2 New Abarths - Discount?

[Martin_M]

Hi folks,

Toying with the idea of trading my M135i in for two abarths - one for me and the other for the wife. I was just wondering what the potential is for securing a significant discount if I did go down this route.

A standard 500 is £13300 (saving £900 on list)

A 595 is £17500 (saving £3217 on list)

Given that the above new cars are already discounted would you say there is much scope for securing more off or am I in dream land?

DEALER EXPERIENCE: now updated Page 3

Edited by Martin_M on Friday 29th August 17:09

Edited by Martin_M on Friday 29th August 17:10

[Martin_M]

I think they are overpriced myself but I like the look of them. I don't for a minute expect BMW quality so under no illusions in that respect. The bmw was more than double the price. I like the look of them, they sound good, are quite economical and would give me and my other half a car each whilst still having something I can have some fun in.

[Martin_M]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbfpzugwaVs

Interior not too shabby although the door cards look particularly plasticy.Not any worse than my corsa vxr or clio 197 from years gone by I wouldn't say.

Exterior-wise, I prefer the campovolo grey paint myself.

http://bp1.blogger.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/SHJ59AiJenI/AA...

[Martin_M]

Thanks for that lol

I think the housing scheme comment is unfair however.

[Martin_M]

750turbo said:

Sorry, was supposed to be tongue in cheek

If you are serious, go into a "decent" Fiat dealership, find someone who knows their stuff, and explain exactly what you want. Any decent salesman should bite your hand off...

Good luck.

I might try Abarth Glasgow at the weekend - at least to have a nosey at the car in the metal.

[Martin_M]

I reckon they are big enough in the back for baby seats, no? My neighbour fits one in her tt without too much of an issue.

[Martin_M]

white_goodman said:

+1

Ran one (a 1.2 Pop) for 3.5 years and 30,000 miles with no issues. Much better quality interior than my mum's old Cinquecento Sporting. We chose it over the Suzuki Swift and Mazda 2 mainly for the interior, which feels pretty special for a cheap car. Get one with a leather steering wheel though, the standard plastic one is horrid! I would happily run his and hers 500s. A red Twinair convertible for her and a black Abarth 500 hardtop for me! Avoid the diesels though (not worth the hassle IMO) and if fuel economy is really important to you, the 1.2 will do 50mpg all day long! With regards to baby seats etc, you can get them in but it is quite awkward getting them between the front seat and the door frame (need to tilt the car seat) and you can get a Quinny Buzz in the boot if you take the wheels off but the slope on the bootlid restricts what you can get in there somewhat!

Thanks for that. Seems like a good overview from Evo:

http://www.evo.co.uk/buying/buyingguide/288967/aba...

[Martin_M]

Backtobasics said:

Keep the M135i and buy a second hand abarth for £7000?

I talked to the other half about that who said no way after about 10s - in all honesty, it wouldn't be afforable.

I don't know why I like the look of the abarth so much - I think it's the fact that I can have some fun tuning and modifying it without going bankrupt whilst at the same time spend a lot less on fuel than I currently spend on the bmw. I don't know though - I go through phases of wanting something else and then being happy with what I have.

[Martin_M]

lord trumpton said:

I've always thought the 500 is a bit of a poofters car.

Keep the M135i

I've heard that a few times but many said/say the same about the boxster which I had...maybe I need to come out.

[Martin_M]

I do like the cooper s I have to admit.

Just been reading reviews of Abarth Glasgow and they are awful. Not all that surprised given it's Arnold Clark but some recent posts on the owners forum has put me right off buying from them. It's a pity as they buy in such volume that they can offer superb discounts.

[Martin_M]

TLandCruiser said:

Why would anyone buy two of exactly the same car, sorry but it's retarded

So is posting the same thing twice within a minute.

Thanks to everyone else for your contributions. Unfortunately, Uncle Arnold seems to dominate in terms of Abarth in Scotland but I'll head over today or tomorrow and have a look.

[Martin_M]

Nikko 40691 said:

I like the Abarths, it's just that terrible driving position that lets them down.

Yeah, I've heard the seats are pretty high and the steering wheel adjusts for rake only which may pose a problem with my long legs!

[Martin_M]

Pesty said:

Buy the wife a used 500 get a new boxter.

Isn't a new boxster close to £40k alone?

[Martin_M]

Pesty said:

Ok newly new then

I like your thinking but I can't see it working in practice - need to trade the beemer in if I can't sell it privately - not so sure I'd get a great trade in price against an abarth and used finance always seems to be very high.

