About to buy Passat CC 3.6
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm on the verge of buying a Passat CC 3.6, a car I've always appreciated - the cream interior awakens the chav in me.
I've been to the garage last Saturday, and my car impression was pretty positive. It looks to be in good condition, interior is clean and in good shape, no major wear, scratches, stains etc. However I am not a great inspector and much can have escaped my eyes.
I also saw the paperwork: lots of receipts, full history on the logbook (DSG and Haldex serviced, which is something I saw on another post around here as being very important).
Problem is the garage manager/salesman. Internet reviews are overall horrible (positive reviews are likely fake, posted identically to both Junction 17 branches). Once I had taken a look at the car and the paperwork, I was told that I could only test drive it after leaving a 200£ deposit, and only if I was ready to buy the car that day.
I am hopeful that it is just a case of good car/terrible garage. If I visit them again, what would you guys suggest me as key checks I should carry out to make sure the car won't be a ticking bomb? Also, could you recommend my a trusted mechanic in the area that could come with me and help (I'd obviously pay for the service)? Garage is in Nottingham (NG8 5BG).
Cheers,
Leo.
I'm on the verge of buying a Passat CC 3.6, a car I've always appreciated - the cream interior awakens the chav in me.
I've been to the garage last Saturday, and my car impression was pretty positive. It looks to be in good condition, interior is clean and in good shape, no major wear, scratches, stains etc. However I am not a great inspector and much can have escaped my eyes.
I also saw the paperwork: lots of receipts, full history on the logbook (DSG and Haldex serviced, which is something I saw on another post around here as being very important).
Problem is the garage manager/salesman. Internet reviews are overall horrible (positive reviews are likely fake, posted identically to both Junction 17 branches). Once I had taken a look at the car and the paperwork, I was told that I could only test drive it after leaving a 200£ deposit, and only if I was ready to buy the car that day.
I am hopeful that it is just a case of good car/terrible garage. If I visit them again, what would you guys suggest me as key checks I should carry out to make sure the car won't be a ticking bomb? Also, could you recommend my a trusted mechanic in the area that could come with me and help (I'd obviously pay for the service)? Garage is in Nottingham (NG8 5BG).
Cheers,
Leo.
Been in this position with a similar outfit whose name is a play on the BMW brand - they will try to sell you all the extras under the sun that increase the profitability of their sale (finance, gap, 'warranty', paint prep), they will also not mention additional fees that'll be added to the invoice, their sales pitch is high pressure and they generally seem to like their customers to behave like sheep.
It's a rare car, so an element of pain in the buying process might be something to live with. Getting a 2nd opinion from anyone you know who understands paintwork is worth doing - the car will almost inevitably be ex-fleet or auction fodder so possible it's needing some remedial work. They will most likely not be interested in you taking a lot of time looking at the car. if you go into it assuming that anything you find is going to be for you to resolve at your expense, and the decision is just a go/no go for buying then worth a punt.
They don't generally do negotiation either, so if the financials don't stack up at the sticker price just don't even bother
It's a rare car, so an element of pain in the buying process might be something to live with. Getting a 2nd opinion from anyone you know who understands paintwork is worth doing - the car will almost inevitably be ex-fleet or auction fodder so possible it's needing some remedial work. They will most likely not be interested in you taking a lot of time looking at the car. if you go into it assuming that anything you find is going to be for you to resolve at your expense, and the decision is just a go/no go for buying then worth a punt.
They don't generally do negotiation either, so if the financials don't stack up at the sticker price just don't even bother
Adrian E said:
Been in this position with a similar outfit whose name is a play on the BMW brand - they will try to sell you all the extras under the sun that increase the profitability of their sale (finance, gap, 'warranty', paint prep), they will also not mention additional fees that'll be added to the invoice, their sales pitch is high pressure and they generally seem to like their customers to behave like sheep.
