Have you ever bought a new car?

[lilac_lady]

Have you ever bought a brand new car? If so would you recommend doing that or do you regret it?

[Dan29]

I have and wouldn't do it again. The fact that no one else has owned the car before doesn't make up for the huge depreciation you suffer IMHO.

As is being discussed in the Changing cars... Every 3 years or much longer? (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=926687) thread, I'd probably go for a 6 month old car at a 20% or so discount on new price, or something 6 or 7 years old that has already done most of its depreciating, as that's usually the greatest (albeit 'hidden') cost of owning a car.

[h5djr]

I usually buy a new car inorder to get exactly what I want. I don't see the point of spending a lot of money on something that's not to the exact spec and with the exact options that I want. My last 6 cars have all been Audi A3s and I have kept each one around 3 years. In each case, when I have traded in, I've got around 50-60% of the original purchase price plus around 10% discount on the new car.

[nearlyrich]

I have bought new cars in the past and probably will again if I am not having a company car.

[mymatebob]

I have and wouldn't do it again. The fact that no one else has owned the car before doesn't make up for the huge depreciation you suffer IMHO.

As is being discussed in the Changing cars... Every 3 years or much longer? (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=926687) thread, I'd probably go for a 6 month old car at a 20% or so discount on new price, or something 6 or 7 years old that has already done most of its depreciating, as that's usually the greatest (albeit 'hidden') cost of owning a car.

I must admit - I agree totally with this.

New cars are great, until the first scrape/rain/service or whatever it is that makes you think - oh, it isnt new anymore

[Hintza]

Had a new company car once.

But I'm into leasing at the moment....new car every 1-2 years brill.

Sure Ill get an MSE moment in a year or so though........;) But was doing bangereconomis for the previous 15 years.

[Belnahua]

I bought a new car, and didn't get much metal for my dosh really. Great for a month, then you start missing the electric windows, cd player, comfy seats; and you get paranoid about scratches and supermarket car park trollies. Sold it 6 years later for a loss of £8500.

Now I buy 7-8 year old cars (pre scratched) that have all the comforts, and just run them into the ground. I paid £1700 for my car, at present it is now over 11 years old, still going strong and worth £500, so a current depreciation of £300pa!

[Dan29]

I usually buy a new car inorder to get exactly what I want. I don't see the point of spending a lot of money on something that's not to the exact spec and with the exact options that I want. My last 6 cars have all been Audi A3s and I have kept each one around 3 years. In each case, when I have traded in, I've got around 50-60% of the original purchase price plus around 10% discount on the new car.

So you're buying the car for about £15,000 and then 3 years later trading it in for £9,000 or so - i.e. about £2,000 a year depreciation?

Interesting to compare that to leasing which would be more like £3,000 a year.

Hintza you've made some very informative posts in the past about leasing and I know you use www.contracthireandleasing.com (http://www.contracthireandleasing.com), but is there a site that allows someone who's not bothered about a specific make/model to list all deals in order of price? It seems the ideal way to lease if you don't have a particular car in mind is to take advantage of whatever special offers are on at the time.

[david69]

If you buy a car say at 6-7 years old you will of lost alot of the depreciation but dont forget they will go wrong especially something like a 4 by 4

[Hintza]

Hintza you've made some very information posts in the past about leasing and I know you use www.contracthireandleasing.com (http://www.contracthireandleasing.com), but is there a site that allows someone who's not bothered about a specific make/model to list all deals in order of price? It seems the ideal way to lease if you don't have a particular car in mind is to take advantage of whatever special offers are on at the time.


No I don't think so, you need to keep your ear to the ground and think a little latterally. I got interested when I heard about an Audi A6 deal about 18 months ago. I missed it and ended up with a Chrysler 300C...other half wanted a 4x4 for the ponies but I got a year of fun to myself...lol.

I now have a Jeep Grand Cherokee @ £300 + VAT per month for two years. If I owned that I woulld be kaking myself I think the price will drop like a stone but her in doors is happy.

When I got the Jeep the best deal around was a Dodge Nitro @ £150 for 1 or 2 years (*not sure which). I guess Dodge were having trouble shifting them and you would either love it or hate it. But the point is you want to look at cars that arenot very popular such as the American ones.


If your monthly payments divided into the new cost of the vehicle get above 75 you are getting a good deal if it is getting close to 100 it is a fantastic deal. However be careful you check that the dealers aren't offering huge discounts.

So top tips.

Keep checking the car leasing websites
Look for the deal not the car (you don't have to worry about depreciation and you don't have it for years)
Check what offer the dealer will do (they were close on the Jeep when I did the figures but the goalposts have moved in the last two months hugely in favour of leasing on large vehicles)
Check the honestjohn website for best offers they might translate into good leasing deals.
Look out for manufacturers introducing facelift or replacement models.
Keep rentals short for more fun.

What kind of car are you looking for?

Just to add I've just got to that stage in life when a bit of comfort and less hassle is more important than the ultimate cost.

The OH Panda which I had rebuilt from CAT D broke and engine mounting and has been away for over a week and the bill is going to be £400+...argh.

Whilst the Panda I did the same for my daughter is going strong and was an excellent cost effective buy.

[Hintza]

Just had a quick look Dodge Calibers for £129 + VAT per month currently. Lot of car for the money SIL has one and it is OK and more importantly different.

Chevy Captivas under £200.

[elsien]

my last car was a renault clio, bought from new for £8000, lasted for 14 years before any serious(expensive) problems, when I traded it in just before it was about to fail its MOT in a major way.
Now bought a skoda from new (£7500) and I reckon if it keeps going for the same amount of time I'll have had my money's worth.

[Doozergirl]

Is there a site that allows someone who's not bothered about a specific make/model to list all deals in order of price? It seems the ideal way to lease if you don't have a particular car in mind is to take advantage of whatever special offers are on at the time.

You can do this on www.lingscars.com (http://www.lingscars.com)

She's very competitive on price too and her prices include the VAT for personal contract hire which often isn't included on other websites which can make them misleading. When I was looking for my car, I was tired of phoning companies through other websites only to be told that it was for minimal mileage or didn't include the VAT, wasn't available on personal lease. Just felt like a waste of time.

Ling's site takes some getting used to but seems to be much more informative than others.

[Hintza]

She's very competitive on price too and her prices include the VAT for personal contract hire which often isn't included on other websites which can make them misleading.

I think she might be quite good for run of the mill leasing but can't get close on slightly alternative leases.

[MrsE]

I bought a new car, and didn't get much metal for my dosh really. Great for a month, then you start missing the electric windows, cd player, comfy seats; and you get paranoid about scratches and supermarket car park trollies. Sold it 6 years later for a loss of £8500.


I bought my car brand new in Dec 07 (first ever brand new car for me)
& I would never buy second hand again (if I can avoid it).

I have all the toys you mentioned "not" having, electric windows & wing mirrors, air con, cd with control on steering wheel, alloys, front & rear fog lights, other bits n bobs.

For your "loss" of £8,500 over 6 years, did you have 6 years of virtually trouble free motoring? If so thats not too bad for £1,417 per year.

[Just Me]

I did buy a new car once and it was a lovely car but the second hand car I chopped in to buy the new one was much better and I really regretted it. The other new car I got was a nearly new (ex demo) Mini Cooper and it was the best car I ever had I really miss it. I think I would rather go for an ex demo than a new car as you often get some fab extras.

The car I have now is a G reg (about 17 years old) BMW 7 series and it is fantastic I absolutely love it although it is a gas guzzler.

DH always gets new cars - company cars - and they are not always what they are cracked up to be.

[DenBo]

I bought a brand new car a few years ago, it was a Fiesta (new style just before these ones came out a couple of years ago), I absolutely adored having the car, not one single regret. Unfortunately a year or so in I had to sell it because I couldn't afford my new mortgage and the loan for the car, the extra money on the car loan was the same as how much my mortgage had to go up! I lost £2,500, but three years ago I didn't care, I could afford it! Whereas now.....................I can't even afford a car! If you can afford it, buy a new car!

[Dan29]

Thanks Hintza - lots of great info there.

What kind of car are you looking for?

Personally I fancy a sporty coupe but am questioning whether it's worth it financially what with the price of fuel and road tax - although I reckon depreciation makes those costs look small fry.

lilac_lady you haven't been back since starting this thread - what sort of car were you thinking of getting?

[Hintza]

Personally I fancy a sporty coupe


You have to be daft once or twice in your life. Have a look at the Chrysler Crossfire (the critics hate it) lease are not bad (again were very cheap just before Christmas and have gone up) but the are cheap as chips second hand.

