Buying a new Leon SC FR - best price?

[gshaw]

Hi all,

I'm getting very tempted by a Leon SC FR, 1.4 TSI with the 18" performance alloys etc.

Was originally looking for an ex demo or similar but they seem pretty hard to find so considering a new one on 0% finance. Seems better than putting up a large sum upfront although does mean new car cost and depreciation.

That said the ex-demo cars I've seen aren't that cheap (around £15k) and in poor condition with kerbed wheels, interior damage, smoked in etc.

Just wondering what kind of deals people have got on new models and any tips on haggling? So far it's looking around 20k for:

- 1.4 TSI ACT engine
- tech pack with LED lights, nav etc.
- spare wheel
- white paint

I think I need to get a good price seeing as there's a facelift already out in camouflage. I would wait a bit longer for end of quarter but my current motor will need a service, tyres and MOT soon which will be dead money if I wait too long to trade in.

What's the best deals you've had on new models? I hear 10-15% off list should be a given which seems to be where I'm at now (list of 22k down to 20k plus 1k from Seat finance). Can I do better?

 

[DEAN0]

Hi all,

I'm getting very tempted by a Leon SC FR, 1.4 TSI with the 18" performance alloys etc.

Was originally looking for an ex demo or similar but they seem pretty hard to find so considering a new one on 0% finance. Seems better than putting up a large sum upfront although does mean new car cost and depreciation.

That said the ex-demo cars I've seen aren't that cheap (around £15k) and in poor condition with kerbed wheels, interior damage, smoked in etc.

Just wondering what kind of deals people have got on new models and any tips on haggling? So far it's looking around 20k for:

- 1.4 TSI ACT engine
- tech pack with LED lights, nav etc.
- spare wheel
- white paint

I think I need to get a good price seeing as there's a facelift already out in camouflage. I would wait a bit longer for end of quarter but my current motor will need a service, tyres and MOT soon which will be dead money if I wait too long to trade in.

What's the best deals you've had on new models? I hear 10-15% off list should be a given which seems to be where I'm at now (list of 22k down to 20k plus 1k from Seat finance). Can I do better?

I thought the seat 0% finance deal needed 50% deposit ??

 

[gshaw]

I thought the seat 0% finance deal needed 50% deposit ??

50% lend against price of the car is how the dealer explained it. My part ex is about 5-6k, 4k deposit then around 10k on 0%

 

[mrbugle]

I got a 15 plate red FR with all the above from a dealer for 15500 with 2500 miles on it.

 

[Curtly]

There's plenty of demo cars around the 15-16k mark with that spec. Have you looked on autotrader?

 

[gshaw]

There's plenty of demo cars around the 15-16k mark with that spec. Have you looked on autotrader?

Yup l, constantly haha! There's a few but hundreds of miles away, I'm wary of going too far as the ones I've looked at locally seemed mint but had damage I won't tolerate on a nearly new car (ripped seat etc)

Also how worthwhile is the newer ACT engine over the original TSI?

 

[Curtly]

I travelled to Southampton for mine (I'm from essex). It all depends on how keen you are. I rented a car for a day to have a look at a few dealerships and their stock to find one that was absolutely mint.

It's definitely worth the few extra quid you'll only regret it if not. Its slightly more pokey and slightly more efficient

 

[Dr.Dash]

...What's the best deals you've had on new models? I hear 10-15% off list should be a given which seems to be where I'm at now (list of 22k down to 20k plus 1k from Seat finance). Can I do better?

I was in pretty much the same position as you recently and subsequently ordered a new car.
The nearly new cars I looked at were roughly £1-1.5k less than the price I paid, not enough of a difference IMO to justify buying secondhand and the constraints that puts on you.

Here's why I went for a new car:
1. Price difference (as above). Not as much in it as I thought.
2. Ability to choose the exact spec.
3. MY16 changes. The improved screen (size and resolution) are really noticeable IMO.
4. The Full Link option at £150 is useful and something which I think secondhand buyers will look for if/when you come to sell the car on, it may give some degree of future proofing for in car tech.
5. It's a new car! One of life's joys.

