How important is gut feeling in a car purchase?
Discussion
Purely from speaking on the telephone I have 2 cars that are extremely similar, one is slighly above the other on paper but my gut feeling is just off.
Quick run down.
Vehicle A
Owned for 5 years, Dealer history + specialist for last 5 years in his hands, quite a gentleman, gave answers quickly, purchased through a dealer 5 years ago and has looked after it.
Vehicle B, owned for 7 months, purchased from a dealer and still under a dealer warranty, FDSH, seemed an ok bloke but has been a bit off with answers being limited, said can you email me which I have done, wants the money for a house deposit etc.
I'd usually lean towards vehicle B, a dealer warranty is great stuff but my gut is just being funny about it and I am not sure if it's sheer paranoia.
Quick run down.
Vehicle A
Owned for 5 years, Dealer history + specialist for last 5 years in his hands, quite a gentleman, gave answers quickly, purchased through a dealer 5 years ago and has looked after it.
Vehicle B, owned for 7 months, purchased from a dealer and still under a dealer warranty, FDSH, seemed an ok bloke but has been a bit off with answers being limited, said can you email me which I have done, wants the money for a house deposit etc.
I'd usually lean towards vehicle B, a dealer warranty is great stuff but my gut is just being funny about it and I am not sure if it's sheer paranoia.
I could be wrong here but surely a car with a full main dealer history and a manufacturer warranty (balance of) is going to be the hassle free option?
So what if the seller isn't the most charming person on the planet? You're buying the car not him
Plus if anything is amiss its covered (within the boundaries of the remaining warranty).
The other guy might well be the nicer bloke but I doubt if 3 weeks down the line if the TCS goes he'll be looking deep into his pockets to sort it out.
Same happens with the less friendly seller it straight back to a dealer.
However, all of this is pure conjecture but if they really are similar cars apart from one with warranty, one without, it seems a bit of a no brainer to me*.
So what if the seller isn't the most charming person on the planet? You're buying the car not him
Plus if anything is amiss its covered (within the boundaries of the remaining warranty).
The other guy might well be the nicer bloke but I doubt if 3 weeks down the line if the TCS goes he'll be looking deep into his pockets to sort it out.
Same happens with the less friendly seller it straight back to a dealer.
However, all of this is pure conjecture but if they really are similar cars apart from one with warranty, one without, it seems a bit of a no brainer to me*.
- dependant on remaining warranty period and if I was planning on renewing said warranty once it expires etc.
k all but the paper their written on anyway.I am a great believer in gut feeling, and it has served me very well over the years, particularly when shed and then barge purchasing.
If I was to make the choice based on the 2, it would be car A.
Trust your instincts!
It has to be said though, if you want a more informed opinion, tell us what sort of car you are looking for, and what budget you are working with.
If I was to make the choice based on the 2, it would be car A.
Trust your instincts!
It has to be said though, if you want a more informed opinion, tell us what sort of car you are looking for, and what budget you are working with.
My car buying process is heavily dependent on my feeling about the seller - if they seem genuine I can trust their answers and the history of the car as described.
The last few cars I've followed my gut and had no issues with, my S3 impulse purchase on the other hand caused me nothing but problems and money.
My last two cars were bought after speculative calls to the sellers and getting the good gut feeling, so far no issues to report.
The last few cars I've followed my gut and had no issues with, my S3 impulse purchase on the other hand caused me nothing but problems and money.
My last two cars were bought after speculative calls to the sellers and getting the good gut feeling, so far no issues to report.
OP, gut feeling applies to everything in life let alone cars.
I purchased my recent barge this way - chap slightly down on his luck, but loved his car. It was in very good condition and it was a straightforward transaction with two visits and a couple of pints looking over the paperwork.
Struck a deal and both punters happy. There were two others similar on sale which quite frankly I didn't have to visit to know they were not as advertised. (Way too far anyway).
I would go to B first then A, if you cannot choose, leave your best choice till last - if remains on sale that is. Good luck.
I purchased my recent barge this way - chap slightly down on his luck, but loved his car. It was in very good condition and it was a straightforward transaction with two visits and a couple of pints looking over the paperwork.
Struck a deal and both punters happy. There were two others similar on sale which quite frankly I didn't have to visit to know they were not as advertised. (Way too far anyway).
I would go to B first then A, if you cannot choose, leave your best choice till last - if remains on sale that is. Good luck.
It's very important.
The gut feeling is based on more than just last nights curry, it's all about the nuances of the interaction.
If it doesn't feel right just walk away.
Even if you are wrong, it's horrible owning a car you have no confidence in; always waiting for something to go wrong
The gut feeling is based on more than just last nights curry, it's all about the nuances of the interaction.
If it doesn't feel right just walk away.
Even if you are wrong, it's horrible owning a car you have no confidence in; always waiting for something to go wrong
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