MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I’ve never had a brand new car before. In fact I’ve never bought anything until it’s past its 10th birthday. I like quirky and interesting cars so the acres of silver appliances you see at dealers do absolutely nothing for me. These days I share a car with my girlfriend and she commutes in it 5 days a week so I’ve had to reign in my outlandish desires. Apparently breaking down in a car and waiting for a recovery truck is not “just part of the fun” and is actually upsetting for some people. Also, the Panda 100HP has to go. It’s been a blast but it's not mature enough for a long term relationship.
So this morning I found myself in a main dealer looking at a very zesty specimen. Untouched by human buttocks. Doors taped up and a rope around it. Sealed and safe from the space-virus. Then I enjoyed a lengthy test drive with its twin sister. I am very taken with it. It’s actually brilliant. It’s got comfy supportive seats and a big screen with information on it. You can hear the stereo over the road noise. You can have a conversation at motorway speeds. I want it. This is where a normal person would just sign on the dotted line and drive home in their brand new car.
Now I’m sitting here with some printouts with different PCP deals on. If we put down our full car savings fund as a deposit (which is about what I’d usually spend on a banger) we can afford the payments easily.
Does this sound right? He gave me a copy of the price calculator which they “are not allowed to show customers”. The sticker price is £26,825 and the ‘dealer price’ which is the same as the sale price is £24,543. The total profit box has £0.00 in it. Is this just standard practice to suck you in?
Also if we show them the logbook for the Panda they’ll give us a grand towards the deposit. For nothing. Just for us to switch to **** and hopefully stay on their finance hook forever. We get to keep and then sell the Panda. Does anyone else do that?
Are they really so desperate to sell cars even though the only profit is from the interest on the 3 years of payments? Is there anything else I need to check for? Any questions that must be asked?
Bonus points for anyone who can guess the car from the price. There’s only 600 in existence and this is one of the last brand new ones available.
TL:DR
I want to buy a fun new car but I’m cacking myself cos I’m a tight-fisted disciple of bangernomics
Fiesta ST Performance Edition - think that would be about 26k ?
Dealers will be after a sale, so go for what discounts you can. They get commission on PCP
He gave me a copy of the price calculator which they “are not allowed to show customers”
That probably tells you all you need to know 😂
Are you planning on buying it at the end of the PCP agreement?
Can you deal with a less Arthur Daley salesman?
Decide on the car you like then get one that is a couple of years old for half the price. Don't believe anything that a salesman tells you, especially if they say the deal will only be available for a few days and other such twoddle.
Apparently breaking down in a car and waiting for a recovery truck is not “just part of the fun” and is actually upsetting for some people.
She’s absolutely right about that - sitting by the side of the road late at night, in the pissing rain or snow, for two or three hours knocks the shine off the ‘fun’ part pretty quickly.
Even if the weather is fine, having to wait around for three hours for some bloke to pitch up and fix the problem and then be faced with several hours drive is no fun; been there, done that. Van I was supposed to pick up and drive home from Cornwall had a flat battery when I got there, at 6.15 in the evening. 9.15 bloke turns up, gets it started, I get home at 11.45 at night after a 17 hour day. It wasn’t a bundle of laffs.
Three of us trying to bump-start a long-wheelbase Transit had it’s amusing side, though.
Fiesta ST Performance Edition – think that would be about 26k ?
Bang on. I love it. Satisfies my need for nerdy stuff like Quaife diffs, adjustable coilovers and stuff, then cruises on 2 cylinders when you're chilling.
Are you planning on buying it at the end of the PCP agreement?
I would like to. Final value is just over 11 grand. I can't imagine staying in the finance loop forever but wouldn't mind owning a cool car for once.
Decide on the car you like then get one that is a couple of years old for half the price
That was absolutely my plan. We've been looking at Golfs, Octavias, Focus etc... I just feel like getting something a bit mad for once. Why not a bright orange limited edition Fast Ford?
She’s absolutely right about that – sitting by the side of the road late at night, in the pissing rain or snow, for two or three hours knocks the shine off the ‘fun’ part pretty quickly.
I remember sitting in my Opel Manta with a blown head gasket, somewhere in the Scottish Borders/Keilder area, known as one of the darkest areas in Europe, until 4am waiting for a recovery truck with a mate who had to start work in Newcastle at 7am. It was quite magical actually. In the end we were almost cuddling for warmth.