It's a rare car, so an element of pain in the buying process might be something to live with. Getting a 2nd opinion from anyone you know who understands paintwork is worth doing - the car will almost inevitably be ex-fleet or auction fodder so possible it's needing some remedial work. They will most likely not be interested in you taking a lot of time looking at the car. if you go into it assuming that anything you find is going to be for you to resolve at your expense, and the decision is just a go/no go for buying then worth a punt.
They don't generally do negotiation either, so if the financials don't stack up at the sticker price just don't even bother
Hi Adrian,It's a rare car, so an element of pain in the buying process might be something to live with. Getting a 2nd opinion from anyone you know who understands paintwork is worth doing - the car will almost inevitably be ex-fleet or auction fodder so possible it's needing some remedial work. They will most likely not be interested in you taking a lot of time looking at the car. if you go into it assuming that anything you find is going to be for you to resolve at your expense, and the decision is just a go/no go for buying then worth a punt.
They don't generally do negotiation either, so if the financials don't stack up at the sticker price just don't even bother
Thanks for the reply.
The manager was straightforward about fees, at least. They charge 149£ on any car sale that involves HPI/admin fees/other general stuff. I didn't question it too much.
Financially I'm ready to buy, and will decline any of their extras. My plan is to buy it, bring to a VW for a inspection so I can chase them for any faults they tried to hide, but after that I wouldn't really want to deal with them again.
Thanks for the tip on the paintwork. Unfortunately I don't really know anyone that could help me with this, but I will have a closer look.
I found the overall experience when I went to see the car very poor. I think the fact I drove 100 miles to see it wasn't enough for the manager to treat me like a customer. Felt like he thought I was wasting his time. It's a shame this car ended in his hands...
Last time we saw a nice car through a bit of a dodgy looking dealer, we had it independently checked by the RAC.
Form memory, the price of the inspection was directly related to engine size and the 1.8T Golf we were looking at was £180. That turned out to be a dog according to the inspection, and we decided against it. According to the guy that assessed it, it would only be worth buying at a vastly reduced price.
We'd agreed upfront with the seller to leave a deposit, subject to the inspection, which we then got back.
We then looked at a V5 Golf, which we subsequently bought. That had a 2.3L engine in it, and the inspection was £230.
This was some time ago now though, but might mean you'd be looking at a bill of at least £360 in your case.
For us, as mechanical retards, it was worth paying for the inspection as the first Golf we looked at was up for £8,000 and the report came back saying it was worth about £4,000. So we 'lost' £180 on the appraisal, but gained £4,000 by not buying that car.
Form memory, the price of the inspection was directly related to engine size and the 1.8T Golf we were looking at was £180. That turned out to be a dog according to the inspection, and we decided against it. According to the guy that assessed it, it would only be worth buying at a vastly reduced price.
We'd agreed upfront with the seller to leave a deposit, subject to the inspection, which we then got back.
We then looked at a V5 Golf, which we subsequently bought. That had a 2.3L engine in it, and the inspection was £230.
This was some time ago now though, but might mean you'd be looking at a bill of at least £360 in your case.
For us, as mechanical retards, it was worth paying for the inspection as the first Golf we looked at was up for £8,000 and the report came back saying it was worth about £4,000. So we 'lost' £180 on the appraisal, but gained £4,000 by not buying that car.
Kell said:
Last time we saw a nice car through a bit of a dodgy looking dealer, we had it independently checked by the RAC.
Form memory, the price of the inspection was directly related to engine size and the 1.8T Golf we were looking at was £180. That turned out to be a dog according to the inspection, and we decided against it. According to the guy that assessed it, it would only be worth buying at a vastly reduced price.
We'd agreed upfront with the seller to leave a deposit, subject to the inspection, which we then got back.
We then looked at a V5 Golf, which we subsequently bought. That had a 2.3L engine in it, and the inspection was £230.
This was some time ago now though, but might mean you'd be looking at a bill of at least £360 in your case.
For us, as mechanical retards, it was worth paying for the inspection as the first Golf we looked at was up for £8,000 and the report came back saying it was worth about £4,000. So we 'lost' £180 on the appraisal, but gained £4,000 by not buying that car.
