Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) Took our 12 year old, very reliable car to the garage today as the handbrake (which has been dodgy for years) wasn't even holding the car on a slight slope . I was advised that the car has really had it and although it's OK to drive for now, he wouldn't advise we spend anything at all on it . We've always bought second hand cars (almost new, usually) but our usual car dealer doesn't seem to have anything suitable on their website. Is it a good idea to buy new? Do you end up spending more than you need to because of the VAT? Where is a good place to look for a good second hand car? Help, neither of us knows a thing about cars . Edited August 26, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 We've only bought three cars as we don't like the process so run our cars until they are no longer economic to drive so I feel your pain. We bought our first car new because we were clueless - we were so lucky the salesman was unusually ethical for a car salesman (even though he turned out to also be a bankrobber) and we got a good deal even though we had no idea you weren't supposed to pay list price. Second car was going to be second hand but at the time the car we'd decided to buy had a good promotion. I think what was significant was we'd decided on the car and looked at second hand so when I noticed the promotion I realised it was actually a good deal. Third car again I decided on the car model by deciding what we needed (in this case inexpensive, low mileage and option of 7 seats that would fold away instead the car rather than need to be removed so we could cope with unexpected extra boys). Then I used autotrader on line - its a great way to compare prices. When looking at second hand cars we have used a knowledgeable friend to check things out but we've also gone on feel. A small second hand car dealer with 2 very high end sports cars parked behind belonging to the owners suggested their prices may not be the most competitive. We bought the third car from the 19yr old daughter of a small second hand car dealer as he was in hospital and she was covering for him before heading off to uni. Smart personable girl who clearly knew cars and the business so had no hesitation in dealing with her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Received wisdom is that new cars depreciate the minute you drive them off the forecourt - this is true, but if you're planning on keeping the next one for 12 years then it doesn't matter too much! The benefit of buying new is the manufacturer's warranty, although you'll have to comply with their service requirements to keep it valid, and the fact that they can afford to offer finance deals. I've only ever bought second-hand, and usually from a big dealership where they offer their own warranty so at least if something goes wrong in the first few weeks you've got some comeback. I agree it's worth looking at Autotrader online, alternatively if you have a specific make in mind, go to the company's website e.g. Ford and you should be able to find out which local dealers have got the model you're interested in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I really sympathise as I'm sure we know even less than you. However I was talking to someone today who bought a new toyota aygo a few years back & she said that she hasn't had a single bill, she gets 68 miles to the gallon and only pays £20/ year tax. I guess this is a bit small for you and yours but might be perhaps something similar would be a possibility & really just using this as an example to illustrate that new has its advantages. We've only ever had ancient petrol guzzlers until we bought our zafira a couple of years back (omlet recommendation ) This was ex mobility, low mileage and in perfect condition. We bought 3 years servicing & mots in advance. Would def recommend this way of buying a "new to you" vehicle. Oh it was from a well known dealership. Don't know if forum rules permits me saying which Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I have bought both a brand new car and second hand cars in the past. My current car is second hand and was a year old with low mileage, so still in great nick but with a hefty chunk off the list price. I'd say a fairly new second hand car will give you a good deal. As Olly said, the minute a new car is driven off the forecourt, its value decreases. Get a hold of a copy of the Parkers used car price guide which will give you an idea of what you should be paying for a second hand car based on age/mileage etc. Helps you to know that you're not being ripped off. Make sure that wherever you buy the car from has serviced it thoroughly and it comes with warranty and you should be okay (touch wood!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Opps, meant to add I have always bought from local dealership before but my latest car was from a car supermarket. I had always avoided these like the plague before, but I must say they are hard to beat on price (just be aware they will also try and sell you a whole load of useless extras with the car!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 OOpps! My Rover 214 N reg is limping on but, having just had the head done am hoping it will now go a fair bit longer (has only done 65,000) but am dreading replacing this on a budget ! FIL has investigated ex mobility cars and says they are a really good deal...sounds like worth looking into as they are all well maintained. I will certainly investigate further when the time comes! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Spoke to OH and he said to get info online from Parkers and What Car. Without paying you can find out a price for cars and some have had reviews done which can be useful. If you pay apparently you can ask for prices for example of an older car with low milage. Have you thought of an ex demonstrator from a garage That can sometimes be a good deal. Also if you buy a car at a garage try to get a discount, although nowadays they do not seem so able to do this. However often you can get extras free e.g. mud flaps, car mats, tank of petrol, extra tax paid, extra servicing. If you are getting an older car check the tyres. If they look as if they will soon need to be replaced and they will not give you new ones ask if they can be changed for tyres from another car in the showroom if they have a suitable one. