Thinking of buying a new car

comping_cat

At the moment i drive a Vauxhall Zafira, its a W reg, i've had it since 2003 (do approx 4000 miles a year) and its been brilliant.

However, it is on its last legs, and i am wanting to downsize. Its MOT is due the beginning of September so i am thinking of changing August/first week September.

As i am downsizing, im hoping to buy either a brand new car, or nearly new (think i will have about £7K saved by then) and was thinking maybe a Kia as it has the 7 year warranty, and have heard good things from a couple of friends about them.

So, a few questions to start - if i do buy brand new, the plates change in September, so would it be better/cheaper to buy brand new in August or September?

If i buy nearly new, again, would the change of plates mean the old plate from August would be a cheaper buy in September?

If i did go for a Kia (or any car with a warranty) if i buy nearly new, does the warranty come with the car?

Hope someone can help, im a single woman who has never bought a new car before andthe with experience with my last cars, find that salesmen are not the most helpful to single women, seem to think we are clueless (which i am) so i want to be prepared when i start shopping!

DUTR

If you are keeping the car for a long time then the year plate doesn't make much difference. Just keep an eye out for any dealer offers and don't forget to check the brokers.

comping_cat

Thanks, im not worried about the year plate - i just dont want to go and maybe buy a brand new car in August, and then find if i waited a couple of weeks and bought the same car in September, i would save a lot of money - do garages/dealers reduce cars in August ready for the new ones in September, or do they just offer better deals once the new ones are out?

I really am on my own here, i don't have any family near or male friends, so i would have no idea if an offer was a good deal or not, thats why i'm after advise now so i can learn and look out for any offers nearer the time.

Also, what is the difference between a dealer and a broker?

DUTR

comping_cat wrote: »

Thanks, im not worried about the year plate - i just dont want to go and maybe buy a brand new car in August, and then find if i waited a couple of weeks and bought the same car in September, i would save a lot of money - do garages/dealers reduce cars in August ready for the new ones in September, or do they just offer better deals once the new ones are out?

I really am on my own here, i don't have any family near or male friends, so i would have no idea if an offer was a good deal or not, thats why i'm after advise now so i can learn and look out for any offers nearer the time.

Also, what is the difference between a dealer and a broker?

A good deal is what is good to you, and comparative to other deals available, if you can comfortably afford it then that is a good sign, if/when you do go to a dealer, remember they are in it for themselves not for you the customer, (so there is no need to be their friend) , remember sometimes you may save a few quid by travelling to pick up a vehicle but those savings can be worth booking a day off work and paying the train fare (saving a month's salary or more). Nearer the time post back with the prices you have seen, I'm sure the readers maybe able to beat the deal.

iolanthe07

was thinking maybe a Kia as it has the 7 year warranty,

Kia don't build the most exciting cars in the world, but they are well made and very well equipped for the money, and reasonably cheap to run. I like my Kia very much, and would have another one - the seven year/100,000 mile warranty was the clincher. Why can't European manufacturers offer this? I notice Vauxhall have dropped their 10 year warranty from January 1st, which only extended to the first owner anway.

Lungboy

Definitely consider sites like Drive The Deal, you can get huge discounts on brand new cars.

OddballJamie

iolanthe07 wrote: »

was thinking maybe a Kia as it has the 7 year warranty,

Kia don't build the most exciting cars in the world, but they are well made and very well equipped for the money, and reasonably cheap to run. I like my Kia very much, and would have another one - the seven year/100,000 mile warranty was the clincher. Why can't European manufacturers offer this? I notice Vauxhall have dropped their 10 year warranty from January 1st, which only extended to the first owner anway.

It wasn't 10 years. It was 100,000 miles with no time limit. Got mine back in September 2010 and only 25k into the warranty. I'm determined to own it until it hits 100k, whether I still use it or a family member does.

Supposedly it was affecting their new car and used car sales. People keeping cars longer is good for the workshop but not sales.

By dropping the warranty they can complete more on price and let's face it, the majority of new cars are bought on finance and generally are traded at a few years old.

tinker15

The best advice that I can give you is shop around! not just locally but phoning all over the country once you have decided on a car. I get a discount as my husband works for a car manufacturer but I have never got a good deal from the local dealership or within a 50 mile radius. Don't listen to the pressure of "I can give you x discount if you sign today", they want your business full stop as they have targets to meet.

Visit various dealerships, have a look at the cars and test drive the ones you like. You will be amazed at the difference in quality, comfort etc.
If you need any help nearer the time, give me a shout & I will try and help you as I love to try and get a bargain

luvchocolate

I as a woman alone too I understand how difficult it is. I had a Smart for 4 bought new in 2004. The garage who services it advised me it was starting to cost me money and best time to change.
I looked all the usual small cars and narrowed it down to Suzuki Alto, Fiat Panda, Hyundai i10,
Spoke to my garage and recommended i10, got one 8 months old and love it, 5 year warranty
As said go for a couple of test runs and see how they feel, lots of good help on here too.

bouicca21

Another woman on her own. Also looking at a kia, probably a picanto.

What is doing my head in is trying to work out whether to buy a new one or a slightly used one. A 2 year old car is about 2k cheaper than new, both flat white, which doesn't seem a lot. Dealer was definitely talking list price - is there really no room for negotiation? Should I be going to another dealer to see if I can get a better deal?