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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think car dealership is being pushy?

68 replies

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 13:38

I am a motability customer been one for 6 years with the same car, they extended my lease way beyond due to lack of choice. also I’m nervous with change. Takes me a long time to get used to something and not much mileage, Car due to end November.

Anyway, I put a new order in for the same car I have now just the updated verison which I was pleased about as it’s only the technology that’s changed, I was told by the dealership they had them in stock.
They’ve turned round today and said they have no manuals in stock they are due in end of October when motability have completed their checks if no delays.

Now the garage are trying to push an automatic they have in stock on me and trying to get me to say yes today even though I only went to the dealership yesterday and take the car next week.

I’ve never driven an automatic even though it’d help me with my disabilities I’m super nervous about the idea of an automatic.
Motability have said I can keep the car even longer long as I have the car on order and they won’t be taking the choice of car I’ve picked off their “menu” anytime soon.

What would you guys do? I’ve heard people waiting 12 months and being told the car isn’t available anymore but I’m worried if I take the automatic I literally have one week to get my head around it till I have it and I won’t be able to drive it! Motability said they shouldn’t be pushing me like this. 🥲
I only have four hours to decide what to do, it’s so much pressure especially for someone who has anxiety issues. I would of preferred at least a week to think it through and maybe of gone back for a test drive, not 6 hours! They told me if I don't take it today and agree then the car won't be there tomorrow which is crap isn't it?

OP posts:
Loveys · 20/07/2023 13:44

Ah op autos are great! Why not give it a test drive see how you get on? You might surprise yourself 😊 - honestly you'll know within an hour or probably less if it's right for you

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 13:45

Problem is I can't test drive it, they want an answer today.
The dealership is a hours drive away and I can't get down there today. 🥲 I asked if I can have a week to decide and come for a test drive next week and they told me no they need an answer today.

OP posts:
Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 13:48

I know auto would be a lot better for me but I drive a lot with my clutch (bad I know) also the gears confuse me! Is Drive 4th gear and above? Or do I just use drive 😂 and 1, 2 and 3 for hills and Icy weather? It's so confusing I've looked online and can't seem to find anything.

OP posts:
NewIdeasToday · 20/07/2023 13:48

Automatics are so much easier to drive. Takes a very short time to get used to them. And then you’ll never look back.

NewIdeasToday · 20/07/2023 13:49

In an automatic you just use either drive (forwards) or reverse. No need to worry about other gears.

honestly it’s so much easier.

Dotjones · 20/07/2023 13:50

Drive is forward, park is what you put it in when you want the car to remain still, like neutral, and reverse is to go backwards, like reverse on a manual.

Drive is all forward gears. You put it in drive and the car changes gears automatically depending on speed and engine revs.

Viewfrommyhouse · 20/07/2023 13:50

Go auto. You won't regret it! I was begrudgingly turned to it in 2010 by DH and haven't looked back. I'd never choose to buy a manual car again.

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 13:51

Dotjones · 20/07/2023 13:50

Drive is forward, park is what you put it in when you want the car to remain still, like neutral, and reverse is to go backwards, like reverse on a manual.

Drive is all forward gears. You put it in drive and the car changes gears automatically depending on speed and engine revs.

So I won't need to use 1, 2 and 3 for anything really? I live in a hilly in the sticks type of area and that's what worries me as I use my clutch at the moment to balance me on hills when I have to stop.

OP posts:
Campervangirl · 20/07/2023 13:51

I'd say they're trying it on & it's not fair pushing you.
I don't like automatics either, I like a bit of clutch control 😁
Personally I'd ask for a test drive and see if you like it.
My sister loves her automatic

TheFlis12345 · 20/07/2023 13:51

I was given an automatic as a courtesy car once and was really worried as I had never driven one but honestly, it couldn’t be easier.

Scylax · 20/07/2023 13:52

two separate things. First yes they are being horribly pushy and it’s a pity you don’t have a choice. Second I’d risk the auto. It’s easier, is better for disability, and you CAN and will get used to it :)

Franklin2000 · 20/07/2023 13:53

Now on one hand I love automatics. DH has one and it’s like you’re not driving it, it’s great. However I would never buy from somewhere who told me I had a few hours to decide. I’ll decide when I’m good and ready and won’t be pushed into a decision by a salesperson.

musicforthesoul · 20/07/2023 13:54

If they're insisting on an answer today before you can do a test drive tell them the answers no, I suspect there will magically be something for you to test drive next week then! That urgency doesn't feel right at all, they shouldn't be pressuring you full stop, but definitely not trying to pressure you to say yes before you can test drive something.

You may find you prefer the auto, lots of people do once they try them, so worth giving it a go and seeing how you get on in a test drive in one.

