Brand New Diesel Small Car with Green Credentials - Ford Fiesta WT LX $17,985 (Driveaway)

LCharlotta on 17/01/2012 - 06:59

Moved to Forum: Original Link

So I bought a car yesterday! Feels a bit weird posting a car-purchase on OzB but anyway… It was interesting playing the purchasing game with different sales-people - requiring the best of OzB bartering skills.

Driving from yard to yard we stumbled upon the discount offer on this model a little unexpectedly. We had chosen this time because of the clearance of 2011 models. In our search the key selection criteria were:

  • good green credentials;
  • 3-5 door small car - manual or auto;
  • at least a reasonable drive;
  • model selling large volumes in Australia;

Features desired in final price: cruise control & alloy wheels.

Having ruled out the Toyota Prius as being too expensive we looked at the Volkwagon Golf Blue Motion - however the driving experience of that was unexciting (try to hill-start on a steep hill!!) and at $33,000 the price was over the top.

Next were Honda, Hyundai, Toyota (Yaris). Of these the Hyundai i30 diesel and Hyundai Accent diesel were the stand out - more so the base model Accent diesel at $19,990 drive-away (plus alloys and after-market cruise control). The diesel version has only just been added to the Hyundai Australian line-up and I think I read that because it's engine is better than the diesel they had in the i30 they have now (builds since Sept??) swapped the i30 to use the same diesel engine. The diesel Hyundai is so new many dealerships still haven't received any.

And then off to Ford - despite my rising hackles at the thought of buying a US brand and one that is such a red-neck icon!

We walked in to ask about the Fiesta Econetic - 'Australia's most fuel efficient vehicle' which could diminish the brand's reputation - but we got the sense that they rarely see any of these and that they know little about them. So they didn;'t have one. They did however have standard Fiesta diesels on clearance at $18,488 driveaway. NB: they are all 2011 WT models - but built 12/10 builds and complianced 1/11 or 2/11. We went for a drive and came back fairly impressed. In the Fiestas Ford Australia offers three diesel options:

  • the LX which is made in Thailand and is the mid-range Fiesta version (incl alloys and cruise etc);
  • the Zetec which is made in Thailand and is the top version (incl full body kit et al);
  • the Econetic which is made in Germany, is built on the base CL version feature set but with multiple Eco features;

So after a test drive (incl freeway and hill-starts) we went home to do further research - much more interested in the Ford than either of us had expected we would be - and enthused that we might find everything we wanted for under 20K! I enjoyed the test drive - good cornering, good power delivery across a range of speeds. Steering is a little light or floaty at 100km/h on straight stretches - but fine on curves. Of the five Fiestas that I tested the degree of this varied slightly - so might be tyre pressure!?? Engine noise level is fine - although not as quiet as some cars. Build quality is what I expect from Ford!!!

Web research revealed not only generally positive reviews but also that carsales.com.au showed that the same dealership and two others have these cars listed on-line at $500 cheaper than what we had been offered. The link above should show all diesel Fiestas available in Australia via this website.

Who we bought from was Denmac Ford at Darra in Brisbane. Denmac has another Ford yard at Moorooka in Brisbane and apparently last year Denmac was bought by Bryan Byrt Ford (yard at Mt Gravatt in Brisbane). Not knowing they were the same company we also visited the Bryan Byrt yard where they naturally have access to the same stock of colours at the same online price.

Current remaining colours are red, silver, grey, purple, orange, blue. I thought silver was nicest but my better half chose red. I test drove the two remaining reds to choose which I liked better.

I suspect that a true fundamentalist OzB'er would never purchase a brand new car - on the basis of the thousands one loses by driving it out of the show-room door. However, we like to keep our cars for 10 years or so, plus the level of discount on this one would have a higher than normal offset effect.

Manufacturer offers 36 month warranty. Keen to hear opinions re whether or not it is worth buying dealership offered warranty extension - three years for $1,495 ($1,195 for non-diesels!) for three years. Apparently this is available to add-on at this price at any time during the first twelve months - although still available from months 13 to 36 at a gradually increasing price.

If you're interested, I'd hurry as I doubt they'll last long. While I was there there yesterday I heard someone on the phone ordering one to be freighted to Melbourne - hence I haven't included QLD in the title of this posting - although naturally non-SEQ buyers would need to figure in freight as it doesn't look like this clearance price is available elsewhere. I worked hard to get a lower price but they appeared to have a monopoly on this clearance from Ford. I got floor mats and a full tank of fuel thrown in.

