Up to £20,000. Second-hand car buying help needed please.

[scrubbie]

Hi all. Could any of you kind souls give me some advice please. Apologies in advance for the long post.

I am looking to buy a new to me (i.e. second hand!) car and haven’t been in a position to do this since I bought my Chimaera almost 14 years ago, so am looking for a bit of “up to date” guidance please.

My budget is up to £19,000 but could go to £20,000 if the perfect car, in my eyes anyway, means I need to go to that.

The cars I’m considering, if they exist in my budget range, are either a Ford Focus Vignale/Titanium X/Active X or a Puma of some description. Being “old and wrinkly!” I now prefer my daily to be one that provides at least a basic level of style and comfort (think the old Ford Ghia type of car) rather than sporty and loud – I have had XR3i’s and XR2i’s in the past in my younger days and I still have my Chimaera which I will be keeping!

Spec wise I’d like to have the following if possible:

5 door hatchback (not estate)
If 2019 registration preferably no more than 30,000 miles, if 2020 no more than 25,000 miles, and if 2021 preferably no more than 15,000 miles.
Would want it to have been privately owned and well looked after rather than a company ex-demo or ex hire car.
1.0 litre EcoBoost Hybrid (mHEV) 155PS preferably.
Manual gearbox
Petrol
Heated seats
Heated steering wheel
12.3 inch LCD/TFT instrument cluster
Driver assistance pack
Rear parking camera
Parking pack/Active park assist
Driver assist pack including BLIS (Blind Spot Information System)
Bang and Olufsen sound system
Massage front seats ideally but not a deal breaker
Leather seats ideally but not a deal breaker
Head up display ideally but not a deal breaker
Wireless charging pad
Ford pass connect

So, as you can see I’m not too fussy at all!

After all the above I have some questions that I wonder if you could help with please.

The budget of up to £19,000 and possibly up to £20,000 is a lot of money to me. I am therefore leaning towards buying from a Ford main dealership (possibly through Autotrader) rather than non-Ford dealership/other garage or private purchase. I believe I’m likely to pay a premium because of that but think it would be better for peace of mind. Do you think that would be best?

I will not have a trade-in to negotiate with the garage.

Is there any wriggle room with regards screen price and “making a reasonable offer”? In the current climate do salesman entertain “negotiations” or is a case of “That’s the price – take it or leave it!”

I plan on paying for the vehicle outright, i.e. I don’t intend on taking up their, or anyone else’s, finance. Will this hinder me in negotiations because they won’t be getting a fee for arranging finance?

Should I pay some of the purchase price on a credit card for more security in case of dispute about the car once bought?

If I am able to agree a deal how much deposit is usually required to secure the vehicle? When does the balance payment normally have to be paid? Are there financial limits on how much individuals can make with bank transfers/BACS payments?

Do Ford dealerships have “January/New Year sales”? – is it worth me waiting until later this month/beginning of January to get a better deal for my money?

Now that you see the type of spec I’m hopefully looking to get do you think I’m likely to get that for my budget?

Would you suggest a different make/model for that budget/spec?

Once again, sorry for all the info and questions! If you are able to help it would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

[ZX10R NIN]

With regards to buying outright, you'll normally get a better deal by taking (if buying from a main dealer) out their finance (contributions/free sservicing etc) now this is an easy thing to sort out.

Confirm there are no penalties for paying the finance up early & then pay it off in the first 4 weeks, you keep all the benefits from the deal & pay a nominal amount of interest.

Here are some very good options that pretty much meet all of your requirements.

Kia Ceed GT 200 these have half leather & are manual they'll also have the balance of the 7 year warranty left but they're also a very nice steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210291...

With the Focus (the Focus has better ride quality than the Puma) I'd go Vignale spec & I'd also go for the 1.5T 180 engine as it's better suited to the car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210311...

Auto:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...

Mazda3 GT Sport Tech Auto 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210210...

Manual 180:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206166...

120 Manual:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210210...

Auto 120:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210130...

The Astra Griffin comes fully loaded (literally anything that was an option on the Astra is fitted on these) Auto 150:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203294...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012...

If you really want a hybrid loaded with kit then the Kia Stonic in GT Line S spec is a good shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210251...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...

Or it's Hyundai cousin the Kona (but you get a shorter warranty on the Hyundai vs the Kia) in N Line spec:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209019...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211191...

[scrubbie]

Thank you so much ZX10R NIN for taking the time to not only answer a lot of my queries but also for the great alternative car suggestions.

Some interesting different car options that I hadn't really thought to consider. Also appreciate your advice re: taking the finance but paying it off within 4 weeks with it only costing me a small amount of interest.

Decisions, decisions! Thanks again.

[ZX10R NIN]

scrubbie said:

Thank you so much ZX10R NIN for taking the time to not only answer a lot of my queries but also for the great alternative car suggestions.

