How important is spec to you?
Discussion
For example - I've just bought a Panda 100HP. It just *had* to be grey, and almost as much had *not* to have esr.
I know it's mad, but I would've turned down a better one in any other colour (had I found one) - I'd just always have looked at it and thought 'I wish it was a grey one'
Any other examples?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Oops! I have mispelt! ESP - a stability control thingy. It can't be switched off, and I've half a mind that when the race car is off the track with a blown engine (depressing common, Devil's Elbow at Mallory is my nemesis) I might do a couple of club sprints in it.I buy at the end of the market where basically I need a good solid car for my money. I look at stuff like service history, number of owners, wear and tear, maintenence etc etc. If all that's in place then I might pass a glance at the "spec".
That said, if someones specced tangerine seats and a mauve headlining, then I'd probably not go and see the car in the first place. And I won't buy a car with wood in it. It's just wrong.
Spec to me is a bonus. My current BMW is actually very well specced - Climate control, sunroof, half leather sports seats (best of both worlds IMO), Dog guard/load cover, electric everythign and auto dip rear view, etc etc.... but most of those I overlooked when purchasing and they've just become nice bonuses since.
That said, if someones specced tangerine seats and a mauve headlining, then I'd probably not go and see the car in the first place. And I won't buy a car with wood in it. It's just wrong.
Spec to me is a bonus. My current BMW is actually very well specced - Climate control, sunroof, half leather sports seats (best of both worlds IMO), Dog guard/load cover, electric everythign and auto dip rear view, etc etc.... but most of those I overlooked when purchasing and they've just become nice bonuses since.
I couldnt careless about specs, all about the drive and condition. I tend to find low spec cars have been better looked after as previous owners have had to stretch to buy them therefore take better care. As for weird colours most of the time I find it gives it a bit more character and stands out a bit more (obviously there are some exceptions) and I do price them accordingly.
I would always go by: If I can't afford a fully loaded top spec car, I should be considering the model down from it (but once again top spec)... not talking engines here, simply equipment and trim package. Its always nice knowing you're driving around in the best of the model. Bloody well helps when selling on as well... you'll find you're not the only person out there with a fetish for loaded cars (they always carry a hefty premium over basic versions and are easier to sell)
But as said already, everyone is different when it comes to spec. Everyone is fussy in their own little ways:
For example, I would NOT buy:
- a BMW, unless it was an M Sport with folding mirrors (rare option on BMW's somehow)
- an Audi unless it was an S-line or a 'Black' Edition, and crucially quattro
- a Mini without chili pack or higher
- a 5 door hatchback when there is a better looking 3 door alternative
- a Mercedes without leather
- a Pre-993 Porsche unless it was left hand drive
- a Panda, unless it was a 100HP and had the Pandemonium kit on it (almost bought one a few months ago too!)
- a Golf, unless it was a GTI (Golf would be an exception to the aforementioned 3-door rule!)
- an E60 5 series unless it was a Touring
- an E39 5 series unless it was a facelift with angel eyes
but thats just me!
But as said already, everyone is different when it comes to spec. Everyone is fussy in their own little ways:
For example, I would NOT buy:
- a BMW, unless it was an M Sport with folding mirrors (rare option on BMW's somehow)
- an Audi unless it was an S-line or a 'Black' Edition, and crucially quattro
- a Mini without chili pack or higher
- a 5 door hatchback when there is a better looking 3 door alternative
- a Mercedes without leather
- a Pre-993 Porsche unless it was left hand drive
- a Panda, unless it was a 100HP and had the Pandemonium kit on it (almost bought one a few months ago too!)
- a Golf, unless it was a GTI (Golf would be an exception to the aforementioned 3-door rule!)
- an E60 5 series unless it was a Touring
- an E39 5 series unless it was a facelift with angel eyes
but thats just me!
Owners, mileage, history and condition are more important to me, but I am still quite finicky when it comes to colour. Spec isn't of massive importance, though leather is a must. It just adds that little bit of opulence that cloth never quite achieves.
I have been quite lucky with my last couple of selections; my last Alfa was a 156 in Polar White with black leather which just looked the bees' knees. It stood out from the crowd and had that little bit of exclusivity. The current one has swathes of red leather and a red dash. At first it didn't appeal, but I'm delighted I went for it now; black leather just wouldn't have given the same theatre.
There are those of course who look at specification with resale in mind, which I wouldn't bother about so much. Buy what suits you, not what the next owner might be looking for.
I have been quite lucky with my last couple of selections; my last Alfa was a 156 in Polar White with black leather which just looked the bees' knees. It stood out from the crowd and had that little bit of exclusivity. The current one has swathes of red leather and a red dash. At first it didn't appeal, but I'm delighted I went for it now; black leather just wouldn't have given the same theatre.
There are those of course who look at specification with resale in mind, which I wouldn't bother about so much. Buy what suits you, not what the next owner might be looking for.
