Buying C30 SE Sport -RDesign trim [advice please]
Discussion
I currently drive a clio campus which is actually a great little runner but I need something more substantial for work. I bought the clio off my brother 'cause I knew it was a good little car. This, however, would be my first 'proper' car purchase. It's daunting and I'm incredibly concerned I might walk away with a car that is going to break or be dodgy.
I'm travelling about 100 miles to go and look at a second hand C30, it has about 65K miles on. All the ones near where I live that fit the requirements I want have been sold so it's travel or wait. I'm looking for advice on how to minimise the risk of buying a car as much as I can. Specifically relating to a C30 but also tips in general.
It has a mostly full service history but appears to have missed one (6k, 12k, 18k, 31k, 45k, dealers @65k). The car comes with a 12 month 'platinum' warranty with a company called Car Care Plan. I've heard varying things about warranties, some that they're not worth the paper they're written on, others that theyre good. Does it matter the dealership is so far away? The warranty is supposed to be redeemable at any VAT registered garage, though I'm sure they'll do everything to get out of covering it.
Please, please help me and give me tips when buying the car, things to check for? Ways to haggle with the dealer? Any other tips?!
I'm travelling about 100 miles to go and look at a second hand C30, it has about 65K miles on. All the ones near where I live that fit the requirements I want have been sold so it's travel or wait. I'm looking for advice on how to minimise the risk of buying a car as much as I can. Specifically relating to a C30 but also tips in general.
It has a mostly full service history but appears to have missed one (6k, 12k, 18k, 31k, 45k, dealers @65k). The car comes with a 12 month 'platinum' warranty with a company called Car Care Plan. I've heard varying things about warranties, some that they're not worth the paper they're written on, others that theyre good. Does it matter the dealership is so far away? The warranty is supposed to be redeemable at any VAT registered garage, though I'm sure they'll do everything to get out of covering it.
Please, please help me and give me tips when buying the car, things to check for? Ways to haggle with the dealer? Any other tips?!
Like all the small recent Volvos the C30 was built on the Ford Focus platform and uses all the platform and suspension components of the Focus.
Otherwise it would help if you told us which engine/gearbox combination you are looking at.
Also for a much wider and helpful audience sign up at www.volvoforums.org.uk the very busy site of the Volvo Owners Club.
Don.
Otherwise it would help if you told us which engine/gearbox combination you are looking at.
Also for a much wider and helpful audience sign up at www.volvoforums.org.uk the very busy site of the Volvo Owners Club.
Don.
norchi said:
Like all the small recent Volvos the C30 was built on the Ford Focus platform and uses all the platform and suspension components of the Focus.
Otherwise it would help if you told us which engine/gearbox combination you are looking at.
Also for a much wider and helpful audience sign up at www.volvoforums.org.uk the very busy site of the Volvo Owners Club.
Don.
Apologies, this is my first post. It is the 2.0L D I am looking at. Otherwise it would help if you told us which engine/gearbox combination you are looking at.
Also for a much wider and helpful audience sign up at www.volvoforums.org.uk the very busy site of the Volvo Owners Club.
Don.
EDIT: Thanks I will pop over to the volvo forum!
I have a C30 and it's one of the best cars I have owned. We area bit of a Volvo family now to be fair, our family car is an XC60, my sister has a new S60 and my sister-in-law has an XC70. So, familiar cars to me!
My car is an SE Lux R-Design with the half leather trim, which isn't the hardest wearing leather in the world, so check that. I'd also recommend listening on the test drive for front suspension. Mine has only covered 32,000 miles and I think the front drop links are needing replacing as its starting to "creak" a bit. That being said, the car is an excellent all-rounder, and I'm genuine,y won over by it.
As far as the dealer is concerned, talk to them before making the trip. I've been selling cars for 23 years now, so be open with them and ask as many questions as you need to. If the car seems to be "ticking all the boxes" for you, ask whether or not they would accept a deposit that would be returnable should anything not be right when you see it. That way it's not a waste of time driving all that way to see it only to find out they sold it before you got there. Care Care Plan are a large warranty company and depending on what level they put on their cars, you should be well covered by it. There will always be exclusions, but that's the same with any warranty. Perhaps check with whoever you might use for servicing recognise their warranty. Sometimes you have to pay formate repair first, then they reimburse you, but that is quite rare.
In terms of negotiating, you would be surprised how little a margin some places work on. My own theory is that if a garage can knock thousands of pounds of the price of a car, it was over-priced to begin with. Think around the £500 mark and you have the right idea. Perhaps if there is anything needing doing to the car cosmetically (wheeled kerbed, tyres close to legal limit, etc) ask them if they would do that within the asking price. Anything that adds value is a bonus.
Finally, don't be offended if they say "no". Garages aren't a charity, so need to make some money. Be reasonable, but start your negotiations with the view that there is a middle ground where both parties will benefit. That's the point where you shake their hand and make sure EVERYTHING YOU AGREE IS WRITTEN DOWN ON THE SALES ORDER before you sign it!
The C30 is a great car, but go in with your eyes open and if there is anything you are unsure of, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on here, so just ask! Good luck, and I hope you buy it!
My car is an SE Lux R-Design with the half leather trim, which isn't the hardest wearing leather in the world, so check that. I'd also recommend listening on the test drive for front suspension. Mine has only covered 32,000 miles and I think the front drop links are needing replacing as its starting to "creak" a bit. That being said, the car is an excellent all-rounder, and I'm genuine,y won over by it.
As far as the dealer is concerned, talk to them before making the trip. I've been selling cars for 23 years now, so be open with them and ask as many questions as you need to. If the car seems to be "ticking all the boxes" for you, ask whether or not they would accept a deposit that would be returnable should anything not be right when you see it. That way it's not a waste of time driving all that way to see it only to find out they sold it before you got there. Care Care Plan are a large warranty company and depending on what level they put on their cars, you should be well covered by it. There will always be exclusions, but that's the same with any warranty. Perhaps check with whoever you might use for servicing recognise their warranty. Sometimes you have to pay formate repair first, then they reimburse you, but that is quite rare.
In terms of negotiating, you would be surprised how little a margin some places work on. My own theory is that if a garage can knock thousands of pounds of the price of a car, it was over-priced to begin with. Think around the £500 mark and you have the right idea. Perhaps if there is anything needing doing to the car cosmetically (wheeled kerbed, tyres close to legal limit, etc) ask them if they would do that within the asking price. Anything that adds value is a bonus.
Finally, don't be offended if they say "no". Garages aren't a charity, so need to make some money. Be reasonable, but start your negotiations with the view that there is a middle ground where both parties will benefit. That's the point where you shake their hand and make sure EVERYTHING YOU AGREE IS WRITTEN DOWN ON THE SALES ORDER before you sign it!
The C30 is a great car, but go in with your eyes open and if there is anything you are unsure of, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on here, so just ask! Good luck, and I hope you buy it!
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