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This weekend has been spent looking for a replacement for the twelve year-old BX (running like a good 'un but has developed a leak and SWMBO doesn't like it any more). Anyway, we reckoned that among new cars (not really out bag, but hey), the Berlingo/Partner would be a good replacement. Apart from the fact that the Citroen dealer was completely uninterested in selling us a Berlingo, I'm not sure the Citroen deal is as good as it looks. The Pug Partner Combi HDI is more expensive, but the basic model comes with more gizmos, and cheaper add-ons (nearly £200 less to add ABS). Best of all though is that Peugeot are offering a 0% finance deal over three years, with a deposit of £1500. On this basis, the Pug is better value. We actually have enough cash, but this will save us more in lost interest than our estimated bangernomics replace and/or repair budget of £500 per annum, and we are very tempted. Oh yes, and our local dealer offered us £600 off if we _didn't_ p/x the BX! Any thoughts?
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"Citroen dealer was completely uninterested in selling us a Berlingo"
What was he interested in selling you, then?
Peugeot sounds like a good deal (I think it looks slightly sharper, too), but no doubt we shall hear the usual chorus about French build quality. I'm normally a bangernomics addict, too, but still get tempted from time to time. Daughter has just bought a new Fiesta, and I have to admit to liking it more than I expected to.
Don't think garages are too interested in old p/ex anymore. At least you can use it as a lever and then sell privately!
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Yes, the new Berlingo and new Partner Combi. The 17.5 is good, but extras work out more expensive even with the discount (they did at the local dealer anyway), and the base model is not as well equipped to start with (if the Cit dealer is to be believed - see below). The 0% finance deal will be worth about grand to us in lost interest, so they are very comparable deals. Like JBJ I prefer the look of the Pug, and the Citroen salesman (manager of the franchise) was a complete idiot - not a good sign for the dealer support. For example, he couldn't get us factory a/c on the Berlingo (not until March apparently), and instead wanted us to buy a Xsara estate - not just any one, but "This one in blue." Good car, but not really us. The idea that someone might buy new and not have a choice of colours amazed me. Besides, he told us the 17.5% discount only lasts until the end of this month and as you (HJ) have told us, it's been extended to the end of the year.
So on balance, I reckon the Cit is extremely good for the basic Forte model, but not so good if you add anything. Decisions, decisions - my head still says go for the banger option. Amazed though that this is a vehicle my wife and I can agree on - thanks for the thorough road test that pointed us in that direction. It's excellent in either guise, and the HDI engine is wonderful: 2500 revs at 70mph is a relaxing, quiet revelation.
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As a proud co-owner of an (old-style) Berlingo built to our requirements (colour, a/c etc) within a month of ordering I think it might be worth finding another Cit dealer if you can without too much hassle and negotiating the deal you want.
Then take great pleasure in turning up on original dealer's doorstep and showing him your new car! He's obviously got an ulterior motive in shifting the Xsara.
Got to be worthwhile - if only because you're not buying someone else's discarded problems.
Terry
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Not a bad idea, Terryb. They are great. Problem is, from what he suggested it will not be possible to get a Berlingo on more than base Forte spec inside the offer period. Peugeot confirmed this indirectly by saying that if we want ABS and a/c (we definitely do if we buy new), it will be January. The Partner HDI also comes with electric front windows, remote central locking, and a CD player as standard. New Berlingo doesn't.
Oh, yes. He was desperate to shift that Xsara. Methinks all is not well in Citroen dealer land.
How is yours going? Anything to look out for?
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Chris
Apart from the tailgate pull strap falling off in the early days, nothing but good reports to make. Still early days though as SWMBO uses it as her loadlugger for work with the occasional blast down the motorway to clean everything out and it's only done 6k miles in 18 months.
Terry
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