The salesperson who we dealt with at Denmac was good value - and not at all pushy: Wayne Miller 07 3864 9999 or 0435 363 893.

Automotive

Comments

  • iGOTissues on 17/01/2012 - 07:35
    +2

    Doesn't feel like this should be a deal since I've since this price occasionally when looking at car sales… You should be able to haggle the price a bit lower than advertised

    • dak52 on 17/01/2012 - 08:17

      I agree. When buying cars there is a lot of room for negotiation. On top of that you can often find extended warranties through third parties for less money than they offer at the dealership. I don't know much about this car and I am by no means saying that you got ripped off, but that said OzB is the perfect place to post car deals. If anyone thinks they got a truly one-off bargain and would be willing to post some details, hopefully other OzBargainers could take advantage of your haggling savy.

  • allergic2work on 17/01/2012 - 07:46
    +3

    forums

  • ccrap on 17/01/2012 - 07:48

    What effort in the post! Well done. Sure the initial reaction to the text blocks and questions within the post was 'forums' but there's a bargain here and your explanatory text will surely help the small car buyers out there.

    Also FYI for those not in the know - traditionally Feb is the slowest month for new car sales so if you go into a dealer in the last few days of Jan or Feb when they are hungry for a sale you'll have a great deal of bargaining power. Having said that, with the economy in the state that it is you can probably score a great deal around the year - just make sure you go to a few dealers and pit them against eachother! Obviously this point doesn't apply to the above deal as it's a runout with limited stock.

  • Geewhizz on 17/01/2012 - 07:49

    I suspect that a true fundamentalist OzB'er would never purchase a brand new car - on the basis of the thousands one loses by driving it out of the show-room door. However, we like to keep our cars for 10 years or so, plus the level of discount on this one would have a higher than normal offset effect.

    Actually, a brand new car is not necessarily a bad bargain if you can salary sacrifice. We were having problems with our previous car and had spent a fortune eliminating the possibilities, but it still kept dying unexpectedly every time we went anywhere. About the only thing we hadn't replaced at that stage was the computer board, so it was likely to be the cause but we figured it simply wasn't worth spending any more money on it.

    We were not in a position to buy anything outright, so would have had to take out finance.

    In the end we decided that leasing made far better economical sense than buying a second hand car. The out of pocket expenses are very similar to what we'd be paying simply for repayments on a $10 000 car loan. We'd have then had insurance, maintenance and running costs (including fuel) to pay, so we're miles in front. At the end of the 5 year lease, which will be this June the calculated residual value is not that high and we can either pay this out and keep the car, or trade that value toward another lease car.

    There are a lot of incidentals factored into the lease, including a couple of windscreens, a huge amount for fuel etc etc. Any of this that has not been used at the end of the lease can be taken off that payout figure should you decide to keep the car, or is refunded. If we decided to keep it we'd be looking at paying out around $3k on a 5 year old car that has been fully serviced and maintained.

    It can be a very cost effective option for those who are looking at having to replace their vehicle (or simply get a new one,) and takes away all the risk associated with buying a second hand car.

    • dan76n on 17/01/2012 - 08:33
      +2

      I would have to disagree with you about this. Salary sacrificing is not so great these days as our tax brackets have become more generous over the years.
      To get the financial benifits from salary sacrificing you need to be doing the right amount of Km's per year and be in the highest tax bracket. If not you would be better off with a personal loan.
      Also, any funds that remain at the end of the lease will be taxed before you get them back so if you need new tyres,ect make sure you use it.
      Convenience is another case but this is Ozbargains where convenience is overpriced at $1.

      • edman on 17/01/2012 - 08:42
        +1

        Salary sacrifice has a benfefit in that the calculation for the taxable value of a car has a number of different options, and you can take the one that gives you the best result. Crux of it is the amount in salary given up is not necessarily the basis of the taxable value of your fringe benefits, so there can still be a tax advantage regardless of movement in tax brackets.

        In my accounting firm, I have 3 staff doing it where it they actually pay NO FBT due to the way it is strucured.

        Geewhiz - Note that you can also lease a second hand car, it doesn't have to be new.

        • Geewhizz on 17/01/2012 - 09:31

          Geewhiz - Note that you can also lease a second hand car, it doesn't have to be new.

          That's right. I believe with the leasing company we are with, the car simply has to be 8 years or less in age by the end of the lease.

      • Geewhizz on 17/01/2012 - 09:43

        dan76n, there most definitely ARE financial benefits to be made for some from leasing as opposed to straightout purchase, even with the recent tax changes. We don't live in a city, so have large distances that we have to travel. We also have family interstate and have no trouble whatsoever doing the kilometres required.

        It's definitely not for everyone and it's worth is going to vary with the individual circumstances of course. Getting a new car is a big outlay for anyone, and plenty of homework should go into it.

        • dan76n on 17/01/2012 - 13:53

          I'm not saying it can't be done but I am saying the majority of people won't see any financial benifit over an outright purchase or competitive personal loan.
          I would be surprised if you could find a scenario using an income under $100k that can achieve better net dollars overall.

      • Steptoe on 17/01/2012 - 12:32

        LABOR stuffed up the Novated Leasing by flattening the FBT rate across mileage bracket. They may not be completed, but they are in transition.

        • AntMan76 on 17/01/2012 - 23:53

          You can thank the Greens for that. One of the things that bought their support.

        • edman on 19/01/2012 - 10:50

          Also makes it more attractive at the other end of the scale though, those that weren't running big kms.

          @ dan76n, the 3 employees I have on packaging works and works well. There is no general rule across the board on where it is beneficial. But bear in mind one of the key benefits is getting the GST back which the purchaser would not normally get unless they were registered for GST separate to being an employee.

  • Smigit on 17/01/2012 - 07:54

    Enjoy it. I bought the Zetec mid last year. Really enjoy it.

  • Steviii on 17/01/2012 - 08:03

    Sounds like a decent deal I work at a ford dealer in new car sales. So any one reading this in Melbourne after a good deal let me know an ill try help

  • montemaj on 17/01/2012 - 08:11

    I was also looking for a fiesta diesel but in Sydney, the only ones I can find below $20,000 are used ones. Even using the link above and changing the state to Sydney NSW, I can only find brand new ones for $20K+. Thai made petrol fiesta is $18,990 drive away. The new German made LW Focus is $19,990 drive away. I am beginning to lean to the focus after a test drive. I just could not choose between the Lunar sky or white color. The olive mustard colour is nice too.

    • Charlotta on 17/01/2012 - 08:27

      If this is the car you wanted then I'd be phoning to ask how much for them to freight to Sydney with NSW rego and CTP. They mentioned that they sell a lot of cars over the border to northern NSW so they will be familiar with NSW on-road costs.

      When comparing remember that as well as the diesel engine this is the mid-level LX version of the Fiesta rather than the CL base version - but sedans only.

      Emissions on the diesel are 117g/kg and economy is combined 4.4l/110km (urban 5.2 and highway 3.9).

      I agree with you that the olive-mustard looks good in the Focus - I also surprised myself by liking the lime-green Focus.

      • edman on 17/01/2012 - 08:44

        Agree with SW. You are probably only looking at $300-400 delivery from experience. Not sure about the variation in on-road costs though.

      • AntMan76 on 17/01/2012 - 23:56

        Impressive economy because my motorbike gets about that. Of course the bike goes a lot quicker than a Fiesta.

  • oscarthesausagedog on 17/01/2012 - 08:14

    Let me know how you go when you get a flat tyre OP. :)

    • Charlotta on 17/01/2012 - 08:53

      Good point. And thanks for reminding me as I had meant to mention this in negatives. All Fiestas come with no spare - not even a space-saver! Even though there is a well that would fit a space-saver. So after taking delivery I will very quickly be hitting the wreckers to sort myself out with a smaller wheel spare that fits the Fiesta and that fits in the well, plus jack, tyre wrench, and spare securing screw. The car comes with a pump and a can of puncture goop. Ford offer a space-saver kit for $400 - but I figured wreckers should be $100 to $150 total.

      When comparing this car against the Hyundai Accent diesel I saw four key issues - which I had intended to use as bartering points. Unfortunately this was effectively a fixed price given this dealer's monopoly on the run-out clearance:
      * lack of any spare;
      * 5yr warranty;
      * 4 disc brakes rather than front-only on the Fiesta;
      * availability of hatchback at $19,990

      Note the diesel version of the Hyundai Accent is not yet listed on sites like carsales.com.au because it is so new.

      • nicksnoobie on 17/01/2012 - 23:41

        Will not touch or consider Hyundai.

  • Brooklyn99 on 17/01/2012 - 08:32

    Appreciate the effort but the post is too congested. Maybe just list out the key bargain points?

    Otherwise I think it is more suited for the forums for a good read and discussion

  • dan76n on 17/01/2012 - 08:35

    These are a nice car, if the option is there for an automatic I would highly consider that as they are a six speed so will be more fuel efficient and a better drive.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2012 - 08:38
    +1

    Moved to forums as its not a truly repeatable deal.

