Negotiating price on a new car

Qboot

Hi,

The missus and I are in the market for a new car. We know the exact model and specs we are after, and we are meeting the sales rep tomorrow to discuss our options.

We are very excited, but the thing is, we have never owned a new car before, and this will also be our first experience with a dealer (we've always bought second-hand from private owners). Consequently, we've absolutely no experience in dealing with car salesmen, so I would like to ask if the price of a new car - once all the specs are agreed upon - can be negotiated at all? And if so, can we possibly look at a better price or extra specs, or perhaps better financing options? What is your experience? What to watch out for? I would appreciate any tips.

Thanks!

GustavoFring

Can definitely be negotiated, some models more than others.

Best tactic for negotiations is get prices from multiple dealers - this validates any other pricing you get and allows you to play dealers off each other.

BoardsMember

Always a good idea to go to a few dealers to get some quotes.

Worth noting too that the financing allows them to mark things up, ie finance calculators often allow them enter their commission, within a certain threshold. You might be better borrowing elsewhere, or at least asking them the APR/IRR and the commission built into the finance they quote.

colm_mcm

What make/model are you looking at?

Qboot

That makes sense. It looks like I will be paying a visit to another dealer, see what they say. Thanks.

colm_mcm wrote: »

What make/model are you looking at?

Skoda Octavia, 1.6 Diesel. So far it's a toss between a significantly customised Active or basic Ambition trims. All comes down to the more affordable option for the specs I need.

Idbatterim

what about the option of waiting a few months and bringing in from the uk?

Qboot

Idbatterim wrote: »

what about the option of waiting a few months and bringing in from the uk?

Unfortunately, this option won't work for us for a variety of reasons. I'm afraid Irish market it is. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

bazz26

Qboot wrote: »

That makes sense. It looks like I will be paying a visit to another dealer, see what they say. Thanks.



Skoda Octavia, 1.6 Diesel. So far it's a toss between a significantly customised Active or basic Ambition trims. All comes down to the more affordable option for the specs I need.

There is a new model Octavia due early next year so you could use that in negotiating on the price?

Lantus

Qboot wrote: »

That makes sense. It looks like I will be paying a visit to another dealer, see what they say. Thanks.



Skoda Octavia, 1.6 Diesel. So far it's a toss between a significantly customised Active or basic Ambition trims. All comes down to the more affordable option for the specs I need.

Active trim is very lean. I would get ambition as a minimum as this is the big seller and you often get free extra tech packs subject to offer.

Have one myself, great car.

Henry Ford III

1/. Tell the salesman what you want, and get him tot up the list price. Get it on paper.

2/. Ask him "what's the best you could do that for?"

3/. Repeat at another couple of dealers.

4/. If you need finance tell them that's a possibility.

Geuze

Qboot wrote: »

That makes sense. It looks like I will be paying a visit to another dealer, see what they say. Thanks.



Skoda Octavia, 1.6 Diesel. So far it's a toss between a significantly customised Active or basic Ambition trims. All comes down to the more affordable option for the specs I need.

We got 8.26% off the list price of a new Octavia diesel in 2015.

This year I think the dealer offered maybe 5-6% off, with no haggling on our side, Octavia petrol.

Qboot

Henry Ford III wrote: »

1/. Tell the salesman what you want, and get him tot up the list price. Get it on paper.

2/. Ask him "what's the best you could do that for?"

3/. Repeat at another couple of dealers.

4/. If you need finance tell them that's a possibility.

Thanks Henry. A very sound advice.

Geuze wrote: »

We got 8.26% off the list price of a new Octavia diesel in 2015.

This year I think the dealer offered maybe 5-6% off, with no haggling on our side, Octavia petrol.

Looks promising. Good to know there's some wiggle room for discussion.

mondeo

I was looking at a new Octavia to, but have been aware of a new model coming so I decided to put the cap on it for now. Why buy new old tech I said to myself, unless the discount I get is worth it. I am also seriously looking at a new Hyundai Kona electric, took one for a test drive. To be honest it feels space age compared to driving a fuel powered car. I will hang around a bit and see what the new 2020 Octavia is like first.

colm_mcm

Skoda are steadily moving upmarket so I’d say the next generation will be more expensive. Look at the price of the Scala.

Shefwedfan

Idbatterim wrote: »

what about the option of waiting a few months and bringing in from the uk?

Not every car is Ireland needs to be imported from the UK

Everyone should buy a new car at least once in your life!!!!

R.O.R

Qboot wrote: »

Skoda Octavia, 1.6 Diesel. So far it's a toss between a significantly customised Active or basic Ambition trims. All comes down to the more affordable option for the specs I need.

I don't think you can factory order an Octavia at the moment so you'll be looking at stock models and most them are the Special Edition Soleil model.

Only €200 more than an Ambition I think and the extras are well worth it.

Aim for 6% off the total list price and settle for 5%. Decent discount for you and leaves a few quid in it for the dealer to keep them happy and interested.

bs2014

If you are looking at a factory order, you will find it harder to get a discount. Most dealers and manufacturer will discount cars in stock. End of Jan/July and end of each quarter are good times to buy. For Skoda I would try Al Hayes Skoda, reputation of undercutting and doing great deals on straight buys.

Casati

Octavia Soleil is the model to go for - based on Ambition but LED headlights and half leather for 200 quid extra

If you need finance you can get 0% PCP and probably 6% off the retail price. The 0% finance is worth a lot to you versus finance via bank/ credit union.

If you have a scrappage trade in and don’t need finance you should get 4K off them - even if your scrappage car is worth nothing

New model will be more expensive for sure, Scala is actually dearer than Octavia with same engine/ spec and I don’t know if it will be a big step up from the current model

Qboot

Thanks everybody. All very sound advice.

Given that the new model is coming out soon, we may actually postpone the purchase of a new car another 2 or 3 years, and get it when the new tech is well established. And as someone earlier mentioned, it's stock models for the time being.

We need to think about it but postponing the purchase to get the newer model does seem appealing.

colm_mcm

Maybe look at the Scala?

Shefwedfan

Qboot wrote: »

Thanks everybody. All very sound advice.

Given that the new model is coming out soon, we may actually postpone the purchase of a new car another 2 or 3 years, and get it when the new tech is well established. And as someone earlier mentioned, it's stock models for the time being.

We need to think about it but postponing the purchase to get the newer model does seem appealing.

You only live once....


Why just Skoda?



Seat have really taken a step up...could be an option....also you dont have to drive a Skoda which is always a bonus :P

wowy

R.O.R wrote: »

Aim for 6% off the total list price and settle for 5%. Decent discount for you and leaves a few quid in it for the dealer to keep them happy and interested.

Apols for bumping this, but I presume that kinda ballpark discount is only available for straight purchase, without trade-in.

If you're trading in against a new car, I'm guessing most of the wiggle room/differences between dealers will just come down to value they're putting on the trade-in, and that they're unlikely to give much movement on the list price?

Shefwedfan

wowy wrote: »

Apols for bumping this, but I presume that kinda ballpark discount is only available for straight purchase, without trade-in.

If you're trading in against a new car, I'm guessing most of the wiggle room/differences between dealers will just come down to value they're putting on the trade-in, and that they're unlikely to give much movement on the list price?

What they do is offer you 16k for your car when in reality your car is only worth 14k....the 2k saving you would have made with cash is part of the trade in price......

wowy

Shefwedfan wrote: »

What they do is offer you 16k for your car when in reality your car is only worth 14k....the 2k saving you would have made with cash is part of the trade in price......

Thought as much. My problem is my trade-in is an 11-year old Volvo which has has little value, so there's not much scope to get much of a discount built into a generous trade-in price.

Shefwedfan

wowy wrote: »

Thought as much. My problem is my trade-in is an 11-year old Volvo which has has little value, so there's not much scope to get much of a discount built into a generous trade-in price.

Go to dealer, get a price for trade in against car


Go to another dealer, get a price for buying cash


Then sell car and try to make a few quid profit.....done deal those cars if anyway reasonable will sell.....dont be greedy :P

AMKC

Qboot wrote: »

Thanks everybody. All very sound advice.

Given that the new model is coming out soon, we may actually postpone the purchase of a new car another 2 or 3 years, and get it when the new tech is well established. And as someone earlier mentioned, it's stock models for the time being.

We need to think about it but postponing the purchase to get the newer model does seem appealing.

Wow 2 to 3 years. Maybe have a look at the Renault Megane Grand Coupe which is Renaults name for thee really good looking saloon or the new Peugeot 508. No idea what your budget is but maybe you could get a nice one in budget.
Kia Optima might be another option. Loads of choice need need to but your purchase off for 2 to 3 years. If you feel now is the time then go for it.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

You only live once....


Why just Skoda?