FlyInMySalad · 20/07/2023 13:54

Oh OP - go for the automatic! They manage even the hilliest of hills... I promise. I too suffer from anxiety and change is very hard, but I think this one will be worth it. Automatics can't roll backwards so you don't need the clutch control. You don't have to change gears so you've less to think about and can concentrate on worrying about other things (sorry, that's one of my anxiety jokes..). And if it gives you a longer lease that's a big bonus.

Viewfrommyhouse · 20/07/2023 13:55

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 13:48

I know auto would be a lot better for me but I drive a lot with my clutch (bad I know) also the gears confuse me! Is Drive 4th gear and above? Or do I just use drive 😂 and 1, 2 and 3 for hills and Icy weather? It's so confusing I've looked online and can't seem to find anything.

This is my 'gearstick'. All you need to decide is whether you're going forwards, backwards or stationary. So simple.

AIBU to think car dealership is being pushy?
FlyInMySalad · 20/07/2023 13:55

Although @musicforthesoul does have a point about the pushiness. Can you ask them WHY you need to decide right now?

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 13:56

Franklin2000 · 20/07/2023 13:53

Now on one hand I love automatics. DH has one and it’s like you’re not driving it, it’s great. However I would never buy from somewhere who told me I had a few hours to decide. I’ll decide when I’m good and ready and won’t be pushed into a decision by a salesperson.

That's another thing, the automatic is a lot more expensive than the manual and I feel like they just want the money from me asap.

If they had said "we only have the automatic but we'll be put it aside for a week," I'd of been a lot less worried. They've even told motability I'm having the automatic when I haven't agreed yet. ☹️

OP posts:
InaHamletinaShire · 20/07/2023 13:57

My DH changed to an automatic after some leg surgery and he took a very short time to get use to it. I have only ever driven an automatic. It’s basically a grown up go-cart, forward, reverse, park, neutral. It copes with our rural hills in Wales/ Shropshire with no problem.

ProseccoOnTap · 20/07/2023 13:57

Going against the grain here but I'd say no!

When my car was in for repair, the dealership got me an electric automatic car & I absolutely hated it!

Was a nervous wreck driving it & am an experienced, confident driver in my 50's.

Toddlerteaplease · 20/07/2023 13:57

Definitely take the automatic. Everyone I know who has live lived it..

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 13:58

FlyInMySalad · 20/07/2023 13:55

Although @musicforthesoul does have a point about the pushiness. Can you ask them WHY you need to decide right now?

Apparently motability/the car manufactures take cars out of dealerships and place them elsewhere so I could risk loosing the car if I don't decide today. Which even I felt a bit like ????? At, maybe they think I'm stupid because I'm disabled that's how I felt.

OP posts:
Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 14:00

I never knew automatics didn't slide backwards on hills though, that's quite a good thing as it's something I always fear!

OP posts:
GenieGenealogy · 20/07/2023 14:04

There is huge demand for cars at the moment, production ground to a halt during the pandemic and lead times for new cars are anything from 2 to 6 months depending on make/model. So it is entirely reasonable that a dealer is saying that if OP doesn't make a decision now, then they cannot guarantee to get her the made/model she wants by the time her current agreement runs out in November. And that although they have been told by the dealer they will have more manuals at the end of October, this is just an estimate.

OP perceives this as pushiness, and doesn't want to be rushed into any decision. Dealer would probably say they have her best interests at heart and don't want to see a customer with disabilities and a car on the Motability scheme to be left without a car if they can't get the order in on time.

CornishTiger · 20/07/2023 14:06

musicforthesoul · 20/07/2023 13:54

If they're insisting on an answer today before you can do a test drive tell them the answers no, I suspect there will magically be something for you to test drive next week then! That urgency doesn't feel right at all, they shouldn't be pressuring you full stop, but definitely not trying to pressure you to say yes before you can test drive something.

You may find you prefer the auto, lots of people do once they try them, so worth giving it a go and seeing how you get on in a test drive in one.

This.

Id want an extended test drive!

Scylax · 20/07/2023 14:07

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 20/07/2023 13:56

That's another thing, the automatic is a lot more expensive than the manual and I feel like they just want the money from me asap.

If they had said "we only have the automatic but we'll be put it aside for a week," I'd of been a lot less worried. They've even told motability I'm having the automatic when I haven't agreed yet. ☹️

Show quote history

These people are awful! I can’t believe they’re being so awful as to tell motability such lies! Can you ring motability yourself and ask for help? Honestly I think this is less about whether you should accept an auto and much more you need somewhere else to get one from. These people are taking advantage of you and that’s not ok. I know it’s super-hard but you need to find someone to support you to stand up to them. Trading standards maybe? CAB? I think they’re in violation of pressure-selling regulations the way they’re treating you.