what size alloys would you like with that?

I've decided that it's time to look for a new car. I've got one that's very unreliable - and, basically, it's time to send it on it's way and get a replacement. And take advantage of the scrappage scheme while it's still available. Now don't worry, this isn't going to turn into one of those online surveys where I ask for your opinions on exactly which model I should go for. That would just be boring, wouldn't it?

Anyway, yesterday found me traipsing round the dealerships - no less than five in a row. I've got a fairly clear idea of what I'm looking for: basically one of those MPV things which can seat up to seven people now and again - and one that I can afford, of course. So, a fairly easy task I thought - just a matter of comparing what's on offer from each of the manufacturers. I hadn't really thought about whether they'd be busy or not, but I hadn't exactly expected no other customers at all. Anywhere. Still, no matter, that would just give me a better chance of some individual attention.

So where did I go wrong? Did I put on the wrong shoes, or what? Because four of the five just seemed to be intent upon getting rid of me as soon as they could. Maybe I shouldn't have told them that I was looking at other makes as well. In fact the man at the Volkswagen dealership went so far as to say "I understand where you're coming from: I think you're best off with the Peugeot". And the man at Toyota said "I'm on my own today, but I can unlock that one over there and let you look inside, if that's OK?" Actually, no, that's not OK: I want you to tell me what this car can and cannot do, and I want you to do your very best to try and sell it to me. That's not asking for too much, is it?

But atually, yes, it is. Because I'd done my research before I hit the dealerships. Or tried to do my research, to put it more accurately. By visiting the manufacturer's web sites. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Oh, Honda. What's your strap line again? - "The Power To Drive You Round The Bend"? Well, spot on with that dynamic drop-down navigation menu. Couldn't you just make it just a little bit more difficult to use, though. Otherwise my attention might wander and I'll toddle off somewhere else. Or decide to follow you on Twitter instead. But before I do, I'm looking for a car that can seat seven people. Where do I find that? Oh, I see, I have to look at the specification of every car you make. Thanks for that. And look, here's the FR-V: that has six seats. That might be worth looking at.

So, Honda, you were one of the dealerships on my list yesterday. But what does the dealer say? "Oh, we don't have any of those new - they stopped making them six months ago. Sorry I can't help." Yes, I'm sorry too: for wasting so much of my time on a wild goose chase.

So, that's Honda out of the loop. Maybe Toyota would be a better bet? They must surely be desperate to offer a good sales deal after their recall PR disaster. And they must have sorted out those safety issues on cars that haven't left the showroom yet. And they do a seven-seater, don't they?

Oh, yes, there it is - the Verso. Except that's the five-seat version. So where's the seven-seat version, and how much does it cost? What? You don't want to tell me? OK - I'll download an ebrochure. That's bound to tell me.

But what's this? You won't let me download it unless I give you my title, first name, surname and email address - "information [which] may be forwarded to [my] local Toyota Centre". No thank you, Toyota - I'm not that eager to buy one of your cars.

So, is it just me? And if so, where am I going wrong?

Ah, here's the clue - back on the Honda site. It's the wheels. That's what's always top of the specification list. And the bigger the better it seems.

So next weekend I'm off out to buy a set of 18-inchers - and see if I can get a car to go with them.

Comments

[Winnie]

Good luck, David. I, too, am looking for a new vehicle. I'm at the point where I'm thinking that it would be easier to chuck everything and move to the big city where they have public transit.

[alexparrott]

I've had similar problems – some dealerships are only interested in selling me a car I do not want or like you have experienced, they can't be bothered at all. I was rushed out of a BMW showroom a couple of weeks ago so have now removed them from my list. The bad service I received pushed me online and I found this – http://www.car-scrappage-uk.com – it's a broker site that lists scrappage deals. The problem is you lose the security of buying through a 'real person' at a showroom, but the cost savings are looking likely to be worth it.

[caroline]

David, David, David....notice I didnt call you Dave? anyway, dealerships are full of low paid commision based teenagers most of the time, so sorry, but I wouldnt listen to them at all. I would ask friends what they think for their biased points of view. Personally I would steer (ha see that) away from Peugeot's simply because I had a near death experience in mine and they tend to 'bounce' if they hit gravel - which isnt nice. And their on board computers are unreliable ... Im pretty ecstatic with my ford to be honest...anyway, you think going to a car dealership is bad, try being a woman and requesting information, I still get brochures from Peaugeot sent to Mr Me, rather than Mrs or Miss even though I purchased one of two of their unreliable, motorway pile up inducing cars....sorry bad day.