Ordering and negotiating

Ordering and negotiating

Author
Discussion

Hian

Original Poster:

119 posts

228 months

Thursday 3rd November 2022
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Hi,
got a test drive on Sunday, and feeling fairly certain an order is imminent. Not sure whether to go for a fully specced base at about £58k or stretch the budget to a GT at about £62k.
Still trying to decide if the extra GT price is worth it as a fully loaded base model is essentially the GT spec but with less power. If I want the extra power I can get that through an ECU remap and still be £3k less than the GT spec I've put together, unless I'm missing something?
Not sure on colour yet as can't decide between Abyss blue, Alpine blue or Thunder grey, but a nice problem to have. Any opinions on these colours?

Anyhow to my question. Are orders still placed via the app and if so are the dealers open to negotiation and discounts?

Thanks.

johnnyreggae

3,001 posts

167 months

Friday 4th November 2022
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Generally no meaningful discount on cars to order but a little leeway on floor cars or ones coming through

AH_13

17 posts

29 months

Friday 4th November 2022
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Hi Hian,

I was in a similar situation and ended up ordering a Thunder Grey base with comfort heated seats, big brakes, sports exhaust, serac wheels, focal, storage & badges ~ 58k. Like you say, it's basically a GT without the extra power & a badge on the rear. The spec is very close to what used to be sold as the Legende, with matte carbon effect trims instead of glossy - and of course the bonus of the new infotainment.

The ECU remap is definitely on the wish-list to keep things exciting in a few years time. Coming from a TT, the power is more than enough for me at the moment. The 4k extra for the GT thus didn't appeal. Maybe you'd get better residuals on the GT than a base with lots of options, but I'm not so worried about that.

I love the grey. It's understated but very smart - deep and metallic when up close and sometimes you see shades of light blue and purple in different lights. I also prefer the grey body colour on the interior. It suits the mini-GT vibe I was going for overall. That said both blues do look really special and definitely stand out more.

I placed my order with the dealer, not on app. No discount here but did get mats included. I think you could probably wangle another ~£100 option if you wanted like the badges.

Enjoy your test drive on Sunday!

fossett

41 posts

73 months

Friday 4th November 2022
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Hi

I have done much the same ordered a standard car with;

Focal, Fuchs, Brakes, Parking Sensors, Alloy Pedals, Exhaust, Badges, Mirror Pack, Steel Blue paint 61k (my top limit) where in a GT it would be near to 70k.

Hian

Original Poster:

119 posts

228 months

Friday 4th November 2022
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Thanks for the replies so far everyone. That's what I thought but we all like a bit of a deal if we can get one!

PhilipIbrahim

91 posts

37 months

Friday 4th November 2022
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My dealer didn't throw anything in for free, it did not particularly bother me as no one is getting anything substantial thrown in.

Hoofty

712 posts

197 months

Friday 4th November 2022
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Everything everybody else has said plus the minor clarification that only deposits are taken via the app - orders are taken via your dealer rep.

As somebody who is absolutely useless at bargaining, the 'no deals' stance was somewhat of a boon. laugh

Hian

Original Poster:

119 posts

228 months

Sunday 6th November 2022
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So, a really enjoyable test drive in a lime green GT today. Out and about for ~1hr in a mixture of A/B roads and a little bit of motorway driving around Holmes Chapel/Wilmslow.
Both the Mrs and I think this is the next car for us. She currently has a Mini Coper S and I have a Polestar 2 which is used for day to day travel to/from work (lease car through work).
In theory I'm coming out of a 911 (991.2) which I sold earlier this year after 6 years of ownership, the plan being to use the funds from that for the next 'fun' car with minimal additional funds added. I've considered Cayman (GTS/S - yawn too similar to the 911), Supra (too BMW) and Lotus Emira 4-cylinder version (>60 week wait).
I've tested all but the Emira and I viewed the Lotus this week in Prestbury - great looking car. Overall, preference is for the Alpine, and I suspect I'm going to go GT but not sure which colour. As mentioned above I thought I would go Thunder grey but now leaning towards either the Iridescent White or Alpine blue.
This would put the budget at about 62.5k, which is more than I was planning but achievable, residuals not so important as we'll have this for many years I suspect.
Dealer has offered a test drive in a standard A110 to compare the power difference, and I'll give it some thought over the next couple of days as to whether I need to compare the standard with the GT or not. My head is saying 'just go for the GT!'
A funny thing happened when we handed the car back in the car park behind Costa/Sainsburys in Holmes Chapel. We met Ryan from Renault Manchester there to pick up the car and when we returned we were wating a few minutes for Ryan to meet us. During this time a couple of people came up asking about the car, and we had quite a long chat with a guy who seemed well into his cars. I've had this attention before with other cars (Porsche, Maserati, Alfa, M3) but never on a test drive!

essexstu

519 posts

125 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
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Hian said:
So, a really enjoyable test drive in a lime green GT today. Out and about for ~1hr in a mixture of A/B roads and a little bit of motorway driving around Holmes Chapel/Wilmslow.
Both the Mrs and I think this is the next car for us. She currently has a Mini Coper S and I have a Polestar 2 which is used for day to day travel to/from work (lease car through work).
In theory I'm coming out of a 911 (991.2) which I sold earlier this year after 6 years of ownership, the plan being to use the funds from that for the next 'fun' car with minimal additional funds added. I've considered Cayman (GTS/S - yawn too similar to the 911), Supra (too BMW) and Lotus Emira 4-cylinder version (>60 week wait).
I've tested all but the Emira and I viewed the Lotus this week in Prestbury - great looking car. Overall, preference is for the Alpine, and I suspect I'm going to go GT but not sure which colour. As mentioned above I thought I would go Thunder grey but now leaning towards either the Iridescent White or Alpine blue.
This would put the budget at about 62.5k, which is more than I was planning but achievable, residuals not so important as we'll have this for many years I suspect.
Dealer has offered a test drive in a standard A110 to compare the power difference, and I'll give it some thought over the next couple of days as to whether I need to compare the standard with the GT or not. My head is saying 'just go for the GT!'
A funny thing happened when we handed the car back in the car park behind Costa/Sainsburys in Holmes Chapel. We met Ryan from Renault Manchester there to pick up the car and when we returned we were wating a few minutes for Ryan to meet us. During this time a couple of people came up asking about the car, and we had quite a long chat with a guy who seemed well into his cars. I've had this attention before with other cars (Porsche, Maserati, Alfa, M3) but never on a test drive!
The Alpine certainly gets more attention than most cars. Some people asking what it is and others in the know saying what a great car and "I havent seen one in the flesh before"

Sporky

7,275 posts

71 months

Tuesday 8th November 2022
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Hoofty said:
As somebody who is absolutely useless at bargaining, the 'no deals' stance was somewhat of a boon. laugh
I don't mind a bit of a go - in particular if they try the going silent thing I always win - but I did like the absolute clarity with Alpine. I did get a set of mats.

Hian

Original Poster:

119 posts

228 months

Thursday 10th November 2022
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Well, order placed today for an Alpine Blue GT, delivery around May 2023. Managed to get a Thruxton track day thrown in.

gloomington

52 posts

26 months

Thursday 10th November 2022
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Well done! Mine departs the factory this coming Monday, managed to get a duffel bag thrown in.

PhilipIbrahim

91 posts

37 months

Thursday 10th November 2022
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Is the duffel bag decent quality and a good size and shape for either of the luggage compartments?

gloomington

52 posts

26 months

Friday 11th November 2022
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PhilipIbrahim said:
Is the duffel bag decent quality and a good size and shape for either of the luggage compartments?
No idea, I've not seen one!