Going to look at a car at weekend but do not want to get ripped off so would like to know what a fair price is for my car plan to part ex and for car I might be buying.

What are the best websites for values? Is it best to use one of the pay ones like Glass'?

Have tried Parkers for which for mine comes up with 3025 (assuming 70,000 mileage has 51000) and 13560 franchised dealer price for the one I am looking at (assuming 10,000 miles just has delivery mileage). Also tried What Car where you can enter mileage and it comes up with 3370 for mine and 11695 (dealer makes no distinctions as to whether franchised or independent. So quite a difference!

Also any tips on negotiating a good deal?

TIA

Lorna

The best way I have found to value a car is to search Auto Trader. Take an average of similar cars and this should give you a rough current market value but beware this will not be the trade in value.

You might want to give this one a shot - http://www.virtual-showroom.co.uk/scripts/nuvv/nuvv1.asp?clientId=vauxhall&laf=vauxhall&nuvvpath=b&url=

As for negotiating - be prepared to walk is my best advice. You fall in love with a car and then they've got you.

That's often the benefit of buying new as they are all selling the same car.

I allways look in the Glass book, then tell the dealer to add 1k onto it because I am so analy-retentive, and therefore the car is in showroom condition:D

As for negotiating - be prepared to walk is my best advice. You fall in love with a car and then they've got you.

He's right.

If people fall for the car totally then people are willing to accept terrible part exchange prices and stupid interest rates etc.

I know more about buying from new than used (what are you doing?). If you are taking a car from the showroom there is often more pressure to sell them, so you might get a sweeter deal than on a factory order.

You could argue about when is a good time of the month to buy a car, ie towards the end of the month they might sell a car at a zero profit because they are tyring to hit a quota - but at the end of the day (in my experiance) you are more likely get a good deal if you are a highly likeable person they will be more inclined to give a good deal.

And there is a bit of truth in women not getting as a good a deal on cars than men.

If you're talking px, check out the car's value on the Vauxhall used car valuer and then have a figure you want for the car in mind (what you've been offered by other "dealers" ) and focus on the "cost to change" rather than what money you're getting off each car If you haven't got a px, look up some internet prices for the car and then take that to the dealer and see what they can do.

Once you've pushed them down to a price, start going for the extras .... mats, mud flaps, tax and a tank of petrol/diesel

Don't expect them to be able to do everything - there'll be a limit to what they can do - but if you don't ask, you don't get as they say! Also don't be pressured into doing a deal on the spot, if you're not comfortable, walk away and have a think about it. Walking away is also a powerful tool if you're not happy with the price...

Dunno what other people think, but that seems to work for me

Chris

Best advice I can offer is not to laugh out loud when they value the px! I prefer to negotiate everything that will be included, servicing, body repairs, mats etc. before I make an offer, otherwise you can sour the deal. Check big ticket items (cambelt etc.) aren't due soon. As said above concentrate on the price to change, offer well below so you can give a little in negotiation. If you get pushed back up to your limit - politely walk away, say you'll have to think about it etc. but leave a phone no. If you have been affable and there's a penny profit in it, or they just need to turn the metal over, you WILL get a call back.

Thanks all for your help and advice! It has given me lots to think about and plan for.

Although shame about me being a woman if that makes it harder to get a better deal! Not surprised though given the sexist comments I have had on my car hunt. For instance when I said I needed to come back at the weekend for a test drive they assumed it was because I needed my husband to do it. Well I do need him but so that he can look after kids so I can test drive it in peace! All my husband wants is a blue car!

Will let you know how I get on!

Thanks again.

Lorna

Use it to your advantage, just as the salesman's tactics will inevitably involve 'having' to phone his boss to authorise the 'best possible deal', you will 'have' to phone your husband who 'simply won't go any higher/doesn't think it's worth it' etc. Makes it harder for the salesman to put the pressure on you if he thinks you're a proxy!

For instance when I said I needed to come back at the weekend for a test drive they assumed it was because I needed my husband to do it. Well I do need him but so that he can look after kids so I can test drive it in peace! All my husband wants is a blue car!

That is sad, but I am not surprised!

I allways look in the Glass book, then tell the dealer to add 1k onto it because I am so analy-retentive, and therefore the car is in showroom condition:D

Why would you do that? They'll only get it back off you in off the price of the new car.

I don't think you are in any position to tell dealers what to do either, also I'm not quite sure you let you near Glass's guide anyway.

Why would you do that? They'll only get it back off you in off the price of the new car.

I don't think you are in any position to tell dealers what to do either' date=' also I'm not quite sure you let you near Glass's guide anyway.[/quote']

Does that mean it is worth paying your 2.95 at the Glass's website to get the valuations?

Lorna

i used parkers web site to get value of my vrs . it gave me the same value as my skoda dealer when i px so it was spot on for me. but press for more , i said not enough & walked away .(twice) got another £600

The problem with Parkers and Glass's online is that they do not take current market situations into account.

They might give you an idea buy telling you the book price, but not many cars fetch book. An Octavia 130bhp L+K Estate would for sure, but a 2.0 Ambiente Hatch won't but Parkers will tell you that you should get book for it.

Does that mean it is worth paying your 2.95 at the Glass's website to get the valuations?

Nope!!! Just use the Vauxhall used-car valuator (basically Vauxhall have paid a subscription to Glasses)

Chris

They might give you an idea buy telling you the book price, but not many cars fetch book. An Octavia 130bhp L+K Estate would for sure, but a 2.0 Ambiente Hatch won't but Parkers will tell you that you should get book for it.

But that's not necessarily true either. If I went to a Ford dealer and tried to trade in an Octavia, they'd give me a very poor trade in figure because they don't want the car. The idea of book price as a buyer, is that it gives you an idea of what your car is worth. I'd always tend to use it to come up with a figure I want for my car, after all if you don't aim above book and negotiate down, the dealer wins .... and we don't want that to happen

Chris

Going to look at a car at weekend but do not want to get ripped off so would like to know what a fair price is for my car plan to part ex and for car I might be buying.

What are the best websites for values? Is it best to use one of the pay ones like Glass'?

Have tried Parkers for which for mine comes up with 3025 (assuming 70' date='000 mileage has 51000) and 13560 franchised dealer price for the one I am looking at (assuming 10,000 miles just has delivery mileage). Also tried What Car where you can enter mileage and it comes up with 3370 for mine and 11695 (dealer makes no distinctions as to whether franchised or independent. So quite a difference!

Also any tips on negotiating a good deal?

TIA

Lorna[/quote']

If you tell me exactly what the car is, make, model, spec, engine.

Does it have any service history, when is the next service due, how long is the MOT and tax for?

Is there any recon on the car to get it up to forecourt standard? Tyres, chip in windcreen, bodywork, is the interior tatty?

If you answer those I can tell you what is a fair acheivable price for your part ex.

If you tell me exactly what the car is' date=' make, model, spec, engine.

Does it have any service history, when is the next service due, how long is the MOT and tax for?

Is there any recon on the car to get it up to forecourt standard? Tyres, chip in windcreen, bodywork, is the interior tatty?

If you answer those I can tell you what is a fair acheivable price for your part ex.[/quote']

And then he'll ask for an order!

And then he'll ask for an order!

You read my mind!

Thanks for everyone's advice will let you know how I get on following the principles I have got from here!

Thanks!

Lorna