negotiating a smart diesel

[Sp!ke]

I'm currently in a negotiation stage for a new or nearly new smart diesel. If I place a factory order now, delivery won't be until February and therefore one may as well hold off another month and wait until the 12 plate comes out in march.

Alternatively, if there's something sitting somewhere in a showroom with a reasonable spec and a decent discount I suspect I could have my arm twisted.

Given that it's the wrong time of year for selling cars and the recession and that I'm looking at a preordered car sat in a showroom somewhere, what sort of discount off list does the collective think I should be aiming for?

Penny for your thoughts?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

On every car I buy I always aim for 10%, but sometimes it doesn't take long to work out how desperate the seller is so you aim a bit higher.....

 

[Smarties]

Unless things have changed in the last few months, I think you'd be doing well to get a discount on a Smart, especially Diesel. I was told there was a shortage, and at the time pre-owned/demo's and the like were making lots over book. 5% would be cracking. Please keep us posted.

 

[corned]

I don't know anyone who can be bothered these days to work out whether a registration number is 'new' or not. So only you will ever know, or care, that you have a new car on the drive. If that's worth he premium (and the wait), then fair enough. If not, then look to nail a decent discount and buy now-ish!

I believe most people these days would assume that a brand new car on the drive would not be yours anyway - just the company's.

 

[Sp!ke]

I'm hoping that I can bag a car thats sat in a showroom (which should by rights get a discount)

My choice is much reduced because I dont want the black interior if I can possibly help it.

Despite this, I've found a black one with a red interior unregistered and sat in the dealership but the sales guy doesnt seem that bothered if I buy it or not - just gave me full list price and doesnt seem to want to do a deal unless I pay full sticker price.

I suspect I should just walk away and try another dealer who my be more accomodating. You'd think sales at this time of year would be few and far between?

 

[Charles Morgan]

A quick check on Broadspeed (an online discount broker) shows absolutely nothing off a Smart. You may just have chosen a car that is actually in demand at present Spike!

 

[MOCAŠ]

Despite this, I've found a black one with a red interior unregistered and sat in the dealership but the sales guy doesnt seem that bothered if I buy it or not - just gave me full list price and doesnt seem to want to do a deal unless I pay full sticker price.

That sounds like the one at Smart of Sheffield (JCT600). If so, their advert on Autotrader shows a price of £10,590, which is £600 off list (excluding any options it may have fitted). However, although it's a "61" model, it doesn't have the DRLs that the latest-spec models have.

 

[wemorgan]

If the RRP is as good as fixed how about a bundled deal with 1,2,3 years servicing, or similar?

 

[MOCAŠ]

Some dealers are also offering 0% interest on pre-registered models.

 

[trapperjohn]

Sp!ke have you had a test drive in a Smart? I'm guessing you have what attracts you to such a wee beastie.

 

[Red C220]

My folks have a "60" plate Petrol one. It's a perfect city car for running around.

They didn't bother with the diesel as the petrol was so economical.

 

[Sp!ke]

Sp!ke have you had a test drive in a Smart? I'm guessing you have what attracts you to such a wee beastie.

I'm currently spending far too much on fuel commuting. My calculations indicate that if I commuted in a diesel smart (the new petrol ones arent great on fuel (40mpg), the fuel savings would pay for the car 3 fold.

Basically, its cheap, economical and compared to the motorbike which I am currently using, its warm, dry and safe.

You're right though, they arent particularly nice to drive.

 

[Bellow]

If the RRP is as good as fixed how about a bundled deal with 1,2,3 years servicing, or similar?

Ask for a three year warranty!! Ho ho....

they arent particularly nice to drive.

They can be improved. Decent width front tyres is the start point.

 

[corned]

Hard to knock the economics of it, whether list price or discounted!

Hope you find a bargain out there somewhere! Maybe you need to find out (I have no idea how you would do this though) when their sales quarter ends, and make the odd casual offer in the meantime.

 

[jaymanek]

Ill be following this, im toying with getting a couple as courtesy cars.
Most likely ill go for low mileage used cars...

 

[Sp!ke]

That sounds like the one at Smart of Sheffield (JCT600). If so, their advert on Autotrader shows a price of £10,590, which is £600 off list (excluding any options it may have fitted). However, although it's a "61" model, it doesn't have the DRLs that the latest-spec models have.

I think £600 off list for a pre-registered car without the latest spec is a pretty poor discount. I'd expect to be able to negotiate that on a factory order 12 plate for a March delivery, especially when so many marques are now offering 0% and three years free servicing on new cars right now.

 

[MOCAŠ]

I think £600 off list for a pre-registered car without the latest spec is a pretty poor discount.

Agreed, but it sounded like you were in two minds about paying full list price for what seems to be the same car...

 

[Sp!ke]

Agreed, but it sounded like you were in two minds about paying full list price for what seems to be the same car...

The car I've found is as yet unregistered but sat in a dealership and not the one you are talking of which is already refgistered as a 61 plate with 2000 miles on it.

 

[MOCAŠ]

The car I've found is as yet unregistered but sat in a dealership and not the one you are talking of which is already refgistered as a 61 plate with 2000 miles on it.

Sorry - missed the crucial word "unregistered" in your previous post.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

That sounds like the one at Smart of Sheffield (JCT600). If so, their advert on Autotrader shows a price of £10,590

'kin hell!

You can buy a 2004 W211 E55 AMG for that sort of money!


Edit; sorry Spike, that's not really helping you....