Dealing with Car Salesmen

motorguy

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Zafira exclusiv models with the 1.6 have been £8999 at pentagon several hundred times throughout the year, I wouldn't pay a penny more than that. Actually I wouldn't pay a penny, but thats just me.

The 1.8 is a much better engine. The 1.6 is underpowered and hard on fuel.

I dont even think the 1.6 engine is available any more.

Pentagon have the 1.8 at £9995 too.

http://www.pentagon-vauxhall.co.uk/offers/new-car/new-vauxhall-zafira-exclusiv-mpv-offer

mcpitman

I also had a vec-c 04 plate 120 cdti for 4 years.

Cost of four tyres £350
Cambelt and water pump change £120
DMF, Clutch and Slave cylinder £440
Bi Annual Service (oil, air, fuel and pollen filter and oil change) - £32 a time, so £256
Brake Pads all round £50.
Air Con compressor and regas £30.

Total of £1246 over the four year life of the vehicle, which covered 140k miles in the same time.

Just under a penny a mile in servicing costs. Average about 10p a mile on fuel costs.

Possibly the most reliable car I have owned and was a great family wagon with lots of room, both in the cabin and the boot.

Doesn't really help the OP in his debate.

In answer to the OP's question - set yourself a financial limit for the car and walk away if the salesman can't achieve that for you. Plenty of other cars out there and plenty more Vauxhall garages/dealers.

When looking for my Insignia (replacement for the vec-c) last year I visited main dealers, the likes of motorpoint etc to get a benchmark of what I wanted and felt comfortable paying.

After that and talking to the salesman he told me which auctions they get the cars from so i went there and bought the car myself direct for far, far less than they wanted to charge me (about 50%).

Clearly the OP is looking for a new car not a pre-owned, however the shop around advice still stands.

Strider590

OddballJamie wrote: »

I was just trying to get an idea, as pretty much any car will pass MOT if it's looked after and enough money thrown at it.

I had a Xsara for almost 5 years, passed every MOT, only needed general wear and tear, tyres, brakes, back box, cam belt, one clutch.

Only problem I ever had was a pin hole in a fuel pipe, 5 minute fix for the AA.

The friends with Zafira's, the guy is quite mechanical, rebuilds VW campervans as a side earner.
Really the point was more about reliability than costs, but cost is measurable where reliability can't be quantified.

OddballJamie

Strider590 wrote: »

The friends with Zafira's, the guy is quite mechanical, rebuilds VW campervans as a side earner.
Really the point was more about reliability than costs, but cost is measurable where reliability can't be quantified.

An MOT is more about the car being roadworthy for that one day a year rather then reliability. As you say you service your car yourself, when doing this I would assume you would also be on the look out for possible MOT failure items.

I also don't agree about Vectra being built better as were bought for fleet use. Zafiras are based on Astras, which are also fleet cars so they shouldn't be a huge amount of difference with regards to reliability. As for Corsas, they are Vauxhalls biggest seller, as with all cars they are made to a budget but I can't imagine Vauxhall purposely make them less reliable than their fleet intended models.

JustinR1979

Other than a new engine and box at 75k it's been reliable though.
Must stop calling my cars reliable.

[Deleted User]

Negotiating is difficult. Something I do as part of my job but here goes a few tips. Dont all apply in the business world but for personal stuff it doesnt matter if you upset them

1) Dont worry about hurting the salesmans feelings. It doesnt matter.
2) dont worry if its a fair deal for them - they can look after themselves.
3) Know the price you want to pay and pitch in with a deal 15-20% better than that.
4) Never agree to a deal until you're convinced that you've upset the other party just a little.
5) And FINAL GOLDEN RULE - make sure they know you're going to walk away if its not right and do so.

DoctorFoster

JustinR1979 wrote: »

Other than a new engine and box at 75k it's been reliable though.
Must stop calling my cars reliable.

Didn't trigger have a reliable broom?

JustinR1979

DoctorFoster wrote: »

Didn't trigger have a reliable broom?

I was thinking of his broom as I was typing that funnily enough!

BJV

DoctorFoster wrote: »

The did it two years ago.
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Not sure what they have done but they changed / face lifted something earlier this year. TBH like most manufacture's they are constantly changing in the hopes that we will part with are cash. lol

warehouse

Thanks for all the input, really appreciate it from all angles.

The car is for my wife who is a childminder, so needs the extra seats. The idea is new cheap car, car gets battered for 5 years but always in warranty, next new car. Repeat. Old model isn't an issue whatsoever.

Her current car is a Renault Grand Scenic, 07 plate, top of the range, all the toys etc. Everything is beginning to go wrong now, so forced us into a decision. Realised we only need the absolute basics some time back.

Surprised nobody has mentioned buying at the end of a sales term, (unless this is an urban myth)? Otherwise a lot more prepared for tomorrow, will also look around for other offers on the car and happy to sell privately if necessary now.