Used prices

[mr noble]

Hi chaps,
I am wondering what people think the value is of buying from a dealer or privatly. I have found the car I am looking for at a dealer but the price we have haggled is a good 2-4k higher than I have been offered privatly. (although this car has a lot less miles)

Most 3R's seem to have depreciated by £7-10k in their 1st year, how much do you think they might drop on average in the 2nd and 3rd years.

As I say I have finally found the car I want and am going to test it and hopefully buy it on Saturday but I am getting nervous about spending all of my hard earned cash and have a Father who thinks I should "get another Elise for half the price".

Is the dealer relationship/warranty worth it?

Please help and encourage!! I'm listening

[UFO 2 NOB]

What car,What dealer,How much,What spec and compared to what private car and at what price? let me know then i can tell you whether to go for it,not many 3rs about so depreciation will slow after 1st year.

>> Edited by UFO 2 NOB on Wednesday 23 February 20:57

[mr noble]

Hi Barry, YHM

[UFO 2 NOB]

YHM=?,sorry but im stupid!!!

[mr noble]

I was too but I discovered it means You have mail. Sorry I thought you were a seasoned professional on this new fangled forum thingy!!

[UFO 2 NOB]

Got it,will have a look!

[chillidog]

mr noble said:

Hi chaps, I am wondering what people think the value is of buying from a dealer or privatly. I have found the car I am looking for at a dealer but the price we have haggled is a good 2-4k higher than I have been offered privatly. (although this car has a lot less miles) Most 3R's seem to have depreciated by £7-10k in their 1st year, how much do you think they might drop on average in the 2nd and 3rd years. As I say I have finally found the car I want and am going to test it and hopefully buy it on Saturday but I am getting nervous about spending all of my hard earned cash and have a Father who thinks I should "get another Elise for half the price". Is the dealer relationship/warranty worth it? Please help and encourage!! I'm listening

The car will lose value - budget on it being worth 50% of what your paying in three years. If it's brand new the 1st year drop in value is by far the worst - so the fact that it's not new is some comfort.

Comparing the value with the Elise - i.e. is it twice as good as an Elise? Well I can only compare my experience with 2 track events in Elises and 1 event in a M400. As much as I love the Elise the M400 is just in a different league; is it twice as good, well YES. I suspect the 3R is not that far from the M400.

If the car goes badly wrong within 12 months then the dealer will have to do something about it (SoGA), a private seller is unlikly to assist you. So yes, there's value there worth having and as you're indicating that the price is about right, what's stopping you

And once you've stopped worrying about, "will it break?", "does it cost too much?", "is it good value?", you'll be driving around with a huge grin on your face. Life is too short ... if you can afford it, do it.

[JAZ 34]

Greg,

Me personally.... I would alway buy from a dealer. At least if you buy used, contact Simon H at the Noble factory and he would only be too pleased to trace the cars history for you. Buying from a dealer has it's perks in the warranty front though.

I have found in all my dealings with Noble and Noble dealers that they have been very attentive and only too willing to help me. I guess that is the kind of relationship a small sports car manufacturer can offer. I jumped from a Lotus Elise then 340R to a Noble and found everyone I have had dealings with on the Noble front were so helpful.

JAZ 34

[mr noble]

Very wise words Chilldog. I think I could say that a 3 yr old 3R with 10k miles and little or zero track use will still be worth £30,000 to someone. Its in a popular colour and the trim is 2 tone alcantara so I don't think I need worry about re-sale too much. And as you say, life is far to short. I can't afford it but I am going to do it anyway, roll on Saturday!