Please excuse a newbie who has never owned a Skoda before.

 

Just ordered a brand new Elegance 2.0TDI manual at Motorline Canterbury a couple of days ago.

Didnt want any extras so managed to pick one up that is sitting at Emden already. Apparently I may even have it before I go to Scotland on 11th Dec. Just depends how quick SUK can be I suppose.

 

Anyway, id checked beforehand that the Elegance had everything i wanted, but got some questions on other things, that ive seen in the brochure.

Does it come with Hill start control? Ive always thought this was for autos. If so, how will it work? Does it automatically realise when you are starting off on a hill? Any indication that it is active when about to move off? Dont really want to release the footbrake thinking it should be working, and find that it isnt!!

 

Tyre Pressure monitor- Is this standard on the Elegance? One part of the brochure seems to suggest it is, but another part seems to suggest its only standard on the VRS.

 

 

Was initially going to opt for the 1.6TDI, but despite the figures saying it has the same acceleration as my current Focus with a 1.6 petrol, I wasnt convinced of this when I test drove it. The 1.6 TDI really does rely on the turbo, and is quite slow until that kicks in. To manage the same acceleration i am getting in the Focus, I would have to really rev the engine. 

So once we got back from the test drive, I decided to go up to the 2.0TDI. They had more examples sitting in Emden as well. So all in all, should be a good idea. Especially considering my twice yearly long journeys up to Scotland.

 

Oh, and one more question regarding the 0% APR finance option that Skoda have right now. I know ive probably been totally shafted, but will check on here. I was told when you go with the 0% APR deal, you have to purchase it at list price, and no money can be taken off. How true is this? Apparently something to do with the fact the dealer is partly financing this deal, or something like that?

 

I know I could have checked at another dealer, but decided the monthly payments were quite reasonable, and it was getting late in the day, so accepted it as is.

 

Anyways, thanks in advance for your time/ answers.

Welcome & nice to have another member. I can answer the tyre pressure warning system - it is standard on the Elegance. Mine is DSG but I think hill hold is standard. I am sure manual owner will confirm this. If you do get it you will find it works a treat. It holds the car for a few seconds & I have never rolled back on a hill. As for 0% the dealers have about 5 or 6% for discount. If you are happy with the deal that's fine, but a bit of haggling & comparing other dealers is wise.

It sounds like yours is a done deal so a bit late for haggling, but you could always try for some extras as goodwill - mud flaps, boot mat etc. Of course if you haven't signed up or paid a deposit you still have the option of trying another dealer.

It might be worth checking if the car has a spare & if not try to get one thrown in.

7% discount is realistic if you are taking finance currently.

So ive been absolutely shafted. Brilliant. (Insert whatever word you want here!!)

Already paid deposit. Car has spare wheel, and the cost was added on top.Absolutely nothing given.

May try for a boot mat or something, but highly doubt i will get anywhere. Well perhaps if i tell them i will be off to another dealer for my next car.

One thing that may help. For the warranty to be valid, do you have to have the free services carried out at the original dealer, or can you go to another dealer (Caffyns Ashford are closer to home). Perhaps if I tell them my services will be carried out at another dealer, they may be more likely to chuck in extras as good will. Will have to be something simple like boot mat though, as the car is already built (anything else other than boot mat?)

 

7% discount is realistic if you are taking finance currently.

 

Even with the 0% APR finance?

Sorry, but i like to make sure I understand everything (one of my annoying traits!), and thats what the dealer specifically said.

They shafted me slightly on my part exchange as well. I knew at the time they had, but I let them off as its a saloon version of the Focus that I have, and they arent very popular at all (only ever seen one other on the roads).

Told them to add another £200 for the PartEx, and they had a deal. They agreed. In hindsight I probably could have got them upto £2000 (an extra 600 over what they offered.) You seem to have more power if you make it obvious beforehand that they have a deal if they agree.

So ive been absolutely shafted. Brilliant. (Insert whatever word you want here!!)