I think they look good especially the roadster and the engine has a lot of grunt.

[Kez100]

I said I would never buy new ...butjust have.I would still stand by my original statement but there are some circumstances when a new is cheaper than used.

I have purchased an Aygo. New it was £8350 but I got that down to £7775 plus a tank of fuel. Then, there was interest free credit available. That was worth £600 to me leaving my savings in my offset mortgage. So, the new car was £7,200. Because they haven't been on the market for long and are sought after at present due to their fuel economy, I couldn't buy a nearly new second hand one for that price! I could buy a two year old for £6,600 - not worth the difference IMO.

So, new it was. However, I wouldn't buy new again unless I was in exactly the same situation as second hand used usually saves you a fortune.

[TangledMemories]

I bought my current car from brand new. Had it built to the spec I wanted...and I don't regret one minute of it. Had no problems whatsoever with it, dream to drive and there is no chance of me selling it anytime soon.
In fact, I'm in the process of ordering various bits of kit for it to make it look exactly how I want it to.

[wisbech_lad]

Once. In Indonesia, and the method for passing on ownership docs for second hand cars was dodgy, and didn’t ever want to give police an excuse for asking for a bribe.
New car was about 10,000, and depreciation was low. Sold it after four years to friends at 35% less than we paid for it – market price was less 25%.
But in the UK? No way. Of all the cars me, my sisters or my parents have owned (except company cars) all have been second hand, with a lot of inter-family transfers. Bought as demos or from auction.

[AdrianHi]

I have and wouldn't do it again. The fact that no one else has owned the car before doesn't make up for the huge depreciation you suffer IMHO.

As is being discussed in the Changing cars... Every 3 years or much longer? (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=926687) thread, I'd probably go for a 6 month old car at a 20% or so discount on new price, or something 6 or 7 years old that has already done most of its depreciating, as that's usually the greatest (albeit 'hidden') cost of owning a car.
This is the formula for a car that holds it's value well, like the Audi A3 mentioned above. As also said, bit of a 'mare getting the spec. you like this way.
If you are buying a fast depreciating car (like 33%-39% 3 year residual) then hunt for the youngest one you can that is as close as possible to the 33% price. You might find a good deal on a 1 to 2 year old worth having where you've got some warranty cover left.

I am in the one car I bought new now, I might do it again in the future when I have no mortgage to worry about just to have my exact choice, but until then I'll do the 3/6 to 36 month or 6/7 year old BMW and similar or if keen to save more cash a cheap young Vauxhall or similar.

If you like your cars, a penny spent on something you like just because it's £20 a month cheaper than what you'd really like is a bit silly if you can afford the extra £20. Even a bangeromics car is costing a few hundred a month in total ownership costs if you are doing at least "average" miles.

[BillScarab]

We've bought two brand new cars. years ago I bought a brand new Rover, because of who I work for there was 22.5% discount off the price and I kept it for 6 years. The other was in December 06 when we bought a Suzuki Swift for my wife. We looked at second hand but ti was a fairly new model and a year old car was only about £1000 cheaper. As she'd never had a brand new car herself we decided to go for a new one. She is planning on keeping it for a good while so she should get her money's worth.

Apart from the Rover I bought all of my other cars were whatever cheap interesting banger I fancied at the time. Nowadays I get a company car so don't have to worry about it.

[leehal]

I buy new cars using the manufacturers finance schemes i.e. buy the car over 3 years and then pay a balloon payment if you want to keep the car.

I have to buy fairly new for work (we can only keep a car until it is 4 years old), we have a car allowance scheme but there are constraints with regards to the age and value of the car.

Personally I would rather buy new as I know how much my monthly repayments will be, I take out the manufacturers maintenance and tyres schemes too. The only extra payments I need to make are insurance and road tax, I therefore have fixed cost motoring.

I have no doubt it costs me more, but I like the reassurance of knowing how much I will pay regardless of things going wrong with the car or not.

[lilac_lady]

I'm thinking of buying a small car with a 1200cc engine instead of the 1600cc one I have now. I think I'll buy a new one as I plan to keep it for years (accidents permitting, fingers crossed etc). I've never had a new one as I don't buy a car for status, just transport. I like the idea of not having to replace exhausts, tyres etc for a while, also no MOT for 3 years.
I was thinking of a VW Polo, A Ford Fiesta or a Toyota Aygo. I'm sure I'll never be able to buy another new car I'm going to take my time before I decide. Interesting views on new car or secondhand one.

