About to buy a CRV

[oddjob]

Hi, as the title says I am about to buy a new CRV EX diesel.
I think I am getting a good deal at less than £22,000 from a direct from a dealer but it's still a heck of a lot of money. Listening to the news it would appear I am the only person in the UK buying a new car at the moment!
So, I was looking for a bit of reassurance or do you think I am mad as in 6 months they will be giving them away with boxes of cereal!

Thanks
oj

[oddjob]

that's a definate maybe then! :)

[ndj]

I'm in the same situation as you. I currently have the previous generation CR-V, owned from new, but it's 5 years old and it's time for a change.

It's a tough decision. Personally I'm going to hold out until the New Year. Consumer spending always drops after Xmas so I guess the dealers will have even fewer customers. There's also a plate change in the first quarter.

I have always bought new but there are lots of pre-reg and demo's around. I may save even more by buying 'used'. At least that way you can drive the car and check for the faults noted elsewhere in this forum before you buy. I recently bought a dateless plate and will use that to hide the fact :)

[Hughesy]

Because there are virtually no options and a very small range of exterior and interior colours, second hand Hondas make a lot of sense.
With a German car, the only way to get the gadgets and colour you want is to buy new (or ex demo with all the toys but usually dull interiors).

Mine's a company car, but if it was my own money, I would buy a 6 month to 1 year old vehicle.

Try offering £21k and say you will wait. Any time they feel like a sale they can call you. Then wait and see what happens!

[ndj]

On the topic of buying a new CR-V I also have a question. I think the current model looks better in darker colours. However, from many years of experience I know darker colours are harder to maintain (scratches & swirl marks in particular).

My current CR-V is 'Cosmic Grey' and has surprised me how easy it has been to maintain. Still looks great after 5 years of tough family use.

How do the current crop of greys, dark blue, & black stand the test of time?:confused:

[oddjob]

Try offering £21k and say you will wait. Any time they feel like a sale they can call you. Then wait and see what happens!


That's the weird thing, none of the dealers I have spoken to seem very keen on selling cars.
I rang one local dealer and said "I want to buy a crv ex, what are Honda's special offers this month, as last month it was free servicing?"

Oh, they say, i will have to check and ring you back.

For goodness sake, how many offers can they possibly be running? If you are a salesman with only 6 or 7 products surely you would keep up to date with the current promotions?

Anyway, an hour later they ring back and ask if it's petrol or diesel I want and then tell me again that they will have to ring me back again.
A week later and I haven't heard back from them. It's mad, how many people do they get ringing them up wanting to buy a new crv each day? None of the dealers around here seem to be very bothered about customers!

Anyway, I tried another dealer and it turns out that there are no offers this month but in January they are doing interest free credit for 2 years. So I am hoping to order one for Jan. But blimey, it's been hard work to get this far. :eek:

[Hughesy]

On the topic of buying a new CR-V I also have a question. I think the current model looks better in darker colours. However, from many years of experience I know darker colours are harder to maintain (scratches & swirl marks in particular).

My current CR-V is 'Cosmic Grey' and has surprised me how easy it has been to maintain. Still looks great after 5 years of tough family use.

How do the current crop of greys, dark blue, & black stand the test of time?:confused:

My 'sparkle grey pearl' looks ok after a year. I nearly bought plain black, but it looks like scratches show very easily.

[Hughesy]

None of the dealers around here seem to be very bothered about customers!

Anyway, I tried another dealer and it turns out that there are no offers this month but in January they are doing interest free credit for 2 years. So I am hoping to order one for Jan. But blimey, it's been hard work to get this far. :eek:

They are shutting the Swindon factory (http://www.mirror.co.uk/advice/money/2008/11/22/honda-to-close-uk-factory-for-two-months-after-poor-sales-115875-20915758/)next year for two months, so perhaps they expect demand to match (reduced) supply.
I suppose that means you can only buy from stock during that period too, so no strange colour combinations.

Good luck getting a deal!

[oddjob]

cheers, I will let you know if I get them down to £21,000!

[oddjob]

well, I bought one! very excited :D Price was ok at around £21500 for a diesel ex with metallic paint.
just have to wait until january before I get my hands on it.

cheers
oj

[Black Pearl]

Congratulations! What shade of metalic did you end up with? And now the long anticipatory wait begins. The only thing worse than kid wating for Christmas or their birthday is an adult waiting for delivery on a car. Sweet dreams! Don't forget to keep a close eye on the engine oil level on that diesel.

Again congratulations and good luck with your new V!

[oddjob]

cheers BP. Went for sparkle grey in the end. Not quite black but more interesting than the more normal silver.
As for the oil, I can't believe there isn't a low oil warning light. Even my van has that and the extremely luxurious low washer fluid light.

ho hum, still dead excited though!

oj

[ndj]

Oddjob,

I'm guessing this is brand new (your the first name on the V5) if you are having to wait for the car?

Can you tell us where you bought it? Thanks.......NDJ

[oddjob]

yep, brand new.
It is from my local biggest dealer as the bigger ones seem to go lower!
Drivethedeal.com are listing the ex with metallic paint at £21650. I took that to the local dealer and got them to beat it or just buy it through Drive the deal as the cars come from UK honda dealers anyway.
cheers
oj

[Hughesy]

Congratulations!

I hope you enjoy it.

[PeteDeFeet]

If anyones thinking of buying a new or used Honda Product - it might be worth signing up to the HONDA CONNECTIONS programme (UK). Saves all the haggling and offers up to £4000 new vehicles

www.hondaconnections.co.uk