Thoughts after seeing a car that had probably been ragged
Discussion
My search for a replacement daily has lead me to arrive at a Golf GTI and I went to see one at a large dealership chain the week before last. Really just an observation here.
The salesman warned me on the phone that the car had only just come in and had not yet been prepped. When I arrived the valet guys had done a quick job to make it semi presentable. The very honest salesman said he'd rarely seen a trade-in car in such a state in his 20-odd years.
It was grim indeed. Diamond cut wheels were all wrecked, 4 budget tyres, over 2 years since its last service, interior stank.
Aside from being generally sad that someone would treat a car like that, let alone one that's meant to be "driver spec" (3 door, manual, performance pack), I was surprised that a big dealer had taken such a car on to sell. I was very glad to have seen it before it hit the showroom as it would have looked a lot better I'm sure.
I'm just off the phone to a friend who's in the trade, who pointed out that many if not most Golf GTIs or Rs, or Audi RS3s, A45 AMGs etc will likely have lived a hard life being revved from cold or generally driven without much mechanical sympathy.
I guess it's a risk with buying any used car, but it's got me wondering whether I should be searching for something else, and whether buying privately could be a better option. At least that way you can make an assessment of the current owner, which may offset the disadvantages of sales protection, warranty and so on.
The salesman warned me on the phone that the car had only just come in and had not yet been prepped. When I arrived the valet guys had done a quick job to make it semi presentable. The very honest salesman said he'd rarely seen a trade-in car in such a state in his 20-odd years.
It was grim indeed. Diamond cut wheels were all wrecked, 4 budget tyres, over 2 years since its last service, interior stank.
Aside from being generally sad that someone would treat a car like that, let alone one that's meant to be "driver spec" (3 door, manual, performance pack), I was surprised that a big dealer had taken such a car on to sell. I was very glad to have seen it before it hit the showroom as it would have looked a lot better I'm sure.
I'm just off the phone to a friend who's in the trade, who pointed out that many if not most Golf GTIs or Rs, or Audi RS3s, A45 AMGs etc will likely have lived a hard life being revved from cold or generally driven without much mechanical sympathy.
I guess it's a risk with buying any used car, but it's got me wondering whether I should be searching for something else, and whether buying privately could be a better option. At least that way you can make an assessment of the current owner, which may offset the disadvantages of sales protection, warranty and so on.
I agree that this one sounds particularly unloved, but I’m not sure it’s reasonable to say that the types of car you’re looking at would likely have been ragged from cold.
Truth is, some people have mechanical sympathy, others don’t. Some people give a s
t, others don’t. I would, however, be cautious of this type of car that was taken on a cheap lease as, arguably, there is little incentivised to look after it, as it wouldn’t be their problem in a few years time. Perhaps that was more the basis for your friends comments.
Truth is, some people have mechanical sympathy, others don’t. Some people give a s
t, others don’t. I would, however, be cautious of this type of car that was taken on a cheap lease as, arguably, there is little incentivised to look after it, as it wouldn’t be their problem in a few years time. Perhaps that was more the basis for your friends comments.Not all GTIs are treated and driven like crap but you're right about the neglect as an indication of the previous owners treatment of it. Scuffed alloys I can sort of understand. These sort of things can happen to anyone but smelly scuffed interiors and dents all indicate poor ownership. Budget tyres show that things were done on the cheap.
GolfDragon said:
Go with your gut instinct.
If it doesn't feel right or something seems off then find another car. Sometimes you might have to pay a bit more but it might save you in the long run.
All good unless your gut instinct is “I MUST HAVE IT!!!!” Which normally is what my gut does whenever i go to look at a car, any car.If it doesn't feel right or something seems off then find another car. Sometimes you might have to pay a bit more but it might save you in the long run.
Heathwood said:
I agree that this one sounds particularly unloved, but I’m not sure it’s reasonable to say that the types of car you’re looking at would likely have been ragged from cold.
Truth is, some people have mechanical sympathy, others don’t. Some people give a st, others don’t. I would, however, be cautious of this type of car that was taken on a cheap lease as, arguably, there is little incentivised to look after it, as it wouldn’t be their problem in a few years time. Perhaps that was more the basis for your friends comments.
Is that even much of a problem on modern cars? I thought they did a pretty good job of protecting themselves from things like being thrashed when cold.Truth is, some people have mechanical sympathy, others don’t. Some people give a s
t, others don’t. I would, however, be cautious of this type of car that was taken on a cheap lease as, arguably, there is little incentivised to look after it, as it wouldn’t be their problem in a few years time. Perhaps that was more the basis for your friends comments.If the interior was cleaned up, wheels refurbed and some decent tyres were on there before you saw it, you’d never know.
You could buy one privately that looks great, and the owner did all these things after buying the one you looked at….
A lot of cars are ragged from cold - I treat mine with as much mechanical sympathy as possible, but rag them when warmed up… after all, why have an S54 if you never hear it at 7500rpm.
If you want to be certain it’s never ragged, buy one brand new, but the next time it’s in a garage the tech might rev it from cold, you just don’t know….
If you have doubts, and I would too with budget tyres fitted, then walk away.
You could buy one privately that looks great, and the owner did all these things after buying the one you looked at….
A lot of cars are ragged from cold - I treat mine with as much mechanical sympathy as possible, but rag them when warmed up… after all, why have an S54 if you never hear it at 7500rpm.
If you want to be certain it’s never ragged, buy one brand new, but the next time it’s in a garage the tech might rev it from cold, you just don’t know….
