how far do you travel to view a car? and how many?
Discussion
Some good replies there guys.
When i bought my M3 it was approx. a 400 mile round trip. That's a long day out, but i had a lot of telephone calls with the guy before hand, lots of pictures and was promised the condition of the car was as the pictures he had sent me.
Thats all good and im more than prepared for that but i sat in a car in my local dealer the other day and if im honest it looked a lot better in the pictures. The condition wasn't as pristine as i had hoped and maybe expected so it has left me a little nervous to travel and give up a whole day.
Also, someone mentioned about dealing direct with a dealer rather than allowing another dealer to buy the car in for you. This is an interesting point. maybe i will try both avenues to get the best deal.
When i bought my M3 it was approx. a 400 mile round trip. That's a long day out, but i had a lot of telephone calls with the guy before hand, lots of pictures and was promised the condition of the car was as the pictures he had sent me.
Thats all good and im more than prepared for that but i sat in a car in my local dealer the other day and if im honest it looked a lot better in the pictures. The condition wasn't as pristine as i had hoped and maybe expected so it has left me a little nervous to travel and give up a whole day.
Also, someone mentioned about dealing direct with a dealer rather than allowing another dealer to buy the car in for you. This is an interesting point. maybe i will try both avenues to get the best deal.
It really does depend on the type of car, doesn't it? For my daily drivers, I've always bought fairly mainstream, readily available stuff.
Furthest I've travelled was probably about 40 miles when I've actually bought something. I probably have travelled a bit further than that on odd occasions to see a particular car, or dealer that seemed gopod on price. (Usually a disappointment though!!)
For something a bit more special, or very specific, I guess I would consider travelling as far as required, but haven't got to that stage yet.
My mate who lives in Lancashire has bought two cars (to my knowledge) from Kent.
One was a Scooby, and I really don't know why he bothered - it must jhave been a really good price.
The other was a 1970s Lotus Elite - as the market isn't exactly flooded with these, this makes mores sense to me.
Furthest I've travelled was probably about 40 miles when I've actually bought something. I probably have travelled a bit further than that on odd occasions to see a particular car, or dealer that seemed gopod on price. (Usually a disappointment though!!)
For something a bit more special, or very specific, I guess I would consider travelling as far as required, but haven't got to that stage yet.
My mate who lives in Lancashire has bought two cars (to my knowledge) from Kent.
One was a Scooby, and I really don't know why he bothered - it must jhave been a really good price.
The other was a 1970s Lotus Elite - as the market isn't exactly flooded with these, this makes mores sense to me.
The last 3 cars iv drove max 2 hours away and luckily each ones as described and drove away that day. The last one, drove an hour, got there for the "perfect condition" which it was accept the side trim was scrapped all along the side "that day" but i knocked £500 off because of it, drove away and the entire scuff was rubber off the other car and polished off. Result.
Really depends on the car an availability. For my current car (XKR) I drove down to portsmouth from sheffield to buy it. Reason, not many for sale in the North, spec and price. I'd already done a few 100+ mile round trips to see others.
Prior to that I travelled down to Surrey to look at a 156 sportwagon with the 150hp 1.9 diesel. Didn't buy it as it had things wrong that weren't disclosed in the conversations with the owner, ended up buying one in Birmingham.
however when not being so fussy about the type of car and looking at something where there are more around then about 30-50 miles would be the limit.
Prior to that I travelled down to Surrey to look at a 156 sportwagon with the 150hp 1.9 diesel. Didn't buy it as it had things wrong that weren't disclosed in the conversations with the owner, ended up buying one in Birmingham.
however when not being so fussy about the type of car and looking at something where there are more around then about 30-50 miles would be the limit.
Bought one approved used from a dealer 45 miles away after my local dealer refused to get close on price. Was a pain as the car had to go back twice for warranty work - major hassle factor getting time out of work.
Bought the next few locally - paid more but no hassle.
I did a 630 mile round trip for last but one car. Thought it was safe as again it was a same-franchise approved used. Had bits of kit missing and I had to basically suck it up as I had no way to get home ...
