Negotiating at OPC

Negotiating at OPC

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Discussion

tallstevef

Original Poster:

162 posts

171 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Hi All,

Maybe one for the car buying area, but thought I'd ask here in the 1st instance.

Am looking at 981 Boxster / Cayman's in the 35k-ish zone. I'm coming out of a Golf R Est (cheap PCH loan) so will have no PX. I've had a quick look at the finance costs from OPC and I can get a much cheaper rate from the banks - so probably wouldn't use their finance. I'm not a great negotiator, but wondered if there were any tips or things to try, or discount to aim at as a cash buyer.

Thanks,

Steven

n4aat

457 posts

211 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Not sure on technique. I just tell that what I am willing to pay and walk away if they say no. Buy with head not heart.

When I bought mine I was looking at three cars from the same dealer. I gave them a price I would pay for each and asked them to take their pick.

In the end I got 10% off my pre-owned 981 from an OPC but I think that level is rare.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
tallstevef said:
Hi All,

Maybe one for the car buying area, but thought I'd ask here in the 1st instance.

Am looking at 981 Boxster / Cayman's in the 35k-ish zone. I'm coming out of a Golf R Est (cheap PCH loan) so will have no PX. I've had a quick look at the finance costs from OPC and I can get a much cheaper rate from the banks - so probably wouldn't use their finance. I'm not a great negotiator, but wondered if there were any tips or things to try, or discount to aim at as a cash buyer.

Thanks,

Steven
You will get a better chance of a small discount if you take their finance.

HTP99

22,443 posts

139 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
tallstevef said:
Hi All,

Maybe one for the car buying area, but thought I'd ask here in the 1st instance.

Am looking at 981 Boxster / Cayman's in the 35k-ish zone. I'm coming out of a Golf R Est (cheap PCH loan) so will have no PX. I've had a quick look at the finance costs from OPC and I can get a much cheaper rate from the banks - so probably wouldn't use their finance. I'm not a great negotiator, but wondered if there were any tips or things to try, or discount to aim at as a cash buyer.

Thanks,

Steven
You will get a better chance of a small discount if you take their finance.
And then withdraw within 14 days of signing the agreement but don't tell them that you are going to do this.

tallstevef

Original Poster:

162 posts

171 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Thanks for the suggestions guys - is it also worth "waiting" until the end of the month? Having looks at other threads that is often suggested. Did this at an Audi dealer once and they did get back to me a few days later with a better offer...

Cheib

23,113 posts

174 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
tallstevef said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys - is it also worth "waiting" until the end of the month? Having looks at other threads that is often suggested. Did this at an Audi dealer once and they did get back to me a few days later with a better offer...
Definitely as it’s a quarter end.

It’s impossible to generalise about deals you get...depends on how sort after the particular model is, how long it’s been in stock, how much margin they have in it etc etc


hyphen

26,262 posts

89 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Cheib said:
It’s impossible to generalise about deals you get...depends on how sort after the particular model is, how long it’s been in stock, how much margin they have in it etc etc
yes Also helps if you can point out if it is overpriced compared to others on sale at other dealers.

Just don't be embarrassed about going in 'low', as per asking out women, worst they can say is no. Just be polite and demonstrate you are a serious buyer (of cars not women).

Edited by hyphen on Saturday 9th June 14:43

Nickz

44 posts

177 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Dealers are not getting many new cars to sell and will rely more on used stock till availability improves on the new.

