deuces wild Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 My son was T-boned on Sunday 6-26 (a long story). The car was declared a total loss and after a couple of days of negotiations with the insurance company (the person's who hit my son) we came to an agreement on the amount of the loss...property damage wise. He was hurt but nothing that would cause a hospital visit at tthe time of the accident or as of this date. We will leave that side of the claim open for now as we do not know what will (if anything) occur down the road, but we will not take advantage of the situation, even for the pain and suffering he is presently going through because of the accident (consistent pain in his right shoulder).So....we decided to give my daughters car to my son. By doing so my son (17) went from a $4,000 car to a $5,500 car. We then decided to buy a newer used car for my daughter (20). We had to make the purchase soon as both work during the summer and need a car...and the rental car the insurance company was paying for had to be returned tomorrow (Friday 7/8).So we spent the last week or so looking at used cars. Though we originally planned to purchase used we ended up buying new today, something I swore I would never do for our kids. However, the deal we got was too hard to pass up.So........we purchased a new Ford Focus (loaded) for my daughter today. Sticker price around $17,500. We did this as we got the employee "A" plan discount price (promotion) taking it down to around $16,300. We then got a rebate of $2,500 on top of that making the selling price around $13,800 before taxes and other charges. Over 21% off the sticker price with no haggling. Amazing! The car was going for less than used 2004's on the lot (with less options).We financed the purchase, putting $4,000 down (from the accident) and paying $190 month on a loan. When my daughter graduates in June 2007 (hopefully) and gets a full time job the car will be titled to her and she will start making the payments or sell it.A win-win for all of us.I hope I am not coming across as bragging in any way as it was done against all my values (buying a new car for a 20 year old)....but the deal was just too hard to pass up. I was curious if you are seeing similar discounts on the other side of the pond by car manufacturers?The manufacturers here are all offering similar deals as I outlined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Hope all is now OK with your son. Yes, we are at long last getting some discounts on cars. We have for a long time been RIP OFF BRITAIN, but at long last it is becoming more of a buyers market. The Focus is very popular in the UK, and is a nice medium sized car. I would have had one myself except for the fact that I had a very good deal on a similar size and shaped car, a Honda Civic Executive SE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 As Andsome said - care are getting much cheaper over here now. You can reduce the price of a new one considerably - if you haggle - not something we Brits like doing.Personally, we always get our 2nd (used for me) car from the auctions where the traders buy from. My car was three months old when I purchased it and was £3500 off the trade price.It's an eye opener at the car auctions - I love the place. I worked in garages for years and have always been interested in cars........... :Cool Big Smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 The problem is trading in your old car. It is very difficult to haggle a big discount and get a good trade in price. And trying to sell your car privately can be a nightmare. I recently had some luck when I wanted to buy a new car and my son wanted a decent second hand one for his daughter. He bought mine at a price which saved him about £750 off the forecourt price and which was about £750 more than I was offered as trade in. As a result I searched around on the internet, came up with a discounting site (www.nicenewcar.co.uk) and got a discount of £3,500 off a £12,000 new model.My son was pleased, I was pleased and, I presume, Messrs. NiceNewCar were also pleased!Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 I would not risk selling privately unless it was to someone who I know. There have been too many cases of people being attacked when taking so called prospective buyers for a test drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 I would not risk selling privately unless it was to someone who I know. There have been too many cases of people being attacked when taking so called prospective buyers for a test drive.Never heard that before - are you living in a dodgy area?? :Cool Surprised: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Hope all is now OK with your son. Yes, we are at long last getting some discounts on cars. We have for a long time been RIP OFF BRITAIN, but at long last it is becoming more of a buyers market. The Focus is very popular in the UK, and is a nice medium sized car. I would have had one myself except for the fact that I had a very good deal on a similar size and shaped car, a Honda Civic Executive SE.Yes, he is OK for now andsome and thanks for asking.Here is a pic of his car that was "totaled". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Here is a pic of the new car.BTW: Glad to hear that discounts on cars are happening in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 I know of two instances in the West Midlands where a dealership was giving prospective customers a test drive in a new car - and the "customer" attacked the salesman and made off with the car.One dealership in Birmingham now send 2 salesmen to accompany a prospective customer on a test drive and will not allow the customer to have an extra "friend" with him in the car.Now that cars are difficult to steal without the keys - the keyholder becomes the first target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwp Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 i bought this 6 months old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted July 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Wow, a $36,000 car for $21,800!!! Nice deal and nice looking car. :Cool Big Smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expertec Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Now that cars are difficult to steal without the keys - the keyholder becomes the first target.I live in a very nice neighbourhood, but as with everywhere else, of course there is crime.Round here one of the most common crimes is theft of cars - expensive sports cars usually.Thieves see the car on the drive, and either break into the house to steal the keys, or (yes, seriously) use a fishing rod through the letterbox to grab the keys off a table.Anyways, just something for you to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 8, 2005 Report Share Posted July 8, 2005 Now that cars are difficult to steal without the keys - the keyholder becomes the first target.I live in a very nice neighbourhood, but as with everywhere else, of course there is crime.Round here one of the most common crimes is theft of cars - expensive sports cars usually.Thieves see the car on the drive, and either break into the house to steal the keys, or (yes, seriously) use a fishing rod through the letterbox to grab the keys off a table.Anyways, just something for you to think about.My son lost a car this way and also his house keys. He was lucky they did not enter the house and attack him in bed. He had to replace the house locks of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 This is my ride...She's not a bad lookin car, but I REALLY got ripped off when I bought'er :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 11, 2005 Report Share Posted July 11, 2005 This is my ride...She's not a bad lookin car, but I REALLY got ripped off when I bought'er :(What breed is it, and why were you ripped off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 '95 Chevy Lumina (bought in '99)Since I've bought it: - Several sets of tires - Head Gasket - New transmission - New catalytic converter - 2 new alternators - New torque converter - Several batteriesThis all happened within 2 years of the purchase...Yeah, I got ripped off... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 I don't think that the car can be blamed for needing several sets of tyres, unless adjustments to tracking are needed. Surely TWO alternators is a bit much, was there no warranty on the first replacement? The same with the batteries, they should have a warranty for at least two years, at least they do in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzman Posted July 14, 2005 Report Share Posted July 14, 2005 The batteries were killed by the alternators before replacement - hence voiding the warranty. The tires were caused by an alighnment issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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