[Stephb1986]

i ordered a brand new car in november and got it in march its lovely got everything i want and i dont regret it one bit the best 25k ive ever spent! i dont think it will depreciate that much its a vw its also a hard top convertible and im thinking of keeping it for a good while as im only 21 :)

Steph xx

[MrsE]

I'm thinking of buying a small car with a 1200cc engine instead of the 1600cc one I have now. I think I'll buy a new one as I plan to keep it for years (accidents permitting, fingers crossed etc). I've never had a new one as I don't buy a car for status, just transport. I like the idea of not having to replace exhausts, tyres etc for a while, also no MOT for 3 years.
I was thinking of a VW Polo, A Ford Fiesta or a Toyota Aygo. I'm sure I'll never be able to buy another new car I'm going to take my time before I decide. Interesting views on new car or secondhand one.

That was my reason, you know you will have x amount of years of trouble free motoring.
You know its never been in a bad crash.
You know how well (or how badly!:rolleyes: ) its been looked after.

My milage is light & I reckon I will get 5 years out of mine & still probably only have 30k or so on the clock. So it will still be ok for a trade in.

Plus you gotta weight up how much you save in not constantly paying out on a car.

Good luck:D

[meester]

So you're buying the car for about £15,000 and then 3 years later trading it in for £9,000 or so - i.e. about £2,000 a year depreciation?

Interesting to compare that to leasing which would be more like £3,000 a year.


According to Glass's:

Audi A3 SE
2.0TD Diesel 3-door Hatchback
6 Speed Manual Front Wheel Drive
Year: 2005 05
Mileage: 30,000
http://www.virtual-showroom.co.uk/networkq/i-nuvv_vaux/spacer.gif
http://www.virtual-showroom.co.uk/networkq/i-nuvv_vaux/hdr_estimatedValue.gif
http://www.virtual-showroom.co.uk/networkq/i-nuvv_vaux/blackDot.gif
http://www.virtual-showroom.co.uk/networkq/i-nuvv_vaux/spacer.gif
Part-exchange Price:
Excellent condition:
£11750
Average condition:
£10600
Below average condition:
£9440
Cost new £20,330

So that's £9k lost. Add in the cost of capital of tying up £20k for 3 years of about £4,500 over 3 years, and it comes to £13,500. About £375/month. Surely not cheaper than leasing.

[meester]

For your "loss" of £8,500 over 6 years, did you have 6 years of virtually trouble free motoring? If so thats not too bad for £1,417 per year.

more than that, you need to take into account the cost of the capital/your interest payments

[AdrianHi]

I'm thinking of buying a small car with a 1200cc engine instead of the 1600cc one I have now. I think I'll buy a new one as I plan to keep it for years (accidents permitting, fingers crossed etc). I've never had a new one as I don't buy a car for status, just transport. I like the idea of not having to replace exhausts, tyres etc for a while, also no MOT for 3 years.
I was thinking of a VW Polo, A Ford Fiesta or a Toyota Aygo. I'm sure I'll never be able to buy another new car I'm going to take my time before I decide. Interesting views on new car or secondhand one.

Smaller engine does not necessarily translate into better MPG (especially on new cars) and the 1600cc might give better fuel consumption on the motorway than the 1200cc of the same age.

Buying new is not going to be money saving over your current older car, and as I often post, when considering a new car check the cost of depreciation first then worry about fuel and finance charges. I've done the sums on cars like the VW Polo for my sister in law before. For low depreciation and therefore lower long term costs it's a choice between Skoda Fabia, Mazda2, Mini One 1.4 with Pepper pack (yes with the incredibly high purchase price but it hold's it's value so well is is the cheapest car here in the long run and it's 1.4 petrol engine gives 53mpg).
The other option is leasing a Vauxhall Corsa (the Fiesta might be just as good as a lease, not checked up on it) which is much cheaper in the long run over 36 months compared to buying and selling unless you can get a 20%+ discount and 0% finance on the whole value of the car over 36 months from a Vauxhall dealer. For hassle free motoring, 10,000 miles a year and if you can afford to pay a 130 to 140 a month lease forever leasing makes a lot of sense. You can take the lump sum you might have sunk into the car and invest it or clear some off the mortgage.
Assuming residual values are as predicted the single cheapest option here is still the Mini if you can finance the £13,500 purchase price - even when you take into consideration finance charges and cost of cash tied up in the car - unless you have high interest loans to clear when the cash is best used for that.

