Comparing Monthly Prices

[Fiisch]

First time poster, and long overdue given that I'm a car nut. I currently drive an Alfa Romeo MiTo Cloverleaf which is superb, but sadly it is coming to the end of the PCP term and, having just secured a job which means a daily 80-mile round commute, I need something more reliable and, possibly dare I say it, economical.

The car I want changes on a daily basis, and I'm having real difficulty comparing the monthly payments on different lease/PCP deals. For example, an A180 CDi was offered at £5k deposit and £400/month by a dealer, yet online I was quoted £1.8k deposit and £299 / month including VAT.

Is there are any reliable sources of information where I can compare monthly prices? I'm looking at around £2k deposit and £250 / month. Like the look of Fiesta ST, 1 series coupe and Astra VXR but some sources seem to suggest in budget whilst others make them seem way over.

Can someone help me simplify differing PCP terms?

(VXR in budget, I think, due to work-related offer - work for a motor insurer).

[KTF]

Why not punch the numbers into a spreadsheet so you can see the total cost over the term?

Car details
Deposit
Monthly payment
Term
Final fees
Total ((term x monthly payment) + deposit + final fees)

[Wills2]

KTF is talking sense, look at the overall cost, don't just focus on either a low deposit or low payments.

[Fiisch]

I like it. But, where do I get the figures from? Are dealers or online websites the way to get PCP deals?

[Wills2]

This website aggregates most of the available deals business and private.

http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/car-leasing-...

[itz_baseline]

Is the PCP company offering the Mito to you at a final payment? Maybe add this into your spreadsheet and see what the numbers look like after 3 years.....you'll have some equity if you buy it which might help swing it, so may also be worth considering?

[SWoll]

It depends whether you are looking to just lease a car and walk away after 2-3 years or are looking to actually purchase the vehicle.

Also make sure you have a good look around as prices vary hugely and some models are ridiculously expensive.

For example we were looking at the A-Class or 1 Series and ended up with a new facelifted E Class 250CDi with SatNav, LED Lights, Nappa Leather/Piano Black trim upgrade, automatic parking etc for £1800 deposit and £295 a month (inc VAT) for 23 payments.



I've bought and sold too many cars over the years with massive depreciation hits and big repair bills/warranty costs so hassle free motoring in a £35k+ car and a new one every 2 years for £375 a month (including the deposit cost) is fine by me.

Edited by SWoll on Thursday 22 August 23:12

[Wills2]

A great deal you got there Swoll.

[SWoll]

I bit their hand off TBH. I think they were trying to get a few of the facelifted cars onto the market and managed to get my hands on a pre-registered one in the perfect spec.

Definitely pays to shop around and widen your list of possible models.