No wonder car sales have plummeted!

[BolshieBastard]

Well weekend came and off I trogged to bmw to test the 3 series convertible in black with all the toys. Its on an 09 plate and has a sticker price of £35900.

First question 'how much is your finance on a pcp?' Answer, 12.9% apr. WTF, base rate is about 0% yknow!

OK how much off the car, Im looking at around £32k otr. Answer, Might give you £500 off the sticker price. Like **** you will!

So, next to Mercedes Benz for a joy ride in an SLK. Sticker price £29800. How much for your finance on pcp? Erm, it would be cheaper buying new on a pcp as we're doing a special offer of 5.9% APR. OK, how much for a new one with the same spec before discount?

Erm, we're not expecting any more new cars until September!

Honestly, you couldnt make it up.

[BrilloPad]

What credit crunch?

[DimPrawn]

First thing, there's no shortage of money in the UK. Talk of recession and downturn is media bulltulip. I know loads of people with large wads of cash ready to spend.

Second, prestige car dealers don't roll over at the first prod. You're not buying an Aygo.

You need to ring round lots of dealers and tell them you are a cash buyer looking for a certain specific model and spec and what is their absolute best price.

Then play one dealer off against the other ("if you can beat this price the deal is yours").

Even then, in summer with good weather on a popular desirable convertible model you might not get much of a discount. They'll be selling like hot cakes at the moment.

[Bagpuss]

Last time I went into a bmw dealership, circa 2005, I got offered 2,500 of a 24k car no problem. Try another franchise or go to drivethedeal.com

[DimPrawn]

What ****s me off with new cars is the Sat Nav.

For example, the BMW factory Sat Nav is about £1500 as an option! And yet it is utter tulipe and a £99 Tom Tom runs rings around it.

Why can't these ******* have a std connector and mounting system for all Sat Navs and Tom Tom, Garmin etc make compatible units for a couple of hundred folding.

[threaded]

I really would not touch a BMW with yours at the mo.

Audi are doing some serious kit a a very good, erm, discount, it you talk the talk.

If you want to push it, italian framed Audi kit, from St. Agassi Bolgonese is open to offers too...

Nudge nudge, wink wink, a nods a god as a ... to a blind man...

[Amiga500]

I've got the 09 3 series coupe... good car, although my run flats appear to have a habit of deflating (well one of them).

[swamp]

What ****s me off with new cars is the Sat Nav.

For example, the BMW factory Sat Nav is about £1500 as an option! And yet it is utter tulipe and a £99 Tom Tom runs rings around it.

Why can't these ******* have a std connector and mounting system for all Sat Navs and Tom Tom, Garmin etc make compatible units for a couple of hundred folding.

And car stereos that still don't play MP3s! USB input will be an (£££) option too.

Best option is the nuclear option to fit a double DIN stereo-satnav. Can do this in VW with facia adapters, but not sure about BMW.

[Bagpuss]

Why would anyone pay a premium to drive a car more common than a Ford Mondeo?

[swamp]

Why would anyone pay a premium to drive a car more common than a Ford Mondeo?

Because the interior, the exterior, the engine and just about everything else about the car is 'better'.

That said, with a swamp creature on the way shortly , the swampette and I will be needing a new swampwagon. And since I don't want chocolate and crayon over my current P&J I am thinking of getting one of these.