Best of the Bargain Basement Vol. 2

[BMWE34FAN]

Regarding the Lexus IS200 they are bargains at the moment. I just picked one up for 800 quid and its a cracking car (see my thread on readers cars). It sounds nice and goes well enough. It's not too bad on fuel, depends how it's driven really. Needs to have the dark interior like mine imho, that one above doesn't look nice at all. Theonly downside is the alloys corrode and look terrible, hence why loads have Black wheels as they have been refurbished. Mine is going in this week to get done but keeping it standard!

[daveofedinburgh]

TheJimi said:

To be clear, I'm not basing my comments on the car itself, rather I'm saying that as a rule, anything sub £2k from a dealer is going to be rough and hence I wouldn't waste my time going to view it.

For the record none of dme's gripes would put me off, quite the opposite actually. Wind deflectors, for example, are a reasonably nerdy addition to a car, and wouldn't automatically make me assume that car hasn't been cared for.

As a keen shedder, I have to leap to the defence of the sub £2K cars taking up valuable space on the dealers' forecourts (or indeed the alleyway round the back!).

Provided its not a hassle to go and view/ drive a couple of different examples, there are numerous good cars at this price point waiting to be snapped up for buttons. The last 2 BMWs Ive bought have been from dealers. When I arrived to view each, the staff barely knew anything about them, their prices set apparently arbitrarily for a quick sale.

Both (E36 318is manual coupe and facelift Z3 2.0 manual) were rust free, VGC and mechanically sound with fully stamped service books. Both flew through their respective first MOTs with ease.

The Z3 in particular was picked up for virtually half the price of every similar age/ mileage example available on AT. The E36 must have been one of the very cleanest, most loved examples left- cost me £695 with a years MOT.

Yes, I viewed a couple of sh*tters before each (a mk2 MX5 being notable for having literally 5 inches of water in the boot!). There is some truth in your logic, Im sure most are b*llocksed at this price point, but certainly not a waste of time going for a quick look. I've been pleasantly surprised several times.

Worth mentioning that I live in the London area, and therefore have the luxury of being able to view lots of sheds without committing to long journeys. It is a rich hunting ground down here, so rude not to take advantage.

Added benefit of buying from dealers is that you don't run the risk of being confronted with a knuckle-dragging sex offender assuring you that the V5 is in the post...

Edited by daveofedinburgh on Tuesday 13th January 01:08

[forzaminardi]

l354uge said:

Just noticed Lexus is200s have slipped into bargain basement territory.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-IS200-Sport-Black-...

opinions?

I'd suggest that the reason they've taken so long to reach shed territory - compared to other contemporary Lexuses and the IS's contemporary competitors - is testimony to how good they are. Heavy on fuel but swift enough I'd say, more than reliable and built like a vault inside a brick sh*thouse inside a tank. OK, they won't be in shed money, but you still see plenty of late 90s ISes that look virtually as good as new. I'd suggest the fact that they've never been regarded as sexy in the way contemporary BMWs and Mercs have means there's a better chance they've been owned by people with more than 3/8th of a braincell.

[BorkFactor]

l354uge said:

Just noticed Lexus is200s have slipped into bargain basement territory.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-IS200-Sport-Black-...

opinions?

That badging on that one is questionable at best

Meant to be nice cars, if a bit juicy. If you can be picky and have time to be patient with the market I don't see why you would pick one over a 3 series. Something a bit different I suppose!

l354uge said:

Quick few before I ship off to bed

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Wouldn't touch that engine at this price point, they can be quite troublesome! Obviously not all of them are money pits but I reckon a petrol one is a better proposition and they are pretty good on fuel as well.

[fatboy69]

Picked this up at the weekend.



Saab 93. 2 litre turbo with auto gearbox. Full service history, lovely condition inside & out, an old fashioned electric radio aerial & 60k miles on the clock.

Cost me....











£0.00

Nothing at all.

Only draw back is that my 318 now has to find a new home & I'm a little sad about that.

[anonymous-user]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Peugeot-206-cc-1-6-...

