Haggling potential for new cars?

artyboy

So... probably looking to replace our 4yo Disco Sport this year. Owned outright and would be a cash purchase.

In the past, I've done pretty well playing hardball with JLR (and other marque) dealers when buying new - there were typically dealer incentives for taking out finance - which could then be immediately paid off, and there was a fair amount of flexibility on price. Those of you familiar with the 'cost to change' concept will know - you go in with a number and keep whittling them down. In a nice way, of course 

But with chip shortages, long lead times and the like, is that just a no-no now, and you have to take what you can get, when you can get it, and at sticker price? Just want to manage my own expectations here. Given some of the doom and gloom I have been hearing about very low new car registrations, I'm just wondering if dealers might start getting a bit more flexible again soon?

Would appreciate any inside track or actual experiences, especially with JLR cars...

thanks
Arty

Flight3287462

Have you priced up the car of your choice on the likes of carwow and drivethedeal, that should be your first port of call and delivery timeframe.

I was in having our Skoda serviced the other day and waiting lists were actually dependent on which engine you wanted so that may be a consideration worth exploring (one was weeks and one was months)

Stubod

..last 2 cars I have purchased I could not get anything off the price, all I managed to get was a set of mats!! 

All you can really do is push for the max part exchange on the vehicle you are trading in. With the current supply and demand issues I do not think you will get much if anything off, and garages do not like "cash" as they prefer you to go with a finance option anyway.

Wonka_2

My recent experience on the J rather than LR side of the business (albeit same dealership)

If I could be flexible on model/spec/engine etc (and considerably flexible i.e. petrol manual rather than diesel auto) there may be a deal to be had - without that flexibility then very little movement - and it was based on cars in house/en-route rather than future orders

In the end it worked out better (and with more choice) to go approved used with a finance offer and 2yrs servicing

artyboy

Flight3287462 said:

Have you priced up the car of your choice on the likes of carwow and drivethedeal, that should be your first port of call and delivery timeframe.

I was in having our Skoda serviced the other day and waiting lists were actually dependent on which engine you wanted so that may be a consideration worth exploring (one was weeks and one was months)

I haven't yet but agreed that will be the starting point as soon as we are about ready to go. And of course you're right about availability - it's far from clear whether what we want (namely a 7 seater Disco Sport) is actually available - the main LR websites suggests it is, but local dealers have previously said they can only order the (frankly pointless) 5 seat PHEV models. 

At some point this is going to change, we've already had our existing car for a year longer than planned... so just getting ready for when we can move in earnest.

Dave_5150

I've bought two cars since Covid times one from Mazda and one from Kia. Decent discount and finance contributions on both but wait times were longer than normal at around 5 months each.

Really strong p/x agreed both times at the point of ordering with the first one being almost £5,500 more than I owed! Whatcar gave the best price for the Mazda and Carwow for the Kia.

diystarter7

Hi
It all depends on the on the make/model/colour and supply and demand
Thanks

daveyjp

Start with online brokers.

As regards availability, the EU regs on emissions mean manufacturers now have to balance production of vehicle types very closely, they can't just churn out whatever is wanted. 

motorguy

Flight3287462 said:

Have you priced up the car of your choice on the likes of carwow and drivethedeal, that should be your first port of call and delivery timeframe.

I was in having our Skoda serviced the other day and waiting lists were actually dependent on which engine you wanted so that may be a consideration worth exploring (one was weeks and one was months)

^^^^
This

Do your homework first with the online brokers, then ask your local dealer to price match.  If they cant, then use the broker.

Any amount of car buying sites out there too, so no need to blindly accept what the dealer is offering.

I'd also add broadspeed to that list.

Alanp

We ordered our new Yaris cross last Saturday for delivery in April, the px was the same as wbac were offering but they discounted the new car by £500, but wouldn’t do this unless I took paint protection, but they discounted that too ( £100) I don’t normally bother with things like this but, I’d refused all the other add ons, and it was the only way they’d move on price…

ontheroad1970

diystarter7 said:

Hi
It all depends on the on the make/model/colour and supply and demand
Thanks

If you read the OP's posts you will see they want to replace like for like - Disco Sport.