Seat Ibiza - dealership support - maintenance

M

Moron noodle

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2004
Messages
166
Hi all,

currently looking at a Seat Ibiza 2nd hand - in very good condition (VW engine).

Only thing - I've heard there are no dealerships in SA anymore.

Does it matter?

The car has a 3 year warrantee.

My question is - bearing in mind that there are no specialised dealers and auto service stations for this car, would its resale value drop due to its lack of presence in the SA market?
 
G

Gambit

Expert Member
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Apr 26, 2005
Messages
1,622
They no longer sell them (hence no more dealers) but they are still supported by vw sa afaik.
 
Gnome

Gnome

Executive Member
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Sep 19, 2005
Messages
7,208
I would still be careful buying one, they don't really have any incentive to treat you well because there is no brand or model name to protect seeing as the vehicle is no longer sold here...
 
Fazda

Fazda

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Apr 24, 2009
Messages
11,414
Gnome said:
I would still be careful buying one, they don't really have any incentive to treat you well because there is no brand or model name to protect seeing as the vehicle is no longer sold here...
Click to expand...

Sorry, I disagree...VWSA has undertaken to carry on supporting them, ansd a mate has just extended his warranty on his one, because he likes it so much that he wants to keep it for another few years.

It is no skin off a VW Dealership's nose to work on a VW with a slightly different body...as long as somebody pays for it, they couldn't give a continental what the car is called!!

They are protecting their own names in the long run...screw the brand name!
 
HapticSimian

HapticSimian

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Apr 22, 2007
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15,950
Fazda & Gnome, unfortunately the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Yes, VW will support the car, but only through a limited number of dealers (about 10, nationwide). They will do what's necessary to keep them on the road, but they do cut corners - as an example, VWSA will no longer order/import new accessories for the cars (bodykits/factory carpets/etc.). However, mechanically they are essentially VWs so no big worries there.

With regards to value retention - the drop has already happened. SEAT-owners, at the time of the withdrawal, lost R1,000s. But, considering what you would now pay for a 2nd-hand SEAT, it shouldn't depreciate much faster than any other car - you're starting from an artificially low base.

Like with some French/Italian imports, I would hazard that getting something like a replacement body panel or headlight could be a big PITA, but mechanically there's nothing to be concerned about. Oh, and anyone thinking that diesels can't go into hot hatches, try and take a 118kW TDI Ibiza for a spin if the opportunity arises.
 
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J

JK8

Banned
Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Messages
14,105
VW did say they will look after Seat owners cars, from what ive heard its a bunch of BS, they get pushed from pillar to post. Alot of guys are selling now, its a shame really and like enigma says, if something happens to the body work of the car, there will be to many issues to worry about!
Ive been trying to get Seat bushes and the PD160 intake... still waiting...
 
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