Trying to buy a car - how do people have the nerve!

[Jasandjules]

These days many people seem to lie as a matter of course. But if it makes you feel any better I've driven 3 hours each way to view cars under similar circumstances, even to one "mint" condition BMW that had the back seats torn open (look like freddy car had been chauffered around in it)...

[cptsideways]

Weed out the sellers, you will find an original one owner car, who are selling the car themselves. Do not buy from a dealer at this age.

As mentioned Skoda owners are often a better class of car owner & more anal about servicing

[SMGB]

Look at some Fiat Puntos. Same scenario, our regular pet sitter here. Juniors first car, a really nice 1.2 on a 52 plate for £800

[Riknos]

The Fabia has been mentioned, but what about a MK1 Leon? It's the same as the MK4 Golf mechanically just with different body panels, generally nicer equipment levels - comes in a 1.4 too, and has a slightly lower price tag due to the 'lesser' SEAT badge.

[Motorrad]

I'd avoid the 1.4 in any variant. It has a reputation for very expensive cambelt/tensioner/water pump failures. You might have had a lucky escape.

[chongwong]

blueg33 said:

Just No...No...No...No not with my money, not ever!

Mrs would divorce me (ok possibly a plus), but junior is 6ft 4" and the small hatchbacks are just too small

I know it doesn't really help much, but he probably would fit in a k12 Micra, as they have inexplicable amounts of headroom. I managed to squeeze my uncle in to the passenger seat with head room to spare, unfortunately he's a fat bd and it was difficult for me to change gears.

Also you can get 2006 models for around £2000.

I'm 20, male, and I love mine

ETA: he could be mistaken for Chewy's fat cousin he's 6,7 and very hairy

Edited by chongwong on Monday 8th October 09:43

[Matt_N]

The Fabia is based on the Polo, so similar size to a Clio if loading space is an issue.

[blueg33]

chongwong said:

I know it doesn't really help much, but he probably would fit in a k12 Micra, as they have inexplicable amounts of headroom. I managed to squeeze my uncle in to the passenger seat with head room to spare, unfortunately he's a fat bd and it was difficult for me to change gears.

Also you can get 2006 models for around £2000.

I'm 20, male, and I love mine

ETA: he could be mistaken for Chewy's fat cousin he's 6,7 and very hairy

Edited by chongwong on Monday 8th October 09:43

Headroom tends to be ok in most cars, its how far back the seat goes that seems to be the issue

[nagsheadwarrior]

O.P If you want a 1.4 Golf circa 10 years old I've just been having my morning browse on the website of one of the traders we deal with and he's just taken in a 2001 X example with only 34k on the clock.

Link below-

http://finance.autoexposure.co.uk/classicdd.cfm?Ac...

His name's Carl and he's a good bloke, based in the frozen north.

[danjama]

Chrisw666 said:

I'd agree with this, in the last couple of years I've sold three cars, everytime I've written warts and all descriptions being honest about the good and bad bits.

Each one sold to the first person who viewed, and interestingly none of the email enquiries came to anything and each buyer first enquired by phone.

Same here. Emails were ignored by week two. Sold to person who first text, and then called.

[blueg33]

nagsheadwarrior said:

O.P If you want a 1.4 Golf circa 10 years old I've just been having my morning browse on the website of one of the traders we deal with and he's just taken in a 2001 X example with only 34k on the clock.

Link below-

http://finance.autoexposure.co.uk/classicdd.cfm?Ac...

His name's Carl and he's a good bloke, based in the frozen north.

Great thanks, I have emailed him. Just need to get up north!

[blueg33]

Motorrad said:

I'd avoid the 1.4 in any variant. It has a reputation for very expensive cambelt/tensioner/water pump failures. You might have had a lucky escape.

Cambelt needs doing every 40k miles, should be ok if thats done.

[BorkFactor]

sunshine1990 said:

You're buying a USED ten year old car and you're expecting no faults whatsoever

To be fair, from the OP it sounds like all the adverts have been very misleading. I have bought 4 10+ year old cars in the past 3 years having carefully browsed lots of adverts and spoken to quite a few sellers, and have come out with a good car every time.

Good cars ARE out there, and it is not unreasonable to expect a nice clean car with a good engine and a decent service history for not much money. There are lots of chancers out there though, I went to see a 328i described as "showroom condition" that had rust on every arch and a knocking engine.

