was a surefire sale, in some shape or form.
I think the view is you are really keen and if you want it for 24 hours. must admit the only time we did a 24 hour event one guy had the car 4 hours rang us up and said I am bringing it back as I don't like it and don't want to waste any more time driving it. brutal honesty much appreciated.

Osinjak

5,453 posts

121 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Dan W. said:
Osinjak said:
I had a Macan diesel for 24hrs last year, the sales seemed genuinely surprised when I told him I didn't like it very much. I got the impression from him that once you were in one for 24hrs it was a surefire sale, in some shape or form.
I think the view is you are really keen and if you want it for 24 hours. must admit the only time we did a 24 hour event one guy had the car 4 hours rang us up and said I am bringing it back as I don't like it and don't want to waste any more time driving it. brutal honesty much appreciated.
It was a funny one really as I didn't ask for it in the first place but the chap was insistent so I thought what the hell. Picked it up at 1100 in the morning and tootled off and tried to join the motorway at a swift pace and, well, couldn't as it was just so slow. The scariest was at a roundabout, pressed the throttle and nothing happened for what felt like an eternity and then it shot off. Not all that uncommon apparently but I don't think the bloke in the Mondeo coming from my right was terribly impressed. I'd pretty much decided by mid-afternoon that I was really disappointed, I really wanted to like it but just couldn't get there. However, I wanted the frau's thoughts as she was just as keen so picked her up from work and went out for a drive. She's not a petrolhead but even she thought to was a bit slow not to mention lacking in tech, she loves the HUD in the BMW and really missed it.

In all, having it for 24hrs was actually really helpful. I really wanted the car but decided it wasn't for me, too many compromises. If I change my mind in the future I would go back and see the same chap so it's not completely lost but just not the right thing I guess.

Sheepshanks

32,790 posts

119 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Osinjak said:
Picked it up at 1100 in the morning and tootled off and tried to join the motorway at a swift pace and, well, couldn't as it was just so slow.
rofl

daemon

35,829 posts

197 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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I was thinking more of situations where the likes of BMW or MINI promote "24 hour test drives - just ring up and book" type scenarios, moreso than getting a car for an extended test drive.

The extended test drive definitely can work - we didnt like the Z4 Si Coupe on the short test drive but we subsequently called and got one for the weekend and fell in love with it. Ordered one on the Monday morning smile

EDIT: Stuff like this whereby people can cold call and just organise a 24 hour trial. They're often pitched on the likes of hotukdeals as "free" offers...

http://form.bmw.co.uk/forms/pdi_bmw_24tdfm_tda/

renmure

4,247 posts

224 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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My recent Civic Type-R purchase was in a large part down to a 24hr test drive.

I knew it would be rapid, which is why I was interested in it in the first place, but it was great to do a couple of runs in Comfort mode and even go to the supermarket with Mrs R for a shopping run. Not sure if I would have gone ahead after just a quick 30 min demo.

Teebs

4,390 posts

215 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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We're allowed 5 day test drives through our company car scheme. I'm driving both a 5 series & VW Arteon to try and decide between the 2 - My regular commute is over 200 miles so I need to make sure I make the right choice.

daemon

35,829 posts

197 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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renmure said:
My recent Civic Type-R purchase was in a large part down to a 24hr test drive.

I knew it would be rapid, which is why I was interested in it in the first place, but it was great to do a couple of runs in Comfort mode and even go to the supermarket with Mrs R for a shopping run. Not sure if I would have gone ahead after just a quick 30 min demo.
Did you book it as part of one of the pitches from Hondas website offering the test drive or as part of your contact with the dealer / otherwise in looking at the car?

renmure

4,247 posts

224 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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daemon said:
Did you book it as part of one of the pitches from Hondas website offering the test drive or as part of your contact with the dealer / otherwise in looking at the car?
I was randomly wandering round the forecourt and the suggestion of a 24hr test drive (he actually suggested taking it for the weekend) was from the DP after he had taken me for a run in their demo car.

Sa Calobra

37,148 posts

211 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Osinjak said:
I had a Macan diesel for 24hrs last year, the sales seemed genuinely surprised when I told him I didn't like it very much. I got the impression from him that once you were in one for 24hrs it was a surefire sale, in some shape or form.
Almost as though you owed him something.



In an old industry that I worked in there was a high chance you could work on something for six months and get a negative result at the end. When I first walked into a car showroom I was shocked how obvious a salesman made his displeasure when I decided after 30mins the car wasn't for me.

Camelot1971

2,700 posts

166 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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This is a question for a Volvo dealer but I guess the principle could be answered by anyone smile

I'm interested in a 66 plate S90 D5 with all the options - retail price was £53k (!).

It's at the dealer for just under £29k, which seems ok, until I check the trade in value against the usual websites, where I get numbers from £21k to £23k (including an allowance for options).

Does £5k+ on a used 3 year old car sound about right and what would you think would be a sensible offer? I was thinking £25k. I don't have anything to trade in (current car is lease) and I'd be doing PCP through the dealer.

Cars with the same mileage and engine but without some of the expensive options seem to be priced around that and as we all know, options don't add any value when it comes to trade in smile

Thoughts?

Butter Face

30,313 posts

160 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Is it the KY66 one?

I reckon they've had that in stock a bit. It's dropped £5k since December rofl

If you're worried about the price now, I wouldn't. From Apr-Dec last year it dropped just £1600 and since then it has almost literally dropped off a cliff. £5k in 4 months. Mental.

Clean book in April last year was £31600 (trade), dropped to £29750 by december and is now £24250.

Make them any offer, they're probably desperate to get rid.

Edited by Butter Face on Sunday 22 April 14:55

Dan W.

1,196 posts

78 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Camelot1971 said:
This is a question for a Volvo dealer but I guess the principle could be answered by anyone smile

I'm interested in a 66 plate S90 D5 with all the options - retail price was £53k (!).

It's at the dealer for just under £29k, which seems ok, until I check the trade in value against the usual websites, where I get numbers from £21k to £23k (including an allowance for options).

Does £5k+ on a used 3 year old car sound about right and what would you think would be a sensible offer? I was thinking £25k. I don't have anything to trade in (current car is lease) and I'd be doing PCP through the dealer.

Cars with the same mileage and engine but without some of the expensive options seem to be priced around that and as we all know, options don't add any value when it comes to trade in smile

Thoughts?
No harm in making them an offer, they can only say no.

I wouldn't pay a huge amount of notice to valuation sites these days, car is worth what someone is willing to pay and they may feel they will sell it at that price, explain why you feel its valued at less and see what they say

Camelot1971

2,700 posts

166 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Thanks Dan.

Sheepshanks

32,790 posts

119 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Camelot1971 said:
...and I'd be doing PCP through the dealer.
Are thinking you'd hand it back at the end, or keep it?

If handing it back then I'd be minded to keep the salesman focused on the monthly and minimum deposit, and ignore the headline price. Obviously take your time to add it all up and work out what it's really going to cost before committing.

Camelot1971

2,700 posts

166 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Sheepshanks said:
Are thinking you'd hand it back at the end, or keep it?

If handing it back then I'd be minded to keep the salesman focused on the monthly and minimum deposit, and ignore the headline price. Obviously take your time to add it all up and work out what it's really going to cost before committing.
I think it will be a keeper unless diesel becomes so toxic (excuse the pun) that you can't drive them into any city, even if Euro 6. Unlikely, but 4 years is a long time.

I do 20-25k a year so diesel is the only sensible option (although I would consider a petrol one if they existed! (well they do for 2018 but not earlier).

Wooda80

1,743 posts

75 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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jamoor said:
Do dealers get invoiced upon the cars registration?
Do dealers have credit terms of 0 days?
Both sound like you just made it up and have no idea how businesses work.
Do dealers get invoiced upon the cars registration? - They get invoiced as soon as the cars leave the factory gates / arrive at port / arrive at the dealer depending on the franchise.

Do dealers have credit terms of 0 days? - Dealers have varying credit terms depending on franchise and individual order type. What is universal however is that those credit terms expire upon registration when payment is taken, usually by direct debit.

Both sound like you just made it up and have no idea how businesses work - You sound like you have no experience of how motor retailing works and you are unwilling to accept that it may be different from how your own and other industries may work.






Blakewater

4,309 posts

157 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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DanB7290 said:
Nothing official, and Ford obviously put their PR spin on it to make it sound amazing, but my guess would be it’s a bit of a flop. Borrowed a Mondeo Vignale a few weeks ago for my weekend off, very nice car, did the job of chauffeuring my dad to the rugby nicely, but when he asked how much and I told him £35k he about had a coronary.
They need to re-evaluate it, especially with the Mondeo as it’s priced too closely to 3 Series, C Class, A4 and XE, and I know what I’d buy given that kind of money.

Had a Fiesta Vignale arrive today. Nice car, but £25k for a Fiesta! And looks like they’re sticking with the idea as new Focus is going to be launched with a Vignale, starting at £25k.

Would much rather they’d ditch the Vignale idea and hurry up with the new Fiesta ST, which we were originally promised in April, but now looks like June
Only being able to buy Vignale models from certain dealers that are designated Ford Stores probably doesn't help. Can any salesperson sell a Vignale and so be able to upsell one to somebody unsure of which trim level they want? Ford suggested dealerships would have special Vignale sections and salespeople, so customers would have to go with the specific intention of wanting to buy a Vignale rather than being steered towards one from an ST Line or a Titanium.

Wooda80

1,743 posts

75 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Sa Calobra said:
Are Smart fortwo's seasonal?

My other half says I enjoy buying and selling cars why don't I do it more often than recreational, I'm thinking buy something that dips and rises depending on time of year. Buy it, use it for a few months then sell
I don't believe that any specific car is reliably and predictably seasonal to the degree that you describe,

What may be of use to you is the general seasonal variations. November / December is a time of year with low retail footfall, there can still be excess part exchange stock hanging over from September plate change which is in conflict with plc's looking to reduce stockholding for financial year ends which often coincide with calendar year end.

All this means that November / December is a good time for bargain hunting, whether trade or retail. Buy something really well at the end of the year and you can probably sell it privately for near enough the same come the spring. That's not a carte blanche to go out and just buy anything, and you will need the usual measure of luck and good preparation required to sell any car, but if you are looking to use seasonal variations for cheap motoring then that's your best bet.

Focus on the car being cheap compared to comparable examples when buying it, rather than fixating on a particular model.

What you use to get around between May and November is a different problem, however.



Edited by Wooda80 on Sunday 22 April 18:40

Camelot1971

2,700 posts

166 months

Sunday 22nd April 2018
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Butter Face said:
Is it the KY66 one?

I reckon they've had that in stock a bit. It's dropped £5k since December rofl

If you're worried about the price now, I wouldn't. From Apr-Dec last year it dropped just £1600 and since then it has almost literally dropped off a cliff. £5k in 4 months. Mental.

Clean book in April last year was £31600 (trade), dropped to £29750 by december and is now £24250.

Make them any offer, they're probably desperate to get rid.

Edited by Butter Face on Sunday 22 April 14:55
Only just spotted this! Cheers, yes, that's the one. I wonder if they moved it to a new dealer as it was showing as "just arrived" last week. Of course, Marshalls are a massive dealer group so they probably moved it from 'up North' smile

The high spec 66 plate ones seem to hang about - I guess no one wants to pay for all the toys when you can get a 67 plate one with 1000 miles for less money.
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