Have you checked out how much it would be from a car broker? My mum saved about 35% off the RRP when she bought a Yeti a few years ago.
Why not a bright orange limited edition Fast Ford?
Report back the third time the local yob squad have taken it for a fun spin
What's wrong with a nice used van, eh?
That was you, wasn't it?
What’s wrong with a nice used van, eh?
That was you, wasn’t it?
Exactly! Bangernomics bit me on the arse hard that day. To be fair, it's running fine now, £1250 later. And it'll keep us from putting muddy bikes in our posh car.
Have you checked out how much it would be from a car broker?
You can't get this particular car anywhere except certain Ford dealers. Not sure how many brand new ones are left from the 600 but there can't be many.
Report back the third time the local yob squad have taken it for a fun spin
This is a possibility. I can keep it out of sight at home but not in the shady hellhole where my mrs works.
How about a compromise - a pre-reg but still new and much cheaper?
Or what something interesting could you get from a JDM importer?
The only thing about the ST is chav's pinch the fancy bits off them, but given it's a new model, there won't be too many kids in base models just yet. SIL has a normal Fiesta and really likes it.
Or what something interesting could you get from a JDM importer?
I've been looking at stuff like that for months. Prices have rocketed in the last few years. Have you seen what people are asking for JDM STI's recently? All the UK Impreza's I've been to see are either rotten or hiding it well.
Plus it's a lot of money for something that only comes out a couple of times a month and we'd be stuck with the Panda as a daily which to be honest, is getting really old. My spine needs a rest.
There’s one for sale near us, yours looks like a betterer deal
I would like to. Final value is just over 11 grand.
So while you’re paying for the car over 3 years you have to also save £300 a month to build that fund.
profit is from the interest on the 3 years
A friends ex hubby was a car salesman- she said he got more in finance commission cheques than for selling the car
Get on a site like carwow, and see what you can find there to compare about.
Yes, they might make £0 profit on the car, but it'll count to their 1/4 bonus, and finance rebates
Don't let them upsell GAP insurance or expensive car sealant / washing
27k for a Fiesta? I am so out of touch with vehicle prices. I could not imagine handing over that much money for a car that will lose 50% of its value in 3 years.
Buy second hand.
You could get a nice new transit for that kind of moolah.
I've thought about doing that myself, but only because the used prices are so silly.
If you are buying with PCP, in my experience, the higher APR rates for nearly new cars has meant there is little difference to your monthly costs when compared to buying new. If you like the car go for it. If you dont think there is much negotiation on the top end price, and you have agreed trade in value, then ask for some free services, tank of petrol.. etc. There is usually something the garage can do if you need that final twist of the arm.
A limited edition fast Ford will hold its value better that other Ford models. With PCP you are effectively buying the depreciation. The lump sum at the end of the deal is the future value. So you known what the depreciation is. Good luck.
A friends ex hubby was a car salesman- she said he got more in finance commission cheques than for selling the car
Many moons ago I bought a Scorpio in a "I have to buy something today" dealy. Agreed a price on finance, then told them I wanted to pay it off over 12 months rather than the five years he was pushing. I think it's one of the rare times I've got one over on a dealer, he really didn't want to give me a one year deal.
Check out the vid below, Dean explains all the various options pretty well
As above, check through Carwow first as it cost nothing and might get what you want cheaper (still from a franchise dealer).
New cars are ace and well worth it in my opinion. Just gone back new after a year or so in a lovely old Fast Ford. My oldie was brilliant but I just found I was waiting for it to go wrong or for the cam belt or clutch to need replacing. For me the ease of ownership of a new car outweighs the slightly higher cost.
Renault Zoe from £24,600. Lovely drive. Cheap as chips to run.
It’s not a 200PS crotch rocket though, is it?
Ford are doing 0% on PCP deals for some models. We're probably going to get the PHEV Kuga on 0% this year.
Our current model is nearing 8 years old, and won't meet next years local clean air standards so needs replacing and 0% is pretty much a no brainer for a new car.
Buying a new car is a quick way to spunk a load of cash never to be seen again. And forget the sales platter, it really is a load of bollocks.
