I'm possibly looking to replace my Mondeo with a new Astra Sport Hatch.
I've been looking around at internet brokers who seem to be able to offer it a lot cheaper than list price. Basically the model I want I can't really afford unless I go this route. I'm after the 1.9 CDTi version. Any recommendations for a broker?
So my question is, what are the chances of a Vauxhall dealer matching the price? And what are they likely to say if I want to part ex my Mondeo.
Also what do you reckon is the best model, the SRi or the Design. I'll be adding a couple of options to both (metallic paint, upgrade stereo, cruise and maybe leather). I intnd to keep the car for quite a while. I know there are dynamically better cars outr there, but I had the sport haatch for the 3 day test drive and really liked it, so my mind is all but made up.
Cheers!
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Brokers are one of my specialist subjects - your local dealer MAY match the price but usually they won't.
As long as the broker that you use puts you in touch with a main dealer there is nothing to worry about as you only ever pay money to and have a contract with the dealer.
When going through a broker some dealers will do PX others will not - the price they give you will be for the trade value of the car which may seem lower than expected but they have no margin to give you an over-inflated PX price.
some brokers to try include
www.carfile.net
www.ukcarbroker.co.uk
www.broker4cars.co.uk
www.drivethedeal.co.uk
www.buymynewcar.com
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b_h - if a lot of brokers are working through main dealers anyway, why don't the dealers cut out the broker and drop their price to the public? I think a lot of the public would rather deal direct with a dealer to establish a relationship which might help get the car looked after better. I have just bought a new car and paid a dealer £300 more than the best broker quote because the dealer let me have a test drive and I felt confident with their service. Am I daft?
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if a lot of brokers are working through main dealers anyway, why don't the dealers cut out the broker and drop their price to the public?
The main reason is money - if all dealers worked on the margins that are made when dealing via a broker they would very quickly shut up shop. If they were to drop their prices to a much lower level would they get a big enough increase in business to return the same profit level overall?
No - so for the odd deal they do lose it still works out best for them to have the higher prices. If they are desperate for sales they may choose to match a broker price but it is usually the exception rather than the norm.
I do deal with customers like yourself who are happier to pay a little bit extra to deal locally and if that is what you prefer all well and good.
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I have just bought a nearly-new 5-dr Astra Design from a Vauxhall dealer, trading in my older Astra (2000 model). They gave me a more-than-competitive trade-in price and a very good price on the new car. I think that dealers can be competitive, especially if they know the level of competition.
I had a short list of either the SXi or Design, I went for the Design because of the extra equipment you get, which makes it a great car to live with. I really thought that there was little or no point of auto lights and wipers, but wouldn't be without them now, especially the latter. The half leather seats in the Design are really comfy - I think the dash colours look better too. The MP3 stereo is a great feature - I have 12 albums burnt onto one CD.
This is my fourth Astra having owned the Mk 2, 3 and 4 previously. This is by far the best one...
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and a far prettier car than the equivelent Focus, funny how things change...
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Thanks for the advice. I have to admit, the Design looks like the slightly better package to me; the model I test drover was a SXi which was good enough, but the Design has the half leather seats which I've also tried and like.
I agree about the Focus, it is a good car (and probably has the better interior than the Astra) but looks wise it's no competition for the Astra.
I had a Mk2 Astra some time ago and really liked it, it was a good car. I've had 2 more Vauxhalls since, a Cavalier and an Omega Elite, both of which gave me no end of trouble, especially the Omega. I can forgive Vauxhall for this in light of the new Astra; I figure I can't possibly go wrong with a new un.....
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