Buying a used car - Kick tyres or hope for the best?
Discussion
Difficult to describe what I mean here so bear with me! Basically, I've always bought second hand and more often than not via private sellers which all but removes one of the biggets perks of buying from a dealer, ie in a dealer you can pop in and basically 'have a shot' and then walk away. Now before you say I'm a timewaster, I've done this on a couple of occassions and ended up buying the car but equally so, I've driven cars and hated them and thus walked away.
So, my point... or my question, is how do you in effect 'have a shot' of a car when dealing with the second hand market? For instance, I'm rather tempted by a Saab 9.5 Hot Aero to replace my aging Volvo and I've seen a couple of cars but they are a) in private sales and b) a distance away so really, even if the cars are superb on paper and in the flesh, the first chance to drive will be on a short test drive and well... that's do or die time when it comes to making a decision.
In short, if for example you have X, Y and Z car on a shortlist... how do you drive them before you commit to buying to ensure that you actually like driving said car over say another possible candidate. You can't ring up private sellers and ask for a shot and wandering royund dealers isn't exactly possible either. Do you rely on friends or friends of friends or go via owners forums in order to try before you buy or is it a complete leap of faith and hope for the best?
Cheers!
So, my point... or my question, is how do you in effect 'have a shot' of a car when dealing with the second hand market? For instance, I'm rather tempted by a Saab 9.5 Hot Aero to replace my aging Volvo and I've seen a couple of cars but they are a) in private sales and b) a distance away so really, even if the cars are superb on paper and in the flesh, the first chance to drive will be on a short test drive and well... that's do or die time when it comes to making a decision.
In short, if for example you have X, Y and Z car on a shortlist... how do you drive them before you commit to buying to ensure that you actually like driving said car over say another possible candidate. You can't ring up private sellers and ask for a shot and wandering royund dealers isn't exactly possible either. Do you rely on friends or friends of friends or go via owners forums in order to try before you buy or is it a complete leap of faith and hope for the best?
Cheers!
[quote=DavieYou can't ring up private sellers and ask for a shot and wandering royund dealers isn't exactly possible either.
[/quote]
Why can't you ring up private sellers and tell them you want to drive it? If they think you're serious then they will let you drive it as long as you're insured or are willing to pay for the damage if not. If they think you're a potential buyer then they shouldn't have an issue... you just not to get across the point that you're not a time waster.
Or go find a similar car in a dealers and test drive it there.
[/quote]
Why can't you ring up private sellers and tell them you want to drive it? If they think you're serious then they will let you drive it as long as you're insured or are willing to pay for the damage if not. If they think you're a potential buyer then they shouldn't have an issue... you just not to get across the point that you're not a time waster.
Or go find a similar car in a dealers and test drive it there.
Valid point though I'd always feel terrible and like such a time waster if I declined to buy it because I didn't like how it drove - not as in clunks and rattles, as in how the car feels to sit in and drive. "I'm sorry, I'm going to leave it as I'm sitting a bit high and the seat's as low as it goes" or "No thanks, I'm not that convinced by the feedback the car gives through the steering, I'll go look at a BMW instead"
Technically, what I'd love to be able to do is go and have a run in an indentical model to what I was after, have a good drive, see how it feels and if I like it then go off and look for one for sale safe in the knowledge that it's exactly what I'm after whereas just now I'm looking thinking "That's a lovely car but hmmm, what if I don't like it" hence the sort of leap of faith issues!
At least with a newer model they're more readily available in dealers and you can even pop off to Enterprise, hire a similar model and drive it for the weekend and hand it back. I guess that's the downside to buying older cars, just need to jump in and hope for the best to some extent.
Technically, what I'd love to be able to do is go and have a run in an indentical model to what I was after, have a good drive, see how it feels and if I like it then go off and look for one for sale safe in the knowledge that it's exactly what I'm after whereas just now I'm looking thinking "That's a lovely car but hmmm, what if I don't like it" hence the sort of leap of faith issues!
At least with a newer model they're more readily available in dealers and you can even pop off to Enterprise, hire a similar model and drive it for the weekend and hand it back. I guess that's the downside to buying older cars, just need to jump in and hope for the best to some extent.
icetea said:
... they will let you drive it as long as you're insured or are willing to pay for the damage if not.