But...if you really need a new car then check autoebid/drive the deal etc for price comparisons.
But don't buy brand new - a nearly new car (ie 1-year-old with < 10000 miles is a decent compromise).
Broadspeed have £1300 off them. Should give an idea of what sort of discount is available (just get your dealer to match it)
For about £2k more than that you could get a 7 month old C-Class.
I feel your pain, Toyota Yaris GR4.
The deposit is paid, the stress will surely kill me before delivery.
What the heck, go for it man.
As you’ve seen, loads of people have told you to buy a second hand car.
I’m not going to do that.
If you can afford to buy a new car, and you want to buy a new car, then there’s nothing wrong with buying a new car. The feeling of being the first and only person to own it, to know it’s exact history, the spec it exactly how you want it, is a really great feeling.
I’ve only been able to do it twice in my 40 odd years so far, and I’ve enjoyed it both times. If people didn’t buy new cars, then there wouldn’t be any secondhand ones.
I had a company car for 3 years. it was great!
£15,000 had evaporated in depreciation by the time it went back.
A similar 3 year old car would have gone from £10,000 to maybe £7000 or so.
I’d never buy a new car simply based on that.
I really wanted a civic type r after the company car. I got offered a demonstrator on the staff deal- I worked closely with the dealership. I ended up with a 4 year old 335d.
Its had an expensive bill, tires, disks, pads and it’s still much cheaper than the depreciation/ finance on the new car. I would have nothing to show for the costs after 3 years on the pcp deal- the opportunity to buy the car was sold as a benefit! Instead I will have a 7 year old 335d.
The not breaking down, the warranty ( when my bmw caught fire outside Inverness 350 miles from home I was not feeling clever about my car choice!) all these things are great about new cars.
So how about a fun, 3 year old 9,000 mile bmw?
Or exactly what I wanted civic type r for £24,000. It would have been £34,000 new
There’s one for sale near us, yours looks like a betterer deal
And only ten months old...
Buying a new car is a quick way to spunk a load of cash never to be seen again.
As is the same when buying a second hand car, or a bike or anything else you purchase unless its a classic and appreciates in value.
What Bensales said -if you want a new car go an get one, it’s your choice and experience. I’ve had two - both as company cars - and it’s great feeling to be the one and only owner.
However, my car was a nearly new Ex demo which was £36k new I bought for £22k. That’s quite a lot of money to be saved. And as pointed out it could be “more” of a car than you are looking at. Having said THAT, get the car you want and don’t have regrets over spending that amount of money, it’ll weigh heavily.
I wanted to pay it off over 12 months <snip> I got one over on a dealer, he really didn’t want to give me a one year deal.
I don’t know if this still applies to PCP but at least for installments, you can agree to the finance, dealer gets commission AFAIK etc. The following day you pay off the finance in full, either with your cash or with a personal loan at a much lower rate. Everyone wins except the poor finance guys.
Fords depreciate faster than most cars.
What’s so special about this limited addition ST over a normal ST? ie is it really that exclusive?
PCP - don’t sink your life savings in to the deposit, you will never get it back.
Look at premium brands you might be surprised what posher nicer cars you get for the same money as they depreciate less.
Also have a look at leasing. Look at leaseloco as a starting point. I prefer leasing to PCP and have purchased cars at end of leases at less than dealer price.
What is the upfront deposit and monthly’s you are being quoted?
I bet it’s Skoda Octavia VRS lease prices or even Golf GTI.
27k for a Fiesta? I am so out of touch with vehicle prices
Very much this.
I can only assume PCP has led to inflated list prices so that folk think they're getting a good deal.
As is the same when buying a second hand car, or a bike or anything else you purchase unless its a classic and appreciates in value.
Depends on the level of spunkage you're comfortable with. Personally, I find the amount associated with a new car purchase excessive.
You can lease a Seat Leon Cupra 290bhp for £1,700 deposit and 36 x £250pm
I bet it’s Skoda Octavia VRS lease prices or even Golf GTI.
But he doesn’t want a sensible (/ boring) car, he wants a bright Orange ST.
If you can afford it go for it, if it’s going to leave you short of cash or stuck without a car in 2/3 years time when you hand it back then don’t.
