New cheap run about car

rodenal · 10 May 2012 at 12:43

[TW]Fox;21881848 said:
The general public cannot easily pop to auction and buy a car for the price it goes through at. Buyers premiums for non-traders can often add a suprising amount to the price and then of course there is the gamble factor on whether the car is any good or not. The trade is well qualified to spot the dogs and turns over enough cars to absorb the cost of not spotting a dog. The general public generally don't, especially somebody like the OP who seems like a normal chap who wants advice on what to buy rather than a car expert.

Quoting auction values in a thread where its obvious the OP will buy from an independant trader or a private seller is misleading IMHO

For a savvy enthusiuast, absolutely, but that isn't what this thread is.

I actually agree, if you check my posts I make it clear i'm not suggesting the OP run along to auction and pick a random focus up. I did want to show him just how much of an uplift is likely to be on that particular car though.

Traders need to make money, that's fair enough, overheads plus lets say 15% (even this is probably ambitous) profit but there will be far, far more in that particular car. Just doesn't make any sense to look at something being sold for more than double what it's been bought for imo - especially not a focus as there are so many around.

rodenal · 10 May 2012 at 12:48

lynchy6789 said:
003 HONDA Civic 1.6i VTEC Inspire S

What your opinion on that? Look pretty tidy inside?

Good cars, usually buying the 5 door gets a bit of money off too. Friend has one (although newer, 2005 i think) and i've been generally impressed by it as a workhorse. Haven't checked the price- seems high again but if you put an autotrader search in for models with the same criteria you should be able to judge yourself.

Be aware that the vauxhall guide is really just a rough idea of value - don't take it as gospel though it's better than the likes of parkers

lynchy6789 · 10 May 2012 at 13:10

rodenal said:
Good cars, usually buying the 5 door gets a bit of money off too. Friend has one (although newer, 2005 i think) and i've been generally impressed by it as a workhorse. Haven't checked the price- seems high again but if you put an autotrader search in for models with the same criteria you should be able to judge yourself.

Be aware that the vauxhall guide is really just a rough idea of value - don't take it as gospel though it's better than the likes of parkers

Thanks for you time and help. I shall do that and post later on tonight.

lynchy6789 · 11 May 2012 at 20:11

rodenal said:
Good cars, usually buying the 5 door gets a bit of money off too. Friend has one (although newer, 2005 i think) and i've been generally impressed by it as a workhorse. Haven't checked the price- seems high again but if you put an autotrader search in for models with the same criteria you should be able to judge yourself.

Be aware that the vauxhall guide is really just a rough idea of value - don't take it as gospel though it's better than the likes of parkers

going to view a few cars soon. Some of them are private sales and not really sure how this works but do i need to perform a HPI check on private cars?

Lustral · 11 May 2012 at 20:24

lynchy6789 said:
going to view a few cars soon. Some of them are private sales and not really sure how this works but do i need to perform a HPI check on private cars?

i suggest actually look at the cars 1st u are viewing , then do the hpi if u are still interested after seeing the car in the flesh

lynchy6789 · 12 May 2012 at 14:20

Lustral said:
i suggest actually look at the cars 1st u are viewing , then do the hpi if u are still interested after seeing the car in the flesh

Thanks for that. I have been to see one civic at 77,000 miles £2050 fhs etc. But I believe the timing belt has not been changed on it, should this be a concern?

[TW]Fox · 12 May 2012 at 14:33

lynchy6789 said:
Thanks for that. I have been to see one civic at 77,000 miles £2050 fhs etc. But I believe the timing belt has not been changed on it, should this be a concern?

If its overdue it's an indication the owner doesnt look after the car properly. If its about due then its simply another cost you must factor into the price of the car.

lynchy6789 · 13 May 2012 at 13:16

What your opinion on this?

2002 Honda Civic 1.6 I-VTEC SE Sport 3dr Hatchback

Should I be concerned with it being at 100,000 miles? I mean it works out just over 10,000 miles a year but the condition of the car look reasonable. Just thinking is it likely the engine is coming to to its ending years and that etc?

[TW]Fox · 13 May 2012 at 13:17

No, its not at all likely the engine is coming to the end of its life. Why would it be?

lynchy6789 · 13 May 2012 at 13:27

[TW]Fox;21905382 said:
No, its not at all likely the engine is coming to the end of its life. Why would it be?

