Haggling for a Used Car - Dealership

stuart.hiscott

Hi All,

I've only ever purchased old bangers, but now I have a job where my company is giving me a car allowance. I've decided that in the spirit of economic driving, the Prius wins hands-down for a new family.

I found a pretty good value used one at my dealer, where it's only the likes of Car Giant that can marginally beat the price (and only by around £200). Therefore I think it's the right car and place.

However - you never buy on the window price! As I'm going to get finance AND a warranty, I think the bargain power is in my court. It's on at £7,999. It's just been reduced by £500 in the last week, but it has been sitting there for a few months (unpopular colour, the dealer tells me).

Firstly, I understand all the rules of haggling (and good at it! I bought my first car from a forecourt - up for £950 - bought for £500), but I can't really improve on the price even privately, and it's a little below the Parker's guides.

As I've never bought a car over £1,000 - how far can I expect to go? I was going to start at £6500, but that seems too low to me - I guess it's the "cheeky starter"... I obviously want to get at least 10% off the value, which would be £800. But I'm thinking they wouldn't mind getting rid of it...

Any advice on what to pitch and how much I could get off the car would be appreciated...

moonrakerz

I don't know how to put this politely - but DON'T buy a Prius if you think you are going to save the planet. If you like the shape, the comfort, the CD player, fine - but don't get suckered by its so-called green credentials.

It is no more fuel efficient (less in many cases) than an ordinary modern diesel. If you get mechanical problems it is very expensive to fix - and of course, with its twin power system there are literally twice as many expensive things to go wrong !

GRM

Have you checked the real world MPG that a Pious delivers? If you do a significant number of motorway miles then a diesel will have lower running costs.

How old is the car? Have you considered battery replacement costs? I'd be amazed if the warranty covered that.

BenL

Does your scheme not have rules on the age of the car?

£8000 according to parkers.co.uk looks to buy a 2007/07 model. These will be 3 1/2 years old now and outside the rules for some car schemes.

Ben

stuart.hiscott

Agree with the reservations on the eco credentials, but economically it still stacks up better - you save further because the road tax is £10 a year. I also have to drive in the congestion charge and that is £10 a year also (probably about 10 times a year - another £80 saved). Add to that the relatively low insurance group (7) and the comparable MPG of diesels (I do total mixed - motorway, country and town driving), Unleaded petrol is marginally cheaper.

The batteries are warranted to 100,000 miles, and there are minimal reports of battery problems.

Not trying to save the planet - I also like the design and need to get a dog and baby in it too! I like Japanese reliability, and because the new model's out, the older one has dropped in price.

So reservations of the Prius aside - any tips for haggling?

emmell

My husband has the Lexus 450h hybrid, it makes great sense as a fully expensed company car, but I know for a fact he wouldn't buy one with his own money.
ML.

stuart.hiscott

Thank you hypercarleasing - that's just the sort of idea I needed. I can answer yes to both of those too - I've been spending the last 6 months investigating this!!!

God forbid - but I'm buying a warranty. Especially as there's that unease about the battery and the fact I'll be doing 25 - 30k a year on it... Plus they have a guaranteed trade-in price scheme too, which does seem to protect me.

Bizarre - I NEVER buy warranties or extras or anything, but they actually seem to hold at least some value when buying a car...

ilovebanksMCMLXXXI

Hi Stuart

It's been sitting there for 'a few months' because it's over priced; I know that without even asking what the colour is!

If it definitely has been there for that length of time you're certain to get a good deal because any deal worth its salt wouldn't hold onto a piece of unsold stock for more than 30 days.

Getting 10% off that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

As for the Prius though........... are you really sure????

If it has been sitting for months make sure the battery is okay because if that dies you'll be looking at some serious wedge!

All the best

bodgerx

moonrakerz wrote: »

I don't know how to put this politely - but DON'T buy a Prius if you think you are going to save the planet. If you like the shape, the comfort, the CD player, fine - but don't get suckered by its so-called green credentials.

It is no more fuel efficient (less in many cases) than an ordinary modern diesel. If you get mechanical problems it is very expensive to fix - and of course, with its twin power system there are literally twice as many expensive things to go wrong !

You should check your facts. Twice as expensive? What do you base that off?

The Prius is rated number 1 for reliability in JD power surveys.

Diesels can be extremely expensive to fix. Heard of duel mass flywheel failure? Many VW, BMW, Ford and Honda owners have - and they are not cheap to fix (1000+). Turbo failures are not rare either - particularly on cars with Garret turbo chargers. Toyota warrants the battery for a long time.

Check Prius owner forums - driven properly you can way exceed the mpg you get an pretty much every diesel of the equivalent size.