Nope. 
'Tis now an offence to allow someone to drive your car if you know they are uninsured. Not checking a private buyer has insurance is negligent.icetea said:
If they think you're a potential buyer then they shouldn't have an issue... you just not to get across the point that you're not a time waster.
If someone turns up to drive a car I have for sale and it's not clear to me that they are interested in buying MY CAR then they are a timewaster and they won't be driving it. Someone who is not sure whether they want the type of car I have for sale or some other car altogether fits firmly in the 'timewaster' category. My car with a 'For Sale' sign on it is not for people who "Think they may like a <InsertModelHere> but aren't sure so could they take it for a spin, mate?"In answer to the OP; read up about the cars you may be interested in, talk to people you know who own possible cars (PH is great for this), ask to come 'round for a coffee and a chat, take a couple of bottles of decent wine/some beer with you to thank them for their time and see what you learn. I have done this for people from PH who have asked nicely, and will do so again.
Oli.
Davie said:
Valid point though I'd always feel terrible and like such a time waster if I declined to buy it because I didn't like how it drove - not as in clunks and rattles, as in how the car feels to sit in and drive.
You aren't obliged to buy it once you've test driven it, and it's not like those salesman are working there for free. They might grumble or call you a "time waster", but if they did that I'd be glad I wasn't buying there anyway.EDIT: Obviously this only applies to dealers. Tbh, I'd be happy to let someone test drive my car if they had relevant insurance and seemed interested in buying. If someone turned up, poked about for a few minutes then looked like they just wanted to go joyriding, I'd think twice before letting them at the wheel, however anyone making a serious enquiry with the correct insurance would be more than welcome.
Edited by Mastodon2 on Tuesday 2nd October 18:19
zcacogp said:
f someone turns up to drive a car I have for sale and it's not clear to me that they are interested in buying MY CAR then they are a timewaster and they won't be driving it. Someone who is not sure whether they want the type of car I have for sale or some other car altogether fits firmly in the 'timewaster' category. My car with a 'For Sale' sign on it is not for people who "Think they may like a <InsertModelHere> but aren't sure so could they take it for a spin, mate?"
How are you going to know if he's interested in buying your car though? If he turns up and passes the attitude test, and can prove that he can afford the car then you're not going to know whether he wants to buy your car today, whether he's at the other end of the scale and is a test pilot with no interest in buying, or if he's somewhere in the middle and considering buying that model if he likes how it drives.Really I would just make full use of car dealers for test drives... thats what they're there for
Find the car you want to buy there, then go find a cheaper deal privately...icetea said:
How are you going to know if he's interested in buying your car though? If he turns up and passes the attitude test, and can prove that he can afford the car then you're not going to know whether he wants to buy your car today, whether he's at the other end of the scale and is a test pilot with no interest in buying, or if he's somewhere in the middle and considering buying that model if he likes how it drives.
Good Q. Short answer; no potential buyer is getting anywhere near the driver's seat before having a good look 'round the car and a fairly detailed chat with me. If the guy has done his homework, looks at the relevant parts of the car, asks some sensible questions, knows something about the type of car and sounds like he has done some reading-up and has a really good look at the service history, and shows me documentary proof of insurance then he may get to drive it. If, on the other hand, he turns up, has a very quick look 'round it, seems to have no idea what the weak points of the model are nor any real interest in the details of my particular example but is very clear he wants to take it for a spin then I'll wish him well with his decision making and suggest he may want to come back if it is still for sale when he has decided that he wants to buy a <WhateverModelOfCarIAmSelling>.
Oli.
I've offered before on here to let someone interesting in trying out a car like mine to have a go in mine. As long as you're there to make sure they look after it, and don't rinse too much fuel, what's the issue?
NEVER feel guilty doing it to a dealer either. Do it to private sellers, just don't tell them. Or people on here, as you'll get flamed...
...Runs away;
NEVER feel guilty doing it to a dealer either. Do it to private sellers, just don't tell them. Or people on here, as you'll get flamed...