    Car purchases will depend on negotiating skills. But this is of good information.

    • Charlotta on 17/01/2012 - 09:04

      I disagree. That's why I posted it as a deal. It is a currently available deal on 13 available cars in different colours. It is specific to three outlets and it is an advertised price - pretty much run-out fixed price - but we allow bargain postings of half-a dozen hard-drives left on the shelf on clearance at XYZ branch of OW or HN.

      As per the length of my posting happy to edit it down if that is a REQUIRED criteria for a bargain. However note that my past submitted bargains have also been lengthy - as is my style!!! - and they have not been moved to forums.

      • Brooklyn99 on 17/01/2012 - 09:10

        Sorry sw, I am having problems trying to figure out what is the deal here.

        I am also in the process of looking for a car so would appreciate if you could point out to me what bargains you got from buying this car.

        Was it the free warranty extension or reduced price in the car?

        • Charlotta on 17/01/2012 - 09:19

          Yes - reduced price. Note the posting above from montemaj re pricing in Sydney. I posted this to bring to the attention of OzB'ers this runout clearance price. 13 left and appear to be going fast. Price is pretty much fixed at this level.

        • Brooklyn99 on 17/01/2012 - 09:27

          Thank you sw.

    • Charlotta on 17/01/2012 - 10:42

      G'day OzPete,

      I've just been thinking about this and have realised where I may have left some ambiguity in my original posting.

      Note that the link I have given shows results of a database search on carsales.com.au with criteria selcted of (a) new cars, (b) Ford, (c) Fiesta, and (d) diesel engines.

      Whereas this search will reveal 13 cars available at the same price all 13 are only available from the one dealership. This dealership is selling them through each of their three locations. No other Ford dealers have this diesel Ford Fiesta available at anything close to this run-out price - so I suspect this price is effectively a fixed price. On the carsales.com.au website you can compare the photos to see that all 13 have been posted there by the one dealership. The next nearest listed price anywhere in Australia for a diesel Fiesta is more than $2,000 higher.

      That is why this is a bargain and - as edman notes above - is also why non-SEQ buyers might want to look at freighting one in.

      • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2012 - 10:57
        +1

        SW

        I accept what you say. And if this was included in the first post it might have had some bearing on the move. However its now moved and cant - technically - be moved back.

        Also the deal isnt deleted its just been moved to the forums, so people can still see and access this. Its just more appropriate here, and much more discussion and feedback can occur for some time to go.

        Each time someone makes a point it resurfaces to the top of the forums whereas in the main post it will drop off first page. The forums is where many have sort advice on cars as well.

  • sonicentropy on 17/01/2012 - 10:09

    Sounds like like a awesome little auto, I didn't realise desiels had come down so much.

    • ravzter on 17/01/2012 - 10:53

      its manual

      • Steptoe on 17/01/2012 - 12:23

        lol

  • zinkle on 17/01/2012 - 11:57

    Hi I'm not sure if this is your car, but there has been a recall issued by Ford Australia

    Ford Fiesta Econotec

    http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1009483

    Ford—Ford Fiesta Econetic
    PRA number: 2012/12989
    Date created: 13th January 2012
    Product information
    Product description
    Ford Fiesta Econetic
    Identifying features
    Fiesta Econetic built from 2 September 2011 to 12 September 2011
    Campaign number: S1113
    Target number: 9
    What are the hazards?
    The potential exists for the occupants of the vehicle to be exposed to exhaust gases, which are poisonous.
    What are the defects?
    A small number of vehicles could have a brass blanking plug fitted to the exhaust system that may not retain torque. Under certain circumstances, there is a possibility that this plug may become loose, allowing exhaust gases to escape.
    Dates available for sale
    2nd September 2011 - 12th September 2011
    Where the product was sold
    Nationally
    Traders who sold this product
    Ford motor vehicle dealers
    Supplier
    Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited
    What should consumers do?
    Ford will write to owners of affected vehicles.

    Owners are advised to contact their authorised dealership for inspection and rectification.

    For further information, contact any authorised Ford dealer or Ford's Customer Relationship Centre on 1800 503 672 .

    • Steptoe on 17/01/2012 - 12:27

      Not Econetic, and not that new a build date…

    • nicksnoobie on 17/01/2012 - 23:44

      They should give you new car and take the defected cars back.

      • AntMan76 on 17/01/2012 - 23:58

        For a blanking plug?

  • Charlotta on 25/01/2012 - 13:18

    There were thirteen available when I posted this - looks like eight left now:-
    1 x red
    1 x orange
    2 x blue
    4 x purple

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