Carnoch wrote:

What happened to all the rows upon rows of FL2 stacked up in a massive car park that we saw on the news last year? I wouldn't think they managed to sell them all. If it's a special order with unusual extras, I can see it, but not so for a standard car. Even so, there is a dealer margin that can be toyed with.

They didn't really exist, what looks on the news as huge stock piles of vehicles is quite standard stock. I've been in new car delivery for a long time and I often laugh at these reports because as we are used to seeing the stock yards all the time we get to know what is normal. What did amaze me last year is why we were being told of all the stock on the news I was going into distribution yards that I have never seen so empty carring 1/4 of normal stock, and no all us transporter drivers did not take them to airfields, there all ready full of ex rentals.

Executive Valeter wrote:

The dealer I used told me recently no discounts as there is no stock & cars are built to order.

Thanks thats good advice.

In my view discount does not always clinch the deal. It's also the relationship with the dealer as a whole. I have dealt with Farnell Land Rover Guisley for the last 15 years or so. With my first F1 I had all the leaking rear door problems which were dealt with in a very professional manner. I then traded in for a new 54 plate, again great service - problems always sorted no charge for loan car if it was a warranty issue, would give me a lift home if no loan car.

The F1 had just had an MoT needed 2 new tyres and a high pressure pump - around £1k of work. So after 93k of service we did a deal to trade up to a F2. We also had a return journey to the French Alps planed so reliability was a concern.

Got £5250 for the F1 and 8% of list and Autoglym Lifeshine thrown in (quoted at £499). We did the deal on December 2nd and needed delivery for the 11th as we needed to drive to France. Wanted to get ann HSE_e in Stornoway but had to settle for a HSE auto in Black as stock was not available.

At the end of the day yes I could have shopped around and used Farnells for service but in my experience I think you do not get the same level of service - after all "the computer says "if they supplied the vehicle. I was happy with the trade in and discount and cost of extras - roof rails, bars, ski rack, mudflaps and rubber mats. And I got the vehicle with £12k deferred for 24 months interest free.

As as been said dealers tend to make more on targets and also think of the average if a dealers selss 5 vehicles a week his profit is based on the average of the 5 vehicles not just the one. In addition to reaching a target bonus they are also hoping to get your after sales & service custom as well = more profit.

In my view just be happy with your deal - some like the chase and to haggle - some like the relationship - some just don't want to trail around or make endless phone calls getting the best deals.

Do your research - check trade in prices - check discounts - its all there on the t'internet.

I think I can say its the best car (apart from my Defender 50th) that I've ever had for day to day use. The auto is great in snow, the vehicle is smooth and quite, the kids have more room in the back and the dogs love it too

BUY WITH KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE  Cheers
Gumdrop aka Simon !
-------------------------------------------------
F2 HSE, auto, roof rails, steps, santorini black
Defender 50th
F1 1999, Commercial
Series 1 (1958)
Rebel Replica Series 1

Good comment and to a lot that matters, but every individual has their own agenda. To some it's down to being able to afford a FL2 or as I said before, the difference between being able to afford the next model up. There is no doubt some dealers are ripping us off big time. All this post is designed to do is pinpoint the dealerships where potential bargain are to be had. It's a starting point.

I have purchased three vehicles from Guy Salmon (Stonelake) in Wakefield, I have had a good deal on all three (after a lot of haggling) and the after sales service is second to none.

The Salesman, Matthaw

The Service guy, Dave

The lads in parts, even the girl on reception.

Yes service is very important, and so is price.....

Twodogs.

Ref Gumdrops comments on Farnell Guiseley - Purchased from Bradford but warranty service work done at Guiseley - totally and absolutely agree

twodogs wrote:

I have purchased three vehicles from Guy Salmon (Stonelake) in Wakefield, I have had a good deal on all three (after a lot of haggling) and the after sales service is second to none.

The Salesman, Matthaw

The Service guy, Dave

The lads in parts, even the girl on reception.

Yes service is very important, and so is price.....

Twodogs.

A very important detail there  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

In March 2008, I visited 5 dealers local to me, told them exactly what I wanted & advised each of them that I WILL be visiting other dealers in order to obtain the best price.
I always find that meeting the dealer face-to-face gives them more confidence that you're genuine about the sale and not just a tyre kicker / dreamer.

After 3 or 4 weeks of research etc. - I rang my contact saleman at each of the dealers I visited.
I gave each salesman a ridiculously low exchange figure (I had another Landrover to trade in) and whoever was the closest to that figure would get my business.

2 dealers actually met that figure but my prefered dealer of the two tried to increase it by £500 when I arrived at the showroom to sign the paperwork. Because of that stunt, I dropped the sale there & then and drove straight to the other dealer to sign the deal.

I was later advised that as a result of my tough bargaining, the sale had generated a grand total of £300 profit.
Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to the next battle when the LRX comes out!  FL2 HSE Manual in Stornaway Grey
2008 Premium Pack
19" Chrome Shadow Wheels
Privacy Glass
Xenons

Good advice from iangam and Gumdrop .

Another thing to add is......... If you value the dealer relationship as well as the transaction price, then decide who you would most like to buy from first, and visit them last. That way, when you know exactly what the competition will offer you, you will then be able to look them in the eye and tell them what they need to beat. They can only say 'yes' or 'no', and if it's 'yes' then everyone wins.

James

Okay, this thread seems to have died a death. I did think there would be more interest.


The cheapest deal I could find this week from a LR main dealer was a new GS including met. paint and privacy for 22k cash.

If you wanted the zero interest 1k extra. The part exchange price, much the same as elsewhere, although they didn't mind if you sold it privately or to another dealer - there is a shortage of good second hand cars.

It was over 3k more expensive at a lot of other dealers, whom didn't like the idea of discounting.

Basically, you get a GS fro the price of a S.

Keep trying!

There are plenty of dealers out there!

I'm on the search too

Avoid the special editions as there is little discount available.

Too true, I did e-mail the lot. Needless to say, a few didn't reply. That said, the GS with those extras for 22k isn't bad. It's over 3.5k off list. I think come April, the scrappage scheme will have ended, not that many after a LR will have taken advantage of that and the Gvt is hiking the sales tax or whatever it is, another 300 squid. Pay rises, unless your a banker, think it's spelt that way, rather than starting with a 'W', will be zero, so I can't see the end of this depression. Years ago, I studied Economics, Politics and Economic History, there is historic evidence to suggest whatever we are in will last 5 years minimum, these things arn't over in 12 or 24 months, despite what the media would have us think. I mean, it's not a flu virus!

and the new registartion plate system isn't far away either to add more confusion to prices

Sounds like a good price, now where did i leave that stash of cash!!!

I'd like to see LR do a proper 0% finance deal like many of the other car manufacturers are launching at the moment, not one that requires you to almost purchase it in cash first! I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!