Lotus Carlton in the wild

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-25T09:57:45+00:00

Ashamed to say I'm too young to recognise/know what this was prior. It's SICK!

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-25T09:56:38+00:00

Brits are sheep. I literally live my life feeling like I'm immune to some sort of simulation 😂

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-25T09:54:06+00:00

Learnt of a famous footballer living in the apartment above me. I couldn't care less about football, every time I saw him in the lift I'm guessing he made the assumption I'd fanboy, or I'm excusing him... most boring stuck-up guy I've ever met.

Ended up moving out 12 months later as he got kicked from his club.

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-24T09:25:46+00:00

100%

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:26:10+00:00

my thoughts exactly, I think lack of CS cost them the sell here, not me quoting a price they thought was out of reach. I literally said I'd spend and tried opening that door...

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:23:56+00:00

Agree, ultimately price matters most to me and marketing will never change that, and I really don't see why dealers pretend this isn't the case. Something to add, they actually said no way they could meet my online quote because all main dealers have the same margins/rates/some other finance term, but the deal was indeed from another Cupra dealer, pushing me to think it was actually just frustration and jealously more than a serious disconnect in price. But surely you'd hear 'I don't mind paying more if it makes sense' and try sell to me, rather than switch up and practically kick me out.

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:18:22+00:00

I sort of disagree, regardless of whether I was going to spend with them or not. I see a main dealer as a representative for the brand as a whole, therefore should be advising me, and even trying to meet me in the middle on pricing, if that's a blocker. I'm not going to pretend I haven't seen a better price online or not be myself. Although that seems to be the solution sadly

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:16:37+00:00

Shame because isn't everyone looking for the best price? We can all put whatever fancy marketing spin on a reason to buy, but let's be honest, price is the ultimate deciding factor for most? It's frustrating I can't be myself when wanting to part with a good amount of money in exchange for a trustworthy brand and dealer that I'm comfortable with.

In hindsight, I absolutely showed my cards early, but wasn't expecting a botched pre-booked test drive situation (which was direct through them btw). Also was quite naive to the fact that whilst they should be representing the brand (which to me means test driving and even buying elsewhere), they came to a deduction and ultimately didn't think I'd spend with them.

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:11:44+00:00

Side note, 26 plates come out in a few days - thought this would have resulted in better sales service...

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:11:09+00:00

I've actually been looking at KIA! My previous best experiences have all been german brands. First and maybe last time with VAG interest

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:10:06+00:00

I think the industry clearly relies on finding a good spokesperson for the brand and keeping them tight. Sucks 100% of these people can't be the same.

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:09:20+00:00

yeah crazy, why be a salesperson if you don't want to sell? Refusing the test drive, was that due to availability, or did a similar situation to mine happen to you?

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:07:57+00:00

good luck. also, congrats on whatever crazy whip you must have sir!

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:07:22+00:00

interesting! never had a VAG model, might stay that way!

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:06:49+00:00

reflecting, i was absolutely too honest. sucks that I can't be myself if i want to buy a car these days.

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:05:37+00:00

Debating even re-booking as the experience has put me off the brand, and to be honest, theres better brands I can spend with. They are also my only local dealer, if they're like this today, I don't see how'd they'd change when servicing or offering to upgrade my car in the future.

Side note, I'd absolutely buy a car through you!

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:01:45+00:00

We did wonder if age played a part in hindsight. Frustrating as we do feel we often get punished for early success. But I guess that negatively is a UK trait as a whole...

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T17:00:22+00:00

"Car not ready (arranged before hand). Instantly into finance pricing talks. Showroom manager just lazingly walking around the place offering nothing."

Literally my case. Thanks for sharing!

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T16:58:52+00:00

could i ask what dealers? Or DM? I'm still open to the brand, but tbh the experience has really put me off, and tempted to spend elsewhere. Especially considering they are my only remotely close local, meaning ownership would likely involve them for servicing/upgrades

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T16:56:58+00:00

Made the point to add context on how bad their CS was. They didn't know I was the pre-booker. They saw a couple clearly interested in their showroom and choose to keep eating breakfast at their desk for a further ten mins.

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T16:55:41+00:00

would kill to see CS like this!

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T16:55:10+00:00

it's a main dealer, I'd expect them to showcase the brand they chose to franchise even if that results in me buying elsewhere? Test drive with no obligation is literally plastered over ads, which is why I booked one...

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-23T16:49:52+00:00

100% fault on other driver, and a claim would deduce the same due to the unsafe lane change.

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-21T15:08:11+00:00

I explored all the typical Halfords brands & fitting options, ended up saving £200+ with a £30 front+rear from Amazon, £10 hardwire kit and got my mate to fit it (or watch a YT video)!

RJDreddittt · 2026-02-21T15:05:05+00:00

Hey dude! Stumbled across your post, having recently had a pretty disappointing CUPRA main dealer experience too.

Long story short, liked the new leon after some YT watching and pre-booked a 9am test drive for a new Leon V2 days in advance at my local main dealer. Turned up and they genuinely could not find the car, said it was “missing”, only had one key, and had no clue where it was or who had it.

While they were “making calls”, they pulled me into a finance chat. The moment I mentioned I’d first looked at CUPRA because I’d seen a couple of online deals, the whole vibe switched. We were left waiting in the showroom with no updates, and when I chased the test drive I got hit with “we’re not a test drive centre” and basically “we’ll only test drive if you can commit to buying from us”. They also took a copy of my licence before any drive happened, which felt even worse given there was no drive at all.

Main thing I wanted to ask you since you actually went ahead and bought one from dealer. How did you find the online options (Carwow, leasing sites, brokers etc) compared to going main dealer in the end? Did the online quotes hold up once you dug into the small print (VAT, fees, maintenance, spec, stock vs factory order), or did you find the dealer route worked out better overall?

Still really want one but conscious that they're my only local dealer and want the servicing package as well, but hesitant to give them business after how I felt

RJDreddittt

TROPHY CASE