[Martin_M]

Visited Arnold Clark Abarth today - the Monza exhaust sounds immense and with the xenons and sabelt seats is the obvious choice. Rough figures were along the lines of £250 deposit and the same per month for a pre-registered example which they charge around £17488 for.

The thing that annoys me about Uncle Arnold though is that the cars in the compound often look pretty shabby. Granted they are awaiting prep and have the protectors in place but I found various chips and scratches on supposedly new motors! The trade off I suppose is that many dealers can't get near their prices because they buy so many.

As for the buying two option - the salesman would have had to speak to his manager, understandably, but suggested a saving of ten to twenty bucks per month on payments - don't know if that's good or not. He did say what others on here have hinted at though, they don't make huge amounts on each car due to the significant discounts offered.

In an ideal world, I would like to have a 595 with the monza exhaust whilst having something a level up (like my M135i) or some sort of big pick-up. Unfortunately, the figures don't stack up against the first option so I'm keeping an open mind as technically two cars isn't a necessity in our household and I may await the new RS and Civic Type R.

I did notice a rather tasty £1k deposit £399 per month on a new subaru impreza sti but I don't want to pay £500 year on tax!

Edited by Martin_M on Sunday 24th August 15:27

[Martin_M]

I thought it would be worthwhile giving a short overview of my dealer experience:

I used Westover Abarth's on-line p/x valuation and enquiry form and after 2 days hadn't heard anything. On the third day, I used their on-line chat service and explained the situation to a representative who advised that she would ask them to call me or leave me an e-mail if they couldn't get me - NOTHING.

I then visited Arnold Clark Abarth in Glasgow - I noticed several brand new Abarths in the compound with the car protection wrapping still on the bonnets, yet one had a chip out of the front bumper and another scratches in various places. The salesman then showed me a 595 Turismo but because it didn't have xenons it wasn't a turismo and must be a mistake from the factory - jeez!When I explained I would probably prefer to buy new due to the marks on the cars in the compound - the reply was that the damage could be resprayed - fair enough but not for me - I want one perfect from the factory. The slightly irritating thing is the salesman didn't show any sort of awareness that a prospective buyer would want a pristine example.

I left uncertain but called yesterday to ask for a p/x valuation and a deal to be worked out for me. I was promised a call back yesterday evening - I have heard nothing since.

I then contacted Bauer Millet Abarth in Manchester who did actually get back to me...only to advice they have relinquished the Abarth franchise.

Needless to say, I give up. I would have liked one but I'm not desperate for one so I'll look elsewhere.

[Martin_M]

I have given a final chance to Arnold Clark Edinburgh - he will definitely call tonight with prices - I will let you know lol

[Martin_M]

Thanks guys. The salesman from Edinburgh called back to advise his manager intends to call their bmw dealer in the morning to get me a p/x price - hopefully we can do a deal.

To be honest, most folk probably think I'm mad going from the M135i to an Abarth but it's a no brainer to me. I'm paying £400 per month for a car that's sitting on the drive every day (due to a change in job that sees me commute now). I'd rather pay a fraction of that for something fun and sporty and something I can mess around with over time!

Will update with how things go.

[Martin_M]

So...Arnold Clark Edinburgh called me back this morning with a deal which was almost £1k more expensive than their on-line deal.

I'd appreciate peopoles' views on this...the advertised deal is here:

http://www.arnoldclark.com/new-cars/abarth/595/1.4...

The manager advised that the guaranteed future can change at any time and he would need to call the marketing department on Monday to have the above example changed. Is this really the case folks?

Rather than the £249 deposit above, they wanted £423 and then £265 per month with the same final payment. When I called back to query it, the manager brought it down to £252 per month (I don't exactly know how but there was some reason given).

Essentially then, I was using the advertised figures as a starting point for negotiations when in reality, it seems that the starting point is actually much higher.

Are they simply trying to make more money or is the manager genuine?

Thanks

[Martin_M]

Thanks for your input folks - good to hear your thoughts. Would you believe the original salesman in Edinburgh (who was actually a genuinely nice guy) called me back asking if I would take the plunge if they did indeed get to the advertised figures. I politely explained that given the previous offers, I actually felt quite insulted that they would suggest this is actually possible - I think he understood but had perhaps been told to ask.

All a money game at the end of the day I suppose.

I know the abarth has its flaws but for me it represents a sporty, good looking (subjective perhaps) car which sounds good, isn't exactly slow and is pretty economical - basically a car I wouldn't resent driving hard and doing a lot of miles in when I can. The BMW however is so capable but somehow lacking in excitement for me and, combined with high monthly payments and a low mpg when driven hard, just doesn't make me really enjoy driving it.

Back to the drawing board I guess.