Off Topic My 500 has been cloned...

[jrkitching]

Lastly, If one was to pop your clogs in the midst of a PCP is their any exposure for costs for one's dependants ?

Robin's the man to answer this one, but I'd expect the finance company would be within their rights to treat it as an early settlement, in which case the deceased's estate would be liable to pay any early settlement charges.

However, having recently settled a couple of estates, I can say from experience that many banks & finance companies waive their rights to early settlement charges & interest for the period between the death & obtaining a grant of Probate.

 

[jrkitching]

I still don't agree with this fixed exposure malarkey. Our 500 cost us 220 a month for 3 years and in the last year it's cost me 50 or 60 quid to service, it's needed two part worn tyres and that's it.

It's all down to how you go about things.

If you're the sort of person who takes it to the main dealer for everything and accepts all that they suggest as gospel, it'll likely cost you more to run in years 3-6 than you'd have paid if you'd just chopped it in for another pcp.

At the other end of the scale, buy new for cash with a decent discount, service it yourself & run it until it drops, and in the final analysis you'll be looking at around £80-£100/month for depreciation, servicing & repairs combined. I kept my last car for 10 years, put £1000 a year into the kitty, fixed everything that needed fixing and had enough left at the end to buy a new 500 on scrappage outright.

If you take a middle ground position, look after the car as best you can & use an indie for servicing, it'll probably pay you to keep it until the unscheduled maintenance starts to become excessive, though 500 residuals are so ridiculously high it might still pay these folks to ditch & switch at the end of the pcp, especially if they can find a private buyer for the car.

An interesting idea is to keep the car until the depreciation + maintenance equals the cost of the fuel.

 

[arorat]

... by me.

Third option: chop it in for a new one.

So go on. Tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Nothing wrong at all Robin, you have done your figures and are buying trouble free motoring for another 3 years for the same monthly payments.

Try to get another colour for a change.

Bonus : you will be qualified to talk new car stuff for another 3 years on FF.

We have to make the same decision next May.

 

[loveshandbags]

...We have to make the same decision next May.

It will be interesting to see if Fiat stretch the warranty to 5 years in the UK as they have done here (although we still don't have the Abarths). For anyone buying an A500 in the UK on a 4 year PCP is exposed in the 4th year when the warranty has run out. Although for some the £199 a month is a key attraction with the 10K p.a. mileage.

 

[arorat]

The 500s in general need to be bought up to spec, they interiors are pretty much crap, this also applies to the warranties, if other companies can offer upto 7 yrs, I am sure Fiat can offer 5 solid years. Currently 2+1 is a joke and quite pathetic.

 

[RobinPJ]

Robin's the man to answer this one, but I'd expect the finance company would be within their rights to treat it as an early settlement, in which case the deceased's estate would be liable to pay any early settlement charges.

However, having recently settled a couple of estates, I can say from experience that many banks & finance companies waive their rights to early settlement charges & interest for the period between the death & obtaining a grant of Probate.

I don't know the answer but that sounds right to me. Equally I suspect that they'd let the deceased's next of kin take over the payments. Not doing so would risk a nice big spread in the tabloids.

 

[arorat]

Nothing wrong at all Robin, you have done your figures and are buying trouble free motoring for another 3 years for the same monthly payments.

Try to get another colour for a change.

Bonus : you will be qualified to talk new car stuff for another 3 years on FF.

We have to make the same decision next May.

RobinPJ just to add, the extras we specified will not return any value if we were to upgrade to a new TA next year, so will need to have a good think. I am rather keen to continue paying the same monthly payments to have a new car every 3 years, its a cheap and fun way to motor. Anyway good luck with your decision and keep us posted.

 

[RobinPJ]

Just a bit of an update.

We're definitely going to get a new one.

I have made a few calls and have got the following offer from a dealer within 45 minutes' drive of me, which I am now trying to get my local dealer to match.

(Incidentally, I miscalculated my original figures when I posted on here - I thought that the final balloon payment due on our current car was £5,600 but it is only £5,150 so the trade in i was being offered was not as good as I thought it was.)

Anyway, the current offer I have is to trade in our car (3 year old 1.2 Lounge in BNW with Dualogic and parking sensors with 15,500 on the clock) against an identically specced new one for a deposit from us of £709 and 3 years' of monthly payments at £120.73 a month.

I'm pretty pleased with that. I hope my local dealer will match this to save me schlepping to the other one, but I will do that if necessary.