Some interesting different car options that I hadn't really thought to consider. Also appreciate your advice re: taking the finance but paying it off within 4 weeks with it only costing me a small amount of interest.

Decisions, decisions! Thanks again.

No problem feel free to ask if you have any other questions, I did miss one other hybrid & that's the i30 N Line hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209029...

[Carguy44]

You could get an Astra Elite for about half of your budget, they have pretty much every gadget you could ever really need.

[scrubbie]

Thanks Carguy44. Another good suggestion and I hadn't really considered any Vauxhall model to be honest.

Thankfully, I'm in no particular hurry so will take a little more time and perhaps go and have a sit in/test drive of some of the options suggested.

Cheers.

[scrubbie]

ZX10R NIN said:

No problem feel free to ask if you have any other questions, I did miss one other hybrid & that's the i30 N Line hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209029...

Another good option thank you.

I do have a couple of things I'd like your, or anyone else's, thoughts on please if you are happy to give a view on it. In today's market if the screen price is say £18,995 is it worth trying to get a reduction on that advertised price by offering lower or are car dealers generally refusing to entertain lower offers? If it is worth making an offer, how much lower should one at least try for? 5% of £18,995 is about £950 so would that be too high? It's more the principle of whether or not to make an offer or not and at which percentatge they might entertain if at all I'd like an idea of please. I've read on other threads on here that dealers have even put the price of a car on the forecourt UP between someone making a telephone enquiry and then turning up to view!

If the answer is that dealers are not accepting lower offers for the asking price of the car, is it the done thing nowadays to ask for something to be included in the deal such as a full set of floor mats (purely as an example) or something like that? Is that the sort of "contribution" you were suggesting?

Apologies for all the questions! I appreciate car dealers/sales personnel are in business to supply a product and make as much profit as possible but equally I, like most people I guess, am just trying to get a fair and reasonable "deal" for the money involved.

Thanks again.

[Stallzy]

scrubbie said:

Should I pay some of the purchase price on a credit card for more security in case of dispute about the car once bought?

If I am able to agree a deal how much deposit is usually required to secure the vehicle? When does the balance payment normally have to be paid? Are there financial limits on how much individuals can make with bank transfers/BACS payments?

Do Ford dealerships have “January/New Year sales”? – is it worth me waiting until later this month/beginning of January to get a better deal for my money?

Once again, sorry for all the info and questions! If you are able to help it would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

I'm also intrigued to the answers for the latter questions, but in terms of paying some of the purchase price on a credit card, do this 100%. My mum has done this every time and she practically swears by the Section 75 protection, as it has proven to be a godsend in many cases, I think even outside of buying cars. Some people are totally opposed to credit cards for some reason, and I didn't really get one or use one until I was at least 20 or 21, but now most big purchases have at least part or the full purchase price on the credit card. I've also found it quite good to leverage the statement date and basically get 1-2 months interest free.

I don't know if Ford have a reservation deposit type thing as I've never heard or experienced it, but I know Arnold Clark have a £99 for up to 48hrs, but it basically acts as a deposit on the vehicle and you have to then chase it up via email with a reference number if you no longer wish to proceed. Another dealer near me lets you reserve for up to 24hrs ahead free of charge, but not sure what the cost is past that as it wasn't told to me on the phone, and a few cars I was going to look at have since disappeared from stock which is kind of annoying.

The limits via bank transfer thing would probably be down to your bank, not the dealer. I don't think there is any limit, but I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you can transfer 15-20k.

Hope this helps, currently looking for something a bit less expensive myself as a second car after not driving for around three years and my last car being written off as passenger around similar time and so doing a bit of research into the car buying process myself as I haven't been through it first hand before.

[Jamescrs]

In terms of making offers dealers are far less willing than they used to be in days gone by to reduce screen prices so.expect to simply be told No.

Because of the online world they have to price competitively from the outset as its so easy ro compare prices, you would have to give a good reason why they should reduce the price not just because you think its the done thing.

Enjoy your search

[scrubbie]

Jamescrs said:

In terms of making offers dealers are far less willing than they used to be in days gone by to reduce screen prices so.expect to simply be told No.

Because of the online world they have to price competitively from the outset as its so easy ro compare prices, you would have to give a good reason why they should reduce the price not just because you think its the done thing.

Enjoy your search

Thank you for explaining why dealers are likely to simply say "no" if asked if they'd accept a reduced offer.

The type of car I'm looking towards buying isn't special at all and there are plenty about. I'm also not in any particular hurry to make a purchase and am happy to wait a little while until the right one for me comes on to the market. At least now I will understand why the dealer says no to me making a reduced offer and I'm grateful to you for taking the time to give an explanation.

