Buying a New Car

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Hi Guys, I’m thinking of getting shut of my trusty 6 year old 59,000 mile Xantia, I’ve had since it was 3 month 3,000 miles old, so we’ve become quite attached, anyway, have any of you any experience of buying from a Car Supermarket?

I’ve been looking at Motorpoint of Burnley, they’re advertising Renault Laguna Sport Tourers (estates) Dynamique 2.0ltr DCI 130bhp brand new full UK spec for £12,999 plus on the road charges, on the Renault website these cars are listed at £19,400, so it’s a lot of car for the money.

Trouble is they are imports, so.

What are the implications of buying an import?

What if you need warranty work?

What about servicing, will the main dealers not like you if you aint bought the car from them?

What about when I come to sell it on? Bearing in mind that I may keep it 5 or 6 years.

[Peter M]

When I bought my Megane Sports Hatch the difference in price between a Dealer and a UK spec import was about 3.5k.I was told that the import had 12,000 miles/1 year warranty as opposed to the dealer 60,000/3 years warranty.

[Boxerman33]

I bought a new Honda from Motorpoint about 3 months ago for an equally big saving, it wa a Cyprus import and therefore only had a 2 year warranty rather than the standard 3 year from Honda but this was topped up again by Motorpoint. In my case the spec was the same as UK but check carefully because I believe that this isn't always the case.

The whole buying process was easy if a bit impersonal compared to dealing with a main dealer as I always have in the past but on the whole I'd recommend them and would use them again as the savings are just too good to turn down.

And another thing, despite some rumours to the contrary, my insurance wasn't affected by it being a non-UK car and the local dealer has already told me that I will get no less than a UK car when/if I come to trade it in with them.

[SADDLEWORTH]

I nearly bought  a new vw caddy van from there but got it cheaper in ireland and when it had to go for a service at vw in oldham there was no problem.The only thing with my imported vw was that it had a 2 year warranty and not a 3 year as in the uk so you need to check with motorpoint.

[brianm]

QUOTE

Trouble is they are imports, so.

What are the implications of buying an import?

What if you need warranty work?

What about servicing, will the main dealers not like you if you aint bought the car from them?

What about when I come to sell it on? Bearing in mind that I may keep it 5 or 6 years.

Paul, You'll find it's a 2 year warranty rather than 3 years, you lose the 1 year uk dealership warrant

Daughter and partner each had Clio 172's from motorpoint at Derby, not problems, plus I think they will "sell" you an extra years warranty?

I've recently bought a Renault Megane Sports Tourer from one of the supermarket outfits, about 60miles from home. Needed a minor tweak under warranty, so took it to local main dealer, absolutely no issues for them, "we still get paid by Renault",  

And finally in five or six years time, with no warranty left, and not a lot of value it won't make a scrap of difference to anybody.

PM for further info/experience

[pistonbroke]

I only ever bought 1 new car , would never buy new again as the deoreciation is too big a hit (IMO)

I would look for  a low mileage 2/3 yo ex fleet , there are bargains to be had if you look in the right places esp. for cash deals and no trade in  

[brianm]

QUOTE

would never buy new again as the deoreciation is too big a hit (IMO)

Totally agree, my new car was 13 months old, but couldnt find exactly what I wanted after trolling the major auctions for 2 or 3 weeks  And also found the auction price to be within a few hundred quid of what the supermarket dealers were asking for fairly new cars   I think they keep their margins low on cars with outstanding manf warranty knowing they won't be taking a hit.

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Many thanks guys  

Any more experiences, good or bad  

Bernie I know what you are saying, I've had a number of new cars in the past cos' the deals were right at the time, when I bought the Xantia I let someone else take the hit and the deal was right  

But some of the one year old cars I've looked at (of the type I want) have been 10k plus  then I saw the Laguna and for an extra grand or 2 I could have a branny, so it got me thinking  

As Brian says after 5 or 6 years, depreciation wont make a blind bit of difference, like I said it's a lot of car for 13k  

[potster]

Paul - Speak to these guys http://www.nicholassmiths.co.uk/

They are offering the 150bhp version for £12995 (Hatchback) but they are always good at doing deals. If you call them speak to Les (Tell him Stuart Evans gave you his contact details and he'll look after you)

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

Paul - Speak to these guys http://www.nicholassmiths.co.uk/

They are offering the 150bhp version for £12995 (Hatchback) but they are always good at doing deals. If you call them speak to Les (Tell him Stuart Evans gave you his contact details and he'll look after you)

Oooh 150 bhp  

At Motorprovider in Sheffield (anther car supermarket) they are offering the 150bhp Sport tourer for the same money plus otr  

[potster]

They might price match, also they have been a Renault dealer for the last 20 years + so have great service should you have any warranty issues.

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

They might price match, also they have been a Renault dealer for the last 20 years + so have great service should you have any warranty issues.

Might give em a ring then  

[SADDLEWORTH]

Paul - Speak to these guys http://www.nicholassmiths.co.uk/

They are offering the 150bhp version for £12995 (Hatchback) but they are always good at doing deals. If you call them speak to Les (Tell him Stuart Evans gave you his contact details and he'll look after you)

Oooh 150 bhp  <!--emo&

At Motorprovider in Sheffield (anther car supermarket) they are offering the 150bhp Sport tourer for the same money plus otr  

Then http://www.superchips.co.uk/models.php you get 180 bhp