Wanting to buy a new car and thinking of going abroad for it

Ian_W

Inactive wrote: »

There is only Southern Ireland, Malta and Cyprus within reasonable distance, that drive on the left. ( as far as I am aware ).

I never did it myself but IIRC dealers in Belgium, France and Germany could order and get delivery on UK spec'd RHD vehicles for personal import to the UK at significant savings to those bought from UK dealers.

However, as stated, that boat sailed a good few years ago AFAIK.

Mrs_Moc

Hi

Thanks for all the replies, some great information there and sites I can start looking into.

Im paying cash, no finance.

Im currently driving a Zafira and knowing nothing about cars, will possibly buy one of these as I know nothing about other 7 seaters and simply dont know where to start.

I have a budget around £11 - 15K but would prefer to save as much as possible on this. I also have my own car to trade or sell privately.

I have an appointment this morning with the local vauxhall dealer and will see what he can offer.

I must admit I do feel a little out of my depth, ive spent 10 years driving company cars and the zafira I own now is practically the first car I have ever owned, so no experience of buying new or almost new or even selling a car.

victor2

See what your dealer can offer you. If you're happy with their service and the vehicle, then stick with them. Take someone with you, preferably a bit knowledgeable about cars, who can hold you back from jumping at their first offer!
It'll cost you a little bit more, but part exchanging your current vehicle will be the most painless way to do it. Do some research first to find out what the current vehicle might be worth. Just look for similar ones for sale on something like autotrader or parkers to get an idea. Dealers won't ever match those asking prices, but it'll give you some feel for the going rates.
Dealers don't like cash sales and will want to sell you finance, extra insurance, upholstery protection etc. etc. as they make money out of it. You'll have to politely tell them you're not interested!

vikingaero

On Drive The Deal I selected a Zafira 1.8 Petrol Design with metallic paint for £23,185. The current deal on DTD is £15,590.38 - a saving of £7,594.63.

Mrs_Moc

well just back from the dealer who has offered me a jan 2011 energy zafira for 13.5k with only delivery miles, (he offered this aaftrer asking about a demonstrator car) he has said he will get back to me regards trade in price on my own car. saving is approx 7.5k on the new energy model

It wouldnt be in my nature to take the first offer on anything, particularly something which is going to make a huge dent in my savings.

Im going to check out the online prices, and maybe ask him for any details he has on 2010 models so I have a comparison to try to get the best value for money.

Ian_W

Before he rings with a p/x price get a glasses valuation of your current car HERE, courtesy of Vauxhall.

agrinnall

Ian_W wrote: »

Before he rings with a p/x price get a glasses valuation of your current car HERE, courtesy of Vauxhall.

Very handy link Ian, thanks for that. I can't imagine I'll ever buy a Vauxhall but it's nice to get them to pay for my valuation :j

bigjl

For £15k you can probably get a decent brand new Zafira from a main dealer, they never get full sticker for a car as old as a Zafira, especially as the replacment is on the cards soon. Don't forget that it is a 2005 design released in 2006, in automotive terms it is a dinosaur.

If you like the current model then try and get a better model than an Energy, it really is basic.

The DEsign one mentioned by Vikingaero is superior in every way to the Energy model. Also you are buying pre registered so it is technically used, and the DTD car is brand new I woud assume.

I have been driving Zafiras at work for years, the diesel engine is the weakspot, but the petrol engines seem reliable, the ones I drive are Design spec, half leather, fuel computer, electric windows all round, nicer alloys, leather steering wheel rather than a horrible plastic one.

I also didn't think a Zafira Energy costs £21k does it? Thats a lot of money for a car of such low spec. Infact I am sure they stopped making it last year, the cheapest Zafira is a petrol engined Expression at under £15k. The entry level Design starts at under £22k.

10JH

vikingaero wrote: »

On Drive The Deal I selected a Zafira 1.8 Petrol Design with metallic paint for £23,185. The current deal on DTD is £15,590.38 - a saving of £7,594.63.

Yeah, you know why? Because the new Zafira will be out v.soon.

Kilty_2

10JH wrote: »

Yeah, you know why? Because the new Zafira will be out v.soon.

True, but if you don't need to have the latest and greatest model a good deal on a brand new "old model" is a good thing.