adagio

The Fabia 3 is on my shortlist. What discount might I expect buying new?

__________________
David

helix

DrivetheDeal on line-brokers are offering c.£1200 off the 1.6 and c. £1300 off the 1.9tdi (they are UK dealer sourced). I guess the 1.4 might be a bit less. Dealing directly a dealer is unlikely to be in this ball park, at least at first, but if you called them and quoted the Drivethedeal price and asked them to match it, they might come close. If you aren't too fussy about extras/colour, they might have one in existing tock which they'd be happy to discount generously. Ring several, each time quoting your best offer yet, and see who comes down furthest. Good luck!

woodenspatulas

or if you actually want to get somewhere with your local dealer. go see them with a price from the internet when your ready to buy. be honest and make sure you are able to do the deal there and then if he gets the figures right. if you stick by your local dealer then theres a good chance he will be glad to help you out. of course some dealers arent helpful, but its the right approach to have and build a useful relationship with them.

if you just ring round asking for best price you wont get very far in most cases as dealers know they are just throwing money away for no reason, or by offering a stupid discount are only making other dealers lives harder.

just an honest opinion....

__________________
Where has my sig pic gone????

redbaron

good advice.

stevearcher

Bought mine in April.

I went in armed with printouts from a couple of brokers sites and the WhatCar target price. As I was buying on finance, I also printed out a copy of what the Skoda online calculator told me I should be paying for one a month with no options if I was paying full price, just so I knew they weren't hiking the monthly payments up.
Found a level 3 1.9TDI almost in stock (was 2 weeks from the dealer) in the right colour with similar spec to what I wanted and did a deal that basically mirrored the WhatCar target price discount.
I think it was about £900 off plus floor mats, a boot mat and a full tank of diesel.
Brought my monthly payments down from their opening bid of £267 to £233. Part ex price wasn't great but I don't think it would have been much better elsewhere.

Don't think I could have pushed much more out of the dealer.

helix

I do agree with what you're saying on the whole. I have benefited from a good relationship with my local dealer. I'd always be prepared to spend a bit more over a broker to get the continued customer care; you might want them for your next car too! I guess the "bulk-selling" dealers who support on-line brokerage has probably made life harder for many other dealers, who usually provide good service, will negotiate realistic discounts and are entitled to their profit margin. But not all customers have a (good) local dealer, or feel comfortable with negotiating. I've found ringing round can give you a "feel" for the market and confidence before you step into the showroom.

JSJ

I got about £1200 off list on a fabia 2 1.4td 80, by taking a model from their stock rather than factory order.

Little Jo

When I bought my Fabia 3, I didn't get a discount on the car, but I got a very good deal on my PX. Not only was the price quoted when I first enquired well up with expectation, but that value was held for the two months it took to take delivery of the car and that included the new reg plate coming out.

It was a factory order, and the first new Fabias were just starting to come through when I placed the order. We all like a bargain, but, if you want aftersales, then you pay a wee bit extra for that priviledge.

I buy many items over the internet, but I wouldn't risk buying a car that way.

__________________
Jo

adagio

Thanks to those who took the trouble to reply. Have paid deposit on stock Fabia 3 1.6 16v with local dealer. Feel satisfied with deal having taken advice from this forum.
Look forward to soon becoming a Skoda owner

__________________
David

Bassa

Much like you I bought one ex stock, a 3 1.6 tiptronic in brilliant silver which was my 2nd choice colour. Due to the delay incurred with factory fitted options such as radio remote, power rear windows and under seat boxes I decided to decline the wait and take the standard 'in stock' car. Nice to have those extras but hardly imperative.
It is my first Skoda also and so far so good - a really great little car.

Hope you enjoy yours, I'm sure you will.

Little Jo

As others have said - the Fabia estate, particularly in 3 trim is really excellent. It has everything most drivers need in a fuss-free and easy to use package.

We rate it more highly than the Astra it replaced. The road where I work was resurfaced over the last two weeks. A colleague with a Mini Cooper was complaining how uneven it was, but from the Fabia seat, it's silky smooth. Unlike many modern cars, visibility is excellent and the mirrors are more than just expensive decorative appendages.

It's tardis like too. That boot swallows luggage without a problem. I got a floor net to stop things moving around while I'm driving. In this hot weather the climate control is ace too. It is one purchasing decision you will never regret.

__________________
Jo

Duffelcoat

Be very careful about buying a car on the internet, check them all out first if you are interested and never send money abroad! Sounds obvious but I knew someone who lost £16k on a golf this way - basically was robbed, £16k and no car.

MD AF

I agree with you duffelcoat....

Buying on internet can be safe as long as you follow the 3 most important rules:

1. NEVER EVER EVER pay for the car, send money anywhere, until you have the keys for the car and ALL paperwork. WHy on earth someone would pay for something as expensive and as big a purchase as a car without seeing it 1st is a mystery to me!!

2. Make sure the car is coming direct from a franchised Skoda UK dealer, that way you know its full UK spec, had a full pre delivery inspection and has the full manufactirers warranty

3. Pay any deposit on a credit card- as long as its over £100 the whole transaction, not just the deposit, is secure against any loss. Also if paying by credit card it shows the company you are dealing with is legitimate by holding a bank merchant machine (switch and credit card payments) which are normally guaranteed against the managing directors personal home!!!

Oh, and one more- very important. Make sure the "internet company" is actually a company. Check with companies house to make sure they are a registered company with a company registration number. Also many internet websites advertising these cheap cars do not have their trading address on, show an 0800,0870 or 0845 phone number, and therefore more than likely work from a spare bedroom at home on a mobil;e phone and lap top...no long term business structure menas they dont care less about future business and looking after their customers!!!