...Runs away;
I think there are two rules:
1) Don't go and see a car unless you might at least consider going back and buying that example once you've seen a few more
2) If it's early days and you're approaching it speculatively, tell the seller. I've done that before and they've always appreciated the honesty and encouraged me to come anyway
1) Don't go and see a car unless you might at least consider going back and buying that example once you've seen a few more
2) If it's early days and you're approaching it speculatively, tell the seller. I've done that before and they've always appreciated the honesty and encouraged me to come anyway
The problem I've faced in the past is that the last two cars I've bought have been rather rare and thus finding one in a dealer was nigh on impossible. Granted one was a Vectra GSi estate and having had a couple of Vectras before, I knew what I was getting however I flew to London and drove it and it was one of those cars that had it been 20 miles away, I'd have walked away but as I was hundreds of miles from home and already £300 down... I took it. Granted, sold it 3 weeks later but it saved a flight home I suppose!
The second was the 850R, again I've had an S70R and an 850 T5 so knew roughly what I was getting and so spoke to the chap, had a good look round and then gave it a run and it was a cracker but like the Vectra, there was one significant issue with both - her! She didn't really take to either of them (Vectra was too heavy/harsh with a nasty clutch and the 850R was just deemed terrifying, things that big shouldn't go that quick in her eyes) so needless to say, both have since been sold.
So, current situation is my long term Volvo estate is starting to show it's age and it's time to replace it. I have a budget and I have a shortlist of three cars - a Saab 9.5 estate, a facelift V70 D5 or a Vectra C estate. Granted not exactly the most inspiring cars on the planet and it could be argued that at my budget, how it drives is the least of my worries but given the car does up to 30,000 a year - what said car has on paper comes second best to how it drives, how the seats feel after 50 miles and so on. Plus, she needs to like it too!
The Vectra C isn't an issue... driven a few of those and she had a 1.8 many years ago so pretty confident that I know what I'm getting there. The V70, I only drove one when they were new and liked it however she's never driven one and the Saab, that's an unknown quantity however a local dealer has one such car, granted an auto but perhaps worth having a look and drive it (both of us) and then if it's deemed 'nice' I can start looking for a specific car.
Unfortunately, I don't know of anybody who has a 9.5 or a facelift V70 so can't borrow one for the day and they seem to be non-existant around these parts in dealers. Then again, it could be argued that whatever I end up with, it'll be better than the current V70 Classic so really, why bother worrying! But, that said and done it'd still be nice to know what's what before committing to travelling a vast distance to buy a specific car.
If only I had a time machine!
The second was the 850R, again I've had an S70R and an 850 T5 so knew roughly what I was getting and so spoke to the chap, had a good look round and then gave it a run and it was a cracker but like the Vectra, there was one significant issue with both - her! She didn't really take to either of them (Vectra was too heavy/harsh with a nasty clutch and the 850R was just deemed terrifying, things that big shouldn't go that quick in her eyes) so needless to say, both have since been sold.
So, current situation is my long term Volvo estate is starting to show it's age and it's time to replace it. I have a budget and I have a shortlist of three cars - a Saab 9.5 estate, a facelift V70 D5 or a Vectra C estate. Granted not exactly the most inspiring cars on the planet and it could be argued that at my budget, how it drives is the least of my worries but given the car does up to 30,000 a year - what said car has on paper comes second best to how it drives, how the seats feel after 50 miles and so on. Plus, she needs to like it too!
The Vectra C isn't an issue... driven a few of those and she had a 1.8 many years ago so pretty confident that I know what I'm getting there. The V70, I only drove one when they were new and liked it however she's never driven one and the Saab, that's an unknown quantity however a local dealer has one such car, granted an auto but perhaps worth having a look and drive it (both of us) and then if it's deemed 'nice' I can start looking for a specific car.
Unfortunately, I don't know of anybody who has a 9.5 or a facelift V70 so can't borrow one for the day and they seem to be non-existant around these parts in dealers. Then again, it could be argued that whatever I end up with, it'll be better than the current V70 Classic so really, why bother worrying! But, that said and done it'd still be nice to know what's what before committing to travelling a vast distance to buy a specific car.
If only I had a time machine!
There's no harm in going to look at a private car and deciding its not for you. Thats why you go to look rather than paying over the phone and collecting. It's your risk to take if you decide to view one at the other end of the country.
