DTD email stating that Cali deals will end 30/06/23

[18ME]

Received an email from drive the deal today saying that their deals on the California will end on the 30th June but order need to be in by 29th so that dealers can deal with them due to the amount of orders they’ve received.

We rented one last week for 3 days in view of ordering one if we enjoyed the experience enough to buy one. I’ve spoken with my other half about it yesterday and agreed that we we would wait a little while to see if any end of life extra deals come up or we wait to see what happens with the replacement. Now the pressure is on to decide within the next two days.

 

[Perfectos]

Wow , short notice indeed ,

does that apply to VW dealers also?

I know when VW close the Transporter order book dealer had a period of time to place final orders.

DTD are obviously not a dealer but an intermediary, so they may have been given a closing order deadline in advance of dealers.

 

[18ME]

Yes, I’m guessing that DTD would have been told by dealers when the order book will be closing.

 

[dspuk]

I think, DTD mail or not, the 6.1 days are numbered so if you want one there is no later I’m afraid - it’s now (ish) or never.

 

[The Little Red Cali]

My wife and I was in the same position. Big decision when you’re spending so much money. We just went for it as life is too short. Dealer said we might have it in four months. Hopefully middle of September. DTD offering some good discounts at the moment. Good luck.

 

[Corradobrit]

I would not wait. VW make a habit of closing books, removing options etc with little to no warning. Even the dealers are taken off guard. If you really want one get the order in sooner than later...

 

[andyinluton]

It's not the order book closing, it's the current VW offer coming to an end, the date has been published since the offer came out. I don't know how it could catch a dealer off guard.

The offer has in the small print at the bottom:
1. With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. Ordered by 03/07/2023. T&Cs apply.

If DTD need to get an order placed by 3/7/23 it makes sense that they need customers to order from them a few days before.

 

[Corradobrit]

It's not the order book closing, it's the current VW offer coming to an end, the date has been published since the offer came out. I don't know how it could catch a dealer off guard.

The offer has in the small print at the bottom:
1. With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. Ordered by 03/07/2023. T&Cs apply.

If DTD need to get an order placed by 3/7/23 it makes sense that they need customers to order from them a few days before.

We are precisely a year away from the end of the T6.1 production run. That is fixed and confirmed. The order books have got to be close to full, especially as lead times in the EU are currently around 12 months. It's not like production can switch from Transporter to Cali over the next few months. That was already happened.

 

[andyinluton]

We are precisely a year away from the end of the T6.1 production run. That is fixed and confirmed. The order books have got to be close to full, especially as lead times in the EU are currently around 12 months. It's not like production can switch from Transporter to Cali over the next few months. That was already happened.

That may well be the case, but the email clearly says its the offers that are coming to an end, not that it's the closing of the order book.

The date that the offers come to an end was written on the bottom of the offer on the day it was launched, hence me suggesting that it shouldn't really be a surprise.

VW California offers have come to an end at the end of June every year that I can remember, I wouldn't be at all surprised if a new offer comes out next week, the new one may be better than the current one if sales havn't been as expected, or worse if they think they don't need to do anything to attract buyers.

 

[Corradobrit]

That may well be the case, but the email clearly says its the offers that are coming to an end, not that it's the closing of the order book.

The date that the offers come to an end was written on the bottom of the offer on the day it was launched, hence me suggesting that it shouldn't really be a surprise.

VW California offers have come to an end at the end of June every year that I can remember, I wouldn't be at all surprised if a new offer comes out next week, the new one may be better than the current one if sales havn't been as expected, or worse if they think they don't need to do anything to attract buyers.

Yes I understand, but irrespective of what deals are currently active or if new ones might materialise, the OP should not procrastinate, in the hope of a better 'deal' and possibly miss the ordering boat.

 

[andyinluton]

Yes I understand, but irrespective of what deals are currently active or if new ones might materialise, the OP should not procrastinate, in the hope of a better 'deal' and possibly miss the ordering boat.

Agreed - it's cutting it a bit fine if people are still at the just thinking stage. Next gamble is whether the market is going to crash due to now expensive finance, or whether they will be instant collectors items, or in other words do I buy another as a speculator?

 

[Camperfamily]

@andyinluton my money is on an instant collector. However, having ordered a Beach back in April, I would be trying to convince myself of this…

 

[Perfectos]

@andyinluton my money is on an instant collector. However, having ordered a Beach back in April, I would be trying to convince myself of this…

My monies on your money !

is that red or black ?

remember, it’s only money

edit : I’m holding !

 

[18ME]

Thanks for all your replies. I read the email and incorrectly thought that the discounted price was going to end and therefore wrongly assumed that you could no longer order one through DTD. Reading it again after you’ve pointed it out, it’s just the £1000 finance deposit contribution and the free servicing offer that’s going to finish.

Because we’ve still not decided (I’m more keen than my partner) I’ve said to her that we‘ll hang on a while and if they close the order books on the 6.1 we’ll then wait and see what the replacement is like and if we don’t like it then maybe buy a used 6.1. We’ll also probably rent again and hopefully she comes around to the idea more

 

[soulstyledevon]

@andyinluton my money is on an instant collector. However, having ordered a Beach back in April, I would be trying to convince myself of this…

That’s my initial response.
But Volkswagen already have plans for a replacement, with more California versions, Multivan, Buzz and potentially the new Ford/Vw platform.
I can’t see them turning away from the golden California nugget.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Because we’ve still not decided (I’m more keen than my partner) I’ve said to her that we‘ll hang on a while and if they close the order books on the 6.1 we’ll then wait and see what the replacement is like and if we don’t like it then maybe buy a used 6.1. We’ll also probably rent again and hopefully she comes around to the idea more

I don't think you'll ever get a new Cali cheaper than you can order one for now. The new version is likely to be more expensive than the outgoing and that's just RRP, doubtless deals will be much harder to come by initially. Yes, deals may come in time, but after successive price rises so you probably won't get it much cheaper (if at all) really.
There's also the big question for anyone contemplating waiting for a new model; will the new one be better than the old one? It seems likely they'll make a hybrid or even fully electric option on it/them (depending on what a "full fat" Cali ends up looking like) - to accommodate the extra gubbins associated, they're going to have to pinch space from somewhere (as it's unlikely they'd make the vehicle physically bigger) and while they may offer a conventional ICE engine option, they won't redesign the interior to make use of any "leftover" space - it's too niche for that (look at us in the UK living with the opening door on the right - the RHD market was too niche for them to redesign it!).

