Buying a New Car

[muppet]

Hi Guys

Anybody bought a brand new Honda or Toyota vehicle lately?

If so, did you get any sort of discount?

I am browsing the market at the moment.

Any suggestions on getting a discount would be most appreciated.

Regards

[CJ]

I dont think Honda give discounts. Something about keeping up their resale value. Times might have changed with the current climate.

[muppet]

Hi CJ

Yep, that is what one Honda seller told me.

Still, there are other fish to catch or consider, that do offer incentives.

Regards

[CJ]

Mazda can give good discounts. My dad just got a good deal on a Mazda 6.

The whole mazda lineup (2,3 and 6) appear to be very nice cars.

[princess]

Honda won't discount, its their price promise policy in NZ and some other countries. Even in current climate they are unlikely to discount though may set new car prices lower than expected.

Toyota and Holden are best bets for big discounts, esp if reports elsewhere about Toyota cutting production are to be beleived.

Heaps of 2 - 3 year old cars going begging though!

[essence]

WHY would one buy a new car, when the value drops by almost 50% within the first 2 years??!!

Most newish cars are covered by a three year warranty anyway, so if you buy a (say) 2 year old car, you've let someone else pay for the depreciation and you've still got the warranty.

Okay you've got the new car smell when you buy a new car - so what. Buy a second hand car and get a can of "New car in a can" (or whatever it's called!) and clean it with that, or alternatively, get the car valet-ed.

BTW, my partner has a Mazda 6. Nice car, just don't get one with black leather seats - they burn your bum in summer when they get hot!

Disclaimer - As you can tell, I'm not into cars. They should only be used for getting from Point a to Point B.

[Davo36]

Honda won't discount, its their price promise policy in NZ and some other countries. Even in current climate they are unlikely to discount though may set new car prices lower than expected.

Toyota and Holden are best bets for big discounts, esp if reports elsewhere about Toyota cutting production are to be beleived.

Heaps of 2 - 3 year old cars going begging though!

I looked at buying a Honda Accord about a year ago. I've owned 2 before.

The thing is they are getting dearer as time goes on, not cheaper. What I mean is you used to be able to buy a Honda Accord with 50,000 kms on the clock in good condition for $15k. Now you would have to spend at least $25k.

They are flasher cars nowadays and have a bigger engine, but I see that as a downside rather than an upside.

What's stopping me from buying a new car though is the rudeness of the salespeople. Took a Suzuki Swift for a test drive around 6 months ago. The salesman was the rudest I have ever dealt with. I think he though I was flat broke when I drove up in my old dunga and so he didn't take me seriously. Interestingly I spoke to a friend of mine at a sports club who sells cars and told him about it. Turns out he's this guys boss - it's all part of a big group of companies owned by one guy, and my friend runs them all!

I'd be interested to know what people think is the best strategy to get a good price on a newish car. Do you try to look like you haven't got much money (so they'll give you a good deal) or do you make it known you have cash and will be buying a car (so they take you seriously)?

If you do the former, they treat you like you're wasting their time and if you do the latter, you're asking to pay too much aren't you?

David

[muppet]

I want to pay cash, but I am also looking at either a Corolla or a Mazda 3 or a Jazz.

So far I have driven the Jazz and looked at a Corolla.

[princess]

i really don't think compassion is part of the car dealers reportoire so would not do the poor look in the hope that they give you a discount. Park yr car around the corner, and dress smart but not flashy, tell them you have cash, can pay by eftpos TODAY if you see something you like. Just don't get suckered into a trade in, you usually get more cash on Trademe or at the car fair. Push for a discount or extras like tow bar, mags, stereo etc... just make sure you know what these are worth retail.

PS muppet i suspect u will find the corolla is clunkier than the jazz. I drove jazz last year and was quite impressed, but did not like the colour ...

[revdev]

I drove jazz last year and was quite impressed, but did not like the colour ...

My mother purchased a new Jazz, last year and has been very happy with it. Only neg comment (from the old man) has been an uncomfortable driving position on long trips.
She got the Jazz in black and it looks good.

Cheers
G

[Davo36]

My mum has a Jazz too. For that reason I can never own one.

Saw a Chrysler Charger today. The car I had when I was 19. Lost a bucket load on it, but I'll buy one again someday. Can't beat the 265 Hemi...

David

[donna]

I have been told the VW polo is a really nice small car. Not sure on how it compares on $$ but it's nicely appointed, travels well on the gas and has that good ole German engineering thing going on.

Cheers,

Donna

[princess]

Hey Davo, they still make Chryslers with that same Hemi engine don't they?

Yanks have not heard of product development!

And yeah Donna, i think the Golf will be my next car, if i can get a nice one for around $12k... i don't buy new :-)

[Dunning]

Davo go looking to buy the middle to the end of the month. This is when they are desperate to make targets. Not just the sales people but also the dealership.

Tell them you have cash and are going to buy. Tell them you are going to x and y yard after them. Ask for their best price. Leave your card/number with them. They will call you if the are desperate for the sale. Ask them to talk to the manager to see if they can lower the price.

[Davo36]

Dunning, some good advice there.

I did have a look at a Honda dealership last year. I decided not to buy, too dear, but they rang on the last day of the month every time for around 6 months!

Do people do this kind of negotiation on behalf of other people? I hate dealing with car salespeople.

David