Does it improve stock levels if you look at the SEL? 54kW extended range Vauxhall Frontera GS £799 (certainly worth a look)! Back look at the Mazda 2 Or another Clio, but if you didn’t like the gear change? Peugeot 2008, but heated sets option.
SEL Editions are easier to come by, but they’re still hard to find in 1.0 manual spec and it would bother me greatly that the SEL Edition costs the same as the Monte Carlo Edition but misses out on the MCs heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and the lovely panoramic roof. The Frontera is a definite no when you’re 18, it’s deeply uncool and it’s a massive letdown IMO. I really did like the Mazda, but I’ve had no reply from Eden in 10 days on whether they can beat the deal from Brindley so presumably that’s a no. I have concerns about trusting another Clio, although a former Hyundai dealer in Bridgwater has now transformed into Renault dealer, which is great because it’s really close to us compared to Exeter or Bristol. But they want £25o for “Exterior protection” something that I got bundled in with the last car for £99 for inside and out which has been very kindly refunded by MO even though it was an optional extra. Heated seats are no longer an option on the 2008, you have to have the GT Premium version which is the 130BHP 1.2 EAT8 and isn’t even available on the scheme yet.
IMO paint protection from a dealer isn’t worth the money and is just slapped on compared to what you get professionally. The kits they use are available for c£25 on ebay. However, if its something you must have, baring in mind Motability don’t ask for it, you will have to bargain with the dealer and be prepaired to walk away and hope the sales guy thinks £100 is better than nowt in his pocket.
I do think you have been incredibly unlucky and ended up with Friday afternoon bult cars and unfortunately the choice of cars on the scheme is limited at the best of times, never mind for under 25’s on tight budgets, it puts some of the VW group cars out of budget that have what you need. The other option is go private, which you know will sting on insurance and even more so with out a black box, but you do build your NCB up. Not sure if your aware, Motability is looking at a black box type device for under 30’s (Drive Smart)
How far away is the offer on the Mazda 2, would you be prepared to travel? Some dealers will save you he first visit by alowing you to do the paperwork via email, so you only have one journey to collect, but for a huge saveing you could make an over night stay or get someone to come with you.
The other option is enquire about a grant for the cost difference to auto based on your back and the requirement for heated seats, steering wheel.