General April Offers?

creationtwentytwo · Mar 31, 2011

Hi all,

So I'm currently looking to purchase a new Fiat 500, I've always loved the style of them, and while I do like the Mini as a possible alternative, the fuel economy and 'Italian Style' of the 500 has made my decision for me!

I have a dealership just a few blocks from my house so I went in to talk figures and options. I was more than ready to drop the deposit and sign the paperwork there and then, but the dealer wouldn't let me!

I wanted a fairly specific spec, nothing crazy but not exactly 'off the shelf':

Twinair Lounge
Pasodoble Red
Two-Tone Sporty 15" Wheels
Tinted Rear Windows
Interscope HiFi

So I explained my choices to the salesman, and he told me they are running an offer with a £750 dealer deposit contribution, and a very low rate of finance interest. This sounded fantastic obviously, but then I found the catch:

Only on cars registered before March 31st 2011. So I had a choice of about 2 cars that they could source from stock, both white, one pretty much a standard 1.2, and one TwinAir with a lot of extras, most of which I didn't want.

I explained I was happy to just place a new order, and understand that I would just miss out on the deal, but the sales guy literally refused to take an order, saying they just couldn't give me a price or interest rate!

Now I'm not familiar with the way the car sales industry works but that seems crazy to me.

Anyway, does anyone know what is likely to happen with pricing over the next few days? I have an appointment to see the dealer again on Monday when they will have the 'new offers', although I'm really hoping the low interest rate or dealer contribution is still on, or both

It kinda seems a little like they're 'encouraging' customers to purchase before March 31st to clear stock and boost figures for the end of the financial year.

Finally (if you're still reading!) I have a couple of questions on the options I've specified.

Interscope HiFi: Worth it? I love my music, and as crazy as it sounds the stereo is one of the first things I explore in a new car. It's a good price for the upgrade (in comparison to other manufacturer upgrades) but I've heard great things about the standard system in the 500, so is it worth the upgrade?

Lastly, has anyone seen the tinted windows? I haven't seen any on the road, but I want to know if they look subtle enough to look good from the outside, rather than looking like cheap black limo tints I bought from Halfords and fitted myself?

If you've read this far, I appreciate your time and I'll look forward to your comments!

RobinPJ · Mar 31, 2011

creationtwentytwo said:
Hi all,

So I'm currently looking to purchase a new Fiat 500, I've always loved the style of them, and while I do like the Mini as a possible alternative, the fuel economy and 'Italian Style' of the 500 has made my decision for me!

I have a dealership just a few blocks from my house so I went in to talk figures and options. I was more than ready to drop the deposit and sign the paperwork there and then, but the dealer wouldn't let me!

I wanted a fairly specific spec, nothing crazy but not exactly 'off the shelf':

Twinair Lounge
Pasodoble Red
Two-Tone Sporty 15" Wheels
Tinted Rear Windows
Interscope HiFi

So I explained my choices to the salesman, and he told me they are running an offer with a £750 dealer deposit contribution, and a very low rate of finance interest. This sounded fantastic obviously, but then I found the catch:

Only on cars registered before March 31st 2011. So I had a choice of about 2 cars that they could source from stock, both white, one pretty much a standard 1.2, and one TwinAir with a lot of extras, most of which I didn't want.

I explained I was happy to just place a new order, and understand that I would just miss out on the deal, but the sales guy literally refused to take an order, saying they just couldn't give me a price or interest rate!

Now I'm not familiar with the way the car sales industry works but that seems crazy to me.

Anyway, does anyone know what is likely to happen with pricing over the next few days? I have an appointment to see the dealer again on Monday when they will have the 'new offers', although I'm really hoping the low interest rate or dealer contribution is still on, or both It kinda seems a little like they're 'encouraging' customers to purchase before March 31st to clear stock and boost figures for the end of the financial year.

Finally (if you're still reading!) I have a couple of questions on the options I've specified.

Interscope HiFi: Worth it? I love my music, and as crazy as it sounds the stereo is one of the first things I explore in a new car. It's a good price for the upgrade (in comparison to other manufacturer upgrades) but I've heard great things about the standard system in the 500, so is it worth the upgrade?

Lastly, has anyone seen the tinted windows? I haven't seen any on the road, but I want to know if they look subtle enough to look good from the outside, rather than looking like cheap black limo tints I bought from Halfords and fitted myself?