I ended up using Drive The Deal, virtually the same price as the other best broker's prices I got and they ticked all my other boxes (must be first reg owner, payment only direct to the supplying dealer, no V5 retention etc).
List price with options £22700, price paid after SEAT 1k contribution £17800.
I'd guess your spec would be around £17200, but check it out on the DTD website, it only takes a minute.

...Also how worthwhile is the newer ACT engine over the original TSI?

I drove the older 140ps and 150ps spec back to back. I could tell the difference when done like that, but the difference is small and in normal use you'd be hard pushed to notice. HTH

Like you my car was approaching MOT time. I ended up getting it tested anyway (pass~no advisories) most secondhand buyers will want a recent ticket, given the daft trade in values most dealers come up with I'll be selling it privately.

 

[gshaw]

Funny you mentioned DriveTheDeal as it's appeared on my radar this morning after doing some research into new car brokers. The spec I want plus more options like SEAT Sound Pack for £18.5k!

Going back to the local(ish) dealer this week for test drive so will see their reaction when I bring that up. They'll either have to match or throw me out the showroom... we shall see!

As I understand it DTD source from SEAT dealers anyway so in theory they should be able to match each other, my line to the dealer will be that I could wait until end of quarter, play games on slow days etc. or we could just do a deal now and get it done.

 

[Dr.Dash]

Funny you mentioned DriveTheDeal as it's appeared on my radar this morning after doing some research into new car brokers. The spec I want plus more options like SEAT Sound Pack for £18.5k!

Is that after the £1k contribution from SEAT for using the HP payment method?

My guesstimate was based on the spec you mentioned. Mine was:
1.4 FR SC Manual, Tech Pack, Metallic, Reversing Camera, Full Link, SEAT Sound.

Local dealers weren't interested in price matching, or even getting close, one came up with a price over rrp . A few people have reported local dealers matching online brokers, so good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[Walpurgis]

Funny you mentioned DriveTheDeal as it's appeared on my radar this morning after doing some research into new car brokers.

Did you look at UKNewCars? Although their prices initially look higher than DTD, they do not include the SEAT deposit contribution that DTD builds into its prices. They say that main dealer promotional finance packages are available when you buy from them.

I know nothing about UKNewCars, but What Car do quote them in their deals of the week - which they probably wouldn't do if there had been complaints.

 

[gshaw]

Although their prices initially look higher than DTD, they do not include the SEAT deposit contribution that DTD builds into its prices. They say that main dealer promotional finance packages are available when you buy from them.

I know nothing about UKNewCars, but What Car do quote them in their deals of the week - which they probably wouldn't do if there had been complaints.

Looks like they're only offering diesels at the moment

Is that after the £1k contribution from SEAT for using the HP payment method?

My guesstimate was based on the spec you mentioned. Mine was:
1.4 FR SC Manual, Tech Pack, Metallic, Reversing Camera, Full Link, SEAT Sound.

Local dealers weren't interested in price matching, or even getting close, one came up with a price over rrp . A few people have reported local dealers matching online brokers, so good luck and let us know how you get on.

Out of interest how far away was the DTD supplying dealer? Was it one in the middle of nowhere or a dealer you may have visited anyway?
I think it is including the 1k contribution as DTD say

"The quoted prices include a £1,100 discount which is conditional upon you taking out Hire Purchase finance at 0% APR Representative over 36 months with 50% minimum deposit"

This is my current spec on DTD:

SEAT LEON SPORT COUPE 1.4 ECOTSI 150 FR 3DR [TECHNOLOGY PACK]

• Special Solid - White 250.00
• FR cloth - Black/grey Free
• Seat navigation pack high - Leon 685.00
• 18" Performance alloy wheels 385.00
• Seat sound pack - Leon 365.00

The spec is me assuming a couple of things that I need to confirm...

1. Whether I need to add any options to get the voice control, SMS etc. nav-high system (edit: seems like I need the Navigation System High add-on but can then remove the Full Link option as it's included in the pack?)
2. Spare wheel should be included with SEAT Sound pack according to the brochure
3. front and rear LED lights included in the FR Technology spec?

