Best place for noobs to buy cars?
Discussion
Hey -
I am looking for some advice.
I have always fancied a nice car (i,e not a bog standard focus, corsa or fiesta), and finally after a few years of saving am in a position to try and buy one.
I know it's probably not seen as very exciting on here, but I have my heart set on an A3.
My problem is that I don't really know where to start. I want some assurance that I am not buying a lemon, which I guess rules out private trades (unless I take someone from the AA etc?).
I have been to 2 dealers, and both of the cars looked good (circa £10,000 for 4/5 year old tdi 2.0) but the previous owners were both lease hire outlets. One of them had done 10,000 miles in 14 days, and then 6 months later 18,000 in 2 months.
Suffice to say googling opinions on ex-lease cars got me a bit worried so I decided not to buy.
But looking and calling around it seems most cars are sold this way, so I am at a bit of a loss.
I am looking for some advice.
I have always fancied a nice car (i,e not a bog standard focus, corsa or fiesta), and finally after a few years of saving am in a position to try and buy one.
I know it's probably not seen as very exciting on here, but I have my heart set on an A3.
My problem is that I don't really know where to start. I want some assurance that I am not buying a lemon, which I guess rules out private trades (unless I take someone from the AA etc?).
I have been to 2 dealers, and both of the cars looked good (circa £10,000 for 4/5 year old tdi 2.0) but the previous owners were both lease hire outlets. One of them had done 10,000 miles in 14 days, and then 6 months later 18,000 in 2 months.
Suffice to say googling opinions on ex-lease cars got me a bit worried so I decided not to buy.
But looking and calling around it seems most cars are sold this way, so I am at a bit of a loss.
peter1972 said:
Hey -
I am looking for some advice.
I have always fancied a nice car (i,e not a bog standard focus, corsa or fiesta), and finally after a few years of saving am in a position to try and buy one.
I know it's probably not seen as very exciting on here, but I have my heart set on an A3.
My problem is that I don't really know where to start. I want some assurance that I am not buying a lemon, which I guess rules out private trades (unless I take someone from the AA etc?).
I have been to 2 dealers, and both of the cars looked good (circa £10,000 for 4/5 year old tdi 2.0) but the previous owners were both lease hire outlets. One of them had done 10,000 miles in 14 days, and then 6 months later 18,000 in 2 months.
Suffice to say googling opinions on ex-lease cars got me a bit worried so I decided not to buy.
But looking and calling around it seems most cars are sold this way, so I am at a bit of a loss.
Oii! Nothing wrong with a Focus! From the reviews of the A3 id say a Focus is a much better steer than an A3! (my view may be a little biased though I am looking for some advice.
I have always fancied a nice car (i,e not a bog standard focus, corsa or fiesta), and finally after a few years of saving am in a position to try and buy one.
I know it's probably not seen as very exciting on here, but I have my heart set on an A3.
My problem is that I don't really know where to start. I want some assurance that I am not buying a lemon, which I guess rules out private trades (unless I take someone from the AA etc?).
I have been to 2 dealers, and both of the cars looked good (circa £10,000 for 4/5 year old tdi 2.0) but the previous owners were both lease hire outlets. One of them had done 10,000 miles in 14 days, and then 6 months later 18,000 in 2 months.
Suffice to say googling opinions on ex-lease cars got me a bit worried so I decided not to buy.
But looking and calling around it seems most cars are sold this way, so I am at a bit of a loss.
).My mum owns an A1 and tbh the interior is a thing of beauty (Om Nom Nom).
But, depending on your budget, if said budget is £8k of less, you will be able to buy a much nice Focus than you will A3.
As for places to buy.. Ebay, PH Classifieds and Autotrader are the ones i use.
Mind if i ask, what have you driven before now?
Or at least buy something that doesn't make everybody look at you and say "He'll be having a w
k in a travelodge tonight".
Audis are over-estimated in the quality stakes - most VAG cars I've driven have been over-wheeled, under-damped, and very crashy. A good focus would certainly be better, but then if I had that money in my pocket and wanted some VAG I'd go for
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2516282.htm
Since provided you maintain it, you will not see any depreciation at all.
k in a travelodge tonight".Audis are over-estimated in the quality stakes - most VAG cars I've driven have been over-wheeled, under-damped, and very crashy. A good focus would certainly be better, but then if I had that money in my pocket and wanted some VAG I'd go for
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2516282.htm
Since provided you maintain it, you will not see any depreciation at all.