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 That's really useful, thanks everyone . Our last car was a 6 month old ex-hire (or fleet, can't remember which) from Guernsey so had virtually no mileage. We'd like something similar, if poss, definitely nearly new. Don't really care what make/model etc. We actually have 2 new tyres (3 weeks old ) on our current car. I suspect the car will be s"Ooops, word censored!" so presumably I can ask for the tyres if they'll take the car off our hands? I'll definitely check out your suggestions, LL! I'd like to go armed with some information so I don't look like a complete numtpy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Be aware that you can often get a better deal by getting rid of your old car elsewhere (eg webuyanycar.com) and being a cash buyer rather than having a trade-in (big dealers don't want them) Even if you s"Ooops, word censored!" it, cars nowadays have a reasonable s"Ooops, word censored!" value (because of the price of metal) whereas in the past you had to pretty much pay to have it taken away - there are several online people who do it, never used any of them, but perhaps worth checking out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanR Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 If you are going to s"Ooops, word censored!" it, handle it yourself, in this area they are paying £125.00 delivered to the yard, or £120.00 collected, but make sure you use a genuine breaker who will issue a 'Certificate of Destruction' on behalf of the DVLA. Don't let it go to matey who comes round with his transit pickup. If you can go to a dealer with no PE you will get a better deal, haggle. Steer clear of that company who buy any car, you know the one I mean. a friend went on their site and put his details in, he was offered 75 pence. Got £120.00 from a breaker, and that was collected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanR Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 merlina, I wasn't looking over your shoulder, honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 merlina, I wasn't looking over your shoulder, honest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 We had to offload both of our vehicles and buy just one, we knew what type of vehicle we wanted so we phoned around local dealerships - we eventually found what we were looking for but the salesman said "we have....but it is the demo and it is diesel".......we couldn't get over to Banbury fast enough We'd given up asking for an ex-demo diesel It's well worth phoning around once you have done the research and know what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 Hadn't thought about disposing of the car ourselves, thanks for all those tips. If you can go to a dealer with no PE you will get a better deal, haggle. Showing my ignorance, what's 'PE' ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanR Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Part Exchange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 Ah, thanks . I've been on Arnold Clark's website and found a car which looks perfect. It's pre-registered (to Arnold Clark), has only 10 miles on the clock and is £14,495 with a life-time Vauxhall warranty. List price apparently £19,930. Is this too good to be true ? http://www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/vauxhall/astra/1.6i-16v-sri-5dr/2012-%2812%29/ref/arnav-3564/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanR Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Dealers register cars for several reasons, one being they have targets to reach set by the manufacturers. Say to earn their discounts when buying from the manufacturer. Some do a slight of hand a register the car. it then looks as if it a sale. Basically you are getting a new - second hand car hence the reduction. If you go for one, still haggle. Have a look here it explains it better than I can http://www.motors.co.uk/cars/guides-and-advice/buying/buying-a-pre-registered-car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 Thanks, sounds like it's a good idea then! Now, some reviews are saying the 1.6 is sluggish. There is a 1.7 but it's diesel. Never had a diesel - worth considering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanR Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Diesels are a good idea. even though fuel is more expensive, they have a far better MPG comparatively to petrol MPG so are still cheaper to run. What is your vehicle now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 It's a Vauxhall Astra 1.6LS hatchback (2001). We're going to go for a test drive tomorrow . There are three I have my eye on, 2 petrol, 1 diesel, 2 hatchbacks, 1 estate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 Showing my ignorance, what's 'PE' ? Part exchange Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 When I bought my current car five years ago (Ford Focus) it was the first time I'd had a diesel. Even though it's more expensive per litre than petrol, the mpg is fantastic and modern diesel engines are quite responsive - I had bad memories of cars which took ages to get 'warmed up' and chugged like tractors. I'm a convert - just be VERY careful when filling up with fuel for the first few weeks, until you've got in the habit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 I'd certainly worry about that . Now not sure about lifetime warranties so have started a new thread to hopefully get opinions from people who haven't seen this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickric Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 Some useful information about choosing between diesel and petrol here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