There’s always seem to be a lot of negativity towards people that buy new cars or lease.
You can lease a Seat Leon Cupra 290bhp for £1,700 deposit and 36 x £250pm
I nearly went for one of those a couple of years ago, there’s been some ace deals on them. I decided against it though because I thought it’s the type of car people get their houses broken in to for the keys.
6 months ago my mate had his house broken in to for his Dacia Logan and Skoda Citigo, so maybe I was wrong.
Yes, they might make £0 profit on the car, but it’ll count to their 1/4 bonus, and finance rebates
This is my understanding. It might be true that the price is the price the dealer paid. But they might get a discount on that or rebate based on meeting targets plus commission on finance and extras.
I'm sure you can do the sums on whether you can afford it. I'll throw one minor fact. Apparently the first year of a cars life is not its most reliable
I'd do it!
FWIW I reckon that piece of paper showing zero profit may well be legit. That margin seems about right for a dealer.
As said above, they will make the money on the commission for PCP, the GAP insurance they (try) and sell you and the 'Supershine' or whatever they call it. It will also contribute to their sales volume bonus, which can be massive for a dealership (100's of K per quarter).
You may find a dealer that is so desperate to go after the volume bonus that they will sell at a loss, so worth checking autoebid etc.
That said, if your guy is willing to do a part exchange on the lovely Panda, that's a massive convenience, so probably not worth the hassle of finding a dealer who may offer less than a couple of hundred quid less, but no Panda money.
Dealers are having a rubbish time of it currently, so it is a good time to be buying, and the Sept reg change will also be looming, so they will be keen to get sales in now, and discount accordingly.
Worth considering if the lack of a 70 plate bothers you or not on a new car. Is it worth waiting til 1 September?
Apparently the first year of a cars life is not its most reliable
Bathtub curve 101 isn't it
Totally different type of car, but for not much more (probably similar if you shop around, you can get an E300 Merc.
I know where my money would be going
(Actually my money went on an RS5, but that's another story)
I've read all the comments, and taken it all on board.
I get that people think it's a huge waste of money, because that's been my opinion for the last 20 years. I just kind of want to be the first bum in the seat for once. Also I've looked at slightly older cars and the higher interest rates make the monthlies more expensive.
Also it's not a 27k Fiesta. It's just over 23. I am very well aware of everything else I could have the same price because I look at cars all day, every day. The thing about this, is it's a sweet and innocent little Fiesta that will be cheap to run and will also be amazingly good fun when you want it to be. I can't wait to drive it down to the alps running on 2 cylinders, it'll be our cheapest trip ever.
I'd love a Focus RS or an Exige or a Cayman but then all that money would be sitting in the garage all week while we trundle around in discomfort in the Panda.
I can put 4k down and then pay £248 a month for 36 months with a final value of 11500. It won't skint us but it'll be a big decision to make in 3 years time.
This is the only brand new car I'm interested in. Just because it's rare and I like fast Fords. If we don't buy this it'll be something completely different.
I feel your pain, Toyota Yaris GR4.
The deposit is paid, the stress will surely kill me before delivery.
That thing will be unreal, enjoy it! If I'd been in my job a bit longer and could make the payments that's what I'd have.
That said, if your guy is willing to do a part exchange on the lovely Panda
We still get to sell the Panda. We just have to send a photo of the logbook to show that we're switching to Ford and they'll give us £1000 towards the deposit.
In fact I just put the Panda up for sale. So we'll need a replacement before Doris goes back to work in September.
Thanks for all the input. We'll be making the decision this week some time.
I get that people think it’s a huge waste of money, because that’s been my opinion for the last 20 years.
It’s not a huge waste of money, it’s money you will spend and get enjoyment out of.
People spend money on all kinds of things that could be considered a waste by some.
Go for it 😃
We still get to sell the Panda. We just have to send a photo of the logbook to show that we’re switching to Ford and they’ll give us £1000 towards the deposit.
Sorry, missed that - Get in!
Sounds like you really want it sharkattack, go for it mate.e=
This is the only brand new car I’m interested in.
You won't regret going with you heart. Watch this sensible mid life mans version of Top Gear then go buy & enjoy your new First car OP
Are you getting it in "orange fury"?