If you've read this far, I appreciate your time and I'll look forward to your comments!

Well I'm not surprised - tomorrow is the last day of the quarter - obviously they need to sell you a car they can register to you for it to count for their "figures", to the point that they are otherwise not interested at all. I suspect next week when it is "too late" for this quarter their approach will be different.

On Interscope, no idea. Standard hi-fi is ok but nothing that amazing.

On tinted windows - it is a standard feature on Sport models (the clue in spotting one is the Sport alloys - look on the configurator - and no sunroof, plus a diddy spoiler). The tints are well done, but a walk around your dealer should prove it to your satisfaction.

zanes · Mar 31, 2011

I keep banging on about this:

People who have the interscope really rate it and say it's well worth the money. However, I suspect most people using blue'n'me play <192kbps mp3s (I know I do!) through the system, and the standard system is limited by them. Once you've set the EQ (and yes, it's a proper EQ on the standard system, not a +/- bass/treble thing) I really rate it.

Also; I have a sport so some of my pics from my signature might give you a bit of an idea. FWIW, I think they're very subtle (I can't say I notice them all that often) and (unless you end up with a sport) not really worth speccing as an extra.

RobinPJ · Mar 31, 2011

Zanes - have you ever sat in the rear of your car, and compared it to the rear of a non-tinted windows car?

I ask because I like the look of the tints but fear that it would make the rear darker and so feel more cramped and claustrophobic. My rear seats are usually occupied by my kids, so I would (grudgingly) put their comfort ahead of how good the car looks if that was the case.

zanes · Mar 31, 2011

RobinPJ said:
Zanes - have you ever sat in the rear of your car, and compared it to the rear of a non-tinted windows car?

I ask because I like the look of the tints but fear that it would make the rear darker and so feel more cramped and claustrophobic. My rear seats are usually occupied by my kids, so I would (grudgingly) put their comfort ahead of how good the car looks if that was the case.

I can't say that I have compared it myself (probably the only other 500 I've been in was a couple of demos when I was ordering mine- nearly 2 years ago now (crikey!)). I would say there is a bit of a darkening effect from the inside; part of that could be that I have the standard black sport interior so there's a lot of black in there, but equally it's not something anyone who has been in the back has commented on....

jrkitching · Mar 31, 2011

zanes said:
Once you've set the EQ (and yes, it's a proper EQ on the standard system, not a +/- bass/treble thing) I really rate it.

I'd certainly agree with this. When I first took delivery, I spent about half an hour adjusting the equaliser so that it was just the way I wanted it, and the difference in sound quality over the default setting was considerable.

I find the standard setup perfectly adequate for what is essentially a small and rather noisy car (and I've owned some high-end audio in my time).

Get a proper demo of the standard fit stereo, including using the equaliser, before committing your money to the interscope.

multispoke · Mar 31, 2011

creationtwentytwo said:
Twinair Lounge
good choice - if you have the budget for the spec & engine
Pasodoble Red
nice colour and easy to keep but hear paint a little soft
Two-Tone Sporty 15" Wheels
At least they're not the 15 multispokes. I think the 5 o-spoke looks great with red - you can buy the center hub 'ringed' in red.
Tinted Rear Windows
I like them. Priced well includes tailgate. With glass roof no prob with light
Interscope HiFi
You cann't retrofit. Priced well. Get it. The US have the Bose but its $1.5K+

If you go for the Red I prefer it without the chrome kit.
On the issue about the dealer not too pushed about getting an order off you I had an issue with a dealer today who was happy to lose me as a customer over €300 - maybe they have 'hit' their end of quarter targets

.

arorat · Mar 31, 2011

creationtwentytwo said:
Hi all,

Twinair Lounge
Pasodoble Red
Two-Tone Sporty 15" Wheels
Tinted Rear Windows
Interscope HiFi

Sensible spec !!

Like us you were also too late to get a stock car with the £750 discount, its a shame I didn't look at 500s earlier as was keen on a Cooper D (a great car), the dealer is right the i-deal has to be registered on a new car by today. It would have worked had we ordered a car back in Jan to take delivery by end of March… amazing deal on 0.08%. Anyway we took the price diff between the Mini and with a good trade in as a SIGN to order from factory. Same as you; red, lounge (ivory), interscope, plus rear sensors, dip mirror. Yesterday added bi-xenons as we will be keeping the car for a few years and it always something I wanted to experience in a car. I know some items are not required on my list, but its like having a flake in an ice-cream with more sauce

Are the sport wheels painted, if so will they touch the kerb ?
Multispoke talked me out of Chrome mirrors – he is right.
Dark windows will be fine on a red car, but check sitting in the back.

