[Pip]

Hi,

I'm trying to get a sense as to how buying cars works in NZ. In england, as a cash buyer with nothing to trade in, I would expect to pay less than the advertised price from a dealer, but I'm not sure if it would be the same here.

Anyone any ideas! (essentially I've seen a 2002 MX5 in Moorehouse Avenue which is advertised for $25000 with a dealer called Chevron, which would be about right by UK prices, but I'm not sure if thats right for NZ and also whether I should be looking to negotiate a discount for cash and if so, what would be reasonable)

Any assistance gratefully received (and if you're in Canterbury and looking to sell a MX5, you're my new favourite person :laugh )

[nippa&pippa]

Pip, my husband will explain you later after read my son in bed first as he have good knowledge of cars cos of his jobs :nice1

[gil]

Pip, haggle! And be cheeky :D And be prepared to walk away, the greater your emotional investment, the harder it is to negotiate effectively. Can't wait to see the pix ;)

Gil

PS OH half just read this and said "Why, is that what you'd do?" and I said "Actually, no, I'd get you to do it!"

[nippa&pippa]

depends on specification, mileage, condition & definately service history (a must).
Look at lots of others and compare all the above & asking prices.
Don't pay srceen price, haggle hard tell them you've seen another one other side of town better spec, less money, be prepared to walk away.
you could always try Turners car auctions they sell 'certified cars' basically cars they prepare for retail sale but still haggle you can get a good deal, or Turners also auction cars but be careful & take someone who has a good idea what they need to look for.
Oh yeh , don't get carried away bidding, set a price limit your prepared to go to for the car and stick to it.
Final piece of advice, remember if in doubt or not sure about something leave it there will always be another.
Here endeth the lesson.
Regards Gary.

[nippa&pippa]

Pip, hope that help, Turners car auction is at corner of moorhouse ave and deans ave (corner of south hagley park)
Good luck!

[eternalkiwi]

If anything a cash purchase is a good reason for a car yard to increase the price. It is to their advantage for people to have finance or possibly to trade in, so if you have neither you have less appeal.
Having said that, car dealers usually do have a certain 'margin' that they still can work within to negotiate the final deal.

It definitely pays to have done your research, and while it can be good to buy at auction, many auctions are also used by dealers or the auction sells to the public what the dealers do not want, so the bargains are not always available there.

[Pip]

Thanks everyone. I took your advice and visited some more garages and actually found another MX5 that I liked which was literally being unloaded from a boat. When both garages knew that there was more than one car involved, they were both more willing to bargain. (Wow, Garages do not like to lose a sale over here do they ?!)

I also called a Kiwi friend who had been out of town and had just got back, and they confirmed that both garages have a good reputation.

By the end of it, I was happy that both were offering me a good deal, but when it came to it, I did the female thing, and brought the one with slightly higher k's but was a nicer colour! (I know...I know...:laugh )

so it needs to be polished up and a couple of minor alterations, then providing that I'm still happy with it once thats been done, I'm the proud owner of a dark blue MX5! o.k.. next stop ..house hunting!