I bought a new Ford 4.5 years ago and have some thoughts that might be relevant. I had cash from my retirement lump sum. I emailed all the Ford dealers within 100 miles and asked them for a price for the car I wanted. The replies went from list price to 3k off list. When I spoke to the cheapest, they mentioned that if I took the finance package they would pay the deposit for me, £2.5k, and there was no restriction on how much I borrowed or when I paid it off. So I effectively get 5.5k off the list price. Looking at £248 x 36, plus 4k down and 11.5k later, how does that compare with the list price? Might you be better, if you can get a deal like I did, borrowing the money and buying outright?
I did find the reliablity poorer than I expected. About a year in, the clutch exploded and was replaced under warranty. But the bathtub curve seems to apply to models as well as individual cars, and I think Ford have pushed the technology a bit with the Ecoboost engine. It performs well, but it's very sensitive to overheating, and the original models had a couple of plastic pipes in a minor bit of the cooling circuit; when they broke, it lost coolant and wrote the engine off in minutes. The coolant pipes to the turbo are also being found to corrode. The cambelt runs in an oil bath and was supposed to last the life of the car, but Ford now admit it should be changed at 150k, and others say 75k - but the other issue is that the shed fibres from belt clog the filter on the oil pump, and that fails and kills the engine. So if you're looking at an Ecoboost engine, ask a few questions about what's been done to fix those design defects.
yes very often (always) these days the dealers will offer bigger discounts for PCP sales than cash, as they get the commission for the PCP, but you have a lot of credit protection and can pay it off the moment the keys are in your hands and hence take the savings but not pay any interest. Paying cash is not the way to do it anymore.
Are you getting it in “orange fury”?
That's the only colour for the 600 'Performance Edition' cars. It's basically an ST3 with all the expensive options (B&O stereo, LED headlights), the performance pack (Quaife LSD, track mode) plus some stuff you can't get on the regular car like the magnesium wheels and adjustable coilover suspension. It's undoubtedly expensive but you can spec a regular up to the same price and it's still a regular Fiesta in a boring colour.
The cambelt runs in an oil bath and was supposed to last the life of the car,
That's worrying because that's what snapped in the van. I'd be very concerned if they're still using that wet belt design on this engine especially if we intended to keep it long term.
Sounds like you really want it sharkattack, go for it mate
Doing all the boring stuff tomorrow like insurance quotes etc. Then I'll get back to him...or not. Who knows?
Sounds like you want a new car because it’s new and should be reliable. It’s a pretty nice feeling (I’ve had new company cars before and bought my first new personal car four years ago). Clearly it’s not the cheapest option but potentially it’s the least hassle and maybe the most “want” option. I hope you enjoy the new car!
I put the Panda up for sale today at 11am. It's just driven away with a new owner.
Unbelievable. The fastest, easiest car sale I've ever done. I'm a bit shell shocked to be honest and Doris is gutted.
So now we need a car. It may or may not be bright orange. It might be a boring vag.
Erm, if you’ve sold it, how do you get the extra £1k as you no longer own a car?
Because I phoned the Ford man today and asked what he needed and it's just a scan of the front and second page of the logbook so I did that earlier. Just in case.
We're picking it up on Thursday.
I've been sweating it all weekend but what's the worst that can happen?
We can afford the payments and we get three years of cruising around in a modern, comfortable car full of gadgets for the first time. 3 years isn't that long and if we decide we've made a horrible mistake we'll never get another one. If we love it we'll try to buy it at the end.
Phew. Now that I've finished flagellating myself for this gross indulgence, my main concern is that something out of our control will ruin it. The driving standards in Sheffield are absolutely appalling. We might get written off by a pensioner in an SUV (again). We might come out of Asda to find a dent in our bumper (again). Some jealous little scrote might just drag their key down the side of it (never actually happened to any of my bangers before).
I've got until collection to think about Gap insurance and bodywork protection so I'm going to read up about that. It's £499 for the full 3 years from Ford.
Anyone want to meet up at Maccy D's at the weekend and do some handbrake turns?
£499? The don't get called "Stealers" for nothing.
I just did a quick quote for £24500 for 3 years and it was under £150!
https://totallossgap.co.uk/
I have no idea if they are any good, I was just curious and they came up first in google.