[C_Ronaldo]

Im not sure if id do it again, you could probably get a better spec car for less money if bought second but then finding a car with certain criteria is hard as there could be none for sale,

[lilac_lady]

I've decided to buy a new car. I know it'll depreciate rapidly but as I won't be replacing it for many years (I hope) that doesn't bother me. When people talk about depreciation they should remember that they've had the use of the car to offset that. I've had my present car for over 12 years so think I got my money's worth. I don't do a lot of milage now that I don't need a car for work so once I've bought it it should last a long time.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to post - it helped me decide what to do.

[Twopints]

The biggest chunk of depreciation happens as soon as the car is purchased. By buying "nearly-new" i.e. less than 6 months old as opposed to brand new you can still have the benefit of e.g. manufacturer's warranty, no MOT, but you pay a lot less than new.

[Natty68]

Hubby buys a new car every three years, he pays HP for over the three years then trades it in for another new one. He said he will always keep doing it as he can guarantee that it will get serviced and no MOT for three years. On the other hand I have always bought 2nd hand cars and have not been happy wth three out of four of them.

[AdrianHi]

I've decided to buy a new car. I know it'll depreciate rapidly but as I won't be replacing it for many years (I hope) that doesn't bother me. When people talk about depreciation they should remember that they've had the use of the car to offset that. I've had my present car for over 12 years so think I got my money's worth. I don't do a lot of milage now that I don't need a car for work so once I've bought it it should last a long time.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to post - it helped me decide what to do.
It is a fair point.
Regardless of how much one car depreciates or costs vs. another, if you go in with your eyes open knowing what the difference in cost is and you simply like the more expensive car you can ask yourself two questions:
Can I afford the extra?
Is it worth it to me to pay the extra?
If the answer is yes to both then you can ignore any contrary advice and move on with your car buying choice.

Personally, I knowingly pay about £400 a year more for the car I'm in compared to something else that would have done the job just as well because I liked it enough to spend the extra and I can afford it.

[wba31]

i leased a new 307 last year, RRP was £19k, after 6 months i handed it back and it went on forcourt for £11k... i'd go for a 6 month old motor if i were you

[cfclol]

"if it appreciates..buy it, if it depreciates rent"
In my opinion it's wise to never pay cash for a new car...shop around for PCP or HP but don't just focus on the monthly repayments, look at the whole picture (apr, terms etc)

I have found some good info on http://www.motor-trade-insider.com and they also offer free advice.

Cheers

[torbrex]

Keep a lookout for ex-demonstrators, I am on my third one, you get a virtually new car usually less than 6 months old and the price is more negotiable than a new one and sometimes you can get an interest free deal if the dealer is offering it for the new cars.
Some of the drawbacks are that you cant choose colour or extras and you will not get the benifit of a full warranty.

[newcastlebelle]

been buying preregistered cars for the family for years.
the cd player on the daughters' Clio [55 reg] broke last week and was replaced free of charge under the 3 yr warranty. she saved £3000 by buying it prereg on new price and has the safety of 3 yr warranty, she'll trade it in for another in sept.
the husbands astra was bought prereg last year, cheaper than 6 mth old 2nd hand identical cars!
i got a punto recently for well under £6000 with extras. also pre reg.
in the past oredered and bought brand new cars, but would always opt for prereg now as they are virtually new, only had 3 miles on the clock with the punto.

[butterfly72]

Last year I purchased a 6 month old car for 25% less on the new price from a carsupermarket sale. TBH, it looked brand new and the warrenties still valid. I've just checked the valuation on What car? and paid less than the current valuations listed for dealer and private price so feeling very happy! Plus I'll be keeping this car for years - kept my last one for 11 years!

I think you need to think of the future, what if you were to lose your job or needed emergency funds and had to sell it.. you'd really regret forking out thousands extra for a brand new car. Its a nice luxury but in the current climate........ be sensible.

[MORPH3US]

I agree with Kez100, sometimes you can pay more for a nearly new car than you can for a brand new car.

You just have to make sure you get the cheapest deal possible to minimise depreciation.

Check out www.drivethedeal.co.uk or www.dealdrivers.co.uk

If anyone wants to buy from deal drivers I can recommend you to get us both some freebies...