Finally, it's entirely possible VW will pull a rabbit out of the hat and the new one will be mind-bendingly good . . . possible, but no idea how likely. If it doesn't turn out to be as good (and if a reasonable portion of the market thinks this) it's likely used prices will firm up as people would rather have the old one, so seeking solace in the used market might become more difficult too, both in prices and availability.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

I don't think you'll ever get a new Cali cheaper than you can order one for now. The new version is likely to be more expensive than the outgoing and that's just RRP, doubtless deals will be much harder to come by initially. Yes, deals may come in time, but after successive price rises so you probably won't get it much cheaper (if at all) really.
There's also the big question which for anyone contemplating waiting for a new model; will the new one be better than the old one? It seems likely they'll make a hybrid or even fully electric option on it/them (depending on what a "full fat" Cali ends up looking like) - to accommodate the extra gubbins associated, they're going to have to pinch space from somewhere (as it's unlikely they'd make the vehicle physically bigger) and while they may offer a conventional ICE engine option, they won't redesign the interior to make use of any "leftover" space - it's too niche for that (look at us in the UK living with the opening door on the right - the RHD market was too niche for them to redesign it!).

Finally, it's entirely possible VW will pull a rabbit out of the hat and the new one with be mind-bendingly good . . . possible, but no idea how likely. If it doesn't turn out to be as good (and if a reasonable portion of the market thinks this) it's likely used prices will firm up as people would rather have the old one, so seeking solace in the used market might become more difficult too, both in prices and availability.

Your post sums up exactly our thinking and why we decided to buy a new T6.1 with the incredible deal that’s currently on. I think this will be it for the T6.1 now as it’ll now be too late to order for summer 2023 delivery.

 

[larrylamb]

New email from DTD today, VW Californias list price increase of 1.5% from next week, 4th July. This adds between £889 and £1235 to the new price.

 

[Perfectos]

New email from DTD today, VW Californias list price increase of 1.5% from next week, 4th July. This adds between £889 and £1235 to the new price.

Not just new orders , if VW have there way with the Price increase contract clause, thats will be the new price for all Calis delivered after that date, regardless of the agreed Dealer sale price !

 

[larrylamb]

Not just new orders , if VW have there way with the Price increase contract clause, thats will be the new price for all Calis delivered after that date, regardless of the agreed Dealer sale price !

Quote "Any orders taken before 3rd July and completed before 31st March 2024 will be protected from the increase."

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Quote "Any orders taken before 3rd July and completed before 31st March 2024 will be protected from the increase."

Hope that holds!, we actually ordered through DTD, 2 weeks ago. We cancelled a previous order with another dealer for a Surf after doing a bit more research and getting further quotes. Be a shame to lose some of the saving….

 

[SusiBus]

Quote "Any orders taken before 3rd July and completed before 31st March 2024 will be protected from the increase."

Where are you quoting that from please ?

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

Where are you quoting that from please ?

 

[18ME]

Can I ask peoples opinions on the options list as the Cali we rented didn't have many options on it so not sure if some are worth ticking if we ordered one.

I‘ve spec’d two different models.

First is the 204 Ocean with the following options.

1. Metallic - Indium grey
2. Art velours microfleece - Titanium black/Palladium + seat centre section with seat bolsters in leather
3. Traffic sign recognition
4. Discover media pro navigation system including streaming and internet
5. Driving profile selection "Drive Select" and Adaptive Chassis Control DCC with dynamic chassis
6. Front and rear mud flaps
7. High beam assist
8. Power sliding door on the right in passenger compartment
9. Removable/lockable towbar includes trailer stabilisation
10. Storage net in roof bed access opening 2nd drawer in bench seat instead of load through hatch
11. Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat
12. Kitchen cupboard in graphite grey slate effect with outdoor shower connection
13. Floor covering in wood effect
14. Acoustic package with heated windscreen - California
15. Sports pack - California

Second is the 150 Ocean with the following options.

1. Solid - Ascot grey
2. Art velours microfleece - Titanium black/Palladium + seat centre section with seat bolsters in leather
3. Discover media pro navigation system including streaming and internet
4. High beam assist
5. Bed extension with comfort sleeping mat
6. Sports pack - California

There‘s quite a difference in price between the two. The first with discount £77,700 and the second £69,616. The first one is all the options I would ideally want if we ended up keeping it for a while and the second is the safer option (depreciation wise) if we decided it wasn’t for us and wanted to sell it.

 

[andyinluton]

Do you realise that in your first one item 14 comes included as part of 15 so you shouldn't be paying for it & it will come on the 150 van as well.
Search threads for bed extension with sleeping mat - it is actually only the mat that you get.
I have & hate the high beam assist.
Not sure that the sports pack shows up well on Indium grey. it contrasts well on the Ascot grey.
Tow bar is worth having as a factory fit.
Roof storage net is naff but the extra draw is brilliant.