 

[jrkitching]

(Incidentally, I miscalculated my original figures when I posted on here - I thought that the final balloon payment due on our current car was £5,600 but it is only £5,150 so the trade in i was being offered was not as good as I thought it was.)

You may have more equity in your car than you think. A low mileage one-owner 1,2 Auto is highly saleable. Have a look at this for an idea of its current value.

Though as we always say, if you're happy with the deal, then go for it!

 

[306maxi]

You may have more equity in your car than you think. A low mileage one-owner 1,2 Auto is highly saleable. Have a look at this for an idea of its current value.

Though as we always say, if you're happy with the deal, then go for it!

I suppose the only problem is that you'd need to clear the finance first before selling?

 

[RobinPJ]

True, but 'Er Indoors doesn't want the hassle of buying it and selling it privately.

 

[306maxi]

True, but 'Er Indoors doesn't want the hassle of buying it and selling it privately.

Is it the car or the wife that needs selling? :chin:

 

[RobinPJ]

Is it the car or the wife that needs selling? :chin:

I know which is worth more....

***FRA***

 

[306maxi]

I know which is worth more....

***FRA***

I've been told that a good woman being sold into white slavery will result in your palm being cross by many pieces of silver.

Depends if she's a good woman though I guess....

 

[grimwau]

I've been told that a good woman being sold into white slavery will result in your palm being cross by many pieces of silver.

Depends if she's a good woman though I guess....

If I was buying one I wouldn't want her to be good. **FRA**


Just a thought Robin, have you entered your reg no into "We buy any car" just to see what they offer. I know this is only a ball park as they then will find a speck of dust on the dash and knock the price down but I have heard rumours of people getting better deals than trade in offers.

 

[RobinPJ]

If I was buying one I wouldn't want her to be good. **FRA**


Just a thought Robin, have you entered your reg no into "We buy any car" just to see what they offer. I know this is only a ball park as they then will find a speck of dust on the dash and knock the price down but I have heard rumours of people getting better deals than trade in offers.

They offer £6,800 - more than I'd expect, but not any more than the trade in offer.

 

[jrkitching]

They offer £6,800 - more than I'd expect, but not any more than the trade in offer.

It'll go on the main dealers forecourt at £9000, and I'd expect them to sell it for not far short of that.

Without a trade in, you'll be able to negotiate some sort of a discount off list on its replacement - I'd have thought at least £1000. Perrys Aylesbury are not too far from you and they're usually amenable to a bit of horse trading.

Come on guys & gals - there's a real bargain going here for anyone with cash who's in the market for a well cared for 3yr old 1.2 auto. £7250 would be a great deal for both buyer & seller alike.

It'd be good to see a car like this sold privately on the forum.

But I can understand Robin not wanting the hassle.

 

[306maxi]

It'll go on the main dealers forecourt at £9000, and I'd expect them to sell it for not far short of that.

Without a trade in, you'll be able to negotiate some sort of a discount off list on its replacement - I'd have thought at least £1000. Perrys Aylesbury are not too far from you and they're usually amenable to a bit of horse trading.

Come on guys & gals - there's a real bargain going here for anyone with cash who's in the market for a well cared for 3yr old 1.2 auto. £7250 would be a great deal for both buyer & seller alike.

It'd be good to see a car like this sold privately on the forum.

But I can understand Robin not wanting the hassle.

Pity it wasn't 10 months ago, I had that sort of cash sitting around! Not now

 

[RobinPJ]

It'll go on the main dealers forecourt at £9000, and I'd expect them to sell it for not far short of that.

Without a trade in, you'll be able to negotiate some sort of a discount off list on its replacement - I'd have thought at least £1000. Perrys Aylesbury are not too far from you and they're usually amenable to a bit of horse trading.

Come on guys & gals - there's a real bargain going here for anyone with cash who's in the market for a well cared for 3yr old 1.2 auto. £7250 would be a great deal for both buyer & seller alike.

It'd be good to see a car like this sold privately on the forum.

But I can understand Robin not wanting the hassle.

Perrys is the "other dealer".

 

[RobinPJ]

Good news - Glyn Hopkin will match the deal. Looks like I'll be signing up on Saturday. Definitely should be well into September before we get it now what with the factory shutting for August, so we will get the new reg too.

Really wish we were getting it in blue if only for a change but can't persuade my wife. Humpf.

One quick question. I'm just thinking about the interior. We'll go for the ivory ambiance again. Ignoring leather, what are the options for seat fabric other than the "lounge check"? I'm tempted to go for the standard Pop seats for durability but am concerned that they will cheapen the interior. Are there any other non-cost options? Opinions?