But I would recommend them even without the incentive, they were great for my gf's Fiesta. We got the 1.4 Zetec with sports and tech pack for less than what local dealers were selling 1.2 Style's....

M

[Markyt]

I'm about to buy a new car - it's the only way to get the spec I want.

Having found drivethedeal though, it is still costing me less than the ex-demo car with a lower spec I was offered last week at the dealers.

[AdrianHi]

I'm about to buy a new car - it's the only way to get the spec I want.

Having found drivethedeal though, it is still costing me less than the ex-demo car with a lower spec I was offered last week at the dealers.
Careful here.
I'm guessing it's something like an Audi or BMW your buying when you say "cannot get the spec. I want".
I've watched prices on BMW ex-demonstrators. What happens is a dealer will get a new demonstrator in, drive it for a month (get it run in) and then post it up on BMW AUC (Approved Used Cars) web site to begin with at a negligible discount over new. I think there are two reasons why they do this:
1. To see if some sucker will buy it at that price
2. Show potential new / nearly new buyers that have have too little to save going nearly new convincing them to order a new car, which they make more money on.
More often than not that car will eventually sell at 20%+ off new list price of the base model of that car (i.e. without the cost of the options) when it is 3 to 6 months old.
The Audi A4 is a brand new model where people will be paying silly money for a nearly new one. You need to pass on that one for another 6 to 12 months when the prices will "correct" or hunt down the best new deal you can through a broker and get the dealer to match it or loose the sale. [Edit: just re-read you are trying drivethedeal]

[redux]

This is the newest and best car I've owned, bought at 4 years old and 24,000 miles for a quarter of the new list price.

That means 2 other parties (the manufacturer for the first 2 years) had average depreciation of almost 60 pence a mile.

I've driven 117,000 miles in it, depreciation about 3 pence a mile.

[Markyt]

Careful here.
I'm guessing it's something like an Audi or BMW your buying when you say "cannot get the spec. I want".


No. It's a Fiat. And even after buying new, payment and running costs will be less than I'm currently spending on my current 12 year old car.

[AdrianHi]

No. It's a Fiat. And even after buying new, payment and running costs will be less than I'm currently spending on my current 12 year old car.
Fiat are offering 5 years 0% finance on some band new cars, Bravo I think. It seems to hold it's value better than Fiat's of old at somewhere around 40-42% at 3 years. It's one of the best new car deals around at the moment.
Considering you need to buy new to get that deal this is one of those rare occasions where buying new turns out to be the best option. That 0% finance deal is worth quite a lot reducing the average monthly expense of the car over 5 years by around £30-£50 a month (depending on your mortage / savings rates) because you don't have to tie up your cash in it up front.
You should still be able to get the finance deal buying through a broker.

[MORPH3US]

I would be surprised / interested if you knew of any dealers / brokers that are offering the 0% finance on the Fiat's (or any cars)....

Usually ( i thought) you can only get the 0% finance offers if you are paying list price for the car, so usually it would be cheaper to get a loan and buy from a broker because the discounts more than cover the interest on the loan.

M

[Markyt]

The 0% isn't available on the Panda at the moment, and diesels aren't around second hand in any numbers, and certainly not with what I want on board.

Going through drive the deal has saved over 2k on list price. I'm getting finance via a good bank loan (not the dodgy flat rate I was being quoted by Fiat at weekend), and in the meantime my cash sists in the bank earning just slightly less than the rate I'm paying on the loan. On top of that my monthly diesel bill will be cut to a quarter of current levels.

[AdrianHi]

I would be surprised / interested if you knew of any dealers / brokers that are offering the 0% finance on the Fiat's (or any cars)....

Usually ( i thought) you can only get the 0% finance offers if you are paying list price for the car, so usually it would be cheaper to get a loan and buy from a broker because the discounts more than cover the interest on the loan.

M
That's what the dealer car salesman will tell you. The manufacturer is offering this finance, you should get it on top of any discounts or deals you squeeze out of the broker or dealer.
Memory failed me a bit, the 0% deal on the Bravo is zero deposit and over 3 years running to the end of this month, though it might go on after that. Other Fiats have different deals.
Usually this kind of deal comes attached to a depreciation disaster or a car no one wants. This deal seams OK.
http://www.fiat.co.uk/Content/?id=13607