Buying a hot hatch - buy private or buy from dealer?
Discussion
So I'm looking at getting an Astra VXR.
Budget approx £7k which puts me in line for an 07 plate with 60k miles. I always buy cars with FSH and from traders/dealers.
Here's the question: Should i/would you buy private and 'buy from the person', or buy trade? and get a nice warranty/ peace of mind that I've got comeback if something goes pop within 500 miles!
Very concious that this model in particular may have been owned by a less than sympathetic owner that I won't be able to gauge from a dealer.
Please let me know your thoughts and experiences.
(Current car is a Forester 2.5XT but no longer require all the practicality!)
Budget approx £7k which puts me in line for an 07 plate with 60k miles. I always buy cars with FSH and from traders/dealers.
Here's the question: Should i/would you buy private and 'buy from the person', or buy trade? and get a nice warranty/ peace of mind that I've got comeback if something goes pop within 500 miles!
Very concious that this model in particular may have been owned by a less than sympathetic owner that I won't be able to gauge from a dealer.
Please let me know your thoughts and experiences.
(Current car is a Forester 2.5XT but no longer require all the practicality!)
As James says, nothing wrong from buying from a decent private buyer. I tend to prefer this way, but an advert with bad pictures, or spelling will put me off.
With something like the VXR, there is a large owners community online, I would try and source a car there. The nice thing about that is they tend to be more passionate about their vehicles (although its not a proven) but you can also look back at their posts on the forum. See if they have crashed it etc, how they have looked after it.
When I brought my S14 200sx, I followed the gent online, and found all the maintenance he had done, the fact that monthly he had wheels off, cleaning the inner arches etc, all lead me to pay an extra bit for that one, which was spot on underneath, that an unknown.
Just carry out the general HPi check that most garages would do, for your peace of mind
With something like the VXR, there is a large owners community online, I would try and source a car there. The nice thing about that is they tend to be more passionate about their vehicles (although its not a proven) but you can also look back at their posts on the forum. See if they have crashed it etc, how they have looked after it.
When I brought my S14 200sx, I followed the gent online, and found all the maintenance he had done, the fact that monthly he had wheels off, cleaning the inner arches etc, all lead me to pay an extra bit for that one, which was spot on underneath, that an unknown.
Just carry out the general HPi check that most garages would do, for your peace of mind
It's a 'don't judge a book by the cover' as far as a private seller is concerned. Just because they come over as an enthusiast DOESN'T mean it hasn't been thoroughly thrashed on a track or to the south of France & back! Caveat Emptor applies & unless you could PROVE that the seller has knowingly misrepresented the vehicle's condition you have no comeback.
Equally, you don't know the previous driving history when buying used from a dealer & will likely pay more but you do have a warranty if, as you said, something goes bang as you drive up the road.
Your call.
Equally, you don't know the previous driving history when buying used from a dealer & will likely pay more but you do have a warranty if, as you said, something goes bang as you drive up the road.
Your call.
paintman said:
It's a 'don't judge a book by the cover' as far as a private seller is concerned. Just because they come over as an enthusiast DOESN'T mean it hasn't been thoroughly thrashed on a track or to the south of France & back! Caveat Emptor applies & unless you could PROVE that the seller has knowingly misrepresented the vehicle's condition you have no comeback.
Equally, you don't know the previous driving history when buying used from a dealer & will likely pay more but you do have a warranty if, as you said, something goes bang as you drive up the road.
Your call.
Thanks for all the replies so far.Equally, you don't know the previous driving history when buying used from a dealer & will likely pay more but you do have a warranty if, as you said, something goes bang as you drive up the road.
Your call.
I think Paintman sums up my gut feeling but some great advice to check to see if the owner is selling on a forum and check out their style of post.. are they racing everything in sight for example.
Keep it coming!
I'd usually say try to buy private from an active forum member - usually youll be able to track issues/verify claims it's had by reading between the lines on their forum posts.
If its been remapped and/or modded then budget for another remap - I'd also advise a compression test before handing money over based on my recent experiences - they only take 5 minutes and could see you dodging a very expensive bullet.
