Price Good time to buy?

[Doubtingthomas]

I visited my local dealer yesterday. (Gordons Honda Bolton). On the forecourt were about twelve New Civics, all pre-registered '57', with discounted prices of over £1500 on each. There were three door and five door models, petrol, diesel, various colours, no CTR's or i-shifts, all manual. The dealer had bought them, registered them, as probably all of the dealers do, to meet targets, and now wants shut. Delivery mileage only. Perhaps there are other dealers offering similar deals. Do they represent a good buy?
If this posting should be in the 'For Sale or Wanted' thread perhaps Pottsy will kindly move it there.

[Humano]

Check if they are 2008 version. If so, go for them!

[jaydh]

depends how long they have been sitting there, this should affect the price. the new 2008 model has a couple of improvements over the 2007 so might be worth finding out which one they are...

usually, honda dont give much of a discount so any discount isnt bad on a car but these are 2nd hand which will affect resale value a little. i would try going to another dealer and seeing if they would do a deal on a brand new one (which wont be as much as £1500 off most likely) but offer a mid point between book price and these deals. i doubt this dealer would do many deals on new ones seeing as they have so many used waiting to be sold.

[HumberMart]

I'd guess they'd still have a further £500 on those pre-reg'd to play with.

IMHO if you wanted a brand new one first reg'd in your name (but Dec 07 reg) you'd find a dealer or two offering £1,500 discount.

However if they were 08MY, then maybe the £1,500 discount is very good indeed.

[jaydh]

i would push hard for a deal as well but quickly but i think for the best deals the car needs to be delivered in December, meaning a used car, december is always quiet for dealers, plus its quiet anyway. so if you want a car quickly and arnt fussed on if its an 07 or 08 or new/2nd hand, i would tell the salesman you want a car in december and make them a fair but low offer, eg another £1000 off the marked price, this will give you some indication how desparate they are and hopefully get a good deal

[Doubtingthomas]

The cars I referred to are apparently '07' models. I am not personally interested in purchasing a new car as I have only just purchased, six weeks ago, a '57' ES i-shift for £1500 discount as a cash sale with no part exchange, but not at my local dealer.

Thank you for your comments guys. I initiated the thread as a point of interest/general discussion. I think it goes to show just how much car dealers are prepared to drop their prices to "move metal", and still make a profit, no doubt. I just wonder what kind of a part exchange price you would get if you seriously entered negotiations on one of these cars.

jaydh - I like your style. I personally feel you are getting close to the best deal when tears start to form in the salesman's eyes.

I also think that even better deals will come along in the spring if the economic climate worsens, but at the end of the day, what matters is 'how much does it cost to change'?

[Humano]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

The cars I referred to are apparently '07' models. I am not personally interested in purchasing a new car as I have only just purchased, six weeks ago, a '57' ES i-shift for £1500 discount as a cash sale with no part exchange, but not at my local dealer.

Thank you for your comments guys. I initiated the thread as a point of interest/general discussion. I think it goes to show just how much car dealers are prepared to drop their prices to "move metal", and still make a profit, no doubt. I just wonder what kind of a part exchange price you would get if you seriously entered negotiations on one of these cars.

jaydh - I like your style. I personally feel you are getting close to the best deal when tears start to form in the salesman's eyes.

I also think that even better deals will come along in the spring if the economic climate worsens, but at the end of the day, what matters is 'how much does it cost to change'?

I have postponed my buy until 2008 though they had the 2007 version ready to be given, but I finally decided to wait. I hope they don't take too much time to give me the 2008 version car.


How long do they take in GB if they don't have it?

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Humano

I have postponed my buy until 2008 though they had the 2007 version ready to be given, but I finally decided to wait. I hope they don't take too much time to give me the 2008 version car.


How long do they take in GB if they don't have it?

Or, how long is a piece of string? Honda Spain and it's dealers will want to shift the 07 models first prior to introducing 08 models I would have thought. Just keep an eye on things. With patience you will find the car you are looking for. Good luck!

[Humano]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

Or, how long is a piece of string? Honda Spain and it's dealers will want to shift the 07 models first prior to introducing 08 models I would have thought. Just keep an eye on things. With patience you will find the car you are looking for. Good luck!

I suppose that it depends on the dealer. The dealer near me only have tangerine 08.
Well, let's see what happens on January.

[jaydh]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

jaydh - I like your style. I personally feel you are getting close to the best deal when tears start to form in the salesman's eyes.

thanks! they can only say no and they will if its too cheeky, so go in low and see what happens

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by jaydh

thanks! they can only say no and they will if its too cheeky, so go in low and see what happens

Also be willing to get up and walk away when they say they can't do the deal. Sometimes this changes their minds. And remember there are other dealers to try too.

[jaydh]

exactly, luckily we didnt need to go round each dealer for the FN1 cos the one which we went to, after negotiations, gave us 1k off the list price

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by jaydh

exactly, luckily we didnt need to go round each dealer for the FN1 cos the one which we went to, after negotiations, gave us 1k off the list price

I suppose for every one person like us though there are nine others that get fleeced. At the end of the day though they make money on every sale, so I try to make sure they make as little from me as possible.

[Topcat]

I was thinking March would be a good time to buy just after the new releases, think I may get rid of my pile of noise ridden junk then especially as the dealership seem unable to stop any of the noises

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by Topcat

I was thinking March would be a good time to buy just after the new releases, think I may get rid of my pile of noise ridden junk then especially as the dealership seem unable to stop any of the noises

Shall you be swaping it for another civic TC?

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by Dimplyred

Shall you be swaping it for another civic TC?

Like the look of it DR but dont think I can risk another one as it will have to be used and I cant face more hassle

Not sure what to look at to be honest , maybe Seat Leon and Golf !!

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by Topcat

Like the look of it DR but dont think I can risk another one as it will have to be used and I cant face more hassle

Not sure what to look at to be honest , maybe Seat Leon and Golf !!

Oh dear!!

[Doubtingthomas]

Originally Posted by Topcat

Like the look of it DR but dont think I can risk another one as it will have to be used and I cant face more hassle

Not sure what to look at to be honest , maybe Seat Leon and Golf !!

Come on, TC, I just think you have a low pain threshold. You just love your Civic!

Seriously, you seem to have had more than your fair share of hassle and disappointment, but the Civics being turned out now are a different animal to the early ones. No car is perfect and you may get a fantastic deal when you return to your dealer in the spring in view of your history.

[Dimplyred]

Originally Posted by Doubtingthomas

Come on, TC, I just think you have a low pain threshold. You just love your Civic!

Seriously, you seem to have had more than your fair share of hassle and disappointment, but the Civics being turned out now are a different animal to the early ones. No car is perfect and you may get a fantastic deal when you return to your dealer in the spring in view of your history.

Or they may not touch it with a barge pole.... She may have to take it to another dealer where they don't know it's history.

[Topcat]

well some good news at last, just spoke to the dealership and they have finally heard the rumblings at the back of the car and are investigating .......................but seem unable to hear the rattle