Seat have really taken a step up...could be an option....also you dont have to drive a Skoda which is always a bonus :P

Why whats wrong with driving a Skoda? I have no problem with Skoda or Seat and think they both make really good cars now. In fact they have been for at least the last 20+ years.

Shefwedfan

AMKC wrote: »

Why whats wrong with driving a Skoda? I have no problem with Skoda or Seat and think they both make really good cars now. In fact they have been for at least the last 20+ years.

People buy Skoda because they think it’s better to have a cheap 161 car than a good quality 141. Irish people are obsessed with number plates and it’s always get the newest and not the best

Post on here looking for any recommendation and you have people trying to convince themselves Skoda was a great buy, it’s better than a Passat/Audi and bmw c**p

At the end of the day Skoda is the base of baseline VW, best option for a taxi as you hopefully only ever have to sit in it for a few mins.

Queue loads of posts about how great Skoda is....

uck51js9zml2yt

Shefwedfan wrote: »

People buy Skoda because they think it’s better to have a cheap 161 car than a good quality 141. Irish people are obsessed with number plates and it’s always get the newest and not the best

Post on here looking for any recommendation and you have people trying to convince themselves Skoda was a great buy, it’s better than a Passat/Audi and bmw c**p

At the end of the day Skoda is the base of baseline VW, best option for a taxi as you hopefully only ever have to sit in it for a few mins.

Queue loads of posts about how great Skoda is....

Had an Octavia and now a superb.
Never had a moments issue with the Octavia in the 4 years I had it.
I do 500km a week in the superb and not a problem.

whippet

Shefwedfan wrote: »

People buy Skoda because they think it’s better to have a cheap 161 car than a good quality 141. Irish people are obsessed with number plates and it’s always get the newest and not the best

Post on here looking for any recommendation and you have people trying to convince themselves Skoda was a great buy, it’s better than a Passat/Audi and bmw c**p

At the end of the day Skoda is the base of baseline VW, best option for a taxi as you hopefully only ever have to sit in it for a few mins.

Queue loads of posts about how great Skoda is....

1990 is looking for its opinion back

Skoda is a stand alone brand within the VAG group.

malinheader

Shefwedfan wrote: »

People buy Skoda because they think it’s better to have a cheap 161 car than a good quality 141. Irish people are obsessed with number plates and it’s always get the newest and not the best

Post on here looking for any recommendation and you have people trying to convince themselves Skoda was a great buy, it’s better than a Passat/Audi and bmw c**p

At the end of the day Skoda is the base of baseline VW, best option for a taxi as you hopefully only ever have to sit in it for a few mins.

Queue loads of posts about how great Skoda is....

I was always of the opinion if taxis are seen to be using a certain make of car then this must be a good sign of a good car.

colm_mcm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

At the end of the day Skoda is the base of baseline VW, best option for a taxi as you hopefully only ever have to sit in it for a few mins.

Queue loads of posts about how great Skoda is....

You can hardly expect people not to respond to the drivel you posted there.
Have you been asleep the last 10 years?

bazz26

I wouldn't bother wasting your time, your just arguing with a straw man.

Henry Ford III

colm_mcm wrote: »

You can hardly expect people not to respond to the drivel you posted there.
Have you been asleep the last 10 years?

I bet he drives something absolutely amazing 😉

terrydel

colm_mcm wrote: »

You can hardly expect people not to respond to the drivel you posted there.
Have you been asleep the last 10 years?

The drivers seem happy to sit in them for hours a day, in their droves.

Shefwedfan

It's an opinion.

I have tested loads of cars, all brand, owned loads of different ones.

Over the years a number of times I had the displeasure of getting rental/loan Skoda's. Not a nice place at all to sit for any duration. Different spec but all the same. A significant step down from VW and a huge distance from a Audi.

It's always Skoda drivers trying to tell everyone how great they are, normally current Skoda drivers. Anyone that moves up the brands suddenly never mention a Skoda again

P.S. I dont drive anything magical.One of my cars is a Galaxy so pop anyway

R.O.R

Shefwedfan wrote: »

It's an opinion.

I have tested loads of cars, all brand, owned loads of different ones.

Over the years a number of times I had the displeasure of getting rental/loan Skoda's. Not a nice place at all to sit for any duration. Different spec but all the same. A significant step down from VW and a huge distance from a Audi.

