Buying from Dealers

Hi...I know I'm hardly around but...I need good old org help!

My parents have decided they want to buy me a car, and who am I to refuse? lol!

My dad likes buying from dealers, but as it's my car, I'm going to have to do the main haggling etc

Can anyone help by giving me advice on what I should argue/haggle/walk away from? Are they secretly quite flexible?
DO I want warranties?
Will dealers lower their prices?
Do I want to insist on MOTs/Tax/servicing/new tyres/car mats or anything like that?

Thanks so much!

[punyXpress]

Just use your feminine wiles.

[embee]

Most important thing is choosing the right car in the first place. If it's a reliable model (as in things generally tend not to go wrong, electrics/trim etc, not just breaking down), in decent condition, with a decent history, from a reputable dealer, then warranties are basically worthless. I'd expect maybe 3 months on major items as part of the basic deal, but wouldn't pay extra for more (you can get cover independently if you feel you want it, then you can at least shop around for what suits you best, but I'd put the extra into a better car in the first place).

Check out the reliability of various makes/models here , doesn't really matter if your exact model isn't there, you'll soon get the picture of which are the more reliable manufacturers and which best avoided.

Check out typical prices for the make/model/mileage/age on Autotrader so you know what is a fair price.

You know how much things like tyres cost, so easy to factor it in. If a dealer is selling a car with well worn tyres what else will they pass on? The car must be roadworthy, they're breaking the law if it isn't. A new MOT or at least a very long existing one is a minimum.

If you can't get the deal you want, walk away, there are literally thousands of cars for sale.

[widepants]

be very care getting the "extra" waranty.A good friends of mine owns a garage and had a camper van in that had engine problems.The waranty would only cover the initial problem of £280 and not the extra damage caused by the intial problem which came to £890.I will be along later after I have chatted with him about this "little" problem and found out the exact details

Originally Posted by widepants

be very care getting the "extra" warranty.A good friends of mine owns a garage and had a camper van in that had engine problems.The warranty would only cover the initial problem of £280 and not the extra damage caused by the intial problem which came to £890.I will be along later after I have chatted with him about this "little" problem and found out the exact details

I think this is the case with most warranty's, was with the one i had.

[Bri w]

What Embee said, and most definitely be prepared to walk away if they won't sweeten the deal. There are loads of dealers desperate for money. A basic 3mth cover just in case its a lemon is a must.

good luck, and watch out for bikers

[timwilky]

My daughter was keen to buy an 18 month old fiesta in the local dealer and asked me for a second opinion.

within about 2 minutes of being on the forecourt the scumbag squirms his way upto her. He having already almost convinced the daughter to buy.

Well sir what do you think?
Was all the damage the one accident or has it been 3?

Pardon!

It has had both front wings replaced, the N/S rear quarter has been repaired and O/s door looks to have at least been repainted, was there a new skin as well.

By the way the N/S front wheel is badly damaged, what was done to the drive shaft and suspension?

Eventually he has knocked £2500 off the screen price and most dischuffed when we get in my car and leave. Went to another main dealer, bought an ex demonstrator with 500 on the clock and still paid less than the sticker price of the first place.

Daughter admits she would have bought it had I not pointed out the defects and now tells friends how the initial place tried to rip her off.


Morel of this story, Take someone who knows with you to look. and be prepared to walk.

[timwilky]

Oh went to one dealer with the wife. Having ascertained our budget we are pointed a section of the display. After 20 mins he comes over and asks are there any of interest.

Have you any that have not been resprayed.

It is policy to make them look there best.


Well it hides the corrosion

What corrosion?
This as I put my fingers through the A post of a Rover 400 I was being shown.

The look of horror from the wife as I push a big hole in the car and she thinks I will have to pay for the damage. And the look of "He isn't going to buy our ****" from the salesman.

[Biker Biggles]

Then theres the thread on here(somewhere)about the BMW main dealer who sold the three series with "full service history"when it didnt have it,and didnt want to know when it broke.
Id get someone who knows to give the car a good inspection as Tim says,but if you are going to do that why not buy private and get much more car for your money?

so why are you wanting to buy from a garage,on a 5 grand car exspect to pay £1500 on top of what you might pay privately,some small car super markets offer good value for money.as to reliability avoid french and italian cars as a gen rule, and the far east cars such as hyundai and chevrolet are at least 5 year behind in build and performance, so go for ford vauxhall or a jap car or even a german car,but vw audi group dont like selling you the right spares and bmw are not any more reliable than a ford and a bmw dealer will charge £110 plus vat and a ford dealer about £55 plus, and bmw will want to charge 1 hour to diagnose the problem how ever small,and if you buy from a dealer look round at private prices get a price in mind and stick to it or just walk out if they cant lower there price,and as for gap insurance its cheaper to buy online