Buying Private, is this buyer genuine?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LiE
  • Start date Start date
LiE said:
I don't think it matters how long I've been looking, if I don't have time to sit around for months to wait for one to pop up. Looking at what is for sale right now, if I wait I can see 1 of 2 things happening.

1. Car appears and is out of budget.
2. Car doesn't appear and I spend the same on a less specced car from a dealer.

I don't see this car appearing for sale for anywhere near 28k from a dealer.

I think the seller got a very good price at 28k, based on what is for sale now it should have been more like 31k
Click to expand...

It matters a lot because a) you need to know how much these are worth and b) you need to know how frequently they come on the market. The only way to know either point is looking over a period of time.
 
Dangerous Dave said:
I’ve not noticed it on the 3 series and the A4 after the first few shifts from a cold start. I reset the gearbox adaption on all of them which I expect will have helped, you can occasionally catch the box out with the coming off the throttle and going straight back on it at roundabouts etc this is where the twin turbo helps as it holds gears down to just over 1000 revs.
Click to expand...

I know it's off topic, but would you mind posting the steps to reset the gearbox adaption on the Audi A4 B9 in the Audi Owners thread please? I haven't been able to find this info on Google. Thanks :)
 
Plot twist. I texted the guy and said I need more time to think and will let him know once I've had some time. He text back saying don't bother and he will sell to someone else. I think he is upset because he apparently just spend 4 hours polishing the car.

Trying to now convince my wife the boot in an S3 sportback is big enough for 99% of our use cases.
 
LiE said:
Plot twist. I texted the guy and said I need more time to think and will let him know once I've had some time.
Click to expand...
Makes you look like a complete timewaster, I'd have told you not to bother too.

Better option would have been to stick with the £26.5 and tell him to call you if he decides he wants to accept that.
 
Does make me wonder from that if there is some fault with the car that's not covered under warranty and he wanted to offload it quickly, the fact you've mentioned you were taking someone with you that knew what to looking for might have made him consider selling to another "victim".
 
Kenai said:
Makes you look like a complete timewaster, I'd have told you not to bother too.

Better option would have been to stick with the £26.5 and tell him to call you if he decides he wants to accept that.
Click to expand...

Yea completely accept that, his response is fair.

Opening the dialog about price again would have got the same response .

Jamauk said:
Does make me wonder from that if there is some fault with the car that's not covered under warranty and he wanted to offload it quickly, the fact you've mentioned you were taking someone with you that knew what to looking for might have made him consider selling to another "victim".
Click to expand...

Maybe, I do think there is something wierd about all this and to be honest it's not something I want to deal with as a private buyer, especially as someone who tends to over think things.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Perhaps it's just the fact I've grown up around the motor trade, I don't know why but whenever I see a seller that says they won't accept offers it just makes me suspicious. Look on the bright side with it, he either saved you a fortune getting it repaired or he'll come back willing to sell at a lower price, which could put you in a great place for negotiating.

Frustrating I know, but that can't be the only one in the country to that spec.
 
Kenai said:
Makes you look like a complete timewaster, I'd have told you not to bother too.

Better option would have been to stick with the £26.5 and tell him to call you if he decides he wants to accept that.
Click to expand...

For sure. Selling cars privately can be so frustrating due to timewasters. I don't even mind the ones who email ridiculous offers because they're easy to ignore, it's the ones who you spend time on the phone to, sending service history etc and who say they will be coming to view it tomorrow and they'll call back in an hour to confirm a time - then you never hear from them again and they don't reply to any text messages. Knobbers.

At least the OP had the respect to cancel, albeit probably should have thought about it fiest before making offers etc. It is frustrating when someone cancels a viewing but as a seller you've just got to grit your teeth, smile and say "no worries!" because you never know if that person may change their mind, actually come for a viewing and eventually buy it. Burning bridges and telling them to **** off because you're frustrated at the buyer's lack of commitment doesn't help you.

LiE said:
Opening the dialog about price again would have got the same response .
Click to expand...

I think he means that you should have said this when he rejected your initial offer but came down to £27,250.

Even then, losing out on a £27000 car because of quibbling over a maximum of £650. I bet you could have got him to £27000 plus the £100 tank of fuel if you gone to view. Just gives the air that, again, you weren't a serious buyer.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
@LiE, seriously mate, I think you need to think about what it is you want. The fact a few posts above you’re now set on an S3 just shows that you’re not entirely sure, and I just worry you’ll end up with another 4 series mishap where you’re not happy and want to get rid quickly.

The other day we agreed that the S3 is a bland looking car inside and out, sounds lovely but isn’t what you want. Why have you changed your mind again? You were set on a 135i/140i, before the 335d Touring then the A4 Avant and have now looped back to the S3

Just be careful!
 
Tbh the reason is because Mrs LiE wants an estate and isn't bothered about engine, and I want something smaller with a decent engine and is quick. It's a struggle to find that balance and if I can get away with having something smaller I will, but I think we will end up with an estate I just need to steer towards a spec and engine that is interesting.
 
Leon ST Cupra?

280 to 300bhp depending on age, DSG, AWD (age dependent again I think), various toys as standard. It's an estate but it's not massive, so maybe fills the halfway house for you wanting a smaller car?
 
You need two cars if you can accommodate it, otherwise you'll be in the same situation in the not too distant future.
 
LiE said:
I don't see this car appearing for sale for anywhere near 28k from a dealer.
Click to expand...

I do.

It's a 2 year old Audi A4. It's not a 30k+ car whoever is selling it.

It's only 36k brand new - spec on top of course but you don't get the full value of that back at resale.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom