Risks of Purchasing Used Rather Than New

[ForumGuru]

Following 13 years of mainly seamless ownership of the W169 Avantgarde, we have opted to replace it with a GLA 250e AMG Premium Line. I attempted unsuccessfully to convince my wife to purchase an EQA, but she remains unconvinced by the technology. She seeks the assurance of ICE authority.

The purchasing procedure has deteriorated since our last acquisition. Subsequently, all the dealerships appeared to be exclusively governed by Mercedes rather than many independent franchisees. Subsequently, our local merchant lacked the specific variation in our desired colour. They merely exchanged inventory with another dealership. Not the case today. Our selected vehicle was pending delivery at a competitive dealership in the adjacent county. Despite the vehicle awaiting a delivery date from Mercedes UK, my local dealer was prohibited from redirecting the delivery to my nearby outlet.


The internet acquisition of the car was insufficient. We were compelled to visit the next County dealership to finalise the preliminary documentation. It was not until our return home that Mercedes UK emailed the contract for our signature. We must revisit this amiable and accommodating dealership prior to the delivery of our new car in two weeks.

We selected the hybrid type as it was £100 less expensive per month through PCP than the entirely ICE variant. Specifically, 0% APR in contrast to 5.9% APR. Upon concluding that acquiring our preferred model brand-new was unfeasible, we considered purchasing an ex-demonstrator model instead. I found a 5-month-old GLA 250e AMG Premium Line with only 1,800 miles from a different Mercedes dealership. Regrettably, the 11.9% APR PCP would have incurred double the monthly costs compared to purchasing a brand-new vehicle at 0% APR.

In the past, one could choose to purchase any vehicle available in the Mercedes system or select a model that was about to be manufactured at the factory. Today, your selection is a fluctuating lottery of the specific model variants that Mercedes chooses to provide to designated dealerships at a fixed price. No negotiation is possible. The price is immutable. There are no visible versions that may be in development.

I monitored online on a daily and hourly basis. You must act swiftly. Earlier this week, I was unable to secure a GLA 250e AMG Executive due to my favourite local sales representative being on his day off (not his fault). Two days later, three Premium Line variations emerged at three distinct dealerships nationwide. Two of them were situated over 100 miles distant. After verifying my interest in the vehicle online and with an agent at the dealership, I endured a tense two-hour wait before a sales representative returned my call to confirm the acquisition of the vehicle.

Dealerships are reportedly unable to acquire sufficient quantities of the 250e models. One hour after I acquired the car, two additional prospective clients visited the store in a futile effort to purchase the same vehicle.

[ForumGuru]

Sod's Law: the weekend has elapsed since we first placed the internet order for the car. Ironically, when reviewing the Mercedes portal today, the GLA model that we initially failed to secure last week is now available again at our chosen local Mercedes store.

[WiseSage]

My goodness! The second-hand market was formerly straightforward to traverse. I am currently seated in a dealership, and from the discussions I have eavesdropped on in the sales area, the sales environment appears to be quite chaotic. I observed two individuals entering; one was terminating an exorbitant PCP agreement (his monthly payment was comparable to my mortgage for a modest vehicle) and replacing it with a more economical car (presumably at the conclusion of the contract), while the other couple appeared to have received an incorrect order, which they vociferously contested.

Aside from rental or business vehicles, is purchasing a new car currently worthwhile, considering the elevated fees and monthly payments due to high interest rates?

[ForumGuru]

Considering the elevated loan rates, purchasing used items instead of new is a fallacy of economic reasoning. Purchasing new is paradoxically far less expensive than acquiring old items.

[Motoman]

In what manner?The interest rates for new and used vehicles are typically comparable, unless a promotional rate is offered for new cars. Since borrowing money incurs costs (there is no such thing as a 0% interest rate), the associated charges will diminish the profit margin of the vehicle, resulting in reduced flexibility for the dealer regarding the pricing of new cars. Considering the significant depreciation of new vehicles currently and the superior worth of cars aged 18 to 36 months in comparison to new ones, I would not contemplate purchasing a new car at this time. Moreover, the majority of new automobiles are subpar. Therefore, purchasing a new vehicle is not more economical.If you are referring about employing one through a PCP, the financial benefits may be minimal; but, I cannot envision it being more economical, much less "significantly cheaper."

[MrGreedy]

What is your inquiry?

All pre-owned vehicles originate as new ones. Amusement expressed through laughter.