5charlie46 said:
I couldnt careless about specs, all about the drive and condition. I tend to find low spec cars have been better looked after as previous owners have had to stretch to buy them therefore take better care. As for weird colours most of the time I find it gives it a bit more character and stands out a bit more (obviously there are some exceptions) and I do price them accordingly.
What an odd statement.AOK said:
I would always go by: If I can't afford a fully loaded top spec car, I should be considering the model down from it (but once again top spec)... not talking engines here, simply equipment and trim package. Its always nice knowing you're driving around in the best of the model. Bloody well helps when selling on as well... you'll find you're not the only person out there with a fetish for loaded cars (they always carry a hefty premium over basic versions and are easier to sell)
But as said already, everyone is different when it comes to spec. Everyone is fussy in their own little ways:
For example, I would NOT buy:
- a BMW, unless it was an M Sport with folding mirrors (rare option on BMW's somehow)
- an Audi unless it was an S-line or a 'Black' Edition, and crucially quattro
- a Mini without chili pack or higher
- a 5 door hatchback when there is a better looking 3 door alternative
- a Mercedes without leather
- a Pre-993 Porsche unless it was left hand drive
- a Panda, unless it was a 100HP and had the Pandemonium kit on it (almost bought one a few months ago too!)
- a Golf, unless it was a GTI (Golf would be an exception to the aforementioned 3-door rule!)
- an E60 5 series unless it was a Touring
- an E39 5 series unless it was a facelift with angel eyes
but thats just me!
What about a Mercedes with leather but no folding mirrors?But as said already, everyone is different when it comes to spec. Everyone is fussy in their own little ways:
For example, I would NOT buy:
- a BMW, unless it was an M Sport with folding mirrors (rare option on BMW's somehow)
- an Audi unless it was an S-line or a 'Black' Edition, and crucially quattro
- a Mini without chili pack or higher
- a 5 door hatchback when there is a better looking 3 door alternative
- a Mercedes without leather
- a Pre-993 Porsche unless it was left hand drive
- a Panda, unless it was a 100HP and had the Pandemonium kit on it (almost bought one a few months ago too!)
- a Golf, unless it was a GTI (Golf would be an exception to the aforementioned 3-door rule!)
- an E60 5 series unless it was a Touring
- an E39 5 series unless it was a facelift with angel eyes
but thats just me!
I look for the car, not the spec - as a few extras and the right colour so that it 'looks nice' don't bother me...cars aren't a fashion statement to me. I've bought some great cars in the wrong colour - tend to be better value! However, I am very fussy about original paintwork, good service history etc etc.
When looking for my current car it had to be Silver-grey. It had to have the 18" wheel option. However, if a fully-specced example with 17" wheels and a different colour came up, then it could have been considered. For me it's important but, I'll always be open-minded.
But, an E46 M3 has to have every extra. I mean every - even the rare electric rear blind and sunroof combo. Nothing else would be looked at.
Fickle aren't I?!
But, an E46 M3 has to have every extra. I mean every - even the rare electric rear blind and sunroof combo. Nothing else would be looked at.
Fickle aren't I?!
Fun Bus said:
When looking for my current car it had to be Silver-grey. It had to have the 18" wheel option. However, if a fully-specced example with 17" wheels and a different colour came up, then it could have been considered. For me it's important but, I'll always be open-minded.
But, an E46 M3 has to have every extra. I mean every - even the rare electric rear blind and sunroof combo. Nothing else would be looked at.
Fickle aren't I?!
No. But, an E46 M3 has to have every extra. I mean every - even the rare electric rear blind and sunroof combo. Nothing else would be looked at.
Fickle aren't I?!
I had a mate in school back in the day whose dad was hell bent on buying a BRAND NEW Mercedes (when you had to pay for literally every option).
A new C180 was ordered and the mate took plenty of pleasure on reminding me of this on a daily basis. A few weeks later, I had the 'luck' to get a lift off the mate's dad in said C180 - it was uttterly bottom spec: cloth, wind down rear windows, no stereo, just a blanking plate. WTF!?
Many new items quoted on the spec sheet are irrelevancies to me - auto lights, auto wipers etc. Aircon, full OBC, sunroof etc are the things I would want. Colour combo can be a compromise but it depends how long you are willing to wait for the 'right' car.
A new C180 was ordered and the mate took plenty of pleasure on reminding me of this on a daily basis. A few weeks later, I had the 'luck' to get a lift off the mate's dad in said C180 - it was uttterly bottom spec: cloth, wind down rear windows, no stereo, just a blanking plate. WTF!?
Many new items quoted on the spec sheet are irrelevancies to me - auto lights, auto wipers etc. Aircon, full OBC, sunroof etc are the things I would want. Colour combo can be a compromise but it depends how long you are willing to wait for the 'right' car.
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