Hi Kell,Form memory, the price of the inspection was directly related to engine size and the 1.8T Golf we were looking at was £180. That turned out to be a dog according to the inspection, and we decided against it. According to the guy that assessed it, it would only be worth buying at a vastly reduced price.
We'd agreed upfront with the seller to leave a deposit, subject to the inspection, which we then got back.
We then looked at a V5 Golf, which we subsequently bought. That had a 2.3L engine in it, and the inspection was £230.
This was some time ago now though, but might mean you'd be looking at a bill of at least £360 in your case.
For us, as mechanical retards, it was worth paying for the inspection as the first Golf we looked at was up for £8,000 and the report came back saying it was worth about £4,000. So we 'lost' £180 on the appraisal, but gained £4,000 by not buying that car.
Thanks for the reply.
I quoted a comprehensive inspection at AA for 305£. However I read mixed comments about their usefulness, but it's good to hear someone for whom they were useful!
In the case of this car I think the price matches the mileage, year, and extras, from looking at similar ads. Any reason why I could see its actual value being much lower is a serious fault, in which case I'd hope to be able to return the car supported by the Consumer Rights Act. But I agree the inspection is a relatively small value to pay to have another layer of security.
Would a depth gauge only work on a panel that had been painted over, not on something that has been replaced and painted.
There are two ways of looking at the situation, you are buying the car not trying to make friends with the dealer so if the car is ok then treat them with contempt and just focus on the car.
If you think you might have to visit them again there might be issues if they come across as ignorant.
For peace of mind I think you need to get the car checked PROPERLY. If they don't agree to this then keep looking. All this deposit/ buying that day is just salesman pressure and I would keep looking.
There are two ways of looking at the situation, you are buying the car not trying to make friends with the dealer so if the car is ok then treat them with contempt and just focus on the car.
If you think you might have to visit them again there might be issues if they come across as ignorant.
For peace of mind I think you need to get the car checked PROPERLY. If they don't agree to this then keep looking. All this deposit/ buying that day is just salesman pressure and I would keep looking.
One review........
By Clive S on 26 November 2017 | PURCHASE NOT VERIFIED
Didn't know about the car I was interested in, couldn't even tell me the service history. Agreed to letting me test drive it, copied my driving licence and filled in the form with my details. Finally asked whether I would be buying the car today if I liked it. No I said, I don't spend £25K on impulse. Offer of a test drive withdrawn. Wasted Sunday morning. Just go somewhere else.
By Clive S on 26 November 2017 | PURCHASE NOT VERIFIED
Didn't know about the car I was interested in, couldn't even tell me the service history. Agreed to letting me test drive it, copied my driving licence and filled in the form with my details. Finally asked whether I would be buying the car today if I liked it. No I said, I don't spend £25K on impulse. Offer of a test drive withdrawn. Wasted Sunday morning. Just go somewhere else.
randomeddy said:
One review........
By Clive S on 26 November 2017 | PURCHASE NOT VERIFIED
Didn't know about the car I was interested in, couldn't even tell me the service history. Agreed to letting me test drive it, copied my driving licence and filled in the form with my details. Finally asked whether I would be buying the car today if I liked it. No I said, I don't spend £25K on impulse. Offer of a test drive withdrawn. Wasted Sunday morning. Just go somewhere else.
Yes I read that one and many others. In my case at least they showed me all related paperwork (receipts MOTs logbook etc) but the treatment was the same.By Clive S on 26 November 2017 | PURCHASE NOT VERIFIED
Didn't know about the car I was interested in, couldn't even tell me the service history. Agreed to letting me test drive it, copied my driving licence and filled in the form with my details. Finally asked whether I would be buying the car today if I liked it. No I said, I don't spend £25K on impulse. Offer of a test drive withdrawn. Wasted Sunday morning. Just go somewhere else.
I found another CC but hasn’t viewed yet. The saga continues...
Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff