Buying at the lower end of the market 5k
Discussion
I've decided what I want but perhaps not need in my life is a small van thus I've spent more time than I'd care to admit looking at Bippers, Berlingos, Qubos and similar.
Unsurprisingly at this price range they are are higher miles with a myriad of MOT stories and questionable history, if any.
I have to admit I want it all. Mechanically sound, good bodywork, sensible miles and 'decent' value but this seems almost impossible to achieve.
Traders at this end of the market unfortunately are living up to ye olde stereotype of them and the one car that I did view was being sold by a 5* sole trader on Auto Trader (exclusively 5* reviews on Feefo) but he was very much a cash only, sold as seen type of guy - I'd rather by private!
Are my expectations too high or do I just have to play the waiting game?
Unsurprisingly at this price range they are are higher miles with a myriad of MOT stories and questionable history, if any.
I have to admit I want it all. Mechanically sound, good bodywork, sensible miles and 'decent' value but this seems almost impossible to achieve.
Traders at this end of the market unfortunately are living up to ye olde stereotype of them and the one car that I did view was being sold by a 5* sole trader on Auto Trader (exclusively 5* reviews on Feefo) but he was very much a cash only, sold as seen type of guy - I'd rather by private!
Are my expectations too high or do I just have to play the waiting game?
A friend of mine was looking for a car in the same price bracket, we went and viewed so many cars I lost count and found similar to you, it would be very easy to end up with a lemon.
My favourite one was turning up to a pre arranged viewing at a forecourt with a hand car wash, it was a Dacia that looked like it had lived under the sea and was soaking wet inside, not one person spoke English and the dealer (if you could call him that) had popped out for 30 minutes, we promptly left after having a nose around it as he had left it unlocked.
He ended up raising his budget to 6.5k and ended with a pretty decent tidy Fabia estate. I think if you were to look at private sales you may have more of a chance of finding a decent well looked after car but I couldn't convince my friend to look at private sales.
My favourite one was turning up to a pre arranged viewing at a forecourt with a hand car wash, it was a Dacia that looked like it had lived under the sea and was soaking wet inside, not one person spoke English and the dealer (if you could call him that) had popped out for 30 minutes, we promptly left after having a nose around it as he had left it unlocked.
He ended up raising his budget to 6.5k and ended with a pretty decent tidy Fabia estate. I think if you were to look at private sales you may have more of a chance of finding a decent well looked after car but I couldn't convince my friend to look at private sales.
Looking to the future, I will have to replace my 13 year old Alfa Mito that we’ve had for over 10 years.
I would have no problem buying privately and around £5k would be the sum I’d like to pay for a replacement. However, having looked at what’s available around that price, nothing would be suitable and I can see that I’ll need to spend £10k plus.
I would have no problem buying privately and around £5k would be the sum I’d like to pay for a replacement. However, having looked at what’s available around that price, nothing would be suitable and I can see that I’ll need to spend £10k plus.
Rob 131 Sport said:
Looking to the future, I will have to replace my 13 year old Alfa Mito that we’ve had for over 10 years.
I would have no problem buying privately and around £5k would be the sum I’d like to pay for a replacement. However, having looked at what’s available around that price, nothing would be suitable and I can see that I’ll need to spend £10k plus.
At 5k there are a lot of decent cars, the OP has an issue because he wants a van at which point it becomes a minefield.I would have no problem buying privately and around £5k would be the sum I’d like to pay for a replacement. However, having looked at what’s available around that price, nothing would be suitable and I can see that I’ll need to spend £10k plus.
OP depending on what you're carrying being prepared to board out an MPV could bring you the result you want.
Berlingo, easy to add the van bit to.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504191...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507174...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506103...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507284...
Expert:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504121...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505132...
Qubo:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506163...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508065...
C4 Picasso:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507294...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502209...
Mazda5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507214...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507234...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508135...
Zafira:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508165...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508125...
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