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Buyign a new car.

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Right, I'm looking to buy a new car, so it's between a Citroen C2 or a Fiat Punto. Whcih one would you get? The higher spec models are roughly similar, but obviously the Punto in slightly cheaper. This whole APR thing is getting me down as well. Is there any way to get this reduced, or even down to 0%? Has anyone managed to barter a good deal with a salesman? Give me your thoughts please!

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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    FIAT= Fix It Again Tommorow ;)
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Fiats have been known to have notoriously dodgy wireing, even in models just a couple of years old. Like indicating and your break light flashing, which confuses things when you break for the turn.

    The citroen C2 is supposed to be a lovely car.

    Personally I hate both citroens and fiats, I think they suck arse.


    Bartering with car people is loads of fun, but I have no good tips on how.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    go for the punto
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    For a more helpfull answer, have a look at parkers website.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i drove a new punto recently when my car broke down, and i wasn't impressed at all. it looks fine on the outside, and it handles ok, but it just feels really cheap. sometimes the gearstick wouldn't quite go into first, and when i tried to shove it, which i can do quite happily on my car, it felt like it might break at any time. same with the steering wheel.

    the reverse gear also has some strange thing where you have to lift halfway up with the stick before you could put it in reverse. annoying, anyway, when i kept forgetting.

    my dad had an older style punto when i was learning to drive, and i hated that too.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The Punto is probably the most affordable one with decent spec. The higher spec Citroen C2 SX is maybe a bit out of my price range with APR at 11%+, but probably the one I want more. I could maybe afford a SX at 0%. The L range only comes with a bloody radio cassette player! I want the toys!! The C2 had a better write up in Whatcar website as well.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by TheKingOfGlasgow
    The Punto is probably the most affordable one with decent spec. The higher spec Citroen C2 SX is maybe a bit out of my price range with APR at 11%+, but probably the one I want more. I could maybe afford a SX at 0%. The L range only comes with a bloody radio cassette player! I want the toys!! The C2 had a better write up in Whatcar website as well.

    Try to knock them back on the APR, part exchange to get it down perhaps?
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Nah, this would be my first car. Basically, I'm looking to get a decent spec'd car for around £120 p/m max. I would try and pay off my insurance in the one payment. If I went with Arnold Clark, they do insurance for £670 p/a, but their APR is ridiculous. If you buy a £7000 car, APR is normally 10% - 17%, which boosts the payments up to £180-£200 p/m.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Have you tried searching for insurance using theAA they look through multiple companies to give you a good offer.

    Maybe that would help afforability.

    Thing to remember is that car-people want to sell the car, they often have quotas, if you say you like the car, but don't like the APR they'll likely knock it down for you.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Maybe worth a try doing the whole like the car, but not the APR thing, never tried that before. Really like the C2, but like I said the higher spec model is better. I actually can't believe how expensive it is to own and drive a car...
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    does it have to be a new car?

    if you get one a couple of years old, it's still in fab condition, but a whole fuckload cheaper.

    my parents just bought one that was a show car at a garage for a year. it had only done 15 miles when they got it, and was in as new condition, but the plates were 03, and it had had a few people sit in it and so they got a big discount.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Aye, it is expensive. And it's a big hit to buy a brand new one, too.

    Can't really say which to get out of those, I've heard bad things about both Citreon and Fiat, but you tend to get more gadgets with the Citreons methinks.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Well, it doesn't have to be a new car, but the trend seems to be better deals for newer cars, eg. free insurance, 0% APR, cash reductions etc. And the only old car I think I would get would be a corsa, and I had a look at some yesterday. The Elegance range (I think) was the top one, spec was fine, trim was butt ugly... That was a '53 plate. I dunno. I want the toys as well...
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Both my cars have been Punto's - the first was a very basic model and worked perfectly but not anything special to drive, but got the job done and had a nice upright driving position and lots of room for passengers.

    My 2nd car was a Mark 2 Punto Sporting and it was a much nicer car, a few things went wrong like the power steering and the Aircon piped cracked but FIAT Fixed that for free.

    I drove a Corsa recently and that was horrid to drive. Overall though I really like my Punto Sporting, 6 speed Gear Box, Aircon and light steering it's pretty fast and good on petrol. Mines only a 1.2 the new one is 1.4 engine so should be faster, although I prefer the looks of the MK 2.

    Of course the new Fiesta isn't bad or the Polo. Personally I'd go to a car auction or dealer that specialises in nearly new cars and have a look first as what savings are on offer.
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    JsTJsT Posts: 18,268 Skive's The Limit
    Originally posted by kaffrin
    i drove a new punto recently when my car broke down, and i wasn't impressed at all. it looks fine on the outside, and it handles ok, but it just feels really cheap. sometimes the gearstick wouldn't quite go into first, and when i tried to shove it, which i can do quite happily on my car, it felt like it might break at any time. same with the steering wheel.

    the reverse gear also has some strange thing where you have to lift halfway up with the stick before you could put it in reverse. annoying, anyway, when i kept forgetting.

    That wasn't one of ours was it?

    The Punto usually gets pretty bad reviews from customers, the C2 does slightly better. My mum got a new Polo a week or so ago and I've driven it a little and it feels really solid and has a fair bit of power despite is usually being a 1.2. VW's are reliable as well as comfortable, and are usually generously equipped.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by JsT
    VW's are reliable as well as comfortable, and are usually generously equipped.

    Yes, Volkswagen are good. Buy Volkswagen.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I get my new car on Wednesday. £6,250 @ £152 a month. Air conditioning, five doors, electric front and rear windows, CD & MP3 player, split folding rear seats, leather trim, 1.1 engine.

    And when I say all that people are impressed, then I tell them what kind of car it is and they all look like this -->

    :eek2: :crazyeyes :eek2: :eek:

    Lol.

    Anyway, it drives a treat and doesn't feel cheap and hollow like the C2 I've driven before. Never driven a Punto but my friend has one and it is usually in the garage being repaired!
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by BumbleBee
    I get my new car on Wednesday. £6,250 @ £152 a month. Air conditioning, five doors, electric front and rear windows, CD & MP3 player, split folding rear seats, leather trim, 1.1 engine.

    And when I say all that people are impressed, then I tell them what kind of car it is and they all look like this -->

    :eek2: :crazyeyes :eek2: :eek:

    Lol.

    Anyway, it drives a treat and doesn't feel cheap and hollow like the C2 I've driven before. Never driven a Punto but my friend has one and it is usually in the garage being repaired!


    So what is it Skoda?

    BTW Skoda's are pretty good these days all VW parts
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by DiamondGeezer
    So what is it Skoda?

    No, it's a Kia.
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    JsTJsT Posts: 18,268 Skive's The Limit
    Originally posted by BumbleBee
    No, it's a Kia.

    Kia's are reliable and the one your getting is well equipped for the price!
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    JsTJsT Posts: 18,268 Skive's The Limit
    Originally posted by DiamondGeezer
    BTW Skoda's are pretty good these days all VW parts

    95% of all internal parts in the Skoda Octavia come from the VW Passat.

    Fact.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by JsT
    That wasn't one of ours was it?

    it was, yeah.

    worked fine, i'm just used to abusing my car a bit more, cause it's sturdy as fuck (except when the engine breaks :rolleyes: ) but i didn't feel like i could in that punto. it was like i had to be super careful in case i broke anything. but that could have been cause it wasn't my car.

    my parents have a new(ish) fiesta, i've got a slightly older one. might not be the classiest car on the block, but they're sturdy, reliable, and i find them really nice to drive. my car's a P reg, and last week was the first time it's ever broken down. although when it did, admittedly it went in style.

    i've also had good times with peugeots.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    **off topic** ^^ good luck with tomro, make sure to drag mr. kaff along for moral support :yes:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Girl_gunner
    **off topic** ^^ good luck with tomro, make sure to drag mr. kaff along for moral support :yes:

    alas he is working. but he gets to do the evening shift. my mum has instructed him to poke me every half hour to make sure i'm not dead.

    my mum worries too much.
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    JsTJsT Posts: 18,268 Skive's The Limit
    Originally posted by kaffrin
    it was, yeah.

    We are ending the contract with Fiat soon for the pure reason they spend more time in the workshop than they do on rent.

    I coulda sworn our system said you had a Clio though that time. :eek2:
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by kaffrin
    alas he is working. but he gets to do the evening shift. my mum has instructed him to poke me every half hour to make sure i'm not dead.

    my mum worries too much.

    dont let her make your worries expand, it'll be fine, and you'll have no toothache afterwards :)
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by JsT
    I coulda sworn our system said you had a Clio though that time. :eek2:

    on the site it said 'clio 1.2 or similar'.

    i guess that's their idea of similar. did its job though. several million times better than the alternative public transport nightmare we would have faced.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by kaffrin

    my parents have a new(ish) fiesta, i've got a slightly older one. might not be the classiest car on the block, but they're sturdy, reliable, and i find them really nice to drive. my car's a P reg, and last week was the first time it's ever broken down. although when it did, admittedly it went in style.

    My mum has a v-reg fiesta, and its been really good for her. I am now also allowed to drive it in my learner state, you don't have to be super careful with it. I dont feel like the gearstick will come off in my hand if im having an issue with getting it into gear, like I do with my intructors brand new Micra.
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