Already paid deposit. Car has spare wheel, and the cost was added on top.Absolutely nothing given.

May try for a boot mat or something, but highly doubt i will get anywhere. Well perhaps if i tell them i will be off to another dealer for my next car.

One thing that may help. For the warranty to be valid, do you have to have the free services carried out at the original dealer, or can you go to another dealer (Caffyns Ashford are closer to home). Perhaps if I tell them my services will be carried out at another dealer, they may be more likely to chuck in extras as good will. Will have to be something simple like boot mat though, as the car is already built (anything else other than boot mat?)

I'd definitely try going back and asking for a discount. It's worth threatening to cancel the order. I have come across plenty of people who have cancelled orders and got their deposits back. The dealer can only keep some of it if they can prove significant financial loss which is unlikely in this case as the car is already built anyhow and can simply be sold to somebody else. It's not as if you have ordered a bespoke factory car in a weird spec which they won't be able to shift.

You don't necessarily have to cancel but sometimes the vague suggestion of it may get he dealer to shift their position. Good luck with it!

 

I'd definitely try going back and asking for a discount. It's worth threatening to cancel the order. I have come across plenty of people who have cancelled orders and got their deposits back. The dealer can only keep some of it if they can prove significant financial loss which is unlikely in this case as the car is already built anyhow and can simply be sold to somebody else. It's not as if you have ordered a bespoke factory car in a weird spec which they won't be able to shift.

You don't necessarily have to cancel but sometimes the vague suggestion of it may get he dealer to shift their position. Good luck with it!

 

Surely the whole point of the deposit is to make sure you dont do this sort of thing. Id have thought they could quite rightly keep the deposit, whether they have made a financial loss or not?

 

  

Surely the whole point of the deposit is to make sure you dont do this sort of thing. Id have thought they could quite rightly keep the deposit, whether they have made a financial loss or not?

 

Just checked the contract, and it clearly states i would lose my deposit, and any financial loss to them (if it exists) would be extra.

I ordered my car and started to get cold feet, I went back to the dealer and said I've not really got a "good deal". I basically told the salesman I came in for a deal and not just buying the car at list price, after a conversation with the manager the salesman knocked 4% off the car and I was very happy. Now it's the long wait for it to be built.

If you were to go to another dealer and manage to get a better deal, you may save substantially more than you've lost on the deposit anyway? Unless you've put a lot down?

 

I found Carfile are currently offering roughly 14% off if you are a cash buyer, or about 5-6% off if you have the 0% finance / servicing.

 

Anyway, isn't there a cooling off period for these kind of things?

  

Just checked the contract, and it clearly states i would lose my deposit, and any financial loss to them (if it exists) would be extra.

I can't imagine you would be liable for anything beyond the deposit. How much deposit did you pay? If it's a small deposit might still work out cheaper to write it off if the discount elsewhere is decent.

If you are otherwise happy with the car/dealer then by all means carry on with the order. I just think it would be worth challenging the dealer on it. If you don't ask you don't get, the worse they can say is 'no' but at least you wouldn't be left wondering 'what if?'.

I heard about a chap the other day on a BMW forum who ordered an X5 in blue with red leather. When he turned up to collect the car he realised he didn't like it, told the dealer "sorry but that colour combo looks horrid in the flesh -I'm off" and promptly waltzed off out of the dealership leaving them stuck with the car!

So ive been absolutely shafted. Brilliant. (Insert whatever word you want here!!)

Already paid deposit. Car has spare wheel, and the cost was added on top.Absolutely nothing given.

May try for a boot mat or something, but highly doubt i will get anywhere. Well perhaps if i tell them i will be off to another dealer for my next car.

One thing that may help. For the warranty to be valid, do you have to have the free services carried out at the original dealer, or can you go to another dealer (Caffyns Ashford are closer to home). Perhaps if I tell them my services will be carried out at another dealer, they may be more likely to chuck in extras as good will. Will have to be something simple like boot mat though, as the car is already built (anything else other than boot mat?)

