I Feel Intimidated Looking For A Car

[Treacle71]

I’m at the stage now where I need to replace my 16 yo Citreon C1.  I can’t keep paying out and paying out for it when it goes wrong and now the rubber exhaust mounts have gone on it.  When I called breakdown recovery out he said it could cost a maximum of £500 to fix and I don’t want to spend that on a car that is so old.  I just spent £170 on it just a few months ago when one of the coils went. 

Anyway, I want to go looking for a car at a proper dealer (none of the Car Giants or Cazoo’s of the world).  However, I feel intimidated by the salesmen as I’ll be a lone woman going to look for a good used car.  Any helpful hints to get round my awkwardness, please?

[Redhelen72]

research what you want before you go.

have a list of must have and like to haves and feel confident in yourself - or take someone with you

[Zacs-Master]

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/consumer-advice/car-advice/a37338991/buy-new-car/
 

https://www.workingmomsagainstguilt.com/womans-guide-to-car-buying/
 

https://www.foxychoice.com/car-buying-tips-for-women

[Treacle71]

Thank you so far, guys.  I wonder even if Car Giant is any good?  I may have them worked out wrong.

[Redhelen72]

if you trust your garage mechanic - why not pay him for an hour of his time and take him along - I had a friend that did that - cost her £50 but saved her so much more

[Treacle71]

Thank you, Redhelen72.  Unfortunatley, my mechanic moved far away and I currently don't have one.  Good idea though!

[Hymie]

£500 seems a bit excessive to replace exhaust mounts, get a few quotes before agreeing to the work.

You have to realise that the annual depreciation on your 16 year old Citreon is zero, whereas say you buy a 3 year old car for £10k and keep it for 10 years, your annual depreciation will average out at £1k per year.

That £1k will buy a lot of repairs on your C1 – for this reason I normally keep my cars until a repair cost exceeds (or is close to) the value of the car, rather than having it repaired I could purchase a similar vehicle.  At that point, I’ll buy a newer car, and suffer depreciation averaging around £1k per year over ownership.

Even relatively new cars can suffer expensive repair bills, at around 5 years old my current car required a replacement transfer box, for which the main dealer wanted £2.5k.

[rowanwitch]

Lots of big dealerships have female sales staff these days, phone round,and ask if you can book a slot with one of them. 

[Treacle71]

Thank you, rowanwitch.  Sounds good. I never thought of that.

[naomi24]

Good idea, Rowan.

[youngmafbog]

Well sort of, but in my experience women sales people are no differnt.  They are all a breed of their own!

Best bet is take someone (preferbaly male) with you.  And dont agree anything there and then, if they tell you the couple over the other side of the showroom are about to make an offer tell then "OK let them have it" and walk out.  (Or similar sales patter)

[douglas9401]

Tell the robber that you're recording the conversation. Cuts down on the lies and general chit chat.

 

Car salesmen are more to be pitied than feared.

[bednobs]

when i was last car hunting, i had an absolute requirement around accesibility and i actually found it very useful that it really was an absolute - then i couldnt be swayed by any patter

you probably don't have such a requirement, but you could perhaps invent one?

[youngmafbog]

Couldnt agree more Douglas.

[ToraToraTora]

A monkey to fix the exhaust hangers is taking the peace. They are just a couple of rubber donuts that stretch over a bracket. I'd get that fixed if I was you. The guys in the local quick fit would do it for you but beware they'll probably try and flog you all sorts so just insist on the exhaust mounts, should not be any more than £50.

[Maydup]

I felt similar to you but found I overcame it once I got there out of necessity really.
 

However the female assistant still managed to sell me an add on which included a free valet and MOTs for life which wasn't very expensive but did have me waiting for nearly 2 hours on the day I collected the car while they did the flipping valet. I'm sure it was already pretty clean. Nevermind I'm happy with what Ibought and have had my free MOT this year without any pushing to have extra work done or a service. 
I wouldn't be confident enough to use an on line service to buy a car but you might include the likes of Car Shop in you search in addition to the main dealers.

[Treacle71]

Thank you, ToraToraTora.  I might start looking to get it repaired first then.  

 

[Canary42]

One way to defy these misogynistic salesmen is, as already suggested, to take a man along with you. They don't have to actually be motor experts, just look and behave like one, which counter-intimidates the salesman.

[Canary42]

P.S. Great car the C1, my last was such a car.

[ToraToraTora]

The C1  is basically an Aygo as is the 107.

[Treacle71]

I just want to thank you all for your very helpful advice. I've learnt so much. Thank you all for contributing xx