Government scrappage scheme. What a Rip off!

[BigV1000]

My eldest son past his test last Feb so I bought him a 12 year old Toyota Starlet to run around in (Value ?500) He has proved himself to be a reasonably competent driver and has got himself a steady job so I suggested he could trade the Starlet in under the scrappage scheme and get the ?2k allowance. The scheme ends end of this month.
Now I'm someone who likes to change cars regularly if not mine then my wifes. I keep up to date with prices. So I know that 18months ago I could purchase any Focus/Astra sized car from less than ?12k and would have had the pic of dozens of Superminis for ?9k and under.
If you now take a look at the base models of all the major manufacturers then gues what? Add approximately ?2k to the above! Surprise.
The ?2k is made up of ?1K from Government and ?1k from manufacturer and does not include the dealer. However all the dealers I visited refused to give any further discount on the basis that I was already getting 4 times the value of my sons car. Even though this did not affect dealer profits in any way No 0%/low rate finance deals were to be included with any scrappage exchange either
I cant say I'm surprised. Imagine the effect having ?2k off a new car would have had on the second hand market. Dealers would have been stuck with nearly new cars for months.
Anyway to cap it all. I was watching a program the other day on the effects of the scheme. It confirmed the price hikes on new cars but also pointed out that as the Uk no longer has a major car manufacturer of it's own then 90% of all the millions this Government has poored in under the scheme to subsidize whats left of the British car industry has gone abroad.
So in case you were wandering. My son has decided to keep the Starlet for another year or so with a view to changing next year. Perhaps without the so called benefits of the Scrappage scheme then they might be more lenient with their discounts.

[S Barker]

Twenty Shekels.

Final offer

[BigV1000]

Twenty Shekels.

Final offer

What for, my son? It's a deal!

[S Barker]

No, No, No

We're supposed to haggle.

[BigV1000]

No, No, No

We're supposed to haggle.

No really, I insist.

[backseatdriver]

I got rid of my 12 year old Astra for a new car on the scrappage scheme and was very pleased with the deal.  I also got a years free insurance for myself and son who was only out of R plates three months. 

I doubt very much without the incentive of scrappage I would even have considered buying brand new, have always bought second hand.

[gingerchin]

we're supposed to haggle.

half a dinary !   

[LazyRider]

My daughter-in-law, a general manager of a multi franchise car dealer - http://www.motorsalesharlow.co.uk/about-us - tells me the scrapage scheme has certainly helped them.

[minkyhead]

  i  was in  the local  ford  dealer  yesterday  ...trying to get   a petrol cap  lock barrel  for my 21 year old  ford  granada    ghia   ....  imaculate  51000  mile only   value    ...500  quid    

 this is it s  first  major  failure     ......

   while waiting  i  saw  a car in the showroom   a  bright  orange    mini  car  thing   ....
on the window was a sticker         13250  quid        
         so they  would want  my  beiutiful  granada  and  another     11 or twelve gand  for   a


  ford  feista     ......         w t f      .....  
h8  cars  anyway   but
i cant  understand   that  anyone  and i  mean  anyone    who would be stupid enough to  pay  t
hirteen thousand   two  hundred and fifty  pounds   :uglystupid2:
for      for  ford  feiesta     bubble car  thing    
     dam  i  mean thats  a new  1200  tynere  or  a multistrada  or       a  ...feiesta   

[The Prodded Dog]

I know exactly what you mean Minky...............but then I am dyslexic too
TPD

[minkyhead]

naa     i  knew it  was all spelt  wrong  as  usual   but  id  had  a few   and couldnt  be bothered
  and  yes   ur  right        i  was in the remedial class a school     ... i  used to  wtite backwards  when i was  a kid   ...  a bit like  your  riding        .....    ....      

 keep  well        twarrty  head  oh  and  congrats  on  ur   grand child