If you don't want to make out that you just want a test drive before setting your sights on that model, don't tell them. Just explain after viewing that you need some time to think about it and will get back in touch. You never made any promisses of a sale by going to look at it so you're not messing them around.
I don't really see the issue. As long as you treat the car with respect (not just going along try out a fast car etc.) then I doubt the seller would be bothered. If you decide to walk away, why not give them a fiver for their time and test drive petrol to make yourself feel better?
If you don't want to make out that you just want a test drive before setting your sights on that model, don't tell them. Just explain after viewing that you need some time to think about it and will get back in touch. You never made any promisses of a sale by going to look at it so you're not messing them around.
I don't really see the issue. As long as you treat the car with respect (not just going along try out a fast car etc.) then I doubt the seller would be bothered. If you decide to walk away, why not give them a fiver for their time and test drive petrol to make yourself feel better?
It goes without saying that I'm not out to simply have a hoon at the sellers expense, if I view a car then I generally view it with cash in hand ready to buy assuming all is well and generally speaking, most the cars I've viewed, I've bought but then again most the cars I've bought have been cars that I've driven or owned previously and thus I know what to expect and on a similar note, therefore can tell a good one from a bad one.
Part of the issue is that with a model that is new to you, you really have nothing to judge it against. Aside for how the car feels as a car, there's how it feels to drive... ie X car seems a bit vague at 70mph, do they all do that or is this a specific issue on this car or this car doesn't seem as quick as I'd have thought, is that mormal or is there an issue. I can usually tell if a car has issues on a test drive pretty quickly but again, most the cars I've bought I've owned before so have some element of knowledge but with the likes of the Saab and the Volvo, they're a whole new ball game in every respect.
Last thing I want to do is travel hundreds of miles (which is looking likely!) and then view a car, buy it there and then and bring it home only to discover that a week later X, Y and Z are wrong or she can't see out the back to park it or that it's really rather unpleasant to drive down the backroads - which is one thing I found with the 850R. It was a fabulous car, but being an auto it was a new ballgame and in many ways great, until I found some twisty roads and I just couldn't take to it at all.
Had I driven the car on backroads on the test drive, perhaps I'd have walked away...
Part of the issue is that with a model that is new to you, you really have nothing to judge it against. Aside for how the car feels as a car, there's how it feels to drive... ie X car seems a bit vague at 70mph, do they all do that or is this a specific issue on this car or this car doesn't seem as quick as I'd have thought, is that mormal or is there an issue. I can usually tell if a car has issues on a test drive pretty quickly but again, most the cars I've bought I've owned before so have some element of knowledge but with the likes of the Saab and the Volvo, they're a whole new ball game in every respect.
Last thing I want to do is travel hundreds of miles (which is looking likely!) and then view a car, buy it there and then and bring it home only to discover that a week later X, Y and Z are wrong or she can't see out the back to park it or that it's really rather unpleasant to drive down the backroads - which is one thing I found with the 850R. It was a fabulous car, but being an auto it was a new ballgame and in many ways great, until I found some twisty roads and I just couldn't take to it at all.
Had I driven the car on backroads on the test drive, perhaps I'd have walked away...
And rather inconveniently, the nearest potential Volvo is 180 miles away and the nearest potential Saab is 230 miles away - neither are in a dealer and even widening the search, upping the budget and including autos and in the case of the Saab, saloons too, the nearest cars are 80 miles and 110 miles respectively which given I live in the Central Belt... seems almost unbelievable!
i dont think theres anyway to tell if you'll like the feel of a car to live with, unless you drive it for a good few weeks/months. Going for a spin is more to just make sure its not rattling and moaning.
in short hopefor the best!
thats why its so much fun to buy and sell cars every few years!
in short hopefor the best!
thats why its so much fun to buy and sell cars every few years!
No no, understand that but it's more turning up to view a private sale, looking round the car, deciding all is well on paper then deciding you don't like how it drives and feels and walking way. I'd just feel so guilty... hence it'd be great to be able to try one ona non-sales situation and deciding if it's something I/we like or not. Then again, as you say... guess that's what makes buying shed spec cars so much fun! Fear of the unknown, bah... to hell with it, pass my the Easyjet website and London here we come!
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