Finally join the motoring lot!

ash_scotland88 · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:06

Bought a car today and pick it up tomorrow.

I sort of went against what you guys said and got the 2002 1.8T Golf GTI.
Got it down to £2150.

I've had the uk-mk4.com forum advising me along the way. Apart from the cosmetic it all felt solid and drove well. Effortless power but I've only driven Vans for the past 4years so don't have much of a comparison. HUGE folder of past receipts MOTs, invoices etc. Current MOT was given on the 17th of this month so almost a full year. Cam belt service just done and sitting at 81000.

The heated leather Recaros are lush!

Plan is to get it to my mechanic for an inspection. And if nothing is needing spent then get quotes for what needs sorted, bumper and headlight washer cover the main things, which I've had a quote for £160 from a coachworks but will shop around. Alloys may need possibly done at somepoint too.
I have ordered some Fablon brushed alluminium to coat the nasty cheap wood, which wasn't actually that bad when sitting in the car, but the allu will hopefully lighten and freshen it up.

The "magical" 83600 listed the car prices as:

Forecourt £3,890
Private: £2790

So I'm guessing a garage/mechanic selling cars on the side is somewhere between?
He did say he originially had it at £2995, I first saw it at £2495, so quite a bit off either way I feel.

Just glad of the freedom I will now hopefully be able to get! I suffer from chronic back and leg pains which can leave my basically trapped in my house due to unable to withstand the public transport. Even the 0.4m round trip to the local Tesco Express can be slow and excruciating. And being unemployed I am basically stuck in the house all day so this will hopefully allow some freedom to just get out for a bit and to stop planning my life around when my parents can drive me! 23 and it feels like I am much younger at times!

Jono8 · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:10

This should go well.

[TW]Fox · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:15

ash_scotland88 said:
Apart from the cosmetic

Whats wrong with the cosmetics?

How do you intend to run a Golf GTI Turbo if you are unemployed? :confused:

Andr3w · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:16

ash_scotland88 said:
I sort of went against what you guys said

OH MY GOD! ! ! !

ash_scotland88 · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:25

[TW]Fox;21082603 said:
Whats wrong with the cosmetics?

How do you intend to run a Golf GTI Turbo if you are unemployed?

Rear bumper needs resprayed and a small hole filled it and a headlight washer cover was replaced so needs painting- this was taken in when considering the price.

All major costs (buying, insurance, tax) have been covered by my savings and have money left over. I'm getting JSA and have no outgoings.

Yes it's a risky case but I'm not exactly going to be doing 100s of miles a week.

mjt · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:29

I can't see why anyone would get a Mk4 GTI over a Leon Cupra.
The Cupra is better in every single way.

Jono8 · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:30

ash_scotland88 said:
All major costs (buying, insurance, tax) have been covered by my savings and have money left over. I'm getting JSA and have no outgoings.

MUST...NOT...RAGE

ash_scotland88 · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:30

Price and spec for me.
None where below £3k up here.

ash_scotland88 · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:34

Jono8 said:
MUST...NOT...RAGE

What for? I have worked, I've been offered more work but I've had to refuse due to the pain.
I'm lucky enough to live with the parents.

placeholder · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:34

Jono8 said:
MUST...NOT...RAGE

Rage away........

Im the last one to turn into the Daily Mail but there is something wrong with this picture......

placeholder · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:36

ash_scotland88 said:
What for? I have worked, I've been offered more work but I've had to refuse due to the pain.
I'm lucky enough to live with the parents.

Forgive me if im wrong but if you are in a position where you cannot work due to pain/physical issues you should be on more than JSA?

ash_scotland88 · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:39

placeholder said:
Forgive me if im wrong but if you are in a position where you cannot work due to pain/physical issues you should be on more than JSA?

As far as I am aware I need a diagnosis for the cause of the pain, which I am waiting for with rhuematology.
But I would be more interested in getting access to the dreadfully spoken about training courses to get experience in other areas as I do wan't to work.

[TW]Fox · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:41

I cannot help but think this is totally the wrong car for somebody who doesnt work and is on JSA. Surely the JSA alone wont pay for the unkeep of a car like this? A set of decent tyres must be pushing 400 quid for example? :confused:

PeterNem · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:44

Let's add some balance to the sympathetic "omg you should claim more" post.

ash_scotland88 said:
All major costs (buying, insurance, tax) have been covered by my savings and have money left over. I'm getting JSA and have no outgoings.

Given you have no outgoings, why do you need JSA? Lots of people work and can't afford to save - why should you be made better off than them? Makes me mad! My tax monies paying for your car!

2-step · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:44

[TW]Fox;21082770 said:
I cannot help but think this is totally the wrong car for somebody who doesnt work and is on JSA. Surely the JSA alone wont pay for the unkeep of a car like this? A set of decent tyres must be pushing 400 quid for example?

I dont think JSA would even fill the tank up...

ash_scotland88 · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:45

[TW]Fox;21082770 said:
I cannot help but think this is totally the wrong car for somebody who doesnt work and is on JSA. Surely the JSA alone wont pay for the unkeep of a car like this? A set of decent tyres must be pushing 400 quid for example?

Recent tyres too, think they were just Good Year but will do for now.

In long term if I get nothing I am screwed, but hopefully can get back to the box office during the summer for a longer spell so that'll help things, reinflate savings type thing.

It is all "ifs ands and buts" just now I admit.

placeholder · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:50

ash_scotland88 said:
Recent tyres too, think they were just Good Year but will do for now.

In long term if I get nothing I am screwed, but hopefully can get back to the box office during the summer for a longer spell so that'll help things, reinflate savings type thing.

It is all "ifs ands and buts" just now I admit.

On JSA i would struggle to run a bath tbh. I dont see how a car purchase can be wise at all in these circumstances even with no other outgoings and to be fair no one has "no other" outgoings.

Jonny ///M · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:55

I don't see how you can run this on JSA,properly at least.

I've been ill so using my car rather than my bike more than usual. Pushing over £120 in fuel a little over two weeks. Got to get a new tyre due to a puncture which would be £60 and any other bits and bobs that pop up on older cars.

OpenToSuggestions · 20 Jan 2012 at 22:57

At circa £56 a week you will only just be covering the food, heating, water, gas and electric bills to your parents.
A 10 year old Golf GTI that needs bits doing to it is not a sensible purchase!!!
Whilst I don't know about you or your condition, having a hot hatch with hard (ish) suspension is going to be worse for your back than sitting on a bus. You should have got something that feels like a boat when it goes round a round-about i.e. big soft squishy suspension.

lordrobs · 20 Jan 2012 at 23:00

ash_scotland88 said:
All major costs (buying, insurance, tax) have been covered by my savings and have money left over. I'm getting JSA and have no outgoings.

You're welcome :rolleyes:

Seems like a daft decision to me. My car is similar mechanically and has a habit of punching holes in my finances and I work full time in a semi decent job.