Also a bit torn on two styling choices:

1. Solid white or Nevada White metallic? Solid seems a bit brighter whereas Nevada looks a bit more of a cream shade due to the metallic finish but only relying on Google Images for that
2. Cloth vs Alcantara seats, I actually liked the cloth I saw earlier so not sure if worth upgrading and it'll likely be more hard-wearing in the long run

Edit: updated price with the Navigation System High pack:

Manufacturer's List Price On the Road 21310
Options 1685
Manufacturer's List Total 22995

DTD price 18352

 

[Curtly]

I'm going to completely disagree with you on the choice of white. For me Nevada white not like cream at all more like fresh snow with that glint if sunshine on it. The standard white looks alot more like a cream colour. Also the cloth seats are imo alot more comfortable than the alcantara.

And I'm pretty sure the seat sound system comes with sat nav high.

The tech pack leon frs have led lights all round

 

[Itspaul]

Spec sounds ok. I have Alcantara seats and find them nice looking and seem more comfortable but that's prob in my head lol. Also worth thinking about is winter pack...... heated seats very nice and headlight washers as if it's snowing the lack of heat from the led's can result in a build up on the unit which the washers quickly disperse

 

[emesee]

I ordered a 1.4 FR ecotsi DSG in non metallic white with winter pack and Seat sound at the start of August and the best I could manage was around 6.5% discount.

I had gone in prepared with my facts and figures on discounts from DTD, but I wanted to trade in 2 cars and got virtually nowhere. I accepted my expectations were a bit unrealistic and settled on the deal. Of course the discount is important but the part-ex and the cost to swap is the key.

If I had no part-ex then I would have tried DTD as I think they were giving roughly 18.5% discount.

I also found that headline discounts were sometimes based on 'inclusion' of the tech pack cost and of course this is free - so tends to make discounts look higher than reality. For example DTD list separate versions of the car - with and without the tech pack.

Hope you get a good deal!

 

[fabiavrs2004]

I've just looked outside and the white is the same colour as my radiators, not sure about the whether it's the same as snow, just about to get the bar-be out. I used dtd and the dealer pays 50% of the tech pack cost. This was the second time I used dtd, so make your mind up whether they are ok.

 

[Walpurgis]

Looks like they're only offering diesels at the moment

They do offer the petrol SCs - at the bottom of the dropdown list. Based on your configuration, it looks like they would charge £18,865 - before the SEAT deposit contribution.

 

[Dr.Dash]

...Out of interest how far away was the DTD supplying dealer? Was it one in the middle of nowhere or a dealer you may have visited anyway?

In the South East.

The price does include driven delivery to your home address, but I'll probably have a day out to collect. I've bought cars from the extreme eastern side of Germany in the past, there and back in a day, so a couple of hundred miles is no problem and an opportunity for a bit of running in.

Looks like most of your questions have been answered by other members. Looking at the latest brochure (Feb 2015) it looks like Nav system High also includes the SEAT Sound? If that's correct them Nav High + spare wheel option gets you the various bits you're after (I think!).

Alcantara vs cloth. Both are nice, I actually prefer the cloth though. If you go for alcantara then IMO it's "essential" that you get heated seats. My S3 had alcantara and the seat heating failed one winter, your butt stays freezing for about 1/2 an hour irrespective of the cabin temp.

Colours. Go and have a look at a dealers. You'll never get a true impression from brochures/colour charts.

 

[gshaw]

To add to the fun the local dealer only has MY15 cars in stock at present. For the Full Link feature alone I think waiting on / ordering an MY16 seem to be the most sensible choice as going forward the smartphone integration is going to become the norm and I don't want to get stuck in last-gen.

Also read on here the older 5.8" screen nav unit isn't the best performer either so another reason to go high-line nav instead.

Next step is going to be the awkward conversation with the dealer about DTD... that won't be fun haha

 

[Dr.Dash]

To add to the fun the local dealer only has MY15 cars in stock at present. For the Full Link feature alone I think waiting on / ordering an MY16 seem to be the most sensible choice as going forward the smartphone integration is going to become the norm and I don't want to get stuck in last-gen.

Pretty much my thinking too.
The new (standard fit) 6.5" screen is miles ahead of the old 5.8", the whole system seems quicker and smoother than last year's. I'm not sure what extra the Nav High adds anymore, the local dealer certainly didn't know.

Good luck in your negotiations and let us know how you get on when you mention the "right price" to your dealer.