An interesting thread DtoD and good to see some real life angles on purchasing in the current market.
Having been on forums for far too many years, they can be full of more self promoting bullsh!t than rap music or Instagram accounts. It’s amazing how many forum people have 50 grand plus tucked down the back of their underpants and have had special deals in every top of the range product they fill their threads with.
Real life for most just isn’t like that, it’s a slog, and you’re definitely right, people are tightening their belts all round. Fuel, utilities, food and cars have gone up an awful lot recently and are continuing to do so rapidly. Uncertainty abounds and even skirting around global politics, the ‘special military operation’ hasn’t just had a direct economic effect which will worsen and worsen, but also people feel uncomfortable making luxury purchases knowing innocent people are being bombed to oblivion and/or migrating by the millions on our continental doorstep. People around the world are scared and angry as well as financially stretched.
I work in transport logistics and am aware of the drop in mail order volumes plus I detect a bit of a boycott on Chinese products even ahead of any possible economic sanctions.
People are aware of the long delays on car orders (as well as lots of personal tech stuff) and a few people have mentioned to me car dealers they’ve visited don’t seem that bothered about following up enquiry calls lately.
Many ordinary car buyers (not just company car tax dodgers) seem to be in a quandary as to whether to go electric or stick with ICE with fossil fuel and electricity cost worries as well as the electric charger infrastructure that doesn’t seem to keep up with demand. Maybe that’s slowing people up ordering too, when added to the long likely wait times pushing the average new buyer’s lease/PCP towards the 2030 line in the sand by the time their newly ordered car has possibly arrived and completed its 36/48 month term.
What was especially good to read there was your mention of the i20N as it’s an affordable GTI alternative that offers frills and styling VW just isn’t brave enough to provide, in an unapologetic package (with a pretty full spec). A breath of fresh air in these turbulent times. I’m probably a bit old for an i20N but boy would I like a go in one!
The 0% interest is good marketing too. Acutely aware of unavoidable base price rises means the 0% brings monthlies down to affordable levels which should bring in the custom.
The roads I drive on would suit an i20N perfectly but I’d imagine the ride and raucousness would rule it out as a daily driver for most err… “mature” drivers.
Anyway, good on you for getting a Golf, it’s by far the best option… probably
And 80 miles isn’t *that* far
