Big choice means bigger discounts, say Parkers

Car buyers might be putting a lot more thought into their next purchase than usual, with no end in sight to rising fuel prices. But now could also be a good time to buy a used car, with more choice than ever, thanks to the sheer volume of cars on the usedmarket. There were record years for new car sales in 2002, 2003 and 2004, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and while registrations weren’t as strong in the few years after, they were still some of the highest ever recorded. Vehicles first registered in one of those best ever years for new car sales in the UK are now four, five and six-year-old used cars, and there are plenty of them. With so many available, condition is important to claim the best price possible, but expect a much lower offer than you would have received on a similar used car three or four years ago. With fuel prices in mind, the safest choices on the market for slow future depreciation will be economical small family cars.
SMALL CARS:
New: Popular Peugeot 206 with pre-reg value Many car buyers might not realise that despite the introduction of the Peugeot 207 in 2006, the 206 model remains in production and on sale as a budget model in the range. The popular 206 can be found already registered to dealers and with only delivery miles showing on the clock at discounts of up to £2000.
Not all versions of the latest 206, available in an equipment grade called Look, have air conditioning fitted, so it’s worth checking if you want it, but all feature a CD/radio, steering column-mounted audio controls, electric front windows, sports seats with height adjustable driver’s seat and sporty chrome exterior trim. Used: Pocket-sized wind-in-the-hair motoring If you’re used to the low running costs of a small car, but fancy a bit of wind-in-the-hair motoring, a Citroën C3 Pluriel could fit the bill. Based on the Citroën C3, the Pluriel is a four-seat convertible. A retractable canvas roof slides back electrically along the side arches and can be stowed in the boot. For a full open-air feel the arches can also be removed and left at home - although you have to be guaranteed a dry day as those arches are needed to reattach the roof. Prices for top-spec Pluriels start at less than £4000.
FAMILY CARS:
New: Pre-reg Sebring offers discount US bling Chrysler’s Sebring saloon is meant to be an alternative to cars like the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra. The Sebring is roomy enough for five adults while its diesel engine is reliable and economical. All versions come with leather seats. Chrysler is pretty generous with equipment on the Sebring with a sunroof and metallic paint as the only items on the options list.
The list price of these cars is more than £19,000, but it is possible to find a few Chrysler dealers with registered cars in stock only showing delivery mileage, with prices starting at less than £13,000. Used:Mondeo with space and kit for £7000 The values of thirsty petrol cars have taken a pounding as fuel prices have increased, but if you’re a low mileage driver, it car still make sense to choose petrol over diesel. Large family cars, such as the Ford Mondeo, tend to be among the heaviest depreciating models. Not all of these were high-mileage company cars, and if you seek out a Ghia X petrol model you could be buying a gadget-laden bargain. The Mondeo is roomy, comfortable, great to drive and in this specification has plenty of kit.
4X4S AND PEOPLE CARRIERS:
New: Tribeca 4x4 deals as model bows out Subaru’s Tribeca is an urban 4x4 - a little like the Nissan Murano or Mazda CX-7 - based on the Legacy. It isn’t meant to go off road, but provides the extra traction and security of four-wheel drive and is decent at towing. Top models come with seven seats.
The Tribeca was launched in 2006 but has been a slow seller, due in part to the thirsty petrol engine offered with it. The model has been quietly discontinued in the UK, and some dealers have examples already registered with discounts beyond the official £6000 off deal run by Subaru. The cheapest one we found was a cloth seat five-seater with more than £11,000 off list price. There aren’t many that cheap, but a few that are not far off. Used:Capable and practical Mazda from £6000 The Mazda MPV might not be a common sight on UK roads, but it is a capable and practical seven-seater, particularly when chosen with the diesel engine. The MPV first came to the UK officially in 1999, but it wasn’t until 2002 that it was fitted with the 2.0-litre diesel engine from the Mazda6. The 143bhp diesel is punchy and suits the car well. The MPV has removable second row and third row seats, and is one of the few people carriers on the market to come with sliding rear passenger doors. We found a 2003 car with 54,000 miles at just over £6000.
SPECIALIST CARS:
New: Mazda coupé with £5000 off list price The Mazda RX-8 will be revamped later this year, so it might be easier to haggle a discount, particularly one that is already registered. We found a few 2007 192bhp models with delivery mileage (a couple had leather seats added, which is a £1600 option). Prices start at just under £16,000 – more than £5000 off the official list price.
Used:BMW M6 found for the price of a top 335i Less than three years since the BMW M6 went on sale and the number appearing on the used market is beginning to increase. We found a 35,000 mile example at an independent dealer for just under £40,000, and a 20,000-mile car for £42,500. This is about half what the cars originally sold for late in 2005.
Manufacturer promotions Manufacturers are gearing up for the summer with plenty of tempting low finance deals. We found 0pc APR offers on selected Chevrolet, Citroen, Fiat, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mazda, Nissan, Renault, Saab, SEAT, Skoda, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volvo models. Also, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep have reduced several models by over £2000, Daihatsu has extended the warranties on Terios and Sirion from three to five years and Kia are offering buyers a diesel Ceed for the price of a petrol.