Good luck with the April offers, let us know what is on offer, as we will be sticking our car on one of them.

BTW: think about a pre-reg as well, but low chance of interscope.

creationtwentytwo · Mar 31, 2011

Thanks guys for all the responses, some great comments/suggestions.

Yeah the Mini One D was my direct second choice, and may end up being my first if the 500's lose the deals completely.

I'm too impatient to wait until Monday so my salesman is calling me tomorrow evening. Apparently Fiat will release their Q1 pricing info along with any offers to all the dealerships tomorrow.

Thanks again

multispoke · Mar 31, 2011

Just a correction.
If you're ordering a Lounge - it comes with the Chrome kit - you will get it even if you don't want it. There's a seperate thread on removing the chrome inserts - they're factory fit so they're a little hard to remove.
Tinted windows. I like these but I often have the back seats dropped carrying stuff. So I need them. If I was carrying people in the back I probably would not specify them not unless you don't want people to see your kids.

creationtwentytwo · Mar 31, 2011

multispoke said:
Just a correction.
If you're ordering a Lounge - it comes with the Chrome kit - you will get it even if you don't want it. There's a seperate thread on removing the chrome inserts - they're factory fit so they're a little hard to remove.

Yeah I kinda like them. While they look better with colours other than red, I don't think I'll bother trying to remove them.

Tinted windows. I like these but I often have the back seats dropped carrying stuff. So I need them. If I was carrying people in the back I probably would not specify them not unless you don't want people to see your kids.

Yeah good point. I play guitar in a band, and while it's unlikely I'll be transporting much of my rig in the back of a car the size of the 500, it'd be nice to have that tint.

arorat · Mar 31, 2011

creationtwentytwo said:
Yeah the Mini One D was my direct second choice, and may end up being my first if the 500's lose the deals completely.

Wait and see what the 500 offers you as a package compared to the One D and then make a choice, try to get mats, petrol, alarm, teddy bear FOC as they have messed you around and not taken your order.

multispoke · Mar 31, 2011

arorat said:
Wait and see what the 500 offers you as a package compared to the One D and then make a choice, try to get mats, petrol, alarm, teddy bear FOC as they have messed you around and not taken your order.

What's the teddy bear FOC ?

It's interesting that creationtwentytwo was going for a Twin air as opposed to a multijet - example of the new market that the Twin air is attracting.

popkid · Mar 31, 2011

Had the same problem last Saturday, was booked in with dealer from a week previously to test drive a Twinair and was looking forward to doing that, then if I liked it maybe ordering a lounge in Volare or Tropicalia on the great deal I'd printed from the Fiat website (£750 deposit contribution and about 1.2% rate on iDeal)

Only to find when I got to the dealer that didn't actually have any twinairs at all to test drive, I wouldn't have ordered one without a test drive in any case but found out they wouldn't take a factory order on one even if I'd wanted one as I wouldn't get the March deal! They were only interested in shifting their 2 in stock Pops (grey one and a red one I think), neither of which had blueandme

I told them no thanks...

Seems a bit shabby to organise a test drive for a customer in a car you know you don't have, they obviously just wanted me there to pitch what they had left in stock at me, I almost went for another Panda instead but the spec wasn't right, glad I resisted, when I do buy I'll be going elsewhere!

pK

multispoke · Mar 31, 2011

popkid said:
... I almost went for another Panda instead but the spec wasn't right, glad I resisted, when I do buy I'll be going elsewhere!

pK

Do you mean to a different Fiat dealer ?

popkid · Apr 1, 2011

Yes, exactly that, don't worry

after 4.5 years and 60k trouble free miles with our Panda I'm pretty certain my next car will be a Fiat... (the only thing that might tempt me away would be a Renault Zoe in 12 months time, but I've nowhere to plug one in!)

The dealer I went to on Saturday has only recently got the franchise, they are now my closest dealership, but they've only been with Fiat for a couple of months so I've not been to them for service or anything, I'd had dealings with them before when they were selling another brand and wasn't overly impressed with their service then (they scratched my car on 2 separate occasions when it was in for service!), but that was about 5 years ago.

