Due to the credit crunch it's a good time to buy a car. Forget prestige brands like BMW,Porsche,Audi etc as people who buy these new have no money worries so dealers are not affected. As for the others, Nissan, Honda,Renault etc, people who usually buy these can't get loans to afford these cars so dealers are feeling the pinch, you can get some good deals out there .

May take a look at a few myself this weekend to see what deals can be had

 

I think the prestige brands may be MORE affected Jamie - not that I can prove that

But your point is a good one

I've been looking at a Swift for my partner

50% deposit and 0% over three years isn't bad

Depending on the purchase price/discount of course

I will go in and see them in the next few weeks, but no way will I buy on a first visit (barring miracle deals)

I want to judge for myself how bad it is

What I can tell, from ebay, is that there are huge numbers of cars failing to reach reserve

And quite a few cars on here not selling either

 

Good news for me being on the second hand market.

I was chatting to a BMW salesman on Saturday and he said (take it with a pinch of salt) that sales were actually slightly up, the credit crunch hadn't hit them yet.

I'd reckon it'd hit the cheaper brands sooner, but will hit the prestige brands eventually.

 

Defo. a buyer's market at present.

Honda are doing big rebates in the 'States, so what comes around there goes around here!

 

I know what you mean, and agree in principle.

However (and I am quite sure you are old and ugly enough to know this) have a stupid deal in your head for the 1st visit and at the end of the chat/demo/whatever, assuming the car suits, lay the deal on the line with a 'do this & I'll sign now' suffix and see what happens.

You may just be staggered.

I was recently

 

old enough - definitely

ugly enough - well..........

the good old 'kick 'em in the nuts ' technique

yes, I would/might do that

 

What you buying, Mark?

I got a very good deal on the Exige at the end of last month, in my book

 

Jamie...
Deja vu!!!

When I waved hello at you last week Mrs G and I were looking at new cars for her.
After a few visits to various dealerships.... we ended up buying a new car for her.

Now this may not be everyone's choice, but she is coming from driving a Ford Ka for 6 years, doesn't like big cars, we need a car that sits 4, has 4 side doors and can take a couple of cases in the boot.

Ended up with a Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 16V Dynamic Sport with 4 years 0% finance.

 

I would have thought the credit crunch would have affected the more prestigous car makers more then lower ones.

There is a problem with used car sales this year and aparently used car prices are to drop 8% this year.

There has been a problem selling S2ks from this site,originally I thought it wasnt the season yet but now I think the economy is effecting car sales.

 

There is certainly a trade-down effect in the US; Honda (particularly CRV/Fit[Jazz]) sales are well up, whilst most others are dying, including Acura.

But it's difficult to know what's meant by prestige; Teir 2? Audi/BMW/M-B seem to be fleet fodder these days.

Certainly, I doubt truly luxurious (Teir 1) cars are affected much (Rolls Royce?)

It's very much a "Daily Mail Islander" -fuelled downturn. Good for some of us.