[AMA] Im a Luxury Car Broker and Financier - Ask Me Anything

Hey All,
Im a mostly-retired motor vehicle broker with extensive experience in brokering new cars, negotiating and structuring finance.

Im fortunate to have a diverse background from dealer sales, corporate sales, finance, product management, and I am happy to share my knowledge, advise on any deals (this is ozbargain after all!) as im passionate about cars and the industry as a whole.

Ask me anything you like.

im not associated with any brand or broker or store.

EDIT - thanks for the interest and your questions - hope the ozb community is finding it interest. Just a reminder to please check the thread first and see whether the question may have already been answered earlier

closed Comments

    • +2

      Anytime is a good time to buy. Promotions is just marketing to get people through the door

  • What percentage discount would you expect on Audi A5?

    Thanks

    • 15-16%

      • audi has a promo where they are discounting the GST component. Can we expect 15% off on top ?
        how much on a Q3 ?

        • no the promo is just considered a discount anyway… no way you can get that and 15% on top.
          id also say 15% on a Q3.

  • +1

    Great to see this thread still kicking!

    This month I'm looking at picking up an Audi Q5 TFSI with about 5k in options (parking pkg, tints, titanium black styling, heated front seats). With the manufacturers current pay-no-GST EOFY offer, looking at around ~68k drive-away. Do you think it'd be reasonable to negotiate an additional 10-15% discount on top of this?

    thanks! Might hit you up shortly once I've figured out what I want :)

    • +1

      Hi, not sure how you are calcuating 68k, i get about mid 70s with the current promotion as a drive away price. 70 or low 70s is possible, i cant see lower with those options im sorry.

      • ahh yeah i didn't add in the 5k options…thanks for the info!

  • Hi OP, looking at GLE 250 2018 model. How much can you get it down to?

    • with no options you are looking at mid to high 80s

  • Great AMA - there's certainly a lot of interest from the community!

    Anyway on to my question: how do potential car buyers know that your service exists? Do you do any mass marketing? If so, what sort?

    • its a little bit like house brokers/buyers advocates, many dont know they exist. i just exited a business but yes we had a website and SEO for google etc.

      We also marketed to our existing business advisory and finance clients, as these are the demographic predominately buying luxury cars - most of our new business comes from word of mouth

  • Hi altinvestor,
    was looking at 2 cars. What discounts do you think would be available on:
    1. VW Golf Alltrack wagon with metallic paint and drive assistance package
    2. BMW M140i

    • M140i low 60s, would need to look at the alltrack

  • Hi altinvestor,

    Thanks for doing this AMA. Really interesting reading all the comments.

    What price/discount would you expect for xc40 t5 rdesign launch edition? I heard launch ed might be sold out. If that's the case then one with similar options included?

    • +1

      at the moment no significant discounts, there is very high demand and not enough cars in the country, up to 5% at most is what you could look to achieve.

  • +1

    Hi op
    I went to Subaru dealer and tried to get and STI standard for $50k but they wouldn't budge anywhere below $55k. The driveway list price is $56k
    They say there is not much margin on these cars and they can sell themselves. I don't believe it but want to know your thoughts

    • The cars do sell themselves and it all depends on what the stock levels of the car are like at the present moment, but we have achieved low 50s on these cars.

  • Thanks for your initiative.

    Went for a test drive - BMW X3 20d and Audi Q3 TDI Sport. Both look similar in driving but felt Audi as more luxury. What do you recommend?

    How much be the ideal price for fully loaded versions of above?

    Should we buy demo model?

    • +1

      both are good cars, go with what you prefer.

      there is no straight answer but work off 15% off. no dont buy demo, just get the best price you can on new, it will be close to demo price anyway

  • +1

    Hi Op,

    I am looking a two new cars and I dont think I need more options.

    1. Porchase Macan S Disesl
    2. Rnage Rover Velar SE D240

    What sort of discount I should be able to get? And I also want to sell my 2015 MY16 Audi TT. What is the best way to do it?

    • Hi, approx 10% on the Macan S, not sure on the Velar, there was not much movement with their initial release so would need to see what stock levels are like before being able to advise.

      If you want the best price, sell your TT privately, if you want the least hassle, trade it in. Unfortunately you cant get both in this industry, its either price or convenience/time when it comes to 2nd hand cars

      • are you able to look further for the Range Rover Velar? What is the best way to contact you on purchasing a new vehicle? I am in QLD Brisbane.

  • Hi,

    I'm in the market for a new car, specifically on a Land Rover Discovery sport.
    What kind of discount would i expect to get straight off the bat, on a brand new MY18 TD4 110kw HSE with some options?

    will the same discount be applied to a used MY17 model?

    Cheers

    • @PTR, if it helps.

