Car Prices... what the...

Grumpy_chap

Ibrahim5 said:

sheslookinhot said:

If you order a car from a broker, does it not come from a dealer ?

Yes but not your local dealer. The broker finds a dealer that's willing to accept a smaller margin in return for a large number of customers. We had to drive to another country  (Wales) last time to pick it up. We had a nice day out though and I would be more than happy to use a broker again. When you get a new car it's quite nice to have a good drive in it anyway whilst saving thousands.

Sometimes the not-local Dealer will deliver to you anyway.  

Ibrahim5

I would rather drive it myself than have it delivered. Just need to put a 'running in' sign on the back and tootle home.

Jenni_D

Ibrahim5 said:

I would rather drive it myself than have it delivered. Just need to put a 'running in' sign on the back and tootle home.

Is that still a thing, at least to the extent that you can't do 70 mph? I thought all new cars were "motorway speed ready" on pick up?

ex-pat_scot

Jenni_D said:

Ibrahim5 said:

I would rather drive it myself than have it delivered. Just need to put a 'running in' sign on the back and tootle home.

Is that still a thing, at least to the extent that you can't do 70 mph? I thought all new cars were "motorway speed ready" on pick up?

It's not been a thing since about 1977. Machine tolerances and tribology (study of material wear) have come a long way since.
It is a lovely hark back to the humblebrags of my school friends, desperate to show off that they had a new car (no matter how low spec) whilst complaining that their parents were driving like tortoises for a month.
(I always thought of this as rather odd, mainly because my father was much more interested in having a nearly new Merc than a brand new Vauxhall Viva.)

onlyfoolsandparking

Jenni_D said:

Ibrahim5 said:

I would rather drive it myself than have it delivered. Just need to put a 'running in' sign on the back and tootle home.

Is that still a thing, at least to the extent that you can't do 70 mph? I thought all new cars were "motorway speed ready" on pick up?

I think the majority of new cars engines are 'bench' run in these days and it's been that way for quite a few years. My new BMW bike was restricted to a maximum of 9k in revs when new until it's first 600 mile service but as 9k in 6th gear still equated to 125mph (not that I tested that capability you understand  it didn't really present any problems

pred02

The prices have continued to rise to a point that probably need to spend 5k-10k more to get the car I want than I did a year ago. I am wondering if it is worth while getting a car through a company car scheme for 2 years until the supply chain issues and market settles?

To get a fully insured electric lets say Volvo XC40 electric it is 450 GBP per month. Given my wife and i do not have UK driving history just insurance would cost us 1200 GBP per year. Benefit in kind is very low on electric vehicles. A 3-4 used car will cost us 20-25k in the current market. I know a company car is just a lease and I generally do not like leases but wanted to do the math.

Jenni_D

With a company car scheme you (typically) get a new car which you select and they order ... your problem may be delivery time, so bear that in mind. (I have just ordered my replacement company car - delivery is estimated at mid-late March 2022).

Grumpy_chap

pred02 said:

The prices have continued to rise to a point that probably need to spend 5k-10k more to get the car I want than I did a year ago. I am wondering if it is worth while getting a car through a company car scheme for 2 years until the supply chain issues and market settles?

To get a fully insured electric lets say Volvo XC40 electric it is 450 GBP per month. Given my wife and i do not have UK driving history just insurance would cost us 1200 GBP per year. Benefit in kind is very low on electric vehicles. A 3-4 used car will cost us 20-25k in the current market. I know a company car is just a lease and I generally do not like leases but wanted to do the math.

I do know some that have done this, or the equivalent, as the short-term step. 

One of my colleagues was due to change cars (his company car allowance policy had a generous age limit of 10 years plus he was advised to go automatic because of some hip problems) - faced with the absurd prices for used, he went for an A-Class on lease - had a good deal so long as he accepted a saloon and took the stock vehicle.

This approach works, but the variability of lease rates seems to be very fast moving to get the good deal right now.

ontheroad1970

I'm not surprised the A class saloon was still in stock - the CLA fell down way too many branches of the ugly tree...

Grumpy_chap

ontheroad1970 said:

I'm not surprised the A class saloon was still in stock - the CLA fell down way too many branches of the ugly tree...

Aren't the A-Class saloon and the CLA two different (though barely distinguishable) models?