How far would you travel to view car??
Discussion
Having been through the caterham dilemma, i.e wanting a car but everything on piston heads (or at least those in my price range) are south of Watford. I have changed my vehicle of choice to the Elise. This is based on the fact that my wife likes the elise and will give me some money for one! She hated the Lotus 7.
I now find again that the greatest majority on P. Heads are being sold by the southern boys. Ive seen a car which seems to look promising but its 420 mile round trip to view. Now this is acceptable if im going with the intention of buying but to look and potentially walk away is a difficult call.
Peoples idea of 'mint' or even 'minty mint' (yawn). or showroom condition varies.
How far have you travelled and what safegaurds have you taken to ensure the vehicle you are travelling miles to see is worth the time and more importantly fuel costs.
I now find again that the greatest majority on P. Heads are being sold by the southern boys. Ive seen a car which seems to look promising but its 420 mile round trip to view. Now this is acceptable if im going with the intention of buying but to look and potentially walk away is a difficult call.
Peoples idea of 'mint' or even 'minty mint' (yawn). or showroom condition varies.
How far have you travelled and what safegaurds have you taken to ensure the vehicle you are travelling miles to see is worth the time and more importantly fuel costs.
I travelled up from Kent to Norfolk to view, and ultimately buy, my Sport 160.
Had a lengthy chat with the seller to obtain as much info on the car prior to viewing. Plus another quick bell to check it hadn't been sold on the day I travelled up there. Plus yet another call before I went up there with the money to make sure it hadn't gone.
Lots of timewasting tossers into selling cars; the vendor of mine was an absolute gent, though.
Had a lengthy chat with the seller to obtain as much info on the car prior to viewing. Plus another quick bell to check it hadn't been sold on the day I travelled up there. Plus yet another call before I went up there with the money to make sure it hadn't gone.
Lots of timewasting tossers into selling cars; the vendor of mine was an absolute gent, though.
I traveled over 200 miles and it was a mistake when looking for an S1 as most of them are quite neglected and full-service-history means as much as global-warming. So be warned. If you really think a car is worth travelling get as much info and check it up before going. Good luck cause you may need it...
After driving from Cambridge down to Southampton I was presented with a very poor S2 111s that had been laid up over winter, which the owner hadn't even bothered to polish up - the heater fan had seized, the paintwork was horrible (later found evidence of a respray). The car was sluggish because it had missed a service and was probably running on stale petrol. And all because the lady didn't know about the car, was bored with last year's toy and couldn't answer anything useful on the phone - basically I took a risk and paid for it.
What I've found is that a LOT of owners don't service annually because they dont think they do enough mileage. OK in theory but doesnt look good when selling
I then travelled from Cambridge to Falmouth to view my present car. The guy knew his Elises so it was easy to go through everything on the phone
Apart from the usual checks, what I learnt from that was [1] check that the owner is an Elise afficionado and can answer all questions, [2] gets loads of photos of bodywork, [3] ring the garage to confirm date and mileage of last service, [4] if its been overwintered then get the owner to run it and check everything works.
What I've found is that a LOT of owners don't service annually because they dont think they do enough mileage. OK in theory but doesnt look good when selling
I then travelled from Cambridge to Falmouth to view my present car. The guy knew his Elises so it was easy to go through everything on the phone
Apart from the usual checks, what I learnt from that was [1] check that the owner is an Elise afficionado and can answer all questions, [2] gets loads of photos of bodywork, [3] ring the garage to confirm date and mileage of last service, [4] if its been overwintered then get the owner to run it and check everything works.
Edited by veridien on Thursday 3rd July 14:16
Anywhere for the right car!
Ask as many questions as possible and make it very clear that you are prepared to do the deal as long as the seller is prepared to be nothing less than 100% honest with you about condition etc.
spend time talking to the seller and you will normally get a "feel" for whether its worth travelling.
Edit: Take the train if going to view! with fuel prices being so high it will defo be cheaper! and you are free to drive back if the cars right
Ask as many questions as possible and make it very clear that you are prepared to do the deal as long as the seller is prepared to be nothing less than 100% honest with you about condition etc.
spend time talking to the seller and you will normally get a "feel" for whether its worth travelling.
Edit: Take the train if going to view! with fuel prices being so high it will defo be cheaper! and you are free to drive back if the cars right
Edited by screem on Thursday 3rd July 16:56
I thought nothing of travelling around 2000miles to find the right car. It wasn't an Elise but was quite a rare car, specific spec and age/price range.
Any car which falls within this category you would foolish not to travel.
The law of averages will dictate that if you want to buy a Ford Focus you are very likely to find a good one from the 2000 or so for sale within a 50 mile radius.
When there are only a handfull of cars in the country which fulfill your requirements you need to travel in order to find the best and not just the closest.
My advise would be to travel, and not be disappointed if the car is not right when you get there. You want the best car out there, not the closest or one which you feel obliged to buy because of the effort you've gone to see it.
Even at todays outrageous fuel pricess travelling 2000 miles = c.£400 petrol. A relatively small amount if you're spending several thousand.
Besides buying a car should be an enjoyable experience, make a weekend of it, have fun.
Regards, Neil
Any car which falls within this category you would foolish not to travel.
The law of averages will dictate that if you want to buy a Ford Focus you are very likely to find a good one from the 2000 or so for sale within a 50 mile radius.
When there are only a handfull of cars in the country which fulfill your requirements you need to travel in order to find the best and not just the closest.
My advise would be to travel, and not be disappointed if the car is not right when you get there. You want the best car out there, not the closest or one which you feel obliged to buy because of the effort you've gone to see it.
Even at todays outrageous fuel pricess travelling 2000 miles = c.£400 petrol. A relatively small amount if you're spending several thousand.
Besides buying a car should be an enjoyable experience, make a weekend of it, have fun.
Regards, Neil
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