How long do you research a car before buying?
- Thread starter lordrobs
- Start date
Depends, I tend to buy what I know and never buy anything without a test drive anyway.
Car purchases I remember well:
1) First car. Decided whilst learning I wanted a Mk3 Escort, nothing else would do. It HAD to be a Mk3. Month or so later, passed test, bought Freeads that Wednesday, bought car that night.
2) Drove past a Sierra at the roadside at night. Decided I wanted it. Went back following day, test drove and purchased.
3) Someone at Uni asked me to find an estate car with an MOT. Rang up a bloke that night who I knew had a Sierra. Picked it up the next day.
4) Got a new job, realised car was shafted. Decided I needed something cheap and needed it NOW. 10 minutes later a mate was on the phone sorting out my Mondeo. I collected it an hour later
5) Decided I wanted another 205 GTI. Didn't need to research, had em before. Phoned a random ad an purchased all on the same day.
I don't really think stuff through much. If somebody offered me something interesting when I had the money to buy it I'd probably just do it on the spot.
Car purchases I remember well:
1) First car. Decided whilst learning I wanted a Mk3 Escort, nothing else would do. It HAD to be a Mk3. Month or so later, passed test, bought Freeads that Wednesday, bought car that night.
2) Drove past a Sierra at the roadside at night. Decided I wanted it. Went back following day, test drove and purchased.
3) Someone at Uni asked me to find an estate car with an MOT. Rang up a bloke that night who I knew had a Sierra. Picked it up the next day.
4) Got a new job, realised car was shafted. Decided I needed something cheap and needed it NOW. 10 minutes later a mate was on the phone sorting out my Mondeo. I collected it an hour later
5) Decided I wanted another 205 GTI. Didn't need to research, had em before. Phoned a random ad an purchased all on the same day.