I would expect prices to rise on the good clean used stuff.

mouseymousey

2,641 posts

236 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Just ask. I got about £1k off my used 981 just by telling the salesman I really wanted the car but had to feel like I'd got a deal!

kev.RS

215 posts

206 months

Saturday 9th June 2018
quotequote all
Do your homework and you will learn what cars are well priced and which ones are expensive.
You will pay more from a main dealer generaly £2k-£3k but get the best warranty.
Your time looking at different cars will save you money and make you aware of different specs as all porsches are different.
No point getting £2000 off of a £37k car that could be bought elsewhere for £33k!
There is a silver Boxster S for sale on A/T that has nearly 2 years Porsche warranty left that is fully transferable that would retail for around £38k at a main dealer.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

tedblog

1,438 posts

79 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
Whatever deal you get someone has always got a better one? It comes down what you are happy to pay? Would you reject a £40k car because you couldnt get £500 off?
If you buy from an OPC its most likely the car you after and the distance between dealerships to compare is too far.
Thing is OPC tend to name their own price and they do overprice them as they know they can knock a few quid off if they have too, I know the owner of an independant, although his cars are immaculately presented he adds an extra £2k on the ticket price and 9 times out of 10 no-one haggles as they know its the car they want and nothing else matches their spec, at that money people dont want to comprimise or lose the car. Thats the uniqueness of Porsche they dont flood the market.
Private is good if you are happy to do that and are confident as its a lot of money to part with and no safety net?

Edited by tedblog on Sunday 10th June 08:44

jonttt

678 posts

170 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
Figures are approximate depending on car but to give you an idea....

The car would be “porsche approved” so will come with the best 2 year warranty but this is not the same as a new car warranty but offered by effectively another part of porsche. This 2 year approved used warranty has a value, generally around £1500.

This is how I bought my 981 BGTS. Car had just come into the porsche network at £58k. After 30 min of negotiation as a cash buyer (which you would be to them if getting 3rd party finance) I got it for £55k, with 9 months left on manufacture warranty and 2 year used approved warranty to run after that (so nearly 3 years warranty in total) and a full “treatment” by a local company (depends on what product porsche are pushing at the time).

My tactic was to use the warranty as a bargaining tool ie talk about different “prices” with varying degrees of used approved warranty, agreeing a base price with no warranty and working back from their. They make more margin on other products such as “treatments” so you end up agreeing discounts on warranty which are more than the cost of adding back treatments which works better for them. I was prepared to leave £1,000 deposit and pick the car up within a week so they know you are serious.

Ps once the deal is done you just have to say no to everything else as they will make you sit with a finance guy for 30 min talking GAP, tyre insurance, scratch insurance etc, etc, all of which you can get much much cheaper 3 rd party if you really want them.

Bottom line is you have to be prepared to “work” the best deals and find out where there profit margins really are.

In my case it probably did help it was feb and they had just taken the BGTS in part ex and I offered them a quick exit route, plus they had loads of new 718’s trying to find an owner sat in the showroom lol

Qwerty911

87 posts

86 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
+1 for most of the above. Do your research and decide if this is the car you truly want, then, if it is only that you are not a confident negotiator, take a friend who is.

RSbandit

2,590 posts

131 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
Was recently in this situation as was looking at a GT4 but eventually plummed for a Vantage ...it's important to know what your level to trade at is and then be very specific on what you are looking for and what cars look well priced . I set up the autotrader alerts with fairly tight parameters and kept an eye for a couple of months on what was out there going to see cars I was interested in and eventually finding the right car at a good price, month or quarter end certainly helps when it comes to striking deals also .

tedblog

1,438 posts

79 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
[quote=jonttt

In my case it probably did help it was feb and they had just taken the BGTS in part ex and I offered them a quick exit route, plus they had loads of new 718’s trying to find an owner sat in the showroom lol
[/quote]
Lol by loads you mean the 5 you said were in the showroom when you bought your car
That is soooooooo many wink

Jazzer

1,665 posts

203 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
[quote=tallstevef]Hi All,

Maybe one for the car buying area, but thought I'd ask here in the 1st instance.

Am looking at 981 Boxster / Cayman's in the 35k-ish zone. I'm coming out of a Golf R Est (cheap PCH loan) so will have no PX. I've had a quick look at the finance costs from OPC and I can get a much cheaper rate from the banks - so probably wouldn't use their finance. I'm not a great negotiator, but wondered if there were any tips or things to try, or discount to aim at as a cash buyer.

Thanks,

Steven [/quote

It is important to look at overall costs.