Excellent, enjoy! 😀
£499? The don’t get called “Stealers” for nothing.
I thought that might be the case. It sounds like the kind of thing I'd like to have even if we never use it, just for peace of mind, but I'll read up about it and get some other quotes.
Excellent, enjoy!
We certainly will!
Thanks to everyone on here for pushing me over the edge.
As above - get the GAP insurance elsewhere or try to get a deal from Ford. All these GAP, paintwork protection coatings (Not PPF) are where dealers make much of their profit these days. Enjoy. Looks great
When we got our Mazda 3, they offered one of the paint protection products, but it had to be re-applied every year for an extra fee.
Like the GAP insurance, you can get cheaper paint protection from a decent valeter/ detailed if you’re bothered. A mate did his Arteon that way. After 2 years it’s still immaculate and water beads off.
I’ve done plenty of polishing to last a lifetime on a concours Triumph so I’m over washing and polishing cars for fun.
Yes get GAP insurance, just not from the manufacturer.
GAP insurance is a must or you could be left very out of pocket come insurance payout.
It comes with the super-duper paint protection thrown in. He said it makes dirt bounce off like magic. Not sure how much it was supposed to cost or how good it will actually be.
When it wears off I've got a mate who does really over the top detailing so we should be able to keep on top of it.
New car novelty wears off after a month or so and it just becomes a.n.other car, the primary focus of which is to get you from one location to another.
The novelty of the payments probably doesn't wear off so quickly.
4k down payment would get you a half decent motor. 250 a month put to one side to cover inevitable maintenence would leave you with a decent pot of money to go on holiday with.
I think leasing only makes sense if you do it through your business. Chuck the whole lot against tax.
Who ordered the killjoy?
4k down payment would get you a half decent motor. 250 a month put to one side to cover inevitable maintenence would leave you with a decent pot of money to go on holiday with.
That's what I've been doing for 18 years of driving. I just wanted something that I wouldn't ordinarily be able to buy outright.
It's a one off, we might never do it again.
Great choice. Regularly voted best super mini hot hatch(or whatever) the segment is called these days. Looks ace 👍🏻
New car novelty wears off after a month or so and it just becomes a.n.other car, the primary focus of which is to get you from one location to another.
No it does not if you buy/rent a half decent car.
A decent car - every time you get in it you should look forward to it and they don’t get dull
A decent car – every time you get in it you should look forward to it and they don’t get dull
And some folks like marmite
A Cars a tool for me. It won't excite me even if it's a fancy car .
All cars are dull a car shouldn't have to excite you.
Nice one! Great fun motor the FiST! I’m enjoying my Cupra ST I bought last November. A bit less exciting than the go-kartiness of the FiST, maybe, but nice pace and handling; certainly not dull, but life's too short for dull!
Something to consider/research re GAP insurance is what will your car insurance pay in the first year of ownership. When I had to make a claim 3 months into owning a new 206 the claim advisor I spoke to said that if it had been written off I'd get a new car.
This was a few years ago and may not be for all companies, but could save on GAP insurance if you don't need it for year 1. I don't know if you can get GAP at any stage after initial purchase so may need some investigation.
A Cars a tool for me. It won’t excite me even if it’s a fancy car .
All cars are dull a car shouldn’t have to excite you.
That's how I feel about road and gravel bikes so I just ignore the threads.
Something to consider/research re GAP insurance is what will your car insurance pay in the first year of ownership. When I had to make a claim 3 months into owning a new 206 the claim advisor I spoke to said that if it had been written off I’d get a new car.
Thanks for that. It's pretty much what I gathered from reading about it and then we confirmed with our own insurance company. If the car is a total loss in the first 12 months, they'll pay out exactly what we paid for the car. We'll definitely pay for the remaining 2 years until we have to stick or switch.
We're picking it up on Friday morning now. I had a work thing that I could not wriggle out of. Weather forecast is good and we'll be taking the long way home!
I've read every single review I can find and can't stop watching videos like this;
Awesome, that's gonna be you that is. Thumbs up!
Lovely, great colour, I've gotta slum it a white Yaris, although I'm now tempted to test drive the Supra 🤣
What tasty car for £20k is a distance memory. 😶
Luckily for me my wife is a "whatever dear" type of girl.