Car Giant Review

motorguy

arcon5 wrote: »

The demister maybe. But i'm not sure anybody would expect them to replace brake pads for free.

It was the price they paid, not who piad for it.

jimjames

Bought a BMW 320d from them a few years back. Decent condition & spec and fair price as had no service history (but it was fleet and I checked with the main dealer). Hassle going through the sales patter and the delay in waiting to pick it up but all went smoothly with the purchase so I would go back again.

Prices aren't as keen as they appear at first sight and some vehicles seem to not be in the best condition so they don't appear to prepare as other dealers would.

terra_ferma

I'm planning to visit CG in the next few days, as I'm looking for a car that is not that common, so hard to source locally. They have quite a few of them (almost certainly ex fleet).

Any advice a part from what has already been said? Has anything changed in the last couple of years?
I'm buying a car with a long warranty, I assume that if the service history is with a dealer the warranty will still be valid?

gabitzul

Give us a bit more info:

Brand of car
Budget

Nothing has changed as far as I am aware. Treat CG as you would any other car dealer.

dannyrst

Not being funny, but if a car dealer is happy to foot the bill for repairs as readily as CG seem to, I'd assume I'm paying so much for the car that they can do the repairs and still make a profit.

Hoopie1

I bough a car a few years ago from them. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but then neither is Ryan Air.

Things to note:
1) You are going to get asked if you want finance a lot, and they will try and sell you other !!!! (insurance against electrical faults, IIRC). It is tedious, but be prepared to tell them no, often.
2) The whole thing can take quite a while, I'd recommend getting there at a time when it is likely to be quieter.
3) The sales guy basically admitted to me that they make all of their money on finance. He said they make little on the cars (which are mainly ex-fleet), the model is basically using the cars to get people through the door and sell them finance.
4) Prices are non-negotiable, so save your breath.

For what it is worth, I'd buy from there again.

terra_ferma

Anyone one been there recently?
Have they started to clean their cars a bit more?
They don't look too bad from the photos, at lest the ones I was interested in, fairly clean, particularly outside.

bigjl

I was there 2 months ago.

Nearly bought a couple of cars but each one was overdue a service, they were also new stock so the buyer had obviously not done due diligence.

Both cars where 2 yr old Pug 208, both Silver and had been serviced just not for over 12months.

I wonder if they were on one of those fuel only lease deals?

It was also a Saturday so it was 20mins to get each set of keys.

Got bored and went to Manhiem and bought a car, in and out in 90mins.

bigjl

dannyrst wrote: »

Not being funny, but if a car dealer is happy to foot the bill for repairs as readily as CG seem to, I'd assume I'm paying so much for the car that they can do the repairs and still make a profit.

So if a dealer argued and refused without being threatened with legal action that would be better?

marlot

dannyrst wrote: »

Not being funny, but if a car dealer is happy to foot the bill for repairs as readily as CG seem to, I'd assume I'm paying so much for the car that they can do the repairs and still make a profit.

And there was me thinking that CG had a decent reputation for honouring their legal responsibilities after a sale. There's always somebody who can twist that into a negative!