New Octavia ....when? How Much?

[woofy]

Yeah I had the same build plate vs compliance plate issue. Never had it before as I always get one built the same year. I had a really bad cold when I bought my last car but had the sense still to get a car built in 2011 the same as when I was buying it (Oct 2011). My invoice that went to my business finance people had the build date etc on it, VIN number etc. A few months after owning it I noticed when cleaning that the compliance date was earlier in 2011 but the build date was well over a year earlier, Aug 2010. I was livid as the insurers will only pay out based on build date models and insurance was different between the years. The sales manager was the one who sold to me and pretty much tried to say compliance is all that matters. That is until you go to trade it in....then build is everything.

I've had many signs that the car sat somewhere outside for quite a while, the battery which is a monster well known for long life died recently at 2.5yrs my time, but closer to 3.5 in dock sitting. I suspect it probably had been flat for a long time before buying it, but couldn't be bothered trying to deal with that. My steering wheel leather at the top front edge was dry and rough from delivery and started peeling so will be getting that replaced before warranty is out. Same thing with door linining at the top of the doors, clearly all sun damaged and were replaced.....good times and never again.

I will see how things go next year, but almost leaning towards getting a MY16 build first thing in 2016 rather than get something built and delivered right at the end of the year.

[VRS162]

[QUOTE=GTR27;1092440]I'm not meaning to be rude, there ARE good salesman and dealers around. You need to have a look at whirlpool forums for the sheer number of people who have been burnt by the above to see how big a problem it is.


GTR I didn't take your comment as rude. Obviously it is a dealers job to trade your car for the lowest possible price, so they will try anything in their power to lower the price. However if you have a high demand car in good condition with low kms the dealer may try to lower the trade price with the build date debate but if you push or shop around you will get the right price. At the end of the day the dealer can and WILL advertise the car as a 2015 car, meaning they can ask more than the same spec car that is a 2014 plate. Any dealer worth their salt will not let a high quality trade in past just because of the build date. Good stock is now very hard to get as a private buyer can sell their own car much easier now than 10 years ago. Build date is just another negotiation tool, the same as (insert colour) is not popular or leather trim is less popular in this model than cloth, basically the opposite of what you have to trade. The moral of the story is do your home work and know what your cars retail value is and allow a margin for the dealer margin and then push for that figure of a discounted new car price. That way you really know what you are being offered.

Brad, on your example of the Roomster, yes the car will be advertised as a 2011 but the trade know they were not imported after 2009-2010 I think. However the Roomster fails one important test, it was a total sales dud on the Australian market. Therefore you will have no bargaining power, but a 2011 plated car is still easier to sell in the retail market than a 2009 plate just dont know you could ask a hell of a lot more for a 2011 as already said the market is very soft on the Roomster.

All my comments are based on the market in Victoria as I am aware that in South Aus it is law that the build date is the only date that a dealer can advertise. Not sure about the rest of AUS.

[godzilla_110TDI]

Vehicle ordered, let the wait begin!

Only change I made was the colour to metallic black. There's a black rs sedan in the showroom and it made me change my mind. It also has the paint protection and that looked sweet. The other interesting thing it had was some sort of interior protection applied to the leather and doors, but only half the seat and door to show the difference. The leather looks heaps better with it. Not sure of the cost though

[GTR27]

Knowing a dealer, about 6 times what it's worth. Seriously save your money and take it to a pro detailer. They will do a better job, with better products for much less money.

[brad]

Good detailer - better products, less money, better outcome.

I think CarCareProducts has an outlet up North now. Waxit as well - maybe.

[godzilla_110TDI]

Thank you gents

[GTR27]

Yes, car care products has an actual shop at cooparoo. Been there. Guys are very helpful

[woofy]

There doesn't seem to be the usual deals this time of year, I'm guessing because there is no floor stock to clear out.

Nov next year is my changeover date for my work car. I never thought I would be looking this far ahead to be honest. I would want to be getting a MY16, who knows what changes might happen there, but my thoughts are getting:

RS raceblue wagon in manual with $500 black pack, tech pack with camera (I like how a $50 camera translates to $300 that is std in a lot of cars now) and panaramic sunroof and extended warranty. RRP is $48k in Vic, what would be reasonable to expect to pay?

[GTR27]

Didn't some guy post up here 46.5k driveaway with every single option? 8-10% off the list drive away price is do able for an order. Less for an in stock car.

[woofy]

I was thinking low 40s. I got our current 2008 RS in Nov 2008 when they had free onroads which was a raceblue man sedan with FPS and sunroof for 36k driveaway. Those days are long gone I suspect, Skoda seem to like giving out the crappy finance offer rather than free onroads like other companies, even the free extended warranty would be good without being tagged onto the finance offer. I still firmly believe we should be seeing a 10yr DSG warranty and a standard 5yr Skoda warranty. But that would mean VW would have to offer it.

[godzilla_110TDI]

Didn't some guy post up here 46.5k driveaway with every single option? 8-10% off the list drive away price is do able for an order. Less for an in stock car.

Yep, i sure did. Signed the contract yesterday

[GTR27]

I thought it was you, but wasn't sure. That's a pretty good price for a loaded car! Now wait for Skoda to give birth to it and you'll have your baby

[woofy]

Just noticed noone mentions window tint. I forgot completely about it with my RS, and intended to get it done myself with my last car but that guy doesn't have a lot of love for VAG cars as he pulls trim off to install (Rob at Ringwood tinters). What have people in Melb been doing?

[vEnOm_oz]

For all your tinting and detailing needs go see Nikolas at Mr Detail Mr Detail - Melbourne Car Detailing, Paint Protection and Car Care Products. He is a pleasure to deal with and looks after the car like his own, gives you the right advise.

Checkout his Facebook page to see his work - https://www.facebook.com/finerdetail.

Just noticed noone mentions window tint. I forgot completely about it with my RS, and intended to get it done myself with my last car but that guy doesn't have a lot of love for VAG cars as he pulls trim off to install (Rob at Ringwood tinters). What have people in Melb been doing?

[GeeMatt]

Just noticed noone mentions window tint. I forgot completely about it with my RS, and intended to get it done myself with my last car but that guy doesn't have a lot of love for VAG cars as he pulls trim off to install (Rob at Ringwood tinters). What have people in Melb been doing?

Yes, Rob Tait. Tinted my Subie, loves them, hates the VAG's - 'cos as you say, he pulls the trim off to install. Great guy though, really helpfull. Wasn't excited to do the tint on the wifes golf.