The 2 Fiat dealers I've used for service have been absolutely brilliant, sadly one of them lost their franchise last month to this new lot

but the other one where I've had all my servicing done for the last 2 years will probably get my business

multispoke · Apr 1, 2011

popkid said:
Yes, exactly that, don't worry after 4.5 years and 60k trouble free miles with our Panda I'm pretty certain my next car will be a Fiat... (the only thing that might tempt me away would be a Renault Zoe in 12 months time, but I've nowhere to plug one in!)

The dealer I went to on Saturday has only recently got the franchise, they are now my closest dealership, but they've only been with Fiat for a couple of months so I've not been to them for service or anything, I'd had dealings with them before when they were selling another brand and wasn't overly impressed with their service then (they scratched my car on 2 separate occasions when it was in for service!), but that was about 5 years ago.

The 2 Fiat dealers I've used for service have been absolutely brilliant, sadly one of them lost their franchise last month to this new lot but the other one where I've had all my servicing done for the last 2 years will probably get my business

Getting a good sales rep isn't so easy. Very few of them know the 500 and the guy that I signed paperwork with last Saturday where I had placed a €200 deposit back pedaled on the agreement. I could have insisted on him honouring the extras and price but it was not worth the grief. I will be very careful on the next guy that I chose to deal with.

grimwau · Apr 1, 2011

creationtwentytwo said:
Interscope HiFi: Worth it? I love my music, and as crazy as it sounds the stereo is one of the first things I explore in a new car. It's a good price for the upgrade (in comparison to other manufacturer upgrades) but I've heard great things about the standard system in the 500, so is it worth the upgrade?

Personally I think that (for the price) the Interscope is a worthwhile upgrade if you are into music. If you listen to the radio (dialogue) the majority of the time then the standard unit, which is very good will not disappoint.

I've specified it on my last two 500s and the difference was noticeable over the standard unit I had in my first 500 but in no way will it compare with a good quality audio system, professionally installed. However, for the price it is very good value and will be more than enough for the majority of people.

Before the 500 my two previous cars has standard fit BOSE systems and I would compare it favourably to them.

creationtwentytwo said:
Lastly, has anyone seen the tinted windows? I haven't seen any on the road, but I want to know if they look subtle enough to look good from the outside, rather than looking like cheap black limo tints I bought from Halfords and fitted myself?

The tinted windows on the 500 use proper privacy glass and when looking from inside it is difficult to tell that they are tinted. The aftermarket tints aren't quite as subtle and depending on the quality of the material used can vary tremendously. I have had them on all three 500s and like the look, especially in conjunction with the tinted black glass roof.

I'm afraid the one looking out of the car isn't particularly good but it should give you a better idea of how little it impairs the view.

Super Uwe · Apr 1, 2011

popkid said:
Yes, exactly that, don't worry after 4.5 years and 60k trouble free miles with our Panda I'm pretty certain my next car will be a Fiat... (the only thing that might tempt me away would be a Renault Zoe in 12 months time, but I've nowhere to plug one in!)

The dealer I went to on Saturday has only recently got the franchise, they are now my closest dealership, but they've only been with Fiat for a couple of months so I've not been to them for service or anything, I'd had dealings with them before when they were selling another brand and wasn't overly impressed with their service then (they scratched my car on 2 separate occasions when it was in for service!), but that was about 5 years ago.

The 2 Fiat dealers I've used for service have been absolutely brilliant, sadly one of them lost their franchise last month to this new lot but the other one where I've had all my servicing done for the last 2 years will probably get my business

Pleased to hear that you've got some other options lined up, I guess that's always handy. We wanted to buy ours from our nearest dealer simply because it was more convenient, but as they were utterly useless we went elsewhere!

It's a difficult situation at the moment in some respects for customers because the 500 is selling like hot cakes. I just hope that individual dealerships like the one you mentioned don't get too complacent and start taking customers for granted as it can be a slippery slope...

RobinPJ · Apr 1, 2011

multispoke said:
What's the teddy bear FOC ?

It's interesting that creationtwentytwo was going for a Twin air as opposed to a multijet - example of the new market that the Twin air is attracting.

Expecting a free Panda?

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