As an aside, and from a buyer's perspective, if one dealer says a certain car make/model is worth "X amount" then all the other dealers will price their cars similarly - so they control the value of used car prices. I guess one thing that affects this would be supply and demand. If there's a low supply chain and high demand the asking price will be high, but equally if there's lots of cars around sitting in showrooms/on forecourts and demand/footfall is low then prices may be reduced (or perhaps reduced offers might be accepted) simply for cash-flow reasons.

Thanks again.

[scrubbie]

Stallzy said:

I'm also intrigued to the answers for the latter questions, but in terms of paying some of the purchase price on a credit card, do this 100%. My mum has done this every time and she practically swears by the Section 75 protection, as it has proven to be a godsend in many cases, I think even outside of buying cars. Some people are totally opposed to credit cards for some reason, and I didn't really get one or use one until I was at least 20 or 21, but now most big purchases have at least part or the full purchase price on the credit card. I've also found it quite good to leverage the statement date and basically get 1-2 months interest free.

I don't know if Ford have a reservation deposit type thing as I've never heard or experienced it, but I know Arnold Clark have a £99 for up to 48hrs, but it basically acts as a deposit on the vehicle and you have to then chase it up via email with a reference number if you no longer wish to proceed. Another dealer near me lets you reserve for up to 24hrs ahead free of charge, but not sure what the cost is past that as it wasn't told to me on the phone, and a few cars I was going to look at have since disappeared from stock which is kind of annoying.

The limits via bank transfer thing would probably be down to your bank, not the dealer. I don't think there is any limit, but I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you can transfer 15-20k.

Hope this helps, currently looking for something a bit less expensive myself as a second car after not driving for around three years and my last car being written off as passenger around similar time and so doing a bit of research into the car buying process myself as I haven't been through it first hand before.

Thanks for your reply and advice/comments, much appreciated.

Also, good luck with your car searching too.

[ZX10R NIN]

scrubbie said:

Thanks Carguy44. Another good suggestion and I hadn't really considered any Vauxhall model to be honest.

Thankfully, I'm in no particular hurry so will take a little more time and perhaps go and have a sit in/test drive of some of the options suggested.

Cheers.

Just to let you & Car guy know the Astra Griffin I listed above is the top of the range one it's above the Elite.

[ZX10R NIN]

scrubbie said:

Another good option thank you.

I do have a couple of things I'd like your, or anyone else's, thoughts on please if you are happy to give a view on it. In today's market if the screen price is say £18,995 is it worth trying to get a reduction on that advertised price by offering lower or are car dealers generally refusing to entertain lower offers? If it is worth making an offer, how much lower should one at least try for? 5% of £18,995 is about £950 so would that be too high? It's more the principle of whether or not to make an offer or not and at which percentatge they might entertain if at all I'd like an idea of please. I've read on other threads on here that dealers have even put the price of a car on the forecourt UP between someone making a telephone enquiry and then turning up to view!

If the answer is that dealers are not accepting lower offers for the asking price of the car, is it the done thing nowadays to ask for something to be included in the deal such as a full set of floor mats (purely as an example) or something like that? Is that the sort of "contribution" you were suggesting?

Apologies for all the questions! I appreciate car dealers/sales personnel are in business to supply a product and make as much profit as possible but equally I, like most people I guess, am just trying to get a fair and reasonable "deal" for the money involved.

Thanks again.

You won't really get a discount if you want to pay outright BUT as I said earlier take their finance & manufacturer/dealer contributions (£1000-2500) can be had as well as negotiating some free services which will see you comfortably past the 5% you may have been looking for.

Also taking their finance has the added benefit of protection, in that if there's an initial issue they're much more incentivised to get it sorted as they'll also have the finance company on their back.

[Carguy44]

ZX10R NIN said:

scrubbie said:

Thanks Carguy44. Another good suggestion and I hadn't really considered any Vauxhall model to be honest.

Thankfully, I'm in no particular hurry so will take a little more time and perhaps go and have a sit in/test drive of some of the options suggested.

Cheers.

Just to let you & Car guy know the Astra Griffin I listed above is the top of the range one it's above the Elite.

So it's basically an elite Nav but with an auto box?

[ZX10R NIN]

Carguy44 said:

So it's basically an elite Nav but with an auto box?

No you get a few extras basically anything that was an option on the Elite Nav came as standard on the Griffin.

[Carguy44]

ZX10R NIN said:

Carguy44 said:

So it's basically an elite Nav but with an auto box?

No you get a few extras basically anything that was an option on the Elite Nav came as standard on the Griffin.

Oh ok, I thought the elite had everything on it? What else has the griffin got?

[ZX10R NIN]

Heated steering wheel/roof & the bigger alloys, I've just looked at the cars I linked to & some don't have full leather which is strange.

[loskie]

heated roof? Why?

[Carguy44]

I'm pretty sure that the elite has a heated steering wheel as standard.