If you have doubts, and I would too with budget tyres fitted, then walk away.
carbonblack said:
If you want to be certain it’s never ragged, buy one brand new, but the next time it’s in a garage the tech might rev it from cold, you just don’t know….
I can pretty much guarantee it will have been ragged at some point between the factory and the dealership! Going to Southampton docks with a friend to collect her imported Impreza was an eye opener!Chris
Was this a main dealer? Where about in the country are you? I bought the same model this week after some searching and there are a number of PPs about at national sellers that will ship to your nearest store, what's your budget?
The issue I found with private is that the pool of used private sales seems tiny nowadays and if you want a very specific car (manual, 3 door, PP etc), you need to be prepared to travel.
The issue I found with private is that the pool of used private sales seems tiny nowadays and if you want a very specific car (manual, 3 door, PP etc), you need to be prepared to travel.
Edited by TimmyMallett on Wednesday 5th July 10:35
When I was looking for a new car I was looking at M140i, S3 and Golf R.
So many cars for sale, whittle it to the spec you want and massively reduced.
The next filter was looking for red flags - it was staggering how many had £30 tyres.
Test drove an M140i - Tyre brand I had never heard of and when I googled it they didn't even have a website, drove like st. Had 2 services in 6 years.
Test drove a Golf R after - drove well but smelled musty/old inside, paintwork swirled to high heaven and a couple of panels flat.
Another good one was the Vcheck I ran on a few possibles - Saw some number plates that were enough to run away!
BO55 , U SLO and all that bull.
The S5s were mostly about tyres for me - sound stupid but I don't want to buy a £30k+ car from someone who fits Wanli tyres on it. So many had been neglected on servicing too.
Be picky, you need to be with this group of cars - but there are plenty of normal and enthusiast owners of them too. Do your due diligence
So many cars for sale, whittle it to the spec you want and massively reduced.
The next filter was looking for red flags - it was staggering how many had £30 tyres.
Test drove an M140i - Tyre brand I had never heard of and when I googled it they didn't even have a website, drove like s
t. Had 2 services in 6 years. Test drove a Golf R after - drove well but smelled musty/old inside, paintwork swirled to high heaven and a couple of panels flat.
Another good one was the Vcheck I ran on a few possibles - Saw some number plates that were enough to run away!
BO55 , U SLO and all that bull.
The S5s were mostly about tyres for me - sound stupid but I don't want to buy a £30k+ car from someone who fits Wanli tyres on it. So many had been neglected on servicing too.
Be picky, you need to be with this group of cars - but there are plenty of normal and enthusiast owners of them too. Do your due diligence
Think it’s very dependant on what you consider ragged.
I drive fast but have a lot of mechanical sympathy. I’ve caught up to your M-lites (140i,340i), Rs, RS3s and you can see the car being chucked about, the pedal is an on off switch and they oversteer every corner meanwhile I haven’t even left comfort mode and I’m cruising to the gym.
I’m sure they think I’m ragging my car when in actual fact I’m nowhere near the limit driving like miss daisy as the cars limits are so much higher than my own.
Always buy on condition simple as that.
I had a remapped GTI with a clutch supposedly made of chocolate but drove it with a bit of common sense and no clutch slip after 40,000miles and 3 years. Including my wife learning to drive in it! Meanwhile Golf Rs, Cupra and S3s suppose to be going before 10,000miles.
I’m actually of the opinion that most normal cars are treated even worse than hot hatches. At least someone buying a hot hatches bought it for a reason. The more niche cars are probably where the real bargain lies like your Megane RS, Type R or 308GTI as they likely been bought by a proper enthusiast.
I drive fast but have a lot of mechanical sympathy. I’ve caught up to your M-lites (140i,340i), Rs, RS3s and you can see the car being chucked about, the pedal is an on off switch and they oversteer every corner meanwhile I haven’t even left comfort mode and I’m cruising to the gym.
I’m sure they think I’m ragging my car when in actual fact I’m nowhere near the limit driving like miss daisy as the cars limits are so much higher than my own.
Always buy on condition simple as that.
I had a remapped GTI with a clutch supposedly made of chocolate but drove it with a bit of common sense and no clutch slip after 40,000miles and 3 years. Including my wife learning to drive in it! Meanwhile Golf Rs, Cupra and S3s suppose to be going before 10,000miles.
I’m actually of the opinion that most normal cars are treated even worse than hot hatches. At least someone buying a hot hatches bought it for a reason. The more niche cars are probably where the real bargain lies like your Megane RS, Type R or 308GTI as they likely been bought by a proper enthusiast.
Doesn't particularly worry me, but I always tend to buy at the arse end of the market. Any car can be made good... st tyres? Upgrade them. Lack of servicing? Service it straight away.
Appreciate most are more fussy than me though!
Plus, to be honest I would have expected a hot hatch or similar to have been thrashed a bit, it's kind of the point! Saying that, when I picked up my current car it was on 16mpg average
I've now got that up to 29mpg thank god.
t tyres? Upgrade them. Lack of servicing? Service it straight away.Appreciate most are more fussy than me though!
Plus, to be honest I would have expected a hot hatch or similar to have been thrashed a bit, it's kind of the point! Saying that, when I picked up my current car it was on 16mpg average
I've now got that up to 29mpg thank god.Condi said:
You say this, but in 2 weeks time it will look great, and if you'd turned up to see it then you'd never know.
Every used car is a bit of a gamble.
yeah maybe a bit , bet its still got odd tyres , shoddy paint and wheel repairs , wont ever clean up like a minter but i get your point Every used car is a bit of a gamble.
why i like buying private , get one from a nice old couple in a big house , not some chav on a council estate
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