The distances I travel vary wildly. I've bought cars on my doorstep, I've done 400 mile round trips. I've also shipped cars from the other side of the world.
In terms of how many examples I go to see, it's one. I don't think I've ever been to see a car and come away without it, but that's because I only go to see the one I want to buy, i.e. I do my research beforehand. You can tell a lot about a car from photos and from the responses you get from the seller. If you can establish all you need to know first, you should be able to weed out the dross and determine which car you want to buy. Ideally, viewing that one car should just be a formality at the end of the process.
I guess I simplify things for myself by not using test drives to determine whether I like a model or not. For me the test drive is just to establish that there are no unexpected faults. I tend to choose what to buy based on magazine reviews. I figure they drive way more cars than I do, so if they rate something highly, I'll buy one on the strength of that.
In terms of how many examples I go to see, it's one. I don't think I've ever been to see a car and come away without it, but that's because I only go to see the one I want to buy, i.e. I do my research beforehand. You can tell a lot about a car from photos and from the responses you get from the seller. If you can establish all you need to know first, you should be able to weed out the dross and determine which car you want to buy. Ideally, viewing that one car should just be a formality at the end of the process.
I guess I simplify things for myself by not using test drives to determine whether I like a model or not. For me the test drive is just to establish that there are no unexpected faults. I tend to choose what to buy based on magazine reviews. I figure they drive way more cars than I do, so if they rate something highly, I'll buy one on the strength of that.
Edited by Risotto on Friday 23 January 14:25
I traveled from Torbay, South Devon to Wrexham, North Wales to buy my 1st Focus ST (2007) in 2009. About 5.5hrs each way I think. Kept for 4.5 years. Was only 1 of 2 for sale at the time in ST-3 3dr spec in Sea Grey. The other was in Essex so it was always going to be a long trip. Part-ex'd for below car.
I then traveled Torbay, South Devon to Abingdon, Oxfordshire to buy my E46 M3 Coupe SMG. Kept for 7 months.
I then traveled Torbay, South Devon to West Sussex to buy my 2nd Focus ST (2010) in May '14. Owned at the same time as the M3 above for 2 months whilst that sold. Still own & plan to keep for quite a while as its the spec I wanted (Performance Blue, Sat-nav, reversing camera & silver wheels).
I then traveled Torbay, South Devon to Abingdon, Oxfordshire to buy my E46 M3 Coupe SMG. Kept for 7 months.
I then traveled Torbay, South Devon to West Sussex to buy my 2nd Focus ST (2010) in May '14. Owned at the same time as the M3 above for 2 months whilst that sold. Still own & plan to keep for quite a while as its the spec I wanted (Performance Blue, Sat-nav, reversing camera & silver wheels).
Bristol to Birmingham once. Had a fault which the dealer was very fair to sort out with no quibbling, but the two return journeys to sort it were a PITA. You might want to consider how far you'd want to go back a second time if you have a problem.
Of course, that's irrelevant for private sales. Caveat emptor and all that jazz.
Of course, that's irrelevant for private sales. Caveat emptor and all that jazz.
mon the fish said:
I'm near Aberdeen, last year I bought 2 cars, one near Derby and one near Manchester.
If the car is right, travel for it
Aberdeen here too, got my silvia from Birmingham, got sent pics etc and talked to the guy a lot. If the car is right, travel for it
Just be prepared to come back if you're not happy.
I used to go all over the place buying cars, even hundreds of miles for ebay unseens. More recently I've been pissed about so many times I won't go much further than about 20miles unless it's something really quite special. Plus I'm older and more patient.
My current car was barely a bus ride away. They turn up if you wait.
My current car was barely a bus ride away. They turn up if you wait.
