MB Vito - buying advice / any MB sales staff here?
Discussion
A colleague of mine is looking to set up a dog walking/sitting service. She's planning on going part time to do this, and is also very much in to the whole dog show thing (has a couple of pedigrees). Her car is on it's last legs, so whilst she's not yet got as far as setting the business up, or even coming up with a business plan, she is looking around for a suitable vehicle. She's ruled out VW's offerings on a cost basis, and is not at all keen on the Transit/Vivaro/Master etc.
She wants a Duoliner, and I went with her to the local dealer today to discuss options. She's got her heart set on the Sport variant, which if bought new is going to set her back around £32k (list). She can stretch to a 20% deposit from savings, but will struggle beyond £300pcm for the payments (4.5% flat was quoted). There was a quoted £1.5k-£2k contribution from MB depending on which finance package was taken. We looked at HP and the Agility scheme, but it still seems a little too much. There are ex-demo and second hand options, which I feel would be a safer bet financially. She's ruled out private sales as too risky, wants something relatively new, and feels that once the business is up and running she'll be able to easily cover the payments. She doesn't want to lease.
What sort of discount on list price can be typically expected for the Vito? Is the commercial market broadly similar to the car market?
She wants a Duoliner, and I went with her to the local dealer today to discuss options. She's got her heart set on the Sport variant, which if bought new is going to set her back around £32k (list). She can stretch to a 20% deposit from savings, but will struggle beyond £300pcm for the payments (4.5% flat was quoted). There was a quoted £1.5k-£2k contribution from MB depending on which finance package was taken. We looked at HP and the Agility scheme, but it still seems a little too much. There are ex-demo and second hand options, which I feel would be a safer bet financially. She's ruled out private sales as too risky, wants something relatively new, and feels that once the business is up and running she'll be able to easily cover the payments. She doesn't want to lease.
What sort of discount on list price can be typically expected for the Vito? Is the commercial market broadly similar to the car market?
Why not just start with a <£6k older model (Vivaro/Traffic variant maybe) to test the water to confirm the viability of the business.
Yes not at all glamorous but they they will not be tied into a highly depreciating asset. Yes it's not as glamorous but reduces risk significantly.
Also have leases been considered? - if taken out in co. name VAT can be reclaimed/not charged and if LTD you may (depending on terms and assuming no Gtee's) be able to walk if it doesn't go to plan by just folding the business.
Yes not at all glamorous but they they will not be tied into a highly depreciating asset. Yes it's not as glamorous but reduces risk significantly.
Also have leases been considered? - if taken out in co. name VAT can be reclaimed/not charged and if LTD you may (depending on terms and assuming no Gtee's) be able to walk if it doesn't go to plan by just folding the business.
She's starting a new part time business and she's thinking of dropping £30k+ on a van? Madness.
What if the business doesn't work? What if she doesn't like the job?
This looks lovely for half the money...
http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/mercedes-be...
Wouldn't even have to change the plate!
What if the business doesn't work? What if she doesn't like the job?
This looks lovely for half the money...
http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/mercedes-be...
Wouldn't even have to change the plate!
Edited by B17NNS on Thursday 23 January 16:42
Toaster Pilot said:
She really, really, really doesn't want to saddle herself with debt for a new car whilst setting up a business
This, used commercials are easy to find and with a bit of care a good one can be had a reasonable cost. If she must have new look at shorter term leases for the initial year or two, tying up capital in a big deposit seems a silly risk to take.
They're thirsty but lovely.
How about this?
http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/mercedes-be...
Loads around at sensible money.
How about this?
http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-vans/mercedes-be...
Loads around at sensible money.
I might have convinced her to start looking privately. She's going to call the first one, which does look excellent.
The second two I know she won't want, as she is not considering any 111 variants because her Vito-owning friends have warned her off them. She wants something with a bit of go.
The second two I know she won't want, as she is not considering any 111 variants because her Vito-owning friends have warned her off them. She wants something with a bit of go.
She called a couple of the ads posted above without success (no answer/calls not returned).
She's ruled out private sales, and there's a £17k model at the local dealer. How much leeway is there likely to be on the asking price?
Edited to correct price
She's ruled out private sales, and there's a £17k model at the local dealer. How much leeway is there likely to be on the asking price?
Edited to correct price
Edited by JulianHJ on Saturday 25th January 18:53
Cant help with your questions regarding prices but I would recommend not getting a 109 or if the current shape the 110. They are not good on fuel at all. I found them underpowered too.
I had a 109 (90bhp) which seemed to get no better than 25 mpg whatever I did with it.
I now have a 115 sport which is the 150bhp model and can get up to 40mpg on the motorway and goes really well for a van.
I had a 109 (90bhp) which seemed to get no better than 25 mpg whatever I did with it.
I now have a 115 sport which is the 150bhp model and can get up to 40mpg on the motorway and goes really well for a van.
JulianHJ said:
I'm fairly certain the new option has been totally discounted after I talked the figures through with her, and pointed out the massive liability she'd be taking on.
Still spending £15,000 on a van to cart dogs around is quite alot when setting up a new business. You can get a perfectly acceptable VW transporter for £8000, get her to spend the difference on advertising.She likes the Transporter more than the Vito, but thinks they are out of her budget.
I should probably point out that this will be her only vehicle (not just a business tool), and that she does a lot of mileage going to dog shows already, hence her desire to get the nicest van she can.
I should probably point out that this will be her only vehicle (not just a business tool), and that she does a lot of mileage going to dog shows already, hence her desire to get the nicest van she can.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff