Toyota was in the local shopping centre a couple of weeks ago plugging their new car, and I gave them my details, which they haven't bothered to use. So I went to a few dealerships.
As I have a Nissan, I went to them first, and a salesman promised to hunt around for what I wanted and call me. Then I tried a Citroen dealer, and the young man was charming. He made a similar promise.
Finally I went to a VW dealership, where they found what I wanted just 3 weeks from delivery (though it's the wrong colour, that would have taken 10-14 weeks).
So here's what I'm waiting for:
It's a Volkswagen Up (strange name for a car, tempting to say, "Up yours") but it's got great write-ups and the road tax is just £20 a year instead of £175 because of its fuel efficiency.
The deal is, after 3 years, when the guarantee runs out, I will still owe some money on it. I can then do one of three things:
1. I can surrender it and walk away;
2. I can pay the amount I still owe and keep it or
3. I can trade it in for another new one on the same basis.
This keeps my monthly payments nice and low, and enables me to own a high quality, reliable car of a make I always wanted.
And not just because it has the same initials as me!
