Dealer or private?
Discussion
I have no doubt that this has been discussed as part of other threads, but given that:
- buying from a dealer provides some recourse under the Sale of Goods Act should things go wrong (which we have seen over the past few days they do);
- we are talking about vast sums of money and we need peace of mind;
- buying from a dealer means that there are no issues with anyone doing a runner after cash/car has been handed over...
WHILST ALSO REMEMBERING THAT
- an OPC warranty can be insisted on by a buyer as part of a private purchase;
- purchasing privately means that you are more likely to see a car in its 'raw' state without any 'patch-ups';
- OPCs and independents do *understandably* make hefty margins...
what is the general opinion on buying, for example, a £50k 996TT privately-v-trade?
Will
- buying from a dealer provides some recourse under the Sale of Goods Act should things go wrong (which we have seen over the past few days they do);
- we are talking about vast sums of money and we need peace of mind;
- buying from a dealer means that there are no issues with anyone doing a runner after cash/car has been handed over...
WHILST ALSO REMEMBERING THAT
- an OPC warranty can be insisted on by a buyer as part of a private purchase;
- purchasing privately means that you are more likely to see a car in its 'raw' state without any 'patch-ups';
- OPCs and independents do *understandably* make hefty margins...
what is the general opinion on buying, for example, a £50k 996TT privately-v-trade?
Will
I would say that many go to dealers because they don't have £50k spare to buy for cash a private sale. People need finance.
I've tried to sell all my cars privately, simply because when you sell a 911, you'll get hit by the huge margins even specialists want to take. It's always at least £5k so I figure I'd rather have that cash in my pocket. So, I've sold privately.
However, the more expensive the car, the harder it will be to sell privately.
The problem I've found in buying privately is that the seller automatically wants the dealer price for the car. Sometimes, they'll want more. A good compromise is about halfway. So a specialist 996TT 02 will probably be at £53k. It will trade at around £47, so I'd be offering £50ish. I would get it fully inspected, and for that money, a car which already has a OPC warranty left to run.
I've tried to sell all my cars privately, simply because when you sell a 911, you'll get hit by the huge margins even specialists want to take. It's always at least £5k so I figure I'd rather have that cash in my pocket. So, I've sold privately.
However, the more expensive the car, the harder it will be to sell privately.
The problem I've found in buying privately is that the seller automatically wants the dealer price for the car. Sometimes, they'll want more. A good compromise is about halfway. So a specialist 996TT 02 will probably be at £53k. It will trade at around £47, so I'd be offering £50ish. I would get it fully inspected, and for that money, a car which already has a OPC warranty left to run.
Don't think there's any one answer, depends on your outlook really.
Personally, all else being equal, I normally buy privately but get the car checked over (depending on age/history) and that's included up to 355/GT3. Both I ran without warranty and sold that way no probs either.......A warranty from an OPC is nice but expensive reassurance when it's a £10k mark up on what they paid for the car. Only you can make a judgement on how much you need the reassurance though.
Obviously the other thread running here shows the potential pitfalls in *any* used car, from any source.
One of the things I like about buying privately is a chance to meet the owner and see how mechanically sympathetic they are. Not so much use on a multi-owner car though.
P.S. <plug> My Noble M400 is for sale now (see PH ads). <plug>
Personally, all else being equal, I normally buy privately but get the car checked over (depending on age/history) and that's included up to 355/GT3. Both I ran without warranty and sold that way no probs either.......A warranty from an OPC is nice but expensive reassurance when it's a £10k mark up on what they paid for the car. Only you can make a judgement on how much you need the reassurance though.
Obviously the other thread running here shows the potential pitfalls in *any* used car, from any source.
One of the things I like about buying privately is a chance to meet the owner and see how mechanically sympathetic they are. Not so much use on a multi-owner car though.
P.S. <plug> My Noble M400 is for sale now (see PH ads). <plug>
AL001 said:
Personally, all else being equal, I normally buy privately but get the car checked over
Get the car checked over by an OPC using the pre warranty check.
If anything is found you can either walk away or bargain.
If it gets the all clear, put an OPC warranty on it, then you've got peace of mind.
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