      Vehicle Details:
      Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 SI4 177 kW SE, All Terrain Vehicle, Premium Unleaded
      Colour: (exterior) Fuji White solid , (interior) Grained leather - Ebony
      Basic Price $ 54777.27
      Discount $ -2050.00
      Standard Options
      Automatic air conditioning with two clim, Knee airbags on driver side, Electronic traction control, Fullsize spare wheel, Front and rear
      side curtain airbags, Flexible cargo area cover/rear parcel sh, Drivers and passengers airbag, Front side airbag, Power steering:
      speed proportional with, Satellite navigation system with 8.0 inc, Stability controlsystem, ABS, Brake assist system, Fuji White solid,
      Grained leather - Ebony, Gloss paint
      Dealer Pre Delivery Charges $ 1,500.00
      Initial CTP Insurance $ 287.59
      Total $ 54,514.86
      GST $ 5,451.49
      Purchase Stamp Duty $ 2,085.00
      Initial Registration $ 700.01

      • thanks for the insight @Jaff.

        @Altinvestor what are your thoughts?

        Cheers

        • sorry guys, been away overseas for the last month or so.

          @Jaff with your pricing there, i cant make out what the exact driveaway was that you paid, can you please clarify and i can then provide @PTR an opinion on the deal.

          In melbourne wev'e done a few HSE (lightly optioned) for $65 D/A

          Feel free to hit me up with any other questions

        • @altinvestor:mine was a SE for $63 DAW. Your price of HSE for 65k is a good price. Mind sharing what options are inclusive ?

  • Hi OP,

    Welcome back & thank you for such an informative thread!! We are looking to get the recently released Skoda Karoq with the Launch Pack & sun roof, preferably red colour. Are any discounts possible? Based in Sydney. Thank you.

    • Discounts hard to come by on the Karoq given how new it is,and the fact there arent many in the country.
      I havent done one yet but I would expect mid 40s D/A with those options.

      PM me if you'd like me to broker it for you - have helped quite a few on this thread already get into new cars at great pricing.

      • Thank you, will do in the next week.

      • Hi OP,

        PM sent last night!!

      • Hi OP,
        Have sent you a couple of PMs. Not sure if you have received them. Would be great if you can let me know either ways.
        Cheers!!

        • Hi there, got them - i will give you a call shortly

  • Hi There,

    Such an informative thread!

    I am looking at 3 models - new Q5, used Q7 and X5 (2017 <10K). But, i am so confused which one to get? Could you please let me know which one you advise from long term reliability perspective. Also, the discount % you can get for the above. based in Sydney.

    • +1

      All 3 are nice cars, obviously Q7 largest, X5 middle, Q5 smallest so sort of comes down to the space you need.
      Q7 and X5 are also more like A6/5 series in terms of quality compared to the Q5 which is more like an A4 in terms of quality.

      I think the X5 is the most durable of the lot but the Audis have been quite reliable of late, and they were not cught up in the VW DSG issues as they use higher rated parts and different designs than VW in their gearboxes.

      Savings are approx 15% off D/A RRP for the Audis, X5 closer to 20% the impending availability of the new model.

      • Thanks mate!
        Do you deal with Sydney dealerships? And how much do you charge?

        • typically melbourne dealerships, but they can freight the car up or arrange to take delivery from a sydney dealer etc.
          $850 is our fee - we handle everything up until the deposit with the dealer, which you pay to them directly and then go through the rest of the purchase process with them from deposit onwards.

        • @altinvestor: i have messaged you about a car that i am after.

  • Does anybody buy used cars anymore?

    Better deals for me then

    • yeah they do but the market is flooded - some excellent value used cars out there

      • Auto loans will be the fuse for the next GFC

        • Not sure about the fuse but they will definately contribute along with all other personal debt. Personal debt is not too bad here but houshold debt (personal + housing) is going through the roof…The US though is a different story… auto and student loans are out of control…

  • I note in a much earlier post you had not done any deals on Toyota Prado, has this changed at all. Was looking at getting a gxl auto with the leather pack soon and was curious what sort of figure you could do or if there is something similar you might recommend please

    • Hi There, prados you can expect about 10% off RRP at best - Toyota dont negotiate on them significantly as they sell quite well.

      Let me know if you are looking for brokerage

      • Thank you, I will message you when I am ready to buy.

  • Hi again, thinking of getting a new C200 with vision package, seat comfort package and AMG line. Ballpark figure? Never purchased through a broker before.

    • i assume you are after the 2018 facelift model. which is the new hybrid - In that case id expect about 67k D/A with those options as a ball park figure
      there still arent too many of them floating around in the country as yet

      • Thank you. Will definitely PM you sometime. Looking at purchasing sometime over the next year.

  • What should I expect to pay for a new my18 Volvo XC90 T6 inscription with premium pack, tailored dash, metallic paint? Located in Melbourne.

  • Looking at VW Tiguan Allspace 110TSI Grey with Driver assistant, Luxury and Sound/Vision option package in NSW Sydney. X-MAS is coming so probably next Jan or Feb will be better time for 2018 built with discounted price or can wait till next Mar or Apr for 2019 built. What do you think? Can you give me the possible cheapest price? Also I think I am eligible to get a Corp discount(confirmed with one dealer). Thank you in advance.

Login or Join to leave a comment