Hit and miss really, but it sounds like the OP has not been having much luck.

[vinnie83]

sunshine1990 said:

I hear volkswagen have some for Around £18,000.

You're buying a USED ten year old car and you're expecting no faults whatsoever

The OP clearly isn't expecting no faults whatsoever though is he?

He is objecting to the fact that these people are describing their cars as being in a condition they are clearly not in, and then lying about it on the phone and wasting the OP's time.

I thought that was made pretty clear in the post... apparently not.

[V8s ONLY]

I've had this experience with two of my kids,it's unavoidable really but we got a good un in the end.What's much more annoying is apparently well respected marque specialist describing a car as mint that was covered in chips and scratches.

[George7]

How about a Mk1 1.6 Focus? I've had one since I was 18 and it's been reliable & cheap to run, is surprisingly decent on long trips (have been on a few and my passengers have always been impressed) and when I was 18, it was cheaper to insure than the more popular 'young person' 1.25 Fiesta. Like most small petrols, it lacks torque, but also doesn't feel especially underpowered compared to other small petrols I've driven. It's relatively spacious inside and we managed to fit 4 adults + 4 full size suitcases + 4 pieces of hand luggage into it for an airport run. As for height I'm 6'2" and it doesn't feel too small. I'm looking at selling it soon, I will be sad to get rid of it, but I want more power

[blueg33]

George7 said:

How about a Mk1 1.6 Focus? I've had one since I was 18 and it's been reliable & cheap to run, is surprisingly decent on long trips (have been on a few and my passengers have always been impressed) and when I was 18, it was cheaper to insure than the more popular 'young person' 1.25 Fiesta. Like most small petrols, it lacks torque, but also doesn't feel especially underpowered compared to other small petrols I've driven. It's relatively spacious inside and we managed to fit 4 adults + 4 full size suitcases + 4 pieces of hand luggage into it for an airport run. As for height I'm 6'2" and it doesn't feel too small. I'm looking at selling it soon, I will be sad to get rid of it, but I want more power

I have looked at a couple, need to check insurance. Could be a decent call

[Chrisw666]

Toyota Corolla could be a good thing to try, decent 1.4 and 1.6 motors, utterly anonymous and they don't break. Should also be the kind of car to have avoided being owned by morons.

[g3org3y]

OP I know exactly where you're coming from and it is fking frustrating, especially when you have taken an afternoon off work or spent an entire weekend for the viewing.

I remember a while back looking for a 328i coupe. Found one on Autotrader at a reasonable price and sounded good from the advert. Called the chap up and he claimed it was a great runner, body excellent with lots of history and documentation.

Took an afternoon off and arranged to view it. Unfortunately I didn't heed the warning signs of meeting him at a petrol station in South London.

Get there and wait, after 5 mins he shows. From 100 metres away, the car looks decent. A bit closer and the truth becomes more evident:
1) Bodywork covered in scrapes and dents. "what do you expect from a car this age"
2) Boot has had a different spoiler fitted, however holes remain from the original "it's easy to put some sealant in the holes"
3) Bonnet only opened 1/3 of the way up "the coupes are like that"
4) Engine block appeared to have been 'isoponed' (or equivalent) at the front "was like that"
5) No stereo, just a gap with wires "it's in the middle of an upgrade"
6) No history "I've got the owner's manual"
7) No V5 "It's ok, give me a bit extra cash and I can sort it"

WTF!?

[Gary C]

Think this is bad !

Looked at an EVO 5 about 10 years ago described as mint. Looked mint, drove mint.

BUT

It was a stolen car being sold at a large car seller (BOC in Bolton). The VIN plate was missing ("Oh, its a Jap import, and it fell off") and a piece of ally with a number stamped in it was rivited over where the VIN number stamped into the bulkhead ("Oh, not sure where the VIN number is stamped on these cars, but call dealer B, he knows this car", "owner of the dealership bought it for wedding hire but has changed his mind").

Thought it was a bit strange that it was parked outside rather than in the showroom, then on the second visit it was off site on an industrial estate.

£18,000 they wanted, and it was a lovely car but a close call.

Dealers - some really good people out there, but some total Criminals