You can have the free services carried out at any dealership, so going more local to you is no problem & I don't think telling them will help your bargaining position.

You lose nothing by telling them you don't think the deal is as good as you first thought & suggest they offer some dealer fit extras such as boot mat,boot nets,cill protectors. If they want you as an ongoing customer they might be sympathetic.

Even though you feel a bit cheated I am sure you will love the car when you get it on the road.

I am sure I have been in your position over the years but put it down to experience.

I got 6% off, with the 0% deal. Also got some additional discount on some retrofit add ons (mats and stuff like that). Price was lower than cheapest internet broker. Car was for immediate delivery though, so was not able to spec. I was told only 4% off on a built to order with the 0% finance. I also got 42 months rather than 36 months on the drip. Not sure if that is standard or not. Pick up the car later in a few days

I got 6% off, with the 0% deal. Also got some additional discount on some retrofit add ons (mats and stuff like that). Price was lower than cheapest internet broker. Car was for immediate delivery though, so was not able to spec. I was told only 4% off on a built to order with the 0% finance. I also got 42 months rather than 36 months on the drip. Not sure if that is standard or not. Pick up the car later in a few days

You did OK but I bet your post doesn't make the OP feel any better.

You did OK but I bet your post doesn't make the OP feel any better.

 

Have emailed the salesman, telling him im not happy, and mentioning that id be better off forfeiting the deposit and going elsewhere.

I know its partly my fault (I shouldnt have taken his word for it), but im still not happy now.

Oh, and i put down a £500 deposit

I ordered my VRS on the 0% finance and negotiated a

 

(furious calculator noises)

 

5.288% discount on the total price after the extras were added.

Good luck JungleJim. I only posted so as to clarify that the salesman was not being honest with you. (Hardly a surprise really, they are not known as paragons of virtue). Didn't mean it to come across as gloating. (actually tried to quote your reply by section and address various points, but the forum software seems not to like my browser much, so gave up on that approach, so my reply lost some context). Hope your strategy pays off, at least now with the feedback you know what is realistically achievable. 

My personal experience was that none of my local dealers would give me any discount at all on the 0% deal.

So I went through "carwow" and went with the cheapest quote which was just over 6% discount (approx £1500 iirc) plus the 0% deal. Only snag was the dealer was 180miles away.

Even after I had that firm quote my local dealer wouldn't try to get close to it. So in the end I went through the broker!

Hi Octy3x4x4,

Dont worry, I never took your post as gloating. Indeed I took it how it was meant. It was exactly what I wanted clarified (in an odd sort of way!!)

MikeBham,

Never been on Carfile before. Just checked now, and they quote nearly £3000 off, and they reckon their deals are available with most manufacturers finance deals.

vrs1986,

Your in Fife? How close is your local dealer to Edinburgh? I have a friend who lives near Edinburgh, and he always heads up towards Dundee area to buy cars. He says the Edinburgh dealers are rip off merchants

Hi Octy3x4x4, Dont worry, I never took your post as gloating. Indeed I took it how it was meant. It was exactly what I wanted clarified (in an odd sort of way!!) MikeBham, Never been on Carfile before. Just checked now, and they quote nearly £3000 off, and they reckon their deals are available with most manufacturers finance deals.

 

If you can get £3k off elsewhere it's worth eating the £500 lost deposit anyway!!!

 

Only thing is then you'll be waiting 3-5months for the car......

@JungleJames - I spoke to a broker at the time I was about to place the order and he confirmed that a substantial chunk of the zero percent came subsidy came from the dealer's margin. So the scope for the discount is far less if you go with the Skoda PCP offer. But there was still a deal to be struck. As a comparison the saving on a new Octy for "cash' with the broker was nearer 2,600 as I recall. Saving on a Superb made it very close to consideration, but fuel economy and uneeded extra space put me off that option. I think they are selling well at the moment, because of the newness, so maybe the incentive at some dealers to meet their monthly figures is not as high.