Whats you "private advert" cash limit??

[anonymous-user]

Ok, i've been looking for a new (to me) car, and they are about £25k for what i want, but, i just can't find it in myself to go and look at "privately advertised" cars for this kind of money! In fact, anything over £20k scares me. Now it's not an issue with not being able to work out if the car is a duffer or not (20years in automotive development means i can sniff out a lemon at 100 paces ;-) but, it's just something about handing over that kinda cash to someone you don't know???


(but strangely, i'd quite happily hand £££ over to a car dealer (only probably a main or "specialist" dealer with a good reputation) without a second thought! Am i being too paranoid??

Whats evryone elses "private sale" cash limit??

[Gizmo!]

Depends on the car. Something like a Z4M or an NSX, I'd buy privately from an enthusiast owner. I wouldn't spend much more than £10k on a 3-series or something though.

[urquattro]

Carefully vet the model and year, plot the depreciation curve to max point = some really excellent BMW around, allow £3 - 5k, choose carefully and keep £5k in reserve account.
£10k more than enough for any car at moment, my last car, 100k miles, full service history, 2 owners and is really good = £4k including all work/service etc I wanted done to bring it how I wanted it - that enough going out in todays hard times.

[anonymous-user]

I probably should have siad this is just for buying the more "normal" cars, rather than some sort of epic-ly rare, hypercar or classic, where obviously you could easily be spending mucho £££!

[rallycross]

if the car is still covered by its manufucturers warranty and has correct dealer history, no finance then why not if its a big saving over buying from a main dealer? just check everything very carefully as its buyer beware!

[Jasandjules]

I've spent 15-20k privately a few times now but my 25k purchase was from a dealer but that was only because I couldn't find a Chimeara in good enough condition (this was a long time ago in a galaxy far far away now though) privately.

[mwstewart]

I've spent 21.5k privately, which was actually a big 'wad' of cash in a ruck sack I don't think I have a limit providing I'm happy with the seller.