Forum menu
Regarding the P/X issue,
The last 2 cars I purchased (from new) I managed to get big discounts on the RRPs which I was very happy with but poor amounts offered for the PX vehicles. On both occasions I went back to the dealers and told them I wanted the new car for the agreed price but would be selling my car privately. Dealers had no problems with that on either occasion (and I got about £1500 extra on each P/X car). So the P/X is not always an important part of the deal.
Oh, and on both occasions the P/X cars were 3/4 years old with low mileage and no problems. Managed to sell them privately very easily, at well over book price, so not sure why the dealers were not interested. Worked out fine regardless.
P/X can be a hassle for a dealer and they seldom make money on them (as above, they often 'lose' on paper). If you pull your P/X out of a deal they're not normally going to flinch - which tells you a lot about how good the deal was for you!
There are times and people for whom P/X is simple and hassle free, but generally the trade's success is built on people who walk away thinking they got a great deal.
-m- I'm getting a little narked with your patronising attitude. I'm extremely clued up on car values and am often asked to check them for friends and relatives. I KNOW what cars are worth.
In both cases we got a very good price for p/x AND bought for a good price too AND got lots of extras thrown in. Your justification is utter BS.
Yes I have had a very poor price for p/x before but I wanted the next car a lot so swallowed it. In this case we got a very good deal.
£6250 for a 2005 Astra 1.9CDTi 150 estate(last year) with 48k on the clock and over four years old at the time. I would have been happy with anything over 5k. Bought BMW 335d Touring just over two years old from Sytners with Used Approved cover and 16k miles for £21k which included delivery and pick up of the two cars, full service, full Supagarding, roof bars, a years tax and more. That is a VERY good deal both buying and selling.
£4000 for a late 2005 Suzuku Jimny softop with 23k on the clock. P/xed for a late 2007 LR Defender 110 XS station wagon with 37k on the clock. £20,500 with new floor mats (£250), tyres all round (£500++), service, Used Approved warranty, a years tax (£435) and some more bits.
They are both GOOD DEALS from proper dealers.
The Astra and Jimny were both advertised for less than the above figures in Autotrader - we got one response to the Jimny ad and that was it.
Like I said, we fundamentally differ. As long as you're happy with your deal then that's the important thing.
Myself, I'm really not into cars. I'm happy to trundle along in the T5 you can see behind the MR2. If I took my cycling competitiveness onto the road it would end in very big tears, I'm sure.
You're not wrong about not being into cars, are you? That's your T4 hiding back there, it's not a T5 🙂
I'm with you all the way though - I'd take a van full of fun stuff, on the way to somewhere nice, over something flash anyday!
Like I said, we fundamentally differ. As long as you're happy with your deal then that's the important thing.
Yes we do - I know the value of cars, you don't. I've bought new, used private and used dealer cars, p/xed, sold privately, sold to dealer (no p/x), etc many times so know what a good deal is.
I also haven't factored in a massive advantage of how we bought - we got to check the entire country for the cars we wanted and sold to an "instant" buyer.
If we'd stuck to the local private market, we'd have been selling to a much smaller audience. So we got a good price for old cars and bought the best deals in the UK and also saved 100s in travel costs. If we'd stuck to private selling, we'd have had all that hassle (and time therefore money), got cr4p prices and had each car inspected with a fine tooth comb - both were in great nick but still a hassle.
I'm in awe.
You're not wrong about not being into cars, are you? That's your T4 hiding back there, it's not a T5
Congratulations, you spotted the typo. I'm not always at my best the morning after a Thursday night ride..........
I just p/xed for a deal at a main dealer. I keep wanting to see that I've been fleeced somewhere but I did far better than I'd have ever done privately.
Guy's, before everyone gets their knickers in a knot, there is not a hard and fast rule as to whether it's best to p/x or not as there are too many variables involved. Dealers will aim to break even on true 'Trade' as generally low balling costs deals and high balling costs margin. Trade through auction is notoriously fickle and anyone who 'knows' what cars are worth is a better man than me and my years of experience. My advice as always, is to buy the car not the deal. Do your research, get a couple of opinions, check the history and if it seems like a good deal, fine. Also, as cars go wrong, ask yourself would I be confident I would be looked after.
Too late for that 😀
You're right; which was the point I was trying to make that if you're happy with the deal you get then everyone wins - however it's been constructed/pitched/sweeteened.
if it aint broke.....
re: the MR2 - my mate had a 2 litre 16v turbo with all sorts of performance mods. It was a hooligan! Fantastic in a straight line, a little nervous round corners and not comfy at all. But it always put a smile on your face and that's what good cars are supposed to do...
Good little car for not much money.