When is the best time to buy a car?

JoJo123

Hi guys - Probably an incredibly stupid question but considering the current economy I dont want to rush into spending a fortune then find out in a few months, i could have saved myself a few grand. Does anyone have any opinions on when is the best time of year to buy a car? I want an 08 Opel Corsa and was going to wait until the end of the year, apparently when Sales guys are under pressure to meet sales targets or should I wait until Jan 2009?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Anan1

Prices only ever go one way.;)

Biro

Are you trading or buying straight?

fricatus

Anan1 wrote: »

Prices only ever go one way.;)

Aren't they falling at the moment for second-hand cars, as dealers try desperately to clear depreciating metal off their forecourts and get some much-needed liquidity into their coffers?

...or are the huge discounts I'm seeing at almost every dealership, the reports in the papers and that new SIMI website all figments of my imagination?

Cyrus

there is no good time to buy a nearly new corsa

Anan1

fricatus wrote: »

Aren't they falling at the moment for second-hand cars, as dealers try desperately to clear depreciating metal off their forecourts and get some much-needed liquidity into their coffers?

...or are the huge discounts I'm seeing at almost every dealership, the reports in the papers and that new SIMI website all figments of my imagination?

Yes, they're falling now. And they're going to keep falling. Like I said, prices only ever go one way.:)

-Chris-

Biro wrote: »

Are you trading or buying straight?

V. important question. You may get more discount towards the end of the year, but if you're trading in your car's depreciating too!

Also, if you're buying an '08 Corsa that's an ex-hire drive then you'll only get them for a month or two. If you wait until too late, all that'll be left is the crap.

If you own a car that you're trading in/selling, it's never worth as much as it's worth today.

geoff29

Without question - I would wait and see what the budget has in store. It's only a few weeks away now. Question, do sales people not have figures to meet for the end of each month? Was in a dealer a few weeks back and that was what I was told.

Like the others said though - surely there is a nicer car to buy than a Corsa?!? Fiat 500?!

JoJo123

Hi guys, thanks for replying.

I am planning on getting rid of my beaten up 99 Toyota Yaris but I dont think anyone in their right mind would take it off my hands...think scrappage is the only way with that one...or sell it to a poor student! I have written that off in terms of making money anyway.

I have been looking around for a while and defo like the corsa 3-door sxi, I had a corsa years back and loved it. Just need it for a little city run around and the occasional long trip. I want something that won't break down and looks pretty...what more could a girl ask for?

Anyway, I am thinking of hanging on until maybe the start of December to see what happens. Either way I am in the best position here if everyone is right and the prices are only going down.

S.I.R

buy a new car... pref high end spec at the end of the year... then Regester it the next year on a new year plate... i.e buy now, reg it 09... Save yourself a few pound as they get the new shape new issue models A.S.A.P so shifting the older ones is a mian proirity.



speaking of the yaris... how much ?? might make an ideal birthday present for myself...

shoelaceface

whats the story with scrappage now.. how much do ya get..

Biro

S.I.R wrote: »

buy a new car... pref high end spec at the end of the year... then Regester it the next year on a new year plate... i.e buy now, reg it 09... Save yourself a few pound as they get the new shape new issue models A.S.A.P so shifting the older ones is a mian proirity.



speaking of the yaris... how much ?? might make an ideal birthday present for myself...

You can't do that anymore. The garage can't sell it to you unregistered, they have to register it before they sell it to you. Therefore they'll quote you the Jan price of buying. Either way, they'd have a certain margin on what they can give you as a discount off a brand new car. They'll give you more off it now than in the New Year for sure, but the difference probably won't equal the amount that the "year older" car will depreciate by.
You could ask them straight out "Whats the cash price for one of these?" and then after they reply, ask "What about in January? Will you give me the same discount?"

S.I.R

Biro wrote: »

You can't do that anymore. The garage can't sell it to you unregistered, they have to register it before they sell it to you. Therefore they'll quote you the Jan price of buying. Either way, they'd have a certain margin on what they can give you as a discount off a brand new car. They'll give you more off it now than in the New Year for sure, but the difference probably won't equal the amount that the "year older" car will depreciate by.
You could ask them straight out "Whats the cash price for one of these?" and then after they reply, ask "What about in January? Will you give me the same discount?"

hmm, that trick only works with commericals/trucks then

mama2

Dont know if its worth while waiting until new year to get one??? I want a 05 or 06 and am confused! Does anyone know how much these cars depriciate?

bazz26

mama2 wrote: »

Dont know if its worth while waiting until new year to get one??? I want a 05 or 06 and am confused! Does anyone know how much these cars depriciate?

In before the zombie thread is locked.

A cars's value only goes one way so come January a 05/06 will be a year older than it is now. I would start looking around the middle of Decemeber and see what type of deal you can get but don't be in a big hurry to part with your money at that stage.

ki

Place your own car up for sale on adverts.ie,

Its free and if you sell it. They are listed from 1800 upward on carzone.

The max a dealer is going to give you for it is 500~750 as a trade in, any thing else and they are jacking up the price of the new car you are looking at.

I would price it around the 800~1000 mark this way you are still making a couple of hundred.

Also you save when you go to dealer as the always have the highest price up on car to allow for trade-in's.

I know it seem like a lot of work but you could save 1000 ~ 2000 this way.

Good Luck!

Alanstrainor

Thread closed.
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