Buying another Car - Timing

cloud_dog

Ok, so we want to buy a new (to us) car, probably going to be a Ford Focus Estate 2.0 TDCI or a Peugeot 308 SW (Estate) 2.0 HDi on a 58 or 09 plate.

We now have the finances in place to buy one (assuming we find one meeting our criteria) but, I was just wondering with March and the new 10 plate (or whatever it is) appearing in March would it be sensible to wait for March and the (possible) influx of trade ins etc in order to bag a slightly better bargain.

Also how much of an impact is the new plate likely to have on proces. For reference we are looking at spending about £12k and noticed that over the new year dealers seemed to knock about £500 off 08/58 cars (or at least the ones I was monitoring).

Any people 'in the trade' or knowledgeable people out there who could offer some insight/advise.

Thanks cloud_dog

harveybobbles

You could wait untill March to get a good deal. But then March is only 6 months away from September - when the new reg comes out, so you could wait til then. Or as September is close to the following March, wait til then. And so on...

If its a main dealer, best time is end of months when they have targets to meet...

motorguy

Also, do a national search on autotrader and check out ford directs website.

Dont be afraid to travel to buy the car as you can have it serviced / warranty work done anywhere.

You'd be surprised how much prices vary on what is seemingly the same car.

You can even use a national price as a bargaining tool with your local dealer - tell him you're prepared to travel if he cant price match.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

stear clear of a peugeot not the best car in the world focus is the better of the two.

be prepared to travel and haggle and look around if it dont feel right dont rush into it. buy a local ad trader check the prices at 100 miles or so distance give u a good idea what vehicle you go fors price and if cheaper but see the same model closer perhaps thatll be the amunition for you to haggle with telling dealer you will travel the distance for the cheaper deal.

cloud_dog

Everyone, thanks for your replies. Just to provide some more info....

March / September comming round each year.... Yes I understand this but, that is not relevant as I am preparing to buy a car now(ish), i.e. now or I am prepared to wait until March for a better deal but, thats as far as it goes.

I am happy to travel nationally to get a good deal so no issues threre, and have been monitoring online sites (autotrader, exchangeandmart, ebay, etc) for a few months now, trying to get a better feel for prices, what affects prices etc.

I suppose my question comes down to.... do those in the know feel I am likely to have more car choices and be in a slightly better haggling position come March?

Also, the end of the scrappage scheme should be a consideration as:

1. DEalers are likely/may have numbers of used cars on their books?
2. the number of people comming in to the dealerships, and therefore oppotunities to earn sales, will reduce?

Any other thoughts.........

Inactive

cloud_dog wrote: »

Also, the end of the scrappage scheme should be a consideration as:

1. DEalers are likely/may have numbers of used cars on their books?
2. the number of people comming in to the dealerships, and therefore oppotunities to earn sales, will reduce?

Any other thoughts.........

Wait until the scrappage scheme is dead and buried, it has allowed manufacturers to increase prices to compensate for the sham discount they give, prices will very soon revert to normal, once reality kicks in again.

This should be reflected in used prices falling as well.

AdrianHi

My thoughts too, wait until the artificial proping up of the car market has ended with the scrappage scheme stopping, give it a month or 2 for the market to correct (if it's going to) and go shopping end of March or end of April.