Ever bottle out of a car purchase at the last minute?

[Wafflesmk2]

Im meant to be viewing a car tomorrow, a 3 series. With my part ex being worth a mediocore amount, im gonna be paying about £12k for this car. There's no firm commitment to buy, but its good mileage, owner, history etc and i expect it to be decent enough to buy tomorrow.

It might not be taxed, plus the fuel to get me there and back (210 mile round trip), plus a slight insurance increase and the costs add up a little bit more and more and it all contributes to second thoughts.

When i first saw it i was not too sure, then i decided i wanted it badly, and now its the day before and im thinking of not bothering to go and look at it.

I dont know if its the money or what. I mean, the bank generates about 50p per month interest, my fuel economy would be better in the 3 series (330d), and its got all the gadgets i'd ever want in a bmw, and i love gadgets.

I hate feeling like this

[sherman]

Why wont it be taxed?

[Wafflesmk2]

sherman said:

Why wont it be taxed?

I think the tax runs out at the end of march, and i've been offered a low-ish part-ex value, and i can just imagine it being a hard bargain to drive.

It's from an independant seller, so i reckon there's less negotiation chance.

[Fox-]

Wafflesmk2 said:

It might not be taxed, plus the fuel to get me there and back (210 mile round trip), plus a slight insurance increase and the costs add up a little bit more and more

If you are fretting about a slight insurance increse and the cost of petrol to look at it what on earth are you doing buying a used BMW? If 420 miles petrol makes you sweat what will you do when it lunches its turbo or something or even when everything goes swimmingly and it just needs a new set of rear tyres (I presume it's an M Sport on big alloys).

[Wafflesmk2]

hora said:

So your initial gut-feel was... No. Why?

Because i didnt like the idea of spending money. It's be about 2/3 of my savings.

But i want a new car, and want something nice.

Might just buy a ticket for this euromillions instead

[sherman]

Wafflesmk2 said:

I think the tax runs out at the end of march, and i've been offered a low-ish part-ex value, and i can just imagine it being a hard bargain to drive.

It's from an independant seller, so i reckon there's less negotiation chance.

I would be wanting them to renew the tax or drop the price by the amount that the tax is before I would buy it.

IMO it would be a deal breaker just on the tax.

[jimslops]

Wafflesmk2 said:

Because i didnt like the idea of spending money. It's be about 2/3 of my savings.

But i want a new car, and want something nice.

Might just buy a ticket for this euromillions instead

Yeah forget the car and buy a lottery ticket, problem solved.

[Wafflesmk2]

jimslops said:

Yeah forget the car and buy a lottery ticket, problem solved.

I'd at least be £14,398 better off

[Carpal]

Buy a well spec'd SE e46 320d with sensible miles for well under half that.

It is still a very nice place to be.

[veevee]

h

Wafflesmk2 said:

Because i didnt like the idea of spending money. It's be about 2/3 of my savings.

But i want a new car, and want something nice.

Don't then. Sounds silly to spend the majority of your savings to 'have something nice'. Why don't you buy a nice Dunhill cigar cutter or something instead and hold onto the other £11800.

[rallycross]

If you are putting £12k into a 3 series I hope you have had a look at prices on these,'335 petrol are amazing value for 300+ bhp:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3576326.htm

[jimslops]

rallycross said:

If you are putting £12k into a 3 series I hope you have had a look at prices on these,'335 petrol are amazing value for 300+ bhp:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3576326.htm

Agree. Want. Great value and shouldn't loose too much £

[Wafflesmk2]

rallycross said:

If you are putting £12k into a 3 series I hope you have had a look at prices on these,'335 petrol are amazing value for 300+ bhp:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3576326.htm

Dont want a coupe. Dont want a petrol. Dont want a 335.

[Fox-]

Wafflesmk2 said:

Dont want a coupe. Dont want a petrol. Dont want a 335.

Thought you wanted something nice? Lot of cash to spend on something 'sensible'.

[jimslops]

Wafflesmk2 said:

Dont want a coupe. Dont want a petrol. Dont want a 335.

Good grief. Could you start a more un-PH thread?

[Wafflesmk2]

jimslops said:

Good grief. Could you start a more un-PH thread?

I drive a lot. I need a diesel. I need more than 2 doors.

Apologies for not buying an mx5.

[jimslops]

Wafflesmk2 said:

I drive a lot. I need a diesel. I need more than 2 doors.

Apologies for not buying an mx5.

No problem. How many miles?
I appreciate it may be a stload but you could spend half of that and rack up the miles and keep the rest for a more PH car! Surely that's what a PH would do?!

[stuartmmcfc]

There's plenbty of diesel 3 series about- I wouldn't drive a couple of hundred miles to get one. A more local one is bound to come up.
On the other hand it must be nice to sit there and stare at your bank statement, The long winter nights must have flown by

[BE57 TOY]

Don't buy so far away. It makes faults so much extra hassle you'll end up footing the bill yourself.

[Matt UK]

If you are feeling a bit tight (and in the current climate, you would not be alone) buy something for the short term that fits the bill 'almost' and keep your powder dry for when you can spend it properly and enjoy it.

A 320d is a nice car, SE is a nice spec for doing lots of miles and there are flippin' loads of them so no need to trek across the country to buy a car you don't think you can afford or really want.

Edited by Matt UK on Tuesday 13th March 19:49