Jimmyarm said:
Nice & A3 2.0TDI do not compute.
£5k Toy & £3k daily + £2k for insurance & parts fund ?
What does £3k daily mean?£5k Toy & £3k daily + £2k for insurance & parts fund ?
Insurance is about £350 a year.
I am getting the impression it's not a popular car on here. Granted I know next to nothing about them, I simply liked the look and how I felt driving it.
Is it OK (safe) to buy any car that has done a lot of iles in a short space of time - such as 10k in 1 week, then 18k in 3 months?
peter1972 said:
What does £3k daily mean?
Insurance is about £350 a year.
I am getting the impression it's not a popular car on here. Granted I know next to nothing about them, I simply liked the look and how I felt driving it.
Is it OK (safe) to buy any car that has done a lot of iles in a short space of time - such as 10k in 1 week, then 18k in 3 months?
He means spend £3k on a sensible, worthy daily-driver (journey to work, shops, taking kids to school etc) and spend £5k on something more special, interesting and a bit different to use at the weekend. The remainder you can use to cover the insurance. As mentioned, if you spend some time perusing this forum, there's a lot of interesting metal around for your budget.Insurance is about £350 a year.
I am getting the impression it's not a popular car on here. Granted I know next to nothing about them, I simply liked the look and how I felt driving it.
Is it OK (safe) to buy any car that has done a lot of iles in a short space of time - such as 10k in 1 week, then 18k in 3 months?
If, however, you are set on an A3, there's nothing wrong with that at all - they're perfectly nice, solid, safe family cars. It's just that this is a motoring enthusiasts site, so the overwhelming majority of opinion is likely to be to spend your money on something a little more left-field.
Welcome to Pistonheads, by the way.
And to further that, I don't think the A3 is particularly great anyway, certainly not so great that it can turn it's nose up at other family hatch backs. It may feel well built and sturdy, but the drive is a bit dull, the looks are a bit dull, the image is a bit dull etc etc.
It's a fine little hatchback but it is the badge that puts it at a premium price point compared to the competition, and not something more compelling like overall drive or quality.
It's a fine little hatchback but it is the badge that puts it at a premium price point compared to the competition, and not something more compelling like overall drive or quality.
To be honest you're just as likely to pick up a lemon from a dealers as you are from a private sale, just that the lemon comes with a bit of warranty.
What will you be using the car for? Long motorway driving putting lots of miles on it? Weekend fun? Do you need it to have space for kids? Do you want cheap to run and insure or is this not much of an issue?
For £10K there is a lot of desirable metal out there that can tick all the boxes. My money wouldn't be with a 5 year old Audi.
What will you be using the car for? Long motorway driving putting lots of miles on it? Weekend fun? Do you need it to have space for kids? Do you want cheap to run and insure or is this not much of an issue?
For £10K there is a lot of desirable metal out there that can tick all the boxes. My money wouldn't be with a 5 year old Audi.
davepoth said:
Or at least buy something that doesn't make everybody look at you and say "He'll be having a wk in a travelodge tonight".
Audis are over-estimated in the quality stakes - most VAG cars I've driven have been over-wheeled, under-damped, and very crashy. A good focus would certainly be better, but then if I had that money in my pocket and wanted some VAG I'd go for
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2516282.htm
Since provided you maintain it, you will not see any depreciation at all.
True but the actual figure you need is depreciation minus maintenance and parts, insurance and VEL and mpg to work out the overall cost.k in a travelodge tonight".Audis are over-estimated in the quality stakes - most VAG cars I've driven have been over-wheeled, under-damped, and very crashy. A good focus would certainly be better, but then if I had that money in my pocket and wanted some VAG I'd go for
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2516282.htm
Since provided you maintain it, you will not see any depreciation at all.
LuS1fer said:
True but the actual figure you need is depreciation minus maintenance and parts, insurance and VEL and mpg to work out the overall cost.
Quite so.£10k car that costs £1000 servicing and £500 insurance to run for a year, and is worth £10k at the end?
£10k car that costs £250 servicing, £250 insurance, and is worth £7k at the end?
Choose your poison
peter1972 said:
Jimmyarm said:
Nice & A3 2.0TDI do not compute.
£5k Toy & £3k daily + £2k for insurance & parts fund ?
What does £3k daily mean?£5k Toy & £3k daily + £2k for insurance & parts fund ?
Insurance is about £350 a year.
I am getting the impression it's not a popular car on here. Granted I know next to nothing about them, I simply liked the look and how I felt driving it.
Is it OK (safe) to buy any car that has done a lot of iles in a short space of time - such as 10k in 1 week, then 18k in 3 months?
Not a 'Car Supermarket' type place unless you take someone 'in the know'.
Seen a great many n00bs walk away with a smile on their face thinking they have got a good deal only to find out later they've bought a poorly specced, over miled, no service history st box and are now tied into a terrible finance agreement.
Some bargains to exist at these places, but I think it takes someone experienced to pick them out.
A3s are plentiful, take your time.
Seen a great many n00bs walk away with a smile on their face thinking they have got a good deal only to find out later they've bought a poorly specced, over miled, no service history s
t box and are now tied into a terrible finance agreement.Some bargains to exist at these places, but I think it takes someone experienced to pick them out.
A3s are plentiful, take your time.
The Crack Fox said:
If you like an A3 then go for it, as you rightly said, although it's not the most PH of cars as you can tell from the responses here !
There are millions of them about, so don't buy one with any history/background that makes you uncomfortable, having abused a fair few lease cars in my time I certainly wouldn't spend my own money on one.
Not to dissuade you from your original choice, but have you considered a VW Golf, Skoda Octavia or Seat ? They are all essentially the same car underneath and give you further options on price v specification etc. The Octavia VRs (petrol) is a rather nice car, and certainly no worse than the A3, despite what one-eyed badge snobs might say.
Good luck.
Now there is an idea! OP, may be worth considering. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...There are millions of them about, so don't buy one with any history/background that makes you uncomfortable, having abused a fair few lease cars in my time I certainly wouldn't spend my own money on one.
Not to dissuade you from your original choice, but have you considered a VW Golf, Skoda Octavia or Seat ? They are all essentially the same car underneath and give you further options on price v specification etc. The Octavia VRs (petrol) is a rather nice car, and certainly no worse than the A3, despite what one-eyed badge snobs might say.
Good luck.
peter1972 said:
What does £3k daily mean?
Insurance is about £350 a year.
I am getting the impression it's not a popular car on here. Granted I know next to nothing about them, I simply liked the look and how I felt driving it.
Is it OK (safe) to buy any car that has done a lot of iles in a short space of time - such as 10k in 1 week, then 18k in 3 months?
This all seems a bit odd.Insurance is about £350 a year.
I am getting the impression it's not a popular car on here. Granted I know next to nothing about them, I simply liked the look and how I felt driving it.
Is it OK (safe) to buy any car that has done a lot of iles in a short space of time - such as 10k in 1 week, then 18k in 3 months?
You've literally never bought a car before, and now you want to spank £10K on a repmobile?
Personally, I'd say:
Avoid car supermarkets, they sell finance with a car attached, not cars themselves.
Private vs Dealer is a matter of choice, more room for negotiation on a private deal but some added consumer protection (warranty etc) from a dealer plus hopefully some comeback if its sold with major faults.
Buy on condition and history, in my experience fewer owners are better purely because people who keep cars longer tend to bother to change the oil etc.
Miles: nothing to be scared about apart from when you come to sell on. Choose the best overall car.
Be patient, and you are in a strong position so look at a few until you know what spec, price and condition is right for you.
Ignore people who say its dull... they all started somewhere and an A3 is a fine car to cut your teeth on until you want something different or a bit more exciting.
Avoid car supermarkets, they sell finance with a car attached, not cars themselves.
Private vs Dealer is a matter of choice, more room for negotiation on a private deal but some added consumer protection (warranty etc) from a dealer plus hopefully some comeback if its sold with major faults.
Buy on condition and history, in my experience fewer owners are better purely because people who keep cars longer tend to bother to change the oil etc.
Miles: nothing to be scared about apart from when you come to sell on. Choose the best overall car.
Be patient, and you are in a strong position so look at a few until you know what spec, price and condition is right for you.
Ignore people who say its dull... they all started somewhere and an A3 is a fine car to cut your teeth on until you want something different or a bit more exciting.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff