Car Scrappage Scheme

matthewfc

Hello there. I have just got back from the Kia garage and just wanted to check that what I was told is accurate (or are they bending the truth).

I went in to ask about the standard Picanto, £4195 with the scrappage deal. He didn't really want to sell it to me and said that there was a 3-4 month waiting list and if the scheme ends (runs out of Government funds) then the order would be cancelled. He though that the funds would run out in 4-6 weeks time. He also said that I had to pay £500 deposit now to order the car. He begrudging said that I would get the deposit back if the order was cancelled.

Now can anyone tell me if this is all correct as it sounds typical salesmans talk to me. He was obviously trying get me to buy the more expensive model.

Thanks in advance.

buglawton

With a real Govt subsidy of only £1000 one can understand his reluctance. Try Hyundai or Fiat to see what they might offer in small cars. The small budget for this scheme (and Govt has already stated the intention to NOT extend it) will introduce a lot of nervousness into the market.

Design_Guru

Fiat have been very actively advertising (TV and web) the Panda 1.1 Eco for £4995 including the scrappage discount.
However, this car was being advertised from various sources for around £5400 before the scrappage incentive was introduced - so who is benefitting from this scheme? The manufacturers obviously...
Saying that, Fiat will need all the cash they can get if they intend to take over the world of car production!
This sort of thing puts me off buying a car that I was genuinely intending to buy, and may make me head in the direction of a Hyundai or Kia garage instead.

moggylover

anewman wrote: »

But what's the point in rewarding failure?! How come the car manufacturers don't do something themselves to help sales along if it's all that dire.

I don't believe that this IS rewarding failure! The sales of new cars has taken a down-turn because of a recession and people keeping their dosh in their pockets, not because the cars are bad (although I would argue that the prices are ridiculous these days:D).

Still, if you would rather that those working funded a few more on the dole who might end up there long term if the few industries we do still have left fold then who am I to argue:D.

cclarke12

matthewfc wrote: »

Hello there. I have just got back from the Kia garage and just wanted to check that what I was told is accurate (or are they bending the truth).

I went in to ask about the standard Picanto, £4195 with the scrappage deal. He didn't really want to sell it to me and said that there was a 3-4 month waiting list and if the scheme ends (runs out of Government funds) then the order would be cancelled. He though that the funds would run out in 4-6 weeks time. He also said that I had to pay £500 deposit now to order the car. He begrudging said that I would get the deposit back if the order was cancelled.

Now can anyone tell me if this is all correct as it sounds typical salesmans talk to me. He was obviously trying get me to buy the more expensive model.

Thanks in advance.

I think it probably varies from dealer to dealer. Our local Kia dealer was happy to take an order but also advised at least 6-8 weeks for basic Kia Picanto in block colour (but that was a week ago). However, if I wanted to pay for metallic paint or for the higher spec Picanto Chill then we could get a car by end of May as they had a load already on order for stock. It is worth ringing around other deals as some may have stock on order already which will be due in much sooner than 3-4 months you have been qouted, but again these may have been pre-allocated.

Ultimately, we have decided to spend a bit more and go for Hyundai i10 as spec seems better as do the reviews, plus 5 year warranty. However, again we were struggling to find dealers that could supply in under 3 months as the demand is so high. We have found a dealer that had one on order for stock due to arrive in June and said we could have this one if we wanted. It meant we didn't have a choice of colour but we have said yes. I said I didn't want to pay a big deposit given the scheme isn't officially live as yet, and that they haven't given me a delivery date for the car. We agreed on a £50 deposit which I was happy with, and nothing else to sign or pay until the new car arrives.

Not sure if that helps, but I would say ring around. Our Kia dealer is quite keen to sell us a car and has left a message - I just need to go back to them and say we have gone with Hyundai instead.

matthewfc

cclarke12 wrote: »

Ultimately, we have decided to spend a bit more and go for Hyundai i10 as spec seems better as do the reviews, plus 5 year warranty. However, again we were struggling to find dealers that could supply in under 3 months as the demand is so high. We have found a dealer that had one on order for stock due to arrive in June and said we could have this one if we wanted. It meant we didn't have a choice of colour but we have said yes. I said I didn't want to pay a big deposit given the scheme isn't officially live as yet, and that they haven't given me a delivery date for the car. We agreed on a £50 deposit which I was happy with, and nothing else to sign or pay until the new car arrives.

Did you have an joy haggling or is it pretty standard that it's the list price minus the £2000?

RavingMad

chieffy72 wrote: »

A lot of comments have been made about price increases and it's true that list prices increased by 4% in February and April,however the price you pay is dependant on when the car was built,not when you buy it,so you've still got a chance of getting a pre-April build Focus and Ka and there are handful of pre-April Fiesta's about,as well as plenty of pre-February Mondeo,S-Max and Galaxy,which will all be available on the scrappage scheme. Some base models (Styles and Edges) have actually had their discounts increased to shift some old stock,although you forfeit some of the finance deals on these cars,but there's nothing stopping you from paying cash or getting a personal loan.

This has peaked my interest; how would I know if a dealer has any pre-registered cars? (I'm guessing that's the right term?)

bagboy_2

it does look like delivery times vary between dealers for picanto's, on saturday I was quoted end of may by one dealer and 4 months by another.
I tried to find a hyndia i10 for £5k today but no dealers in my area had any, 2 dealers said they couldn't get them, 1 said that it may take 3-4 months and the other said they may have 1 but didn't know .
I'll try again tomorrow with some other dealers, but don't hold out much hope.

Hintza

You are all taking these delivery dates as gospel. I imagine if you haven't pre-ordered on some of these cars it could be months before you take delivery. Leave it a day and their could be a few hundred more in front of you.

Think this could all get a bit messy.

James123_2

VW Fox at £4884
Not sure as to availability, but another which seems to make sense.