Discussion
Would you consider buying a cat S? Especially if you consider keeping the car long term?
If the accident and insurance claim was a number of years and miles ago then likely the owners have had trouble free enjoyment out of it since then.
The discount of some cars is pretty significant. For example:
Fezza 458
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14342944
Boxter 981
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208118...
Of course pre purchase inspection essential and if you would ever sell you would have to price it low (but not an issue as you bought it at a steep discount too)….
If the accident and insurance claim was a number of years and miles ago then likely the owners have had trouble free enjoyment out of it since then.
The discount of some cars is pretty significant. For example:
Fezza 458
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14342944
Boxter 981
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208118...
Of course pre purchase inspection essential and if you would ever sell you would have to price it low (but not an issue as you bought it at a steep discount too)….
A ferrari is a bit different, the price tag means it's worth getting something repaired by craftsmen and rebuilt to a high standard, checked out by experts etc etc.
A £10k car that's been Cat S, I would avoid, it will have been repaired down to a price and will never be the same again.
The boxster is somewhere in the middle. You'd have to assure yourself it was good value, bearing in mind it will likely have the odd issue from having been apart and been repaired, and the next buyer will want a stout discount.
Even undeclared minor damage can be a pest after a few years, paint which looked like a match when applied can fade differently, plastic bits and trim which have been removed and replaced start creaking, rattling or falling off. Random stuff that's been touched by primates since it left the factory is just not put back right.
Likewise, I would not touch an ex 'motability' car except at a giveaway price.
A mate had an ex-plod car, good value and reliable but rattled like the Isle of Wight Railway.
A £10k car that's been Cat S, I would avoid, it will have been repaired down to a price and will never be the same again.
The boxster is somewhere in the middle. You'd have to assure yourself it was good value, bearing in mind it will likely have the odd issue from having been apart and been repaired, and the next buyer will want a stout discount.
Even undeclared minor damage can be a pest after a few years, paint which looked like a match when applied can fade differently, plastic bits and trim which have been removed and replaced start creaking, rattling or falling off. Random stuff that's been touched by primates since it left the factory is just not put back right.
Likewise, I would not touch an ex 'motability' car except at a giveaway price.
A mate had an ex-plod car, good value and reliable but rattled like the Isle of Wight Railway.
Thanks for the responses. I’ve got to admit that I really quite like that 458. Was not sure about the colour at first, but think it looks excellent now. As you say £100k is a serious amount of money, considering to drop it on a cat S is probably mad. Especially as I’ve been unlucky (read impatient and stupid) in buying used cars in the past. Although there are several horror stories on here that have made me feel better 😊
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