2001 Peugeot 206 cc 1.6 Coupe Cabriolet S 2dr Convertible

something different maybe for mx5 drivers to move up to?

[curlie467]

The Spruce goose said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Peugeot-206-cc-1-6-...

2001 Peugeot 206 cc 1.6 Coupe Cabriolet S 2dr Convertible

something different maybe for mx5 drivers to move up to?

Without sounding like I am starting an argument, why would an MX5 driver want to `move up` to one of these things?

[l354uge]

I think he's 'prodding the log fire'...

Awful cars.

[Emeye]

BMWE34FAN said:

Regarding the Lexus IS200 they are bargains at the moment. I just picked one up for 800 quid and its a cracking car (see my thread on readers cars). It sounds nice and goes well enough. It's not too bad on fuel, depends how it's driven really. Needs to have the dark interior like mine imho, that one above doesn't look nice at all. Theonly downside is the alloys corrode and look terrible, hence why loads have Black wheels as they have been refurbished. Mine is going in this week to get done but keeping it standard!

Isn't an alloy refurb on an £800 shed going to cost about a quarter of the value of the car?!?

[Emeye]

fatboy69 said:

Picked this up at the weekend.



Saab 93. 2 litre turbo with auto gearbox. Full service history, lovely condition inside & out, an old fashioned electric radio aerial & 60k miles on the clock.

Cost me....











£0.00

Nothing at all.

Only draw back is that my 318 now has to find a new home & I'm a little sad about that.

Did you steal it?

[anonymous-user]

l354uge said:

I think he's 'prodding the log fire'...

Awful cars.

yes a joke..

this is very cheap
edit removed

Edited by The Spruce goose on Tuesday 13th January 18:19

[Toaster Pilot]

The Spruce goose said:

yes a joke..

this is very cheap

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-308-1-6THP-150-S...

Mistake or Cat C and still a bit dodgy

[TonyRPH]

fatboy69 said:

Picked this up at the weekend.



Saab 93. 2 litre turbo with auto gearbox. Full service history, lovely condition inside & out, an old fashioned electric radio aerial & 60k miles on the clock.

Cost me....

£0.00

Nothing at all.

Only draw back is that my 318 now has to find a new home & I'm a little sad about that.

Is it parked on ice lol?

[anonymous-user]

Toaster Pilot said:

Mistake or Cat C and still a bit dodgy

yes just checked a low price on ad , a lot more on website

[whysub]

BMWE34FAN said:

Regarding the Lexus IS200 they are bargains at the moment. I just picked one up for 800 quid and its a cracking car (see my thread on readers cars). It sounds nice and goes well enough. It's not too bad on fuel, depends how it's driven really. Needs to have the dark interior like mine imho, that one above doesn't look nice at all. Theonly downside is the alloys corrode and look terrible, hence why loads have Black wheels as they have been refurbished. Mine is going in this week to get done but keeping it standard!

I had an LS400 and the wheels were really badly corroded, so took them for a refurb (proper job, acid dipped, blasted and stove enamelled in silver with just a hint of metallic. The wheel refurber told me he did loads of Lexus wheels, and the reason they all seem to go shabby is that they use a different composite of alloy, which makes them more prone to bubbling and flaking that any other wheel.

At £50 a wheel it wasn't cheap, but I couldn't bear to see a nice car spoilt by scruffy wheels.

[fatboy69]

I didn't steal it & it was parked on very wet tarmac.

[funkyrobot]

Potentially expensive or a steal?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

[TREMAiNE]

funkyrobot said:

Potentially expensive or a steal?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

Got to have some big bills around the corner, shirley?

[marmitemania]

Its trashed now as it has been converted to springs. The air suspension is a nice part of the car and is not really that troublesome.

[BorkFactor]

marmitemania said:

Its trashed now as it has been converted to springs. The air suspension is a nice part of the car and is not really that troublesome.

Hate to admit it, but if I was going to buy one of these at this point (not that I am!!) I would want one without air suspension. Bugger dealing with that when it goes wrong.