Car advice

[Sir Osisofliver]

Perhaps not, but I don't see a negotiation process (which we have yet to begin) as something which has to exclude pleasant human interaction, and of necessity needs to be aggressive.

There is, to use an old cliche, more than one way to skin a cat.
Different negotiating styles may equally achieve the desired end result.

And I am actually genuinely interested in why people do what they do and how they like/dislike their work.

And clearly you wear the label of being a bastard toward the salesperson with pride. I usually find it's possible to get what I want without being oh so tough.

Oh I'm generally not el bastardo when I negotiate, when you get aggressive people tend to get defensive, it's a tactic but I'll only use it in very specific circumstances. I just said my wife calls me a bastard because she knows what I am doing when I use my Jedi mind tricks against the salespeople.

I do not need to buy a car. Several posters on this thread clearly think I'm nuts to be considering it, given the low kms, carting around of dog etc. And they're quite right.

The car salespeople are equally aware of this and I'm quite sure they realise unless I'm happy with what is ultimately offered I'll simply walk away.

I'm quite sure you don't mean to be either sexist or patronising, Sir O, something - incidentally - I've not experienced at all from either BMW or Mazda.

Good Lord no, just trying to share some hopefully helpful hints - obviously your Grandmother knows how to suck eggs and I'll stop talking about it now. Sorry if I offended.

I'm having a bit of a smile at you, the caring financial planner/adviser, making clear the role sales technique plays in your own industry.

I've always said that sales plays a heavy role in the Financial Services Industry, but I only use my Jedi mind tricks for good (or to get my wife stuff she wants).

Cheers

Sir O

 

[Julia]

Hi Julia,

Got myself a Mazda 6 wagon at the beginning of July. Being driven by my wife, 19 yr old son and myself and, early days yet, but we are all very happy with it.

Love the huge cargo area. Great to buy a BBQ or piece of furniture and cart it straight home yourself.

Thanks, Ferret, good to hear. Yes, when I compare the practical aspects of the 320i and the Mazda 6 wagon, especially the space and dog carrying area, the Mazda is much better.

Thanks Julia,
nobody can accuse you of not doing the research. It's the old cliche 'repent at leisure' so take your time over it.

You're all being very tolerant about how tedious I must be seeming in trying to get it right. But if I'm spending up to $50K I want to be sure I don't in fact 'repent at leisure' as you suggest, Logique.

Sorry if I offended.

Never, Sir O. Appreciate, as always, your input.

 

[roland]

Checked out Holden's website today and noticed a special on the Barina - $14,990. Called HeartLand Holden in Parramatta and was quoted $19,500. I quizzed the effervescent salesman about the difference, whilst avoiding all his attempts to get my phone number, only to be told that he didn't know of any "deals"

Rang Holden head office and was told that the special had been around for a while and the dealers should all know about them.....

Called Suttons at Homebush and was quoted $14,500

One wonders how many people have been buying Barina's for $5,000 more than they could of?

 

[Julia]

Roland, it's yet another case of buyer beware.
Last year a friend of mine went to the local Toyota dealership and bought a new Toyota Yaris. She didn't make any enquiries from any other dealerships.
She paid the price that was asked!!!
She was very taken aback to see a couple of weeks later in a national newspaper an advt for a price around $4000 less. On a low value car like this, that's a significant price difference.

But whose fault was it? The dealerships are businesses. They won't go offering a deal if they don't have to. Why should they?

Further to my earlier indecision about cars, I decided to look at maybe a used Mercedes Benz B Class. Followed up a particular car on carsforsale.com.au (or whatever it's called) and the enquiry went through to MB on the Gold Coast.
Turned out that this vehicle is too small for what I want, and it was suggested I should consider C Class Estate. Said no, that they were way more than I was prepared to pay, but the salesman said "you might be surprised" and put the brochure in the mail.

Long story short: the C Class Estate Classic, RRP $67,000 they will sell for $55,000, including flying me down to see it. It's fairly clear that this could be negotiated a bit further down, probably to $53,500.

So anyone who just pays what any dealer is asking is doing themselves in the eye. There is a lot of competition between dealerships. If you indicate to one that one of their competitors will sell at $X, they simply say, "tell me what I have to offer to beat that".

 

[poverty]

Her daughter is 5'10" and rarely drives the car because she simply hasn't enough room in driver's seat to be comfortable, even with seat as far back as possible.

Pics of daughter?

 

[inq]

Have you considered the Subaru Impreza RS Hatch.

Sports model, very nice interior (hand stitched leather bucketish style seats, chrome trim), excellent performance and reliability. Depending on auto or manual, you could get one for low $30's.

 

[nomore4s]

Speaking of new cars.

We brought a new Impreza about 3 weeks ago, and yesterday in a massive thunder storm my other half was involved in a 4 car pile up

Luckily no one was hurt and our car had very minor damage as it was at the front of the queue. Looks like we will only have the replace the rear body kit bumber. The guy who caused the accident was in a Hilux 4WD with a bull-bar and didn't have a scratch on his car but the 2 other cars involved are pretty much write offs.

 

[nomore4s]

Have you considered the Subaru Impreza RS Hatch.

Sports model, very nice interior (hand stitched leather bucketish style seats, chrome trim), excellent performance and reliability. Depending on auto or manual, you could get one for low $30's.

