I really want a fabia vrs, I have done for about a year now, so I made the first step of booking a test drive at the stealers.

But I

anyone?

IMHO if your current car is ok, keep it and sit on your hands.If you feel you must change, buy a used vRS from the dealers and get a written guarantee that they will give you the price you paid for your used vRS against a new model. This works, believe me...

I really want a fabia vrs, I have done for about a year now, so I made the first step of booking a test drive at the stealers.

But I

I wouldn't expect the new fabia to be out until the end of next year and the VRS version is likely to be out even later , probably this time 2008.

Thats a good way off and isn't going to have a significant effect on residuals.

Octavia VRS values have fallen through the floor since the new model has come out. The same will happen with the Fabia when eventually the VRS spec is available in the new shape - but we dont know when this will be!

As others have said, more and more cars are reaching MOT age and running out of warranty so there are some cheapish ones to be had.

Briskoda member Walkie has one for sale that has a few modifications already - may be worth a look.

It's a gamble, residuals are always higher nearer the start of a models lifespan, they always drop when a new model comes out. That said, the cost new usually follows the same pattern, lots of people paid over £15k for a new Octy vRS back in the day and you could buy one for £12k new a year ago.

Octy I residuals have always been carp though - as a model they were one of the worst depreciating cars you could buy for a time - discontinuation and replacement can ony make this worse! This will apply to the Furby too I'd imagine.

I sold my octy1 vRS for a good price considering it was a 4 year old car and I sold it at the same time you could get a new one for 12K and the Octy2 was already out. Certain models faired less well though. Considering back in 2001 the press was saying it would lose 75% of its value in 3 years, to sell it at 66% after 4 years was good.

Same is true of the Fabia, initially they held there value well as demand was outstriping supply and there were few secondhand ones about. This is now changing as the car reaches 3 years old. Something else to consider is insurance, it seems at least one insurer is no longer insuring Fabia vRS's due to a spate of single vehicle accidents.

I guess if you're really worried about depreciation don't buy a Skoda (amongst others) and certainly don't buy a new one ! On the other hand I still believe the brand offers excellent value for money compared to other marques. Let's be honest if buying a car was an investment decision we'd all be buying low mileage ex-demo Vectras.

Cheers chaps, I have never purchased a brand new car before, but I like the idea of not MOT'ing and having major problems covered for 3years.

...buy a used vRS from the dealers and get a written guarantee that they will give you the price you paid for your used vRS against a new model. This works, believe me...

What do you mean by this? Do you mean ask them to say what it willl be worth in 2 years against a new one, or against the actual one I want now but when its been built?

Lloyd

Also what should/Shouldnt I say at the test drive? Do dealers expect to be knocked down or not any more?

Also what should/Shouldnt I say at the test drive? Do dealers expect to be knocked down or not any more?

I got money knocked off both my Fabia VRS, and the Octy VRS that I replaced it with 6 months later, I just chanced my arm with the salesman to see how far they would go before they snapped, ended up knocking 500!:eek:! off Fabia and a 100 or so off the octy, might as well, if they are pushing the sale then make it worth your while!

You could do what I did as long as you're willing to drive for this car. I went in to my local dealer and they said they'd do a new black vRS standard no extras for £11800 and I said I'll come back if I can't better it. I went on to the Skoda website dealers contact page and chose any dealer in 30 miles and started ringing. I'm in Milton Keynes and rang about 4 or so dealers working my way out and got to Rugby. I asked straight out what's the best deal you can give me and he said £11500 so I paid a £200 deposit and then paid the rest on arrival of new car. Always shop around you'll get a better deal then your local.

Also what should/Shouldnt I say at the test drive? Do dealers expect to be knocked down or not any more?

Well it's YOUR money and there are plenty of dealers to choose from

Print out the best internet quotes (try broadspeed.com for starters) and ask them to match it. Have chequebook and pen in other hand and be ready to write a cheque for the deposit there and then! Literally wave it under their nose!

Also, certainly the case in the US, not sure about UK anymore (although it used to be the case) - the last few days of the month is the best time to get a good deal at a dealership...

If you have a dodgy back or sometimes find cars seats uncomfortable ask for a longer test drive, should you think the car is really for you and you're serious about buying it! Maybe they will let you have it for 24 hours? Skoda do a 24 hr test drive but only for the Octy and Superb, use this as a negotiation point if needs be.

If you are buying using Skoda Finance negotiate the APR % as low as you can, and compare with APR % rate your bank will offer before signing finance. Northern Rock (online) were the best for loan rates in UK some time ago (2001), maybe try them as well?

Enjoy it and good luck!