Question:
I'm thinking about replacing my old Seat Ibitha with a new car. I took a test drive on a Focus the other day, and was thoroughly impressed (although I didn't let on). After much haggling and waving some printouts from online traders at them, I got the price down substantially. I suspect that now is a good time from the buyer's point of view, as most people will be holding back until August for the new registration plates, and the salesmen are keen to make extra sales to meet their monthly targets. Next month, with the higher demand, the sellers are in a stronger position. Martin's article here:
indicates that the end of September is a good time to buy due to quarterly sales targets.
Part of me is tempted by the Focus I test drove, the more analytical side of me tells me to test drive a few other models too, and take my time over this major decision. Each time I test drive will give me more chance to observe the salesmens' tactics, and improve my haggling skills too.
Any other thoughts on the best time of year to buy?
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I wouldn't go for a new car myself, what about a preregistered one, or exdemo you should be able to save loads that way, and yes I'd go along at the end of the month when they trying to make their sales targets.
Why not try a few British built cars? Toyota (Derby) Nissan (Sunderland) Honda (Swindon).
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I have to agree with penrhyn ........ exdemo or prereg or even a year old ...... never ever buy new ........ ive learnt that lesson already
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Just after the registrations change - end of January and end of August, I think. However, I also agree with the other two - depreciates as soon as you drive it off the forecourt, so why waste money?
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The car I was considering the other day was pre-registered.
I'm not really bothered about where the car is made. The British car industry exploited peoples' patriotism to get them to buy complete crap for many years.
Yes the likes of Toyota are now producing decent British-built cars, but I'm much more concerned about getting a good car at a good price than where it's made.
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I'm thinking about replacing my old Seat Ibitha with a new car. I took a test drive on a Focus the other day, and was thoroughly impressed (although I didn't let on). After much haggling and waving some printouts from online traders at them, I got the price down substantially. I suspect that now is a good time from the buyer's point of view, as most people will be holding back until August for the new registration plates, and the salesmen are keen to make extra sales to meet their monthly targets. Next month, with the higher demand, the sellers are in a stronger position. Martin's article here:
indicates that the end of September is a good time to buy due to quarterly sales targets.
Part of me is tempted by the Focus I test drove, the more analytical side of me tells me to test drive a few other models too, and take my time over this major decision. Each time I test drive will give me more chance to observe the salesmens' tactics, and improve my haggling skills too.
Any other thoughts on the best time of year to buy?
I usually go for year old cars....you should get an instatnt discount of the vat plus normal wear and tear depreciation....some dealers are jokers though
however i bought my Peugeot 307xsi from new 3.5 years ago......i haggled down to 13K (list 16K) which was 1.5K under whatcar target price and 1K less than a year old same spec car that was on their forecourt!
I also got 0% for 3 years - so the car cost me nearer 12500 as i put my car money into a savings account - obviously not being such a new model now you should be able to get good discounts on these cars.......
i bought mine at Christmas - went in there 3 or 4 days before - probably their leanest time - hehe!!
didnt like the old focus thought is was crap - a repmobile..cant comment on the new one though...
bought my wife a 7 month old Merc a class LWB (Long wheel base not the more common SWB) just as the new one was launched (which isnt hugely different)...however most of the depreciation on these is in the first year - we paid £10K (merc forecourt price was 11200) with 8000 miles - new was 17500 (you'd be insane to pay that - in fact some people pay £25K for a full spec a class - they should be committed)!!
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If you do decide to buy a new car always buy it in the last week of the month. If the garage is short on its targets you'll get the best deal then.
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and when they have gone as low as they are prepared to dont forget to get them to add fuel,tax,mats and flaps.
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... or roof racks as they cost a fortune on gutterless cars nowadays ...
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try ringing G r vehicle contracts on 01274 832525 there service and prices are great.
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Off the subject a bit. I bought a car around 6 months ago for just under £7000, I want to change it for a diesel but don't want to buy a more expensive car or take out additional finance. Would garages consider a straight swap for a slightly cheaper car? Or would they likely hammer down my car's value to lower than it actually is.
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dealerships dont worry so much about end of month targets any more. if they are a few cars shorts of losing out on a bonus, they will just buy and pre-register them, to get the figures.
as they know that most people want to be seen to get a bargain, punters tend to fall for the pre-reg deals rather than buying new. all in all, both sides win, the garage gets their bonus, plus some, and the buyer gets a car at a greatly discounted price.
Flea
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We have perhaps foolishly bought our last two cars from new, but both thru' the web, for massive discounts, which the dealers can't match. Test drive as many as you can, see what the best deal is, present them with an Internet equivalent, and then walk away. I know people who have had price matching success, but we didn't. So we thanked them for the drive etc (which really helped us) and bought from the web. Full payment on delivery - I'd be wary about deposits.
My Clio came from newcars-uk.com (they do renualt, peoguet, vauxhall) with free delivery to your door, and no deposit!
Wife bought a citroen from motorpoint.co.uk (who actually have a few forecourts around the country too, so we could collect, and part/ex)
We saved thousands! And are very happy. With these savings we've considerably covered much early depreciation, with the benefit of hand picking exact model and spec. A deserved treat for such good money savers!
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We tend to swap quite frequently, so have bought at all times of the year. Car forecourts tend to be emptier when the weather is bad, so late autumn/winter tends to be the best time to buy, especially if there is a run of bad weather. Be warned though, at larger garages you will spot a number a number of salesmen waiting to pounce as soon as you get within close proximity of the door.
I wouldn't recommend buying new either - you lose thousands as soon as you drive it. Have had pre-registerd and exdemo and we have hardly lost on them.
Personally, I would recommend cars made in Germany or Japan - generally strong and reliable. Also, do your homework as for instance Seat are spanish, but are very good cars as the company is owned by Vaulkswagen (German). We haven't found French cars to be very good in quality or drive (Renault or Peugeot).
Once you have shortlisted the cars you fancy, again do your homework. Some companies facelift quite a bit, so you might get a bargain at the end of a run. Also, when it is the end of a model line lots of things will be thrown in free - alloys, sat nav, air con, leather seats etc. As the reg is still new and you have all the extra's, you are unlikely to lose much, even though there is a new model out.
My other tip would be prepared to travel. Go to a car supermarket to check out the type of cars you like. Then look on the internet eg Autotrader site for deals with dealers elsewhere in the country (you can put in how many miles you are willing to travel). We have saved thousands this way.
And finally, always be cheaky at larger dealers. Ask if they will throw in mats and servicing etc free - if you don't ask you don't get!
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Have a look at Motorpoint, they have quite a good website and have sites in Burnley and Derby (I think)