car dealer ship

[randle]

So whats the odd of anyone here starting a car dealership. With most of the time that we spend redoing cars, you would think after so long we would open up something the sort. I wanted to, I thought about it but I just don't know how to really go about it.

[britjojo]

I have no desire to. Owning and maintaining a classic car is worlds apart from running a dealership, where you have people do for you what I enjoy doing myself. If I wanted someone else to do it for me, I wouldn't own a classic car....

And this isn't an MG topic.

[Slowspinner]

To even contemplate running a car dealership you would first have to build up an immense knowledge of the marques you are considering dealing in or else pay through the nose to employ people with the specialised knowledge involved to run the business for you and then take a back seat

[britjojo]

And that back seat is just what I don't want. I like my tool kit, and getting covered with grease. Don't keep my nails short for nothin'.

[jimberan]

You also see more and more car dealerships closing down due to the big ones attracting all the clients. It should also cost a small fortune to open a car dealership which I don't have at this moment unfortunately.

[britjojo]

That's another good point. Unless your last name is Rover, or some other, there is really very little chance of making a good go at this.

[Andy]

It's getting harder for the old "back street" garage these days. More and more cars now require expensive, specialised computer equipment to just service them (mostly to reset the service indicator!)

The only way is to specialise in one make, VW/Audi or BMW for instance. When a car gets a few years old, and out of its warranty, many people may not want to pay main dealer (or "main stealer") prices, but will then seek out a cheaper specialist, who may have the correct tools and do just as good a job.

I've thought about specialising in classic cars, or anything pre 1990, but starting from scratch is going to be a right pain if I do... 

[britjojo]

This is very true-people will mainly stick to dealerships to avoid invalidating their warranty. But when the document has expired anyway, it's fair game. Warranties in America tend to be rather long. Our new car is a 2003 and still has five years left on it's original warranty.