www.boxertrix.com

Is the car retail industry still on its knees and are they prepared to bend over backwards for a sale?

As standard, Renault are generally offering 0% finance over 4 years and about 6% off list. That's about as good as I could get off them today apart from 50% off some additional extras.

Is that OK or should I be trying harder?

Have a gander in WhatCar? mag - they have a 'target price' with which you can arm yourself.

Too many cars for sale not enough buyers!
This deal looks good as the dealers are trying to shift stock to meet their targets before the end of March. However, buy now and car takes a hit in April which is next quarter!

I would wiat either to the last week of March to push harder, or wait to April when the new deals come in.

Either way its a buyers market.

More discount than that on Renault is available depending on model, we looking at the moment for a Scenic replacement and even VW are roun the 9%. I've got What Car here, give us a model and spec and I'll get a Target Price. They have a helpline too if your local dealer won't play ball - might mean dealing with a volume dealer with not much aftercare service however.

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As somebody who spent many years in the motor trade, I feel that maybe I can add a few words here!!

Todays 'good' new car deals are tomorrows cheap part exchange.

If you want the best way of using your money, then buy a very late car - maybe 6 months old.

If you would like a suggestion, then try Fords of Winsford

www.fow.co.uk

No, it is not a Ford dealer - it is the family name.

If they haven't got what you want today, then try again tomorrow because they sell over 1000 cars a month!!!

I know them very well - they are genuinely 'nice people to do business with' - unlike the ones who originally used that phrase!!!!

They usually have about 1200 cars in stock - and that means in stock - there and physically able to be viewed, tested etc etc. If you go there and you don't buy something, then it is your fault. It means that you are not trying.

Do I have an interest - yes - but only as somebody who has done business with them for a long time. There are others like them but they are the only ones that I know that I would fully trust!!!

sandbar

Quote "buy now and car takes a hit in April which is next quarter! "
Sounds dreadful, but who buys a car just to watch the part ex value? When I buy a car the one thing that I know is that it will never go up in value. I buy a car to drive it, and if it is efficient and has the attributes that I need, it is the correct car for me.
The same goes for the bikes. I don't care what they are worth. If I did then I would not take them out on the road and risk my investment. If I were worried about how much money I would lose then I would put the money into a bank account.

boxerpan wrote:More discount than that on Renault is available depending on model, we looking at the moment for a Scenic replacement and even VW are roun the 9%. I've got What Car here, give us a model and spec and I'll get a Target Price. They have a helpline too if your local dealer won't play ball - might mean dealing with a volume dealer with not much aftercare service however.

Thanks for the responses chaps. To be honest I'm happy with the Scenic I have which has given good service and would drive it until it fell to pieces. However, the Missus wants a new one for street credibility on the school run.

The model I'm looking at is the 2.0 (WT 136) Auto Privilege. with about 2k of extras including the Luxury Pack (leather & sunroofs & roof bars), parking sensiors, tow bar, heated front seats, metalic paint etc.

I take it this is one of those primitive petrol-burning ones??

Serious question - why not a Diesel?

julian wrote:........... 2.0 (WT 136) Auto Privilege. with about 2k of extras including the Luxury Pack (leather & sunroofs & roof bars), parking sensiors, tow bar, heated front seats, metalic paint etc.

Christ - that lists out at £21K - for an uprightl Megane Estate????

FOW have 2005 1.6 Priv (but a manual) 900 miles at £11999.

Let somebody else have the depreciation - you know it makes sense!!

sandbar

If P/X prices come into it,you'll need a secondhand VW/Audi/BM/Merc bought at the right price thats the only hope you've got,and even that is iffy,VW golf TD 150's held up well untill recently and the arse has fallen out of those!!!

Certainly anything petrol,unless it's a runaround are very difficult to shift..

New cars are even worse than new bikes,Ok if you can stand the financial kicking, alternatively keep e'm longer.

AS Lloyd said,hunt around,cars are way cheaper up here than darn sarf,but then the aftersales thing is a long way away.

Gromit wrote:I take it this is one of those primitive petrol-burning ones??

Serious question - why not a Diesel?

Oil burner would have been first choice (300Nm torque) but it's not available in the Scenic range when coupled to an auto box.

I don't do manuals - gives me calluses .

We test driving a T*yota Verso at the w/e, the 2.2 diesel is supposed to have a fair bit of torque. We've had a Tdi Scenic new since 98 and it's about ready for the skip, still not sure about the new shape (esp the Grand??) so it looks like we'll steer away from Renault. Hired a VW Touran for the w/e in February but it was the 1.9 TDI and a bit rough at motorway speeds and god it's boring to look at and the 2.0 TDI version is too much money for a shopping trolley. The Vauxhall dealers round here have an awful reputation and the Ford is too smal for us lot.

Lloyd - Ann & I have been looking at something to replace our Shitroen C5 and as we fancy something a tad smaller we took a gander at a Seat Altea. Must admit, despite initial reservations we were very impressed indeed. Golf floorpan and mechanicals but 000's cheaper and with a far funkier interior. Nice car, feels very solid too.

Only thing is you can't get a 7-seat version (if that's what you want).

Gromit wrote:Lloyd - Ann & I have been looking at something to replace our Shitroen C5 and as we fancy something a tad smaller we took a gander at a Seat Altea. Must admit, despite initial reservations we were very impressed indeed. Golf floorpan and mechanicals but 000's cheaper and with a far funkier interior. Nice car, feels very solid too.

Only thing is you can't get a 7-seat version (if that's what you want).

Occasional 7 seat use (or 5 plus collie and lurcher) required. Other one to try is the Mazda 5 but I think that will struggle a bit like the smaller Touran engine

boxerpan wrote: Occasional 7 seat use (or 5 plus collie and lurcher) required. Other one to try is the Mazda 5 but I think that will struggle a bit like the smaller Touran engine

Ah.

Scrub that suggestion then!