Buying a brand new car for the first time

Snakey

Hi All

I'm planning on buying a brand new car for the first time shortly, to take advantage of the large scrappage scheme offers currently available (I'm scrapping a 98 seat ibiza that has needed a lot of work over the past year or two). Planning to spend about 14k - maybe a mazda2 or opel corsa.

Just wondering if there are any tips anyone here would have so the slick salesmen don't see Muggy McMug here coming and take advantage?

Also a few quick specific questions:

They're already offering large discounts off the so-called list prices. Should I expect more reductions/haggling when discussing it in person? Do they still offer 'for cash' discounts.

I'll be test-driving a few cars. Does a salesman generally come with you? How long should you take the car out for?

Some of the dealerships seem to be offering finance at better rates than the bank. Any thoughts on this/reasons to beware?

Sincere thanks to anyone who can offer anything helpful!

Cheers

Gumbo

just remember that you will only get the 1500e government scrapage if the VRT on the new car is 1500 or more.

ie. my friend just bought a brand new clio and only got 320e from the governments scrappage scheme as the vrt on the clio is already so low!

the car was recently crashed but driving so 320e ws over what it was worth imo but then again she did get 3k discount off hte RRP from Bill Cullen's staff

Snakey

Thanks for taking the time to post those tips, much appreciated.

I'll b shopping around alright. Have at least 3 garages pencilled in for each car I'm interested in!

I'm aware of the VRT restrictions too, cheers.

I think I'm well prepared and have my research done but definitely lack experience so a little wary.

si_guru

Remember to haggle for free mats, mudflaps, 1st service... etc...

willham

I'm in the same boat as the OP, was just going to buy a 'newer' second hand car than what I have already (a 00 Golf), but with the scrappage I'm considering stretching to a brand new one. From what I've seen so far Renault seem to be offering the best trade-in scrappage deals,is this true?

Adrian121

I dont have a scrapper as my car is not old enough but am interested in a cheap new car so I went into a Local Fiat dealer thinking a Punto would do the trick and they've brilliant deals. I was offered a brand new Panda for €8250. Its a bit plain but loads of car for the money:eek:

si_guru

Adrian121 wrote: »

I dont have a scrapper as my car is not old enough but am interested in a cheap new car so I went into a Local Fiat dealer thinking a Punto would do the trick and they've brilliant deals. I was offered a brand new Panda for €8250. Its a bit plain but loads of car for the money:eek:

And "hippy" groovy too! I think they are cool.

Frank_Leach

Buying a new car??
No offence, but why?
There is such good value on second hand machines out there, it would be a shame to tie yourself up in a 5 year hp deal, when the car drops thousands the moment you put it in 1st gear.
You can get A6's two years old for half price! That kind of drop, is what will happen your beloved 2010 model in two years..and you are still paying for it!

It's just a thought, no offence ment..wish you well eitherways

EPM

But a new panda for 7k is hard to Ignore. New Clio for 9k...screw an A6. I'd rather one of each for variety

Frank_Leach

EPM wrote: »

But a new panda for 7k is hard to Ignore. New Clio for 9k...screw an A6. I'd rather one of each for variety

So, you'd rather the two of those, instead of one of "these" ??
Hmm...
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-T-FS/201002196558393/advert?channel=CARS

Shane732

betafrog wrote: »

Rule no.1 when buying a car... SHOP AROUND!! Don't settle on the first dealer because they tell you the prices are fixed by the manufacturer or you think you're getting a great deal. Shop around and make it known you are shopping around, a salesman is at his most willing if he thinks he's gonna lose the sale to another garage.




Some do, some don't. Again shop around, but I've heard a lot are using the scrappage scheme as an excuse for not budging on price.



Usually yes, but again a case of some do and some don't. I usually see it as a bad sign if they can't be bothered to come along on the test drive with you. Keep it out until you've made up your mind. You want be sure you're happy with with a quick spin round the block and you won't pick up on things you won't like without spending a decent amount of time in it. Don't rush and stay out till you're happy you've made up your mind.



It will always end up being with a bank anyway. Do some research on the actual figures and how long the finance is over. You might be surprised on how much it ends up costing, especially if there are balloon payments..

Excellent post - some very good advice that the OP should follow.

Just one other thing - Some people tend to make quick decisions on buying and closing deals. Don't rush it. If you're not 100% happy with the deal walk away. Even if you are happy with the deal say you want another couple of hundred off if he says no then walk away. The dealer will either call you and close the deal or you can go back in and close the deal at the price he was offering...

Best of luck

Shane732

You didn't exactly pick the best example in the world to prove your point! I'd actually take a Cilo over that Audi and I hate Cilo's!!

Frank_Leach wrote: »

So, you'd rather the two of those, instead of one of "these" ??
Hmm...
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-T-FS/201002196558393/advert?channel=CARS

si_guru

Frank_Leach wrote: »

So, you'd rather the two of those, instead of one of "these" ??
Hmm...
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-T-FS/201002196558393/advert?channel=CARS

4 years old, no warranty, petrol 2.0 (25mpg anf €614 road tax?), 100,000 miles....

YES.

