5.3.1

MAN: Good morning, please take a seat. How can I help you? WOMAN: Well, I’m thinking of buying a new car and I’d like some advice.

MAN: Sure, yes. Had you got any particular make in mind? WOMAN: I’m interested in a Lida - I’ve had one before and liked it. But I haven’t really made up my mind.

… … . . . . . . MAN: Good morning, please take a seat. How can I help you?

WOMAN: Well, I’m thinking of buying a new car and I’d like some advice. MAN: Sure, yes. Had you got any particular make in mind?

WOMAN: I’m interested in a Lida - I’ve had one before and liked it. But I haven’t really made up my mind. MAN: Sure. We’ve got various models. Umm, right. What about the engine size? Any ideas?

WOMAN: The one I’ve got at the moment’s a 1. 2 litre engine but I find it a bit slow on long journeys. I’d like a bit more power this time. . . a 1. 4 should do, don’t think I need a 1. 6 or anything.

MAN: Right. Well I think the model you’re looking at is the Max. Here’s a picture. WOMAN: Oh, yes. . . have you got one in? MAN: Yes. I’ll take you to have a look at it in a minute.

I’ll just get a few more details. Er. . . Is there anything else to do with the engine? What kind of gear change do you want? I presume you’d want a manual?

WOMAN: I’d want automatic - I’ve never driven a car with manual gears. MAN: Right. Well now, here’s the colour chart for the Max. Have you given that any thought?

This blue’s very popular at the moment. WOMAN: Yes, it is nice, I like blue. What’s it called? ‘Royal’?

MAN: Yes. WOMAN: But actually, I think I prefer this lighter shade here - ‘sky’.

MAN: Yes, that’s popular too. WOMAN: I think I’ll go for that.

MAN: You might have to wait a week or so for that colour, but I assume that’d be OK? WOMAN: Oh yes, fine.

MAN: Well, we can go outside and you can have a good look at one, and perhaps take it out. But first, can I just ask you about finance?

The cash price is going to be somewhere in the region of seven and a half thousand. How would you like to pay? Are you in a position to pay cash, or would you need credit?

WOMAN: I’d like credit provided the terms are reasonable. MAN: Well you can discuss that with my colleague in a moment; we have various arrangements.

And would you be interested in us taking your present car as part exchange? WOMAN: Yes. MAN: OK, fine. So I’ll just need some details from you and then we can do a valuation. . . Is that OK? WOMAN: Fine, yes.

MAN: Could I have your full name? WOMAN: Wendy Harries, that’s H-A-double R-I-E-S.

MAN: And is that Mrs. . . Miss. . . Ms. . . ? WOMAN: It’s Doctor, actually. MAN: Oh, right. And your address? WOMAN: 20 Green Banks.

MAN: Is that ‘Green’ spelled as in the colour? WOMAN: Yes, that’s right. MAN: OK. WOMAN: Alton. MAN: Is that O-L-T-O-N? WOMAN: Not quite, it begins with an A, not an O.

MAN: Oh yes, that’s in Hampshire isn’t it? WOMAN: That’s right. MAN: And do you know your postcode? WOMAN: Yes. It’s GU8 9EW.

MAN: Do you have a daytime phone number? WOMAN: Well, I work at the hospital but it’s a bit difficult to get hold of me.

I can give you a number just for messages, and then I’ll get back to you when I can. Is that OK? MAN: That’s fine.

WOMAN: It’s 0-7-9-8-2-5-7-6-4-3.0798257643。 MAN: Fine. And about the car you have now, what make is it? WOMAN: It’s a Conti.

MAN: Do you know the year or the model name? WOMAN: I think it’s 1996, and it’s called a Lion - like the animal.

MAN: Then it must be 1994, because they brought out the Fox after that. WOMAN: Oh right, yes.

MAN: Mileage? Roughly? WOMAN: I’m not sure. I know it’s less than seventy thousand.

MAN: OK. What colour is it? WOMAN: It’s grey, metallic grey.

MAN: Right, and one last thing-what sort of condition would you say it’s in? WOMAN: I’d probably describe it as reasonable. Do you need to see it? It’s parked outside.

MAN: Not at the moment, no. Perhaps you could call in one day next week. . .