We got the RS sedan, we paid just under $30k for it as it was a run out model of the showroom floor (new model out this month I think).

 

[inq]

They really are an excellent car. I would really like to buy one myself, but the investment monkey wont get off my back.

 

[Julia]

Have you considered the Subaru Impreza RS Hatch.

Sports model, very nice interior (hand stitched leather bucketish style seats, chrome trim), excellent performance and reliability. Depending on auto or manual, you could get one for low $30's.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm familiar with the car.
Definitely don't want hatch which doesn't have enough room in tail for dog.
The Mazda 6 Wagon is very roomy. I know I should have decided what to do by now (!) but can't get excited about it. I've been surprised that Mercedes Benz C Class classic estate can be had for $55,000. RRP $67,500.
Trying to decide if (a) it's worth the extra over the Mazda, and (b) whether I can rationally justify spending that much on a car which does around 1200 kms p.a.
Meantime, dog continues to shake her hair all through the present old car, and drool down the windows, and I don't worry about it.

 

[zzaaxxss3401]

Looks like we will only have the replace the rear body kit bumper. The guy who caused the accident was in a Hilux 4WD with a bull-bar and didn't have a scratch on his car but the 2 other cars involved are pretty much write offs.

Don't be surprised if you get a quote for repair and it's 100's of $ more than you expect. Cars these days have plastic front and rear bumpers, but underneath is where the real structure of the car lies - the bumper may pop back out to it's normal position, but structural damage may have been sustained. Toe in / out can wear out tyres very quickly due to damage to the steering / suspension. Get your car checked out thoroughly after any accident.

 

[inq]

I'm not aware of any stock cars which use FRP bumpers as stock. Sure just about all aftermarkets are, but stocks....

 

[nomore4s]

Don't be surprised if you get a quote for repair and it's 100's of $ more than you expect. Cars these days have plastic front and rear bumpers, but underneath is where the real structure of the car lies - the bumper may pop back out to it's normal position, but structural damage may have been sustained. Toe in / out can wear out tyres very quickly due to damage to the steering / suspension. Get your car checked out thoroughly after any accident.

Not really concerned as to how much it is going to cost as the other guy's insurance is paying for it. I know the owner of the panel beaters we have to take it to for repair so I'm sure it will all be checked out thoroughly.

 

[JTLP]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm familiar with the car.
Definitely don't want hatch which doesn't have enough room in tail for dog.
The Mazda 6 Wagon is very roomy. I know I should have decided what to do by now (!) but can't get excited about it. I've been surprised that Mercedes Benz C Class classic estate can be had for $55,000. RRP $67,500.
Trying to decide if (a) it's worth the extra over the Mazda, and (b) whether I can rationally justify spending that much on a car which does around 1200 kms p.a.
Meantime, dog continues to shake her hair all through the present old car, and drool down the windows, and I don't worry about it.

On the plus side if you get the Mercedes it will retain value with such little driving. Plus servicing shouldn't be too costly for you as if it were averaged out over your kms then it would probably be the equivalent of regular highway driving of a standard car. (my english is terrible today...apologies!)

It also sounds like you're trying to talk yourself out (or in) to getting this car?
Just do it...you may as well be happy now then regretful later

 

[tech/a]

Trying to decide if (a) it's worth the extra over the Mazda, and (b) whether I can rationally justify spending that much on a car which does around 1200 kms p.a

Julia.
If you buy one with really low Ks in 3 yrs time it will be about the same and probably worth around the same if the Merc.
The Mazda will have halved in price regardless!
Get the Merc you know you want it.
The only justification you need is you want it and your in the position to be delightfully selfish!

The German Shepherd in the Merc will look far more regal!
Besides Julia you've always struck me as more a Merc than a Mazda kinda girl!

 

[nunthewiser]

The German Shepherd in the Merc will look far more regal!
Besides Julia you've always struck me as more a Merc than a Mazda kinda girl!

smooth as bro

 

[Julia]

Thanks so much for the encouragement, fellas. I am just miserably bad at making this sort of decision, so it's much appreciated.

Your point about the depreciation is quite correct. I started out looking at second hand MB Wagons and was blown away by how expensive they were, the "Elegance" (the step up from the basic Classic C Class wagon) even at a couple of years old and with around 30,000 kms was way more than the Standard new Estate.

The other noticeable difference in the 'shopping around' exercise is the level of service and follow up offered by both BMW and MB which is simply a world away from the local Mazda etc dealerships. Nothing is too much trouble, and they are far more ready to negotiate.

Sorry to say, however, that said German Shepherd is at least a year away from being, um, regal. I can only hope that if I do get the MB, her behaviour will improve accordingly.

 

[burglar]

My first day here, ... totally enthralled by how much mileage you've generated with this thread !

Now my

No one has yet mentioned the big 100,000Km Service !
I would keep the auld girl till then.
That's not to say I would go without the Merc !!
Have the Merc and loyal Mazda, side by side in the garage.

Your biggest decision before breakfast: which car will I drive today?



I have no interest in securities in Mazda or Mercedes

 

[Julia]

LOL, burglar, I only have a single garage! Welcome to ASF and thanks for your contribution.

 

[burglar]

LOL, burglar, I only have a single garage! Welcome to ASF and thanks for your contribution.

Picture yourself in this!