It's always Skoda drivers trying to tell everyone how great they are, normally current Skoda drivers. Anyone that moves up the brands suddenly never mention a Skoda again

P.S. I dont drive anything magical.One of my cars is a Galaxy so pop anyway

I also have driven a good numbers of vehicles over the past few years, in all likelyhood, considerably more than you have, and think Skoda's are very good cars for the most part - Octavia and Superb being right up there, and I rate the Superb higher than the A6 in the previous models.

The seats in the current Octavia are a touch on the firm side, as are the Superb seats. Previous generation models in both did have comfier seats.

I did also own a Skoda in the past, that was a great car - only let down by the VW/Audi parts it had (coil packs on a vRS 1.8T)

pm.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

It's an opinion.

I have tested loads of cars, all brand, owned loads of different ones.

Over the years a number of times I had the displeasure of getting rental/loan Skoda's. Not a nice place at all to sit for any duration. Different spec but all the same. A significant step down from VW and a huge distance from a Audi.

It's always Skoda drivers trying to tell everyone how great they are, normally current Skoda drivers. Anyone that moves up the brands suddenly never mention a Skoda again

P.S. I dont drive anything magical.One of my cars is a Galaxy so pop anyway

Don't agree with you at all, I drive on average 4.5/5 thousand kms per month and I currently drive an A4. My previous car was a superb. The audi is due to be changed soon and I will most likely go back to the superb.

Shefwedfan

Ahh your pushing it a bit far now.....

Next you will be trying to tell us some of you had s Porsche but sold it because you loved your Skoda

colm_mcm

The brother went from A4 to Superb also. Preferred the look of the A4 but says the Superb is better to drive and nicer inside. That’s a manual A4 Sport (not S Line) versus an optioned up Superb Elegance DSG though.

Heres Johnny

I was in a 192 Kodiaq the other day and despite looking really nice on the inside, on closer inspection the materials are not great quality to touch and plenty of hard, scratchy plastics. It was a well specced, dsg gearbox. The guy that had it said it was really nice to drive though.

colm_mcm

Try a Sportage or Tucson and see what their interiors are like. Qashqai or XTrail is even worse again. Of the non premium stuff, I’d say only the Tiguan has a better quality (feeling) interior than the Kodiaq.

Heres Johnny

colm_mcm wrote: »

Try a Sportage or Tucson and see what their interiors are like. Qashqai or XTrail is even worse again. Of the non premium stuff, I’d say only the Tiguan has a better quality (feeling) interior than the Kodiaq.

Agreed, I'd say you're right. I quite like skoda but when people say they're on a par with the premium brands or even better I just have to disagree. And that is said quite a lot around these parts

colm_mcm

Absolutely, VW know that there has to be a reason an Audi costs more.

colm_mcm

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Agreed, I'd say you're right. I quite like skoda but when people say they're on a par with the premium brands or even better I just have to disagree. And that is said quite a lot around these parts

I don’t think anyone sees Skoda as a premium brand.

Is VW a premium brand though?

Casati

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Agreed, I'd say you're right. I quite like skoda but when people say they're on a par with the premium brands or even better I just have to disagree. And that is said quite a lot around these parts[/quote

Skoda has been repositioned with the VW group and rather than being the budget brand anymore it is seen as a straight competitor of Volkswagen and the larger mainstream brands.

Indeed in the case of the Superb specifically it is seen as cheaper alternative to the premium brands but in reality it’s behind the E Class/ 5 series etc. It gets powerful engine options (280ps 4x4 2.0 TSI is the flagship where as the most potent Passat petrol is only 220ps). Available spec can be higher - ie lane assist was in the Superb prior to the Passat, and Xeon lights standard where they are option on Passat up to Highline spec.

Also Skoda often gets the latest engines before they are made available elsewhere in the VW group - the 1.5 TSI was launched in the Octavia before it hit the Golf. The new Octavia will be launched shortly on the platform that the next Golf will use, and it will also get the new 2.0 TDI before it’s seen in VW cars

AMKC

colm_mcm wrote: »

I don’t think anyone sees Skoda as a premium brand.

Is VW a premium brand though?

No. VW is a mass market brand just like Ford, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota, Nissan etc and if they think otherwise they must be high. Audi is there premium brand why would VW be as well? Would not make sense.

colm_mcm

AMKC wrote: »

No. VW is a mass market brand just like Ford, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota, Nissan etc and if they think otherwise they must be high. Audi is there premium brand why would VW be as well? Would not make sense.

What makes a brand premium, I wonder? Audi’s are hardly exclusive any more.

Have you seen the price people pay for mid spec Golfs?