What works well is telling them what deposit and monthly payment you are comfortable with and seeing what they can offer.....same with the likes of Oracle and Close Brothers, where 5% APR is achievable. These cars hold their value well and you should build decent equity in two to three years, depending on the duration of the PCP.

Consider your exit strategy too and what an OPC would give you for the car if, worst case scenario, they just took it off your hands. As a guide, think £7-10K below retail price (at purchase time!) and you’ll not go far wrong.

Going in to an OPC having done some research and armed with figures shows them you mean business and are not just a test pilot.

A good angle for encouraging a discount is the make of tyres......Pirellis are not the best.....you would naturally have to buy four new Michelins on purchase......

Good luck!

zainster

440 posts

175 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
tedblog said:
Whatever deal you get someone has always got a better one? It comes down what you are happy to pay? Would you reject a £40k car because you couldnt get £500 off?
If you buy from an OPC its most likely the car you after and the distance between dealerships to compare is too far.
Thing is OPC tend to name their own price and they do overprice them as they know they can knock a few quid off if they have too, I know the owner of an independant, although his cars are immaculately presented he adds an extra £2k on the ticket price and 9 times out of 10 no-one haggles as they know its the car they want and nothing else matches their spec, at that money people dont want to comprimise or lose the car. Thats the uniqueness of Porsche they dont flood the market.
Private is good if you are happy to do that and are confident as its a lot of money to part with and no safety net?

Edited by tedblog on Sunday 10th June 08:44
+1
Find the car that meets your requirements and go from there. I like to negotiate and feel like I've got a good deal but if it's the perfect car for me then I'm not that good at holding out and I wouldn't want to lose out on it for the sake of getting a few % off the price.

In the used car market for Porsche, the prices vary due as mentioned to the spec/ uniqueness of the car and unless you're buying new or don't have a huge list of requirements , just get that perfect one bought if it comes along! Lol



tallstevef

Original Poster:

162 posts

171 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments so far guys. Noted about taking the finance then paying it off - if it gives me more wiggle room. Will be interesting to see if that or a cash buyer scenario plays better.

I did wonder about asking if the OPC could (S part of a deal) include some changes - I.e. one of the cars I have an eye on doesn't have the sport design steering wheel (which I really like). I assume they could swap them over? Anyone have any experience is asking this or getting it or other swaps (maybe wheels) done?

Boxster_racer

265 posts

70 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all

Hi Steven,

There is some superb advice on negotiation techniques already shared, so the only thing I could add is:
1) work out what your ideal car is. Let’s say, Boxster 981 S, with PSE, PDLS, PSC, PASM, etc (seek out the names of the options in the Porsche configurator);
2) in my case, I build a spreadsheet with scoring and weighting on options, and started to load the cars on sale that met my criteria (I know, I’m a bit of an anorak, but it was my first purchase); then track the price for a few months; the spreadsheet gave me an overall weighted score, and when a car reached a certain threshold, I engage with the seller in negotiations;

Alernativley, your local OPC with warranty, should be your first visit, but if like in my case they are not interested.. don’t be afraid to go to Porsche specialists like Ashgood, or even private, provided the car comes with some form of warranty;

Always go on the negotiation with a clear idea of how much you’re willing to pay, or walk away and eventually you’ll find your dream car, and will be satisfied with the price you paid for it.

Regarding swapping steering wheel, OPCs are likely to want to charge you £1-2k;
Ashgood may be more flexible and economic when it comes to swapping SW, wheels, etc.

Good luck and enjoy the search !

zainster

440 posts

175 months

Sunday 10th June 2018
quotequote all
Great advice there from Boxster Racer!

Before I nabbed mine, I asked Ashgood about the cost of the SD steering wheel and PSE as they mentioned if a car comes up that you like but was missing one or both those options but had everything else and price was well in budget to add those items it's worth considering as it was circa £1k to add the SD steering wheel and £2k for PSE. They also update the spec with Porsche so they told me.

Speak to Paul, nice chap as are all the other guys at Ashgood.