EPM

Frank_Leach wrote: »

So, you'd rather the two of those, instead of one of "these" ??
Hmm...
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-T-FS/201002196558393/advert?channel=CARS

Yup. VAG are so incredibly over-rated it's not even funny

ShadowHearth

kceire wrote: »

just remember that you will only get the 1500e government scrapage if the VRT on the new car is 1500 or more.

ie. my friend just bought a brand new clio and only got 320e from the governments scrappage scheme as the vrt on the clio is already so low!

the car was recently crashed but driving so 320e ws over what it was worth imo but then again she did get 3k discount off hte RRP from Bill Cullen's staff

so how much that clio costed all together with all charges and bits?

Frank_Leach

si_guru wrote: »

4 years old, no warranty, petrol 2.0 (25mpg anf €614 road tax?), 100,000 miles....

YES.

Cool....hope you enjoy!
Actually, i ment to pick a diesel version, that wasn't the best example i could have picked at all. There are diesel models in or around that money but...
you prefer the punto. Whatever floats your boat dude..GL

si_guru

He could probably get a 1980 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow as well... Read the OP title "NEW car".

Frank_Leach

si_guru wrote: »

He could probably get a 1980 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow as well... Read the OP title "NEW car".

Yes, i did catch that part. I was just putting forward the argument...why buy new when there is so much 2nd hand value?
Nice to be smart about it though, i am impressed!

Bet you drive a volvo...s40?

argosy2006

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/207/Biarritz/201001196473328/advert?channel=CARS
seems cheap,
but yea why buy a new car ,

bazz26

If the OP wants to buy a new car then go ahead and buy one. There is no better time to buy a new car if you have the money for it. It is a nice feeling to be the first owner of a car, the day you collect it from the garage and that new car smell when you sit into it for the first time. Everyone is entitled to indulge themselves at least once in their life, why not do it with a car? I've done it before but probably will not be in a financial position to do so again, have no regrets and I am happy I had the experience.

The people who are shooting this down seem to forget that someone bought their car new at some stage and throwing out examples of what you could have bought is pointless. I'm sure I could find dozens of other used cars in that price range too but what relevance is it to the OP, that's like saying you bought a 3 bedroon semi in a posh suberb for €500,000 when you could have bought a cottage with 100 acres down the country for the same money. Maybe you don't want the cottage with 100 acres.

luvroad

There are thousands to be saved by taking your time and studying firstly, the make and model of car you want. Look at the reviews your car gets, for example in what car.co.uk. I'm not a fan of car dealers, because most of them don't want to hear about it after you part with your hard earned cash when something goes wrong. Believe me!! It seems like a lot of work for most people to try sourcing a car from anywhere else than a dealer. I've purchased quite a few cars over the years in the UK. They've all got a higher spec than here. Most have full documented service history, and are undoubtedly better looked after.
For example, my sister wanted to buy a new car last year. She decided on a Ford Focus. The new price here was E23000 for a TDCi 90 BHP Studio (Diesel). I bought one in the UK which had 16000 miles done, 11 months old, with alloy wheels, air con, a TDCi Zetec 110 BHP for E12500, including the VRT. It still had two years warranty left, and yes, if anything goes wrong, all she has to do is take it to the nearest ford garage.
This is just one example, and it shows how we're all being ripped off in this country.

smallgarden

Hiya,just wondering when you bought the ford focus,was it diesel and where you bought it in uk.thinking of doing the same,looking for 110bhp diesel ford focus

Guy:Incognito

luvroad wrote: »

For example, my sister wanted to buy a new car last year. She decided on a Ford Focus. The new price here was E23000 for a TDCi 90 BHP Studio (Diesel). I bought one in the UK which had 16000 miles done, 11 months old, with alloy wheels, air con, a TDCi Zetec 110 BHP for E12500, including the VRT. It still had two years warranty left, and yes, if anything goes wrong, all she has to do is take it to the nearest ford garage.
This is just one example, and it shows how we're all being ripped off in this country.

How much was an 11month old focus with 16000 miles here?Completly pointless compareing brand new list price here with 2nd hand UK price and moaning about the price here.

k mac

si_guru wrote: »

Remember to haggle for free mats, mudflaps, 1st service... etc...

Surely mud flaps come with every car at no extra cost ?

Gumbo

ShadowHearth wrote: »

so how much that clio costed all together with all charges and bits?

she walked out the door with the clio for €10,115

MarkN

k mac wrote: »

Surely mud flaps come with every car at no extra cost ?

Yeh they did.










Back in 1987.

One of the most horrific things you can do to a car. It's a car, it will get muddy. Wash it.

Also since 1987, new cars come with matts too so OP don't make a tit of yourself and ask for some. :P

luvroad

Stekelly wrote: »

How much was an 11month old focus with 16000 miles here?Completly pointless compareing brand new list price here with 2nd hand UK price and moaning about the price here.

So you don't think that a year old car with the remainder of a 3 year warranty left is worth half its list price?? You show me where you can buy one please, cos I'd love to know.

galwaytt

Frank_Leach wrote: »

So, you'd rather the two of those, instead of one of "these" ??
Hmm...
http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-T-FS/201002196558393/advert?channel=CARS

too right, and when the Audi gives you a message on the MMI display "Take Me To Your Dealer", you'll be glad you did....

OP, on a lighter note: irrespective of what you buy, your first new car is usually an experience you'll enjoy very much! You can never buy your first new car, ever again !........

Magenta

This thread is from January, the car is probably bought at this stage.