Used car haggling

[Soulman]

German cars have had their time, but people won't admit it, generally over priced and with no benefit over other brands. Sadly too many people buy cars purely because of the badge on the front. Other manufacturers offer far greater warranty, cheaper servicing etc but for some people having the German badge on the front is the most important thing. My brother is one of these people, for this he's an idiot.

Agreed, i had one Merc, the electrics were poor, bulbs kept going out, always something going wrong with the computer, expensive for parts. Never again.

 

[upthealbion1970]

As a garage owner and talking from experience, I'd most definitely dispute that claim, despite what the figures may claim.
By far the most common cars in for repair are French, Citroen and Peugeot's most commonly but a fair few Renaults too.

Agreed, I work at a motor factor - our biggest parts stock holding is for all things French.

 

[Bozza]

We go again.

Today: Honda Worthing (actually in Littlehampton)

 

[Stat Brother]

Have a look into this
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/90794/pcp-personal-contract-purchase-car-deals-explained

Thanks, I'll have a read in a bit.

I've been wondering why I'm being somewhat wet about this, and it's finally occurred to me.

In nearly 30 years of driving I've only owned 6 cars.

First bought with an inheritance.
Followed by 3 cash only 'dogs'.
The next after a remortgage (ah those were the days)

Then after 10+ years of not owning a car my current one was bought with a little bit of the cash left over after combining mortgages.

So it turns out I've never had a car loan, which I guess isn't that surprising as 'financing' scares me.

 

[Stat Brother]

Have a look into this
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/90794/pcp-personal-contract-purchase-car-deals-explained

We go again.

Today: Honda Worthing (actually in Littlehampton)

I know nothing about cars, and do nothing (servicing etc) with cars.

My old Honda is a warhorse it just keeps going no matter how badly it's treated.
I think their V-tec engine is bombproof.

 

[wehatepalace]

Agreed, I work at a motor factor - our biggest parts stock holding is for all things French.

Which one ? If you don't mind me asking ?

 

[Notters]

Can I be so bold and ask for some 'fatherly' financial advise.

My car is big, expensive, thristy & little used. With no value.
If I got something (anything) smaller, cheap and economical, it would pretty much pay for itself.

My problem is not knowing the best way to finance a 'new' car.
For arguments sake lets say to a maximum of £5k.

I thought you cycled EVERYWHERE?! A little piece of me has died inside today.

 

[Notters]

As a garage owner and talking from experience, I'd most definitely dispute that claim, despite what the figures may claim.
By far the most common cars in for repair are French, Citroen and Peugeot's most commonly but a fair few Renaults too.

Me Too.

I am, of course, talking about new cars. But I'd never buy a French one either. Japanese/Korean all the way for me.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32332210

 

[Stat Brother]

I thought you cycled EVERYWHERE?! A little piece of me has died inside today.

I do, in 2015 I cycled 5,235 miles and drove for 3,800 miles. (many of them to The Bridge car park)

Which is why I could do with off loading a 13 year old, 2 litre, petrol, estate car that's seen considerably better days.
For something that doesn't drink like Oliver Read and can be taxed for a year with less than I pay in one month.

 

[Captain Sensible]

You know German cars have overtaken French ones as the most unreliable in Europe? !

You're funny

 

[Captain Sensible]

I am, of course, talking about new cars. But I'd never buy a French one either. Japanese/Korean all the way for me.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32332210

That's the daftest way of calculating reliable. A cars durability should be determined more than reliability. On cheaper cars, especially French, things need replacing at lower mileage than others. That's why they say if you run to manufacturers specifications, it's will do X mileage. But the specifications are, Cam belt 60K, fuel filter 20k, Fuel pump 30k, head gasket 80k band so on and so on. Not to mention faulty sensors that need replacing after 40k.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

You know German cars have overtaken French ones as the most unreliable in Europe? !

Be wary of statistics - Several years back, I once asked a long-timer AA man what car he got called out to the most often.
Answer Vaxhauls, specifically Vectras. He quickly added that was because they were the most common car on the road so logically they were more about that could breakdown.

I suspect German sales are way higher than French [can't be bothered to look it up] so statistically there are far more on the road, so numbers will be higher.

I've owned VW's for the last 10 years and cannot fault relibility.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Be wary of statistics - Several years back, I once asked a long-timer AA man what car he got called out to the most often.
Answer Vaxhauls, specifically Vectras. He quickly added that was because they were the most common car on the road so logically they were more about that could breakdown.

I suspect German sales are way higher than French [can't be bothered to look it up] so statistically there are far more on the road, so numbers will be higher.

I've owned VW's for the last 10 years and cannot fault relibility.

My brother worked for Westbourne Motors for a while and he said the vehicle he recovered most often were those awful faux Mini's.

 

[LlcoolJ]

My brother worked for Westbourne Motors for a while and he said the vehicle he recovered most often were those awful faux Mini's.

Probably because some daft bint has rammed it into a wall / kerb / other car though? It's only daft bints who drive those abominations.......... isn't it?

 

[upthealbion1970]

Which one ? If you don't mind me asking ?

I'm at euros, which garages are yours if you don't mind me asking?

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Probably because some daft bint has rammed it into a wall / kerb / other car though? It's only daft bints who drive those abominations.......... isn't it?

Nope, believe it or not a lot of young, male suited types drive them too. Gearbox made of cheese.

 

[Stat Brother]

Jeeez, I know I'm not, and never have been, Mr Car.

But inspired by this thread and (what turned out to be unfounded, (god bless you Honda)) concerns about last weeks MOT, I've had a little look at Autotrader.

I've spent the last 5 minutes looking favourably at a Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI PD Classic 5dr


I'm going back to looking at bikes, at least there I can be knowledgeable and pretend I'm not that DULL.

 

[Bladders]

Don't forget to kick the tyres, that will tell you all you need to know as a buyer.

 

[wehatepalace]

I'm at euros, which garages are yours if you don't mind me asking?

Ah yeah we use Euros sometimes, our local branch is Crawley, my family own New Street Garage in Horsham, have done for 22 years so we must be doing something right !

 

[Stat Brother]

Don't forget to kick the tyres, that will tell you all you need to know as a buyer.

TBH I'd probably break a toe.