Main dealer availability, Bentley Continental GTC Speed

[So]

I've been keeping an eye on the Bentley site and the better used ones have been gradually vanishing.

Speaking to the sales manager of one main dealer earlier in the week, it appears that they have been selling cars during lockdown. Naively perhaps, I assumed they wouldn't be.

What I am wondering is, whether lockdown being lifted will bring cars to market. Intuitively, I'd say yes; people will be picking up new cars and wanting to offload old. But then I also assumed that the market would freeze during lockdown and clearly it hasn't, so what do I know.

I want a Speed ideally 2015-17 in a sensible colour (black or grey). But if nothing comes up I'll look at a V8 - there seems to be a few more of those about.

Anyone more in touch with the market than me, who'd care to comment? I get it that they aren't exactly common cars, but I don't know how well supplied the market is in normal times.

[MrReg]

I've been looking to upgrade mine whilst everyone is in lockdown.
I've found that some disappeared off the classified sites as specialist dealers stopped advertising to save costs. I think main dealers still did, and they've even been uploading new stock pictures too.
From speaking to some dealer friends of mine they've been selling cars throughout the last couple of months, and I've even cleared the decks after selling a track car and a stter that I stupidly bought during too many sherberts! What they've all said is that although they've been selling, they've not been buying - not because they don't want to but because they couldn't. Therefore I hope a few more will appear to be advertised in the next few weeks.
Me - I've found a nice GTC. Was between a Speed and a V8S and I've plumped for the V8S this time

[So]

MrReg said:

Me - I've found a nice GTC. Was between a Speed and a V8S and I've plumped for the V8S this time

I probably should have twigged that they'd still be selling. I have missed out on at least one good car that would have worked for me.

I was in the process of buying a V8 when lockdown hit. The time to think has made me decide that I'd prefer a Speed.

Congrats on finding a car, tell me about the car you're buying.

[f430hunter]

Ive had both of these cars with the w12 and v8 believe me the v8s is a fantastic car,with the sports exhaust its even better,the car is so much more driver freindly than the w12 and mpg is near on double,would recommend driving both as there such different beasts.Make sure you check the roof on the c piilar that its not starting to go through the material,hope this helps.

simon

[So]

f430hunter said:

Ive had both of these cars with the w12 and v8 believe me the v8s is a fantastic car,with the sports exhaust its even better,the car is so much more driver freindly than the w12 and mpg is near on double,would recommend driving both as there such different beasts.Make sure you check the roof on the c piilar that its not starting to go through the material,hope this helps.

simon

Cheers Simon

I know the V8 is well regarded, but I have a 911 for hooning. The Bentley is just for mincing about, so miles / gallon is not an issue.

My dilemma is whether to wait for my ideal W12 that may never show up, or buy one of the many V8s that are about. I may even be able to reinstate the V8 deal I had pre-lockdown.

[Saweep]

Birmingham and Leicester have both had grey Speeds in stock for ages.

The one in Leicester has often caught my eye as it's relatively high mileage and a decent price. Would make a great daily for someone.

[So]

Saweep said:

Birmingham and Leicester have both had grey Speeds in stock for ages.

The one in Leicester has often caught my eye as it's relatively high mileage and a decent price. Would make a great daily for someone.

Really? Not showing on the websites and I spoke to the sales manager of Leicester last week and he said he had no Speeds.

TBH I would really like a 2015-17 car with sub-10k miles and in something like my preferred spec. I may keep it years.

[Saweep]

So said:

Saweep said:

Birmingham and Leicester have both had grey Speeds in stock for ages.

The one in Leicester has often caught my eye as it's relatively high mileage and a decent price. Would make a great daily for someone.

Really? Not showing on the websites and I spoke to the sales manager of Leicester last week and he said he had no Speeds.

TBH I would really like a 2015-17 car with sub-10k miles and in something like my preferred spec. I may keep it years.

They were on auto trader just a couple of days ago. I kept looking at them as a swap for my Bentayga to stay in the brand but reduce my exposure going forward.

I'll have a look for the ads but I bet they've gone now and you're right

[Saweep]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Birmingham

[Saweep]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Leicester. this is the car I'd buy out of the two.

[So]

Saweep said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Leicester. this is the car I'd buy out of the two.

Yes, definitely a smart looking thing. But I am looking for a convertible.

[MrReg]

So said:

Congrats on finding a car, tell me about the car you're buying.

Thanks.
Picked up today. 2016 V8S GTC in blue with linen interior. Drives a lot nicer than my W12, a lot lighter. Sports exhaust is good.
Feels like a different car to the W12.
Not sure on the fuel economy being better - I'm on 14.6 versus 17 for the W12

[So]

MrReg said:

Thanks.
Picked up today. 2016 V8S GTC in blue with linen interior. Drives a lot nicer than my W12, a lot lighter. Sports exhaust is good.
Feels like a different car to the W12.
Not sure on the fuel economy being better - I'm on 14.6 versus 17 for the W12

That may be to do with your right foot?

Congrats, that's a nice colour combo.

[So]

It's looking increasingly unlikely that I am going to find what I want, without a potentially long wait.

I ideally want a GTC Speed in black or grey with low miles, late 2016-2017. The dealers I have spoken to tell me that they are far fewer in number than the V8s.

I also note that a great many that are for sale or have sold are older cars 2014-2015.

I am increasingly thinking that unless I am prepared for a long wait I need to start looking at V8s.

[buyer&seller]

I was a salesman selling Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars in main dealers from 1988 to 2004 and worked alongside some smart operators, despite what some on these forums might think. who worked their database very well. As I read on other threads that Bentley are now heavily incentivising new car sales it would give a good "entrepreneurial" dealer/salesman the opportunity to offer a blinding deal on a new car especially if they knew they had a punter ready to go on the part exchange. You should find out one of these switched on dealers, there are a few just about existing these days, and tell them what you are looking for and see if they can set up a deal if the car you're looking for is on their database which they should be able to identify, good luck.

[So]

[quote=buyer&seller]I was a salesman selling Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars in main dealers from 1988 to 2004 and worked alongside some smart operators, despite what some on these forums might think. who worked their database very well. As I read on other threads that Bentley are now heavily incentivising new car sales it would give a good "entrepreneurial" dealer/salesman the opportunity to offer a blinding deal on a new car especially if they knew they had a punter ready to go on the part exchange. You should find out one of these switched on dealers, there are a few just about existing these days, and tell them what you are looking for and see if they can set up a deal if the car you're looking for is on their database which they should be able to identify, good luck.
[/quote]

Good post, thanks.

Do you have anyone in mind, if I email you?