If its been remapped and/or modded then budget for another remap - I'd also advise a compression test before handing money over based on my recent experiences - they only take 5 minutes and could see you dodging a very expensive bullet.
Poopipe said:
I'd usually say try to buy private from an active forum member - usually youll be able to track issues/verify claims it's had by reading between the lines on their forum posts.
If its been remapped and/or modded then budget for another remap - I'd also advise a compression test before handing money over based on my recent experiences - they only take 5 minutes and could see you dodging a very expensive bullet.
good advice buying off a well known forum member but there is no way I'd let a prospective buyer mess around with my engine to do compression checks and suchlike , they could have a proper inspection but not some individual. If its been remapped and/or modded then budget for another remap - I'd also advise a compression test before handing money over based on my recent experiences - they only take 5 minutes and could see you dodging a very expensive bullet.
paintman said:
It's a 'don't judge a book by the cover' as far as a private seller is concerned. Just because they come over as an enthusiast DOESN'T mean it hasn't been thoroughly thrashed on a track or to the south of France & back!
Nothing wrong with a road trip to the South of France, hardly rough on a car.I had great success buying a car via an owners club. I whacked up a wanted post with pretty much every detail I was looking for and let the messages come in.
Found a decent car ticking most of my list well within budget. I was able to track the cars history through 500+ posts and found a previous owner too. Seller was accommodating as well with loads of photos, pictures of each arch with the wheels off to check chassis condition etc. which was above and beyond what I would expect or ask!
Equally I did a PX previously and when I met the guy gut feel was to walk away, but I didn't and ended up having a few problems to sort.
I quite like being able to gauge the owner, and piece of mind of the history is great. Dealing with wads of cash is a bit uncomfortable but I believe most people do instant bank transfers now.
As for problems, I usually buy cars far away as there isn't usually much locally so a garage warrantee doesn't swing me personally. I can see the appeal though.
Found a decent car ticking most of my list well within budget. I was able to track the cars history through 500+ posts and found a previous owner too. Seller was accommodating as well with loads of photos, pictures of each arch with the wheels off to check chassis condition etc. which was above and beyond what I would expect or ask!
Equally I did a PX previously and when I met the guy gut feel was to walk away, but I didn't and ended up having a few problems to sort.
I quite like being able to gauge the owner, and piece of mind of the history is great. Dealing with wads of cash is a bit uncomfortable but I believe most people do instant bank transfers now.
As for problems, I usually buy cars far away as there isn't usually much locally so a garage warrantee doesn't swing me personally. I can see the appeal though.
irish boy said:
paintman said:
It's a 'don't judge a book by the cover' as far as a private seller is concerned. Just because they come over as an enthusiast DOESN'T mean it hasn't been thoroughly thrashed on a track or to the south of France & back!
Nothing wrong with a road trip to the South of France, hardly rough on a car.n_const said:
irish boy said:
paintman said:
It's a 'don't judge a book by the cover' as far as a private seller is concerned. Just because they come over as an enthusiast DOESN'T mean it hasn't been thoroughly thrashed on a track or to the south of France & back!
Nothing wrong with a road trip to the South of France, hardly rough on a car.I like to meet / talk to the previous owner to get a feel for the car.
As such, a used car dealer offers me very little except occasionally they are local with the right car. Even the warranty they offer is often bought from the internet in the same way you could as a punter anyway.
Looking for a car now and all my searches are set for 'private'. Although there are a lot of private sellers who seem to think their car is worth more than dealer prices.. but that is another thread.
As such, a used car dealer offers me very little except occasionally they are local with the right car. Even the warranty they offer is often bought from the internet in the same way you could as a punter anyway.
Looking for a car now and all my searches are set for 'private'. Although there are a lot of private sellers who seem to think their car is worth more than dealer prices.. but that is another thread.
Matt UK said:
I like to meet / talk to the previous owner to get a feel for the car.
As such, a used car dealer offers me very little except occasionally they are local with the right car. Even the warranty they offer is often bought from the internet in the same way you could as a punter anyway.
Looking for a car now and all my searches are set for 'private'. Although there are a lot of private sellers who seem to think their car is worth more than dealer prices.. but that is another thread.
I've taken a look at AA inspections and they seem to as comprehensive as possible without taking the car apart for about £170, so a private buy with AA inspection is on the cards.As such, a used car dealer offers me very little except occasionally they are local with the right car. Even the warranty they offer is often bought from the internet in the same way you could as a punter anyway.
Looking for a car now and all my searches are set for 'private'. Although there are a lot of private sellers who seem to think their car is worth more than dealer prices.. but that is another thread.
Although I couldn't find the info, I'm sure they come with their own for of guaratee that if I got a check, and the wheels fell off 500 yards down the road then AA would compensate. (Or not sure if I dreamt that!)
Most dealer waranties aren't worth the paper it's written on generally you get "oh your steering angle sensor has gone? Come back when the steering rack goes and we'll replace it all but not just a sensor" or "yeah take it to a garage we'll pay them direct" then 99% of garages don't deal with waranty companies because they don't pay up. IMO buy standard and tune it yourself unless it's well known to a tuning company my mate has an allegedly 300bhp vxr and it turns up on my doorstep monthly with a new rattle or fault, never anything major but I'd much rather buy an edition 30 golf or audi s3 if you want tuned vxr pace without fixing annoying s
t monthly, that's just my opinion though if it's what you like it's what you like i guess.
t monthly, that's just my opinion though if it's what you like it's what you like i guess.snowdude2910 said:
Most dealer waranties aren't worth the paper it's written on generally you get "oh your steering angle sensor has gone? Come back when the steering rack goes and we'll replace it all but not just a sensor" or "yeah take it to a garage we'll pay them direct" then 99% of garages don't deal with waranty companies because they don't pay up. IMO buy standard and tune it yourself unless it's well known to a tuning company my mate has an allegedly 300bhp vxr and it turns up on my doorstep monthly with a new rattle or fault, never anything major but I'd much rather buy an edition 30 golf or audi s3 if you want tuned vxr pace without fixing annoying st monthly, that's just my opinion though if it's what you like it's what you like i guess.
Appreciate what you're saying regading buyimg standard, dont think I'd ever by a tuned one as they will have had a hard life already! t monthly, that's just my opinion though if it's what you like it's what you like i guess.As to why a Vxr? I had to get old before my time getting the Forester when I was 24 for dog & upcoming family duties. I still love the sleeper appeal and that only PHers 'know what it can do', but i need to itch the 'look im a fast/shouty hot hatch' bug whilst I still look young enough to drive one!
I could get a mk5 gti for the same money but is just too subtle, and the S3 mk1 just looks a bit dated now although I've no doubt in their outright ability. As for Focus ST's, Megane 225's, Cupras etc...simply a case of 'wanting' the Vxr.
An Alfa 147 Gta would be lovely mind you. ..
I'd prefer to buy a specialist car privately because you can get a good idea about how a car has been treated by talking to the previous owner. A mainstream car like an Astra, I'd probably buy from a dealer all things being equal, but I don't think it's worth the typical dealer mark-up to do so. Having said that, the car is more important than the seller in both cases.
If you want a warranty and find a car you like privately, get a private warranty. You'll probably still end up paying less than you would from a dealer and may be able to get a considerably more comprehensive and/or longer warranty.
If you want a warranty and find a car you like privately, get a private warranty. You'll probably still end up paying less than you would from a dealer and may be able to get a considerably more comprehensive and/or longer warranty.
adingley84 said:
How comes?
Although apprecite a remapped one will have probably had a harder life from the driver..but more chance they'd actual warm up/cool down things properly too
The quality of the map is an unknown and you never really know whether stuff has been changed or just degraded since the last one. Although apprecite a remapped one will have probably had a harder life from the driver..but more chance they'd actual warm up/cool down things properly too
Eg.My scooby had begun to run slightly lean due to degradation of the fuel system (old car) - nobodys fault and not a problem because i caught it in time. if the car had been on a standard map it would have all been within tolerances but because it was at its limits already it needed a map tweak to sort everything out.
There have been others but that was the least frightening; )
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