My local Stratstone Landrover garage in Perth had no 2nd hand cars at all for sale over the Christmas/New year period - completely sold out of EVERYTHING, forecourt was empty.....even the courtesy service vehicle was sold.

Never seen an empty forecourt before......

last year after the snow in Jan my local dealer sent me a letter asking to buy back my Land Rover if I didn't want it anymore so they could sell it on as the demand for them was so high! www.222photography.co.uk

Same for me too, except they have gone high tech in perth with text messages

The situation here, in Ireland, is slightly peculiar since the end of 2009.

Many dealers are reluctant to take new-ish vehicles in trade as they cannot offer owners a sensible price. We have scrappage deals but these cars never appear on the forecourts of main dealers for obvious reasons.

Result - our forecourts are looking lonelier than a 64 year old bachelor at Club Med.

January/February 2010 was much the same. I was wanting to update my 2 year old FL2 GS Auto for the last of the SE's, hopefully an ex demo. Nothing to be found Ayr (local dealer), Glasgow, Stirling and Perth, local dealer Parks Ayr contacted me and the price offered to change to a new one was better than 2nd hand nearly new. They wanted stock.

Stayed at Holiday Inn Perth both September and October for the Colin Mcrae Rally and for Rally of Scotland, hotel is next to Stratstone and the forecourt was well stocked. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

I went to my local dealers today to have a look around.

They had 2 '10' reg, one xs manual @ £25950 : one HSE Auto @ £26950

I spoke to the 'salesman Martin' who was very friendly and helpful.
He admitted that prices were a good 'few grand' above price but said there were no used cars around anywhere hence the prices and he had no doubt they would sell.

He also offered a D3 on a 57 plate for £30k with average miles.

Prices are crazy and there appears to be very little stock too.

Wait till April then - the prices will drop significantly as there will be glut of LR's on the market - inside knowledge.....

brightsparking wrote:

Wait till April then - the prices will drop significantly as there will be glut of LR's on the market - inside knowledge.....

thats what I thought i'd do

I was looking for a freelander a couple of months ago, and i had plenty to pick from, and in fact was being way too picky. Couldnt make my mind up which model/colour etc to go for at the time, and tyring to play the "its a buyers market"

I made my mind up a few weeks later and called the dealer to say i wanted their car, and for some reason they didnt want to help me, so had to count on autotrader, and this was the week before christmas and ALL of them had gone, not one left!, was really shocked.

I trawled the internet and managed to find the perfect one for me, and got it (just).

They did indeed seem to all sell within a couple of weeks with none other coming on the market.

I had a letter from the dealer who did my last service this morning....' we are currently looking for (any LR)...call me now its the perfect time to sell'
They suffer of course if they make only a few sales due to lack of turnover, hence the interest. I checked their stock, too expensive for me for the few FRs they had. Its a vicious circle. Similar car to mine is (year, plate, mileage, spec) on sale at several dealers for £21900 and one £22700?. I doubt I will be offered £17500. I think their margins are too big, any other views? Upgraded to an ex demo, 7 mth old, Rimini Red/Ebony Napoli Auto HSE on 28th Jan 2011, added roof rails, mudflaps and side strips.
Gone - A great 57 Plate, Auto SE, Bought Feb 2009, Roof Rails and Mudflaps added on purchase. Blue colour, anything but drug dealer black.....

We had a totally empty forecourt over the Christmas period (not a single car on the pitch).................................

Becuase we'd parked everything in our workshops to avoid them being used as climbing frames by passing revelers!!

James

Lookers Park Royal wrote:

We had a totally empty forecourt over the Christmas period (not a single car on the pitch).................................

Becuase we'd parked everything in our workshops to avoid them being used as climbing frames by passing revelers!!

James

spoil sports  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Lookers Park Royal wrote:

We had a totally empty forecourt over the Christmas period (not a single car on the pitch).................................

Becuase we'd parked everything in our workshops to avoid them being used as climbing frames by passing revelers!!

James

What kind of a service is that???

Spoil sport..... I'll give you Spoil Sport!!!! I didn't fancy having to clear up another mess like this one this Christmas!

James

What happened there then?