Off to look at a car. A short 9 hour round trip.
Discussion
It's that time again. The all-to-frequent "pop" across the country to look at a car after a 3 minute call with the "dealer".
This time it's a 2003 Audi A6 Allroad 2.5TDI with 195k miles on the clock for shed money. The description simply read "PX to clear. FSH. Call for more info". So I did. After 4 attempts, I managed to get more than 15 seconds of "I'm out on a job mate I'll call ya back" in the most stereotypical Essex accent.
Anyway. Here I am. On the National Express nearly 2 hours unto a 3.5 hour Journey. Where I'll need to catch a tube and one more train to my destination. Oh, then I may need a taxi or a bus.
I'll keep you updated with what may be a dismally boring car purchase. Or, it might be interesting.
In the meantime, let's here some of your car buying escapades. What's the farthest or longest you've traveled? Worst car buying experience?
This time it's a 2003 Audi A6 Allroad 2.5TDI with 195k miles on the clock for shed money. The description simply read "PX to clear. FSH. Call for more info". So I did. After 4 attempts, I managed to get more than 15 seconds of "I'm out on a job mate I'll call ya back" in the most stereotypical Essex accent.
Anyway. Here I am. On the National Express nearly 2 hours unto a 3.5 hour Journey. Where I'll need to catch a tube and one more train to my destination. Oh, then I may need a taxi or a bus.
I'll keep you updated with what may be a dismally boring car purchase. Or, it might be interesting.
In the meantime, let's here some of your car buying escapades. What's the farthest or longest you've traveled? Worst car buying experience?
Living in Scotland I've made lots of long distance purchases. Mostly trouble free but one that springs to mind is a flight from Glasgow to Southamptom for am E28 528i manual(£500). Car was spot on apart from the shot front shock absorbers. Bounced Along all the way home, felt seasick After 7hrs of that 
Superchickenn said:
YESSSS...
So i either get to see the new wheels later or ill get the others on here to help convince you that you need to buy a V8 to drown your sorrows on the way home
I told you. If it's a nail it's back to London to put the car cash on black. Add a couple of zeros to my pot and get a stripper wife So i either get to see the new wheels later or ill get the others on here to help convince you that you need to buy a V8 to drown your sorrows on the way home
ninjag said:
I can't see YouTube vids as using my works laptop. I'll take a look on my phone later 
Dinoboy said:
Living in Scotland I've made lots of long distance purchases. Mostly trouble free but one that springs to mind is a flight from Glasgow to Southamptom for am E28 528i manual(£500). Car was spot on apart from the shot front shock absorbers. Bounced Along all the way home, felt seasick After 7hrs of that
I did a similar journey in reverse! FlyMayBe from Southampton to Edinburgh to pick up an A8 4.2 Quattro. Very enjoyable cross-country drive to the M6 then home. I think it took 8 hours in the end, and more than a (very large) tank of unleaded!Sod that, only if it was something very rare and I had no social life, or it was an ebay bargain that would be worth more in parts. Maybe if it was a dealer I trusted and knew
Seen too much complete shiite over the years that hasn't been worth travelling 30 seconds
Each to their own though, be boring if we were all the same
Seen too much complete shiite over the years that hasn't been worth travelling 30 seconds
Each to their own though, be boring if we were all the same
In the mid-10's I was very fond of an old E30, well I'm still fond of them now but they seem to have increased in price somewhat, so to buy my next one I went on a 8 hour round trip, involving a bus and 2 trains.
I had spent a lot of time on the phone to the seller, been given loads of info, photos of receipts etc. So I got up early, with a bag of £1900 in used notes, and hit the road. The idea was I'd buy it and insure it there and then, drive home. As the minutes racked up, I got very excited, a shiny imola red 318iS, completely original.
The seller was eager and happily collected me from the train station (in a different car, so I could see the E30 cold). I rocked up and saw what I could only assume was a different car. There were dents and grazes on most panels. It looked rather sorry for itself. I continued the viewing and decided that if it was good mechanically, the body work may be fixable.
It was, hurrah! I phoned the missus and explained 1 or 2 of the dents and was told to walk away. Sound advice really, I didn't have any spare cash to fix it. I managed to get £200 knocked off before we shook on a deal, I was insured before you knew it and driving the beast home. It was delightful, people stared as I drove past.
Into the return leg about 40 minutes going around a corner with a bit of vigour and I head a rotating grinding noise. Figuring it was a drive shaft or similar I carried on carefully. Got home and she was not happy about it. She'd said no, and that was to 2 dents, it was covered in them and rust. I neglected to tell her about the noise and didn't let her drive it.
In the end I put it up for sale 3 weeks later, with a honest ad and explained to the potential buyers that it needed cosmetic work, and a new drive shaft or similar. I waved goodbye to a (generally) lovely car and about £850. A older chap had purchased it to refurb it and keep it for special.
I haven't looked at it's history up until now, but am glad to see it's still on the road and has done a mega 2,000 miles in 4 years.
I had spent a lot of time on the phone to the seller, been given loads of info, photos of receipts etc. So I got up early, with a bag of £1900 in used notes, and hit the road. The idea was I'd buy it and insure it there and then, drive home. As the minutes racked up, I got very excited, a shiny imola red 318iS, completely original.
The seller was eager and happily collected me from the train station (in a different car, so I could see the E30 cold). I rocked up and saw what I could only assume was a different car. There were dents and grazes on most panels. It looked rather sorry for itself. I continued the viewing and decided that if it was good mechanically, the body work may be fixable.
It was, hurrah! I phoned the missus and explained 1 or 2 of the dents and was told to walk away. Sound advice really, I didn't have any spare cash to fix it. I managed to get £200 knocked off before we shook on a deal, I was insured before you knew it and driving the beast home. It was delightful, people stared as I drove past.
Into the return leg about 40 minutes going around a corner with a bit of vigour and I head a rotating grinding noise. Figuring it was a drive shaft or similar I carried on carefully. Got home and she was not happy about it. She'd said no, and that was to 2 dents, it was covered in them and rust. I neglected to tell her about the noise and didn't let her drive it.
In the end I put it up for sale 3 weeks later, with a honest ad and explained to the potential buyers that it needed cosmetic work, and a new drive shaft or similar. I waved goodbye to a (generally) lovely car and about £850. A older chap had purchased it to refurb it and keep it for special.
I haven't looked at it's history up until now, but am glad to see it's still on the road and has done a mega 2,000 miles in 4 years.
Well after an uneventful journey I arrived and was picked up by the dealer. I had to move the jump starter pack from the passenger seat to get in. Excellent start.
The battery was flat because the drivers side door only just properly if you're careful with it. So the interior lights were on all night. Even better start.
Went for a drive and there was an apparent judderwhen pulling away at low revs.
A list of broken things:
More of a write up later!
ETA: Spelling errors
The battery was flat because the drivers side door only just properly if you're careful with it. So the interior lights were on all night. Even better start.
Went for a drive and there was an apparent judderwhen pulling away at low revs.
A list of broken things:
- Drivers door
- ashtray disintegrated when opening it
- Drivers side seat recliner handle broke
- display on the radio
- handbrake around your ears
- engine is sweet as a nut
- air suspension works as it should
- gearbox is tight
- despite the judder, the clutch has a good biting point
- no knocks, rattles or bangs
- everything electrical works
More of a write up later!
ETA: Spelling errors
Edited by MikeDrop on Friday 2nd November 08:53
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