New Car - Getting the best deal?

[paddyhasneeds]

If the price is right I want to change my car. So far I've dealt with one dealer, who have been pleasant/helpful enough that if the cost to change is right I'd have no issues using them.

Of course, I also don't want to pay more than I have to.

I prefer playing it straight with people so I've said to them come back to me with a good deal that's in both our interests and save me having to muck about, however, even if the figure seems acceptable there's always that nagging "Should be shopping around" feeling.

How would you play it?

I don't want to get into tit for tat trying to play dealers off for the last hundred quid but part of me thinks it's stupid to only get prices from a single dealer, even if the number on the table is acceptable/as expected.

[clabcon]

paddyhasneeds said:

If the price is right I want to change my car. So far I've dealt with one dealer, who have been pleasant/helpful enough that if the cost to change is right I'd have no issues using them.

Of course, I also don't want to pay more than I have to.

I prefer playing it straight with people so I've said to them come back to me with a good deal that's in both our interests and save me having to muck about, however, even if the figure seems acceptable there's always that nagging "Should be shopping around" feeling.

How would you play it?

I don't want to get into tit for tat trying to play dealers off for the last hundred quid but part of me thinks it's stupid to only get prices from a single dealer, even if the number on the table is acceptable/as expected.

I think you've answered your own question.

[zcacogp]

Your new car will haemorrhage money so quickly the moment you drive off the forecourt, the odd hundred or so quid either way will make little difference ...

I know it's not a terribly helpful comment, but if you are that worried about money then why not consider second-hand cars?


Oli.

[paddyhasneeds]

zcacogp said:

Your new car will haemorrhage money so quickly the moment you drive off the forecourt, the odd hundred or so quid either way will make little difference ...

I know it's not a terribly helpful comment, but if you are that worried about money then why not consider second-hand cars?

You've summed up my thinking quite nicely.

It's been 8 years since I've purchased a new car (my current car is a Boxster and at that time they didn't do discounts, simple as that), so the odd few hundred quid I don't care about, it's more if another dealer is likely to come in with something stupidly better - I don't know if the dealers have more to play with or just have it stitched up better between them as they're all selling the same manufacturers product.

[swamp]

zcacogp said:

Your new car will haemorrhage money so quickly the moment you drive off the forecourt

I'm not sure this is always the case these days. Not enough new cars are being bought to support low second hand prices in the UK.

For example, check out the prices of second hand Q5s (not everyone's cup of tea, I know). With 20,000 on the clock they are only a few thousand £ below brand new prices! The new X3 looks a very good buy too, especially if you paid for one before Jan 4.

[Shaw Tarse]

paddyhasneeds said:

If the price is right I want to change my car. So far I've dealt with one dealer, who have been pleasant/helpful enough that if the cost to change is right I'd have no issues using them.

Of course, I also don't want to pay more than I have to.

I prefer playing it straight with people so I've said to them come back to me with a good deal that's in both our interests and save me having to muck about, however, even if the figure seems acceptable there's always that nagging "Should be shopping around" feeling.

How would you play it?

I don't want to get into tit for tat trying to play dealers off for the last hundred quid but part of me thinks it's stupid to only get prices from a single dealer, even if the number on the table is acceptable/as expected.

Paddy, have you tried drive the deal? I'm thinking of getting the same(ish) car as you. Probably nearly new, but if a dealer could do a good offer, then I may be tempted to go for new, would be easier to trade the MX5 in & drive out in the new car.
Plus I would like to give my money to a local dealer if possible.

[911Ads]

I asked my local dealer to pricematch drivethedeal (was happy with their price) and the deal was theres...

[paddyhasneeds]

Shaw Tarse said:

Paddy, have you tried drive the deal? I'm thinking of getting the same(ish) car as you. Probably nearly new, but if a dealer could do a good offer, then I may be tempted to go for new, would be easier to trade the MX5 in & drive out in the new car.
Plus I would like to give my money to a local dealer if possible.

I've had a brief look yes. I won't have an initial figure from the dealer until Monday.

Assuming that on Monday my position had firmed from "I really like the car but need an idea of the numbers" to "If the number is right I want one", I'd assume at that point we're pretty close to sorting something out, or not.

An added complication is that LR finance are offering 0% on all FL2 SD4's registered by March 31st, the vehicle would be build-to-order, and right now BTO is showing around the end of march - so I'm pushing it for spending possibly days visiting other dealers (mainly for them to see my car) to save a few hundred on the car, but perhaps miss the 0%.

All I'm bothered about is an acceptable cost to change.

[Shaw Tarse]

paddyhasneeds said:

All I'm bothered about is an acceptable cost to change.

Me too, with added convinence of drive old car in, new car out.
Yes I know I should/could do better if I valleted my car & sold it privatley then went to the dealer.