I live in Kent
Went to Bristol to view a MG ZT-T SE260
Went back to Bristol the following week to purchase
Went to Peterborough to view and put deposit on Jag
Went back to Peterborough the following week to purchase
Went to Wakefield to view Navara and part exchange the jag
Went back 2 weeks later to purchase swap etc
Wifes car went to just north of Milton Keanes to purchase and collect her shopping cart I30 thingy
Went to Bristol to view a MG ZT-T SE260
Went back to Bristol the following week to purchase
Went to Peterborough to view and put deposit on Jag
Went back to Peterborough the following week to purchase
Went to Wakefield to view Navara and part exchange the jag
Went back 2 weeks later to purchase swap etc
Wifes car went to just north of Milton Keanes to purchase and collect her shopping cart I30 thingy
I normally end up traveling half way across the country.
Flew from Exeter to Aberdeen for my last car, a VRT Corrado. Recently sold it and it went back up to Aberdeen.
In the past I went from Bristol to Kings Lynn for a mk1 golf gti and Bristol to Tamworth for a different mk1
For the right car it is totally worth the trip.
My most recent purchase was only about 90 miles away in Trowbridge, which made a nice change.
Flew from Exeter to Aberdeen for my last car, a VRT Corrado. Recently sold it and it went back up to Aberdeen.
In the past I went from Bristol to Kings Lynn for a mk1 golf gti and Bristol to Tamworth for a different mk1
For the right car it is totally worth the trip.
My most recent purchase was only about 90 miles away in Trowbridge, which made a nice change.
Quite often would travel far to buy the right car, furtherst have done is 2 trips to Italy to buy cars, London to Rome, both times had a return flight as buying a 10 plus year old performance car could have been tricky but was fine and enjoyed the 2 day blast back to UK at hi speed. London to Inverness is the furthest have done in the uk , took a chance with a one way flight and was fine.
Get a feel for what is out there. Did almost 1000 miles to see several Rapides. Superb use of my time as got the right car at the right price in the end. Could easily have paid more for older/milier.
Dealers that get cars in from other branches usually have less margin to play with. Get their best no px full package price and dont be rushed into anything. Easier said than done mind!
Be a little cautions on the £1000 deposit as you sound particular and that is absolutely fair enough. Saying it doesn't 'feel' right when they have spent £300 getting the car in may not cut it.
Dealers that get cars in from other branches usually have less margin to play with. Get their best no px full package price and dont be rushed into anything. Easier said than done mind!
Be a little cautions on the £1000 deposit as you sound particular and that is absolutely fair enough. Saying it doesn't 'feel' right when they have spent £300 getting the car in may not cut it.
The trip is half the fun!
Flew 500 miles to London for a slightly 'less than described' Vectra GSi estate... bought it anyways and drove it home.
Flew to Nottingham for £250 Cavalier SRi which rattled all the way home so I decided to try and kill it by Scotch Corner. It refused to give in.
Went on a 900 mile round trip with an MV6 Omega and trailer to buy a J plate Cavalier for £300, less than the actual fuel bill.
Drove a 500 mile round trip one night to look at a car in Chester, then went across to Leeds to buy a Calibra for the missus and drove home.
1300 world tour of Britain with a mate looking at Astras GSi's... he eventually bought an MR2 about 20 miles away. Hero spec!
Latterly, drive to Blackpool on Saturday night, bought a T5 unseen and drove home.
Granted most have been bargain basement but had some laughs and adventures along the way.
Flew 500 miles to London for a slightly 'less than described' Vectra GSi estate... bought it anyways and drove it home.
Flew to Nottingham for £250 Cavalier SRi which rattled all the way home so I decided to try and kill it by Scotch Corner. It refused to give in.
Went on a 900 mile round trip with an MV6 Omega and trailer to buy a J plate Cavalier for £300, less than the actual fuel bill.
Drove a 500 mile round trip one night to look at a car in Chester, then went across to Leeds to buy a Calibra for the missus and drove home.
1300 world tour of Britain with a mate looking at Astras GSi's... he eventually bought an MR2 about 20 miles away. Hero spec!
Latterly, drive to Blackpool on Saturday night, bought a T5 unseen and drove home.
Granted most have been bargain basement but had some laughs and adventures along the way.
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