Don't really know. The car seems at a good price and look in good condition but was a little put off by the mileage but are you saying not to be?

snitcher · 13 May 2012 at 14:18

if you want a reliable motor. get a 1999> corolla 1.4 cheap on insurance available on autotrader for about 800 or less. i currently have a micra 1.0, not the best for motorways i have to say as it takes its time to get up to mway speeds

Cristian · 13 May 2012 at 15:25

lynchy6789 said:
Don't really know. The car seems at a good price and look in good condition but was a little put off by the mileage but are you saying not to be?

Don't be put off by the mileage, the car looks decent and has very good history.

The days when a car would explode at 100k miles are long gone - they are fine as long as they have been maintained properly and this car's history suggests that maintenance was not an issue.

It is a petrol NA engine - no turbo/dmf/injectors/egr to worry about like diesels and it's a Honda - while not the most exciting cars ever it should prove as trouble free as possible in your budget.

I think it's good value for money for a cheap reliable motor - much much better value than a 1.6 2001 focus at 2.6k.
Go see and if it all the history adds up and there's nothing wrong with I don't see why

lynchy6789 · 13 May 2012 at 17:22

Cristian said:
Don't be put off by the mileage, the car looks decent and has very good history.

The days when a car would explode at 100k miles are long gone - they are fine as long as they have been maintained properly and this car's history suggests that maintenance was not an issue.

It is a petrol NA engine - no turbo/dmf/injectors/egr to worry about like diesels and it's a Honda - while not the most exciting cars ever it should prove as trouble free as possible in your budget.

I think it's good value for money for a cheap reliable motor - much much better value than a 1.6 2001 focus at 2.6k.
Go see and if it all the history adds up and there's nothing wrong with I don't see why

Thankyou for that. Shall give them a ring and book a viewing as for 1.5k if it is in still sound condition should hopefully be a great buy for what i need it for. Not bothered about an exciting drive shall hopefully tick that box of once i can afford a decent car without paying silly insurance

lynchy6789 · 16 May 2012 at 16:14

2003 03 RENAULT CLIO DYNAMIQUE 16V 1.2 3 Door Hatchback

turquoise blue, 56309 Miles, 2 Registered Keepers, 2 owners from new, f/s/h with 5 stamps, factory alloys and cd player, front and side airbags, Remote Central Locking, Air Conditioning, Electric Windows

Just gone to view this today in great condition. What are your thought about the car?

Said chuck in 1 month Warranty covering everything

-6Month tax
- Full service
- 12 Month Mot

Going to have a drive of it tomorrow.

Edit- After having a look on auto trader it does seem more on the expensive side

rodenal · 16 May 2012 at 16:37

Lots of money for that car, I bought someone a 2007 1.2 clio campus for £1500 recently that I would expect to retail at what, say £2.5k? their car is 4 years older for similar cash.

*edit* I've seen quite a few of these little 1.2 clios with blown head gaskets - something to do a quick check for if you end up looking at that one / a similar car.

lynchy6789 · 16 May 2012 at 17:02

rodenal said:
Lots of money for that car, I bought someone a 2007 1.2 clio campus for £1500 recently that I would expect to retail at what, say £2.5k? their car is 4 years older for similar cash.

*edit* I've seen quite a few of these little 1.2 clios with blown head gaskets - something to do a quick check for if you end up looking at that one / a similar car.

Also looked at a 80,000 mile Honda Civic for £2.1k. Not in as good condition as the clio but a nice car inside and by no means in poor condition.

In that get.

-3 month warrenty
-12 Month Mot
- New service with cambelt replacement
- 6 month tax

I am thinking the Honda is better value for money and shall see a better return on it when i decide to sell.

Cristian · 16 May 2012 at 17:12

the clio link doesn't work but for the love of god don't get that.

what happened to the civic you mentioned earlier? (the £1.5k one)

lynchy6789 · 16 May 2012 at 17:22

Cristian said:
the clio link doesn't work but for the love of god don't get that.
what happened to the civic you mentioned earlier? (the £1.5k one)

What the clio or civic?

Sorry the link is http://www.watnallroadcars.co.uk/ then if you go on car showroom its then 6 up from the bottom.

The blue one? Had already been sold :/

Got a viewing tomorrow on a 53 plate 66k Honda civic 2k FSH, new tyres all invoices etc

edit:- Here is the civic we looked at earlier http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...f/quicksearch/true/page/3/radius/30?logcode=p

lynchy6789 · 16 May 2012 at 18:43

After looking through Auto Trader only other example that i can see is:

2004 Renault Clio 1.2 16V DYNAMIQUE 5DR

Thinking the above car is 300-400£ over priced.

rodenal · 16 May 2012 at 18:51

The 2004 car or the 03 one? The car at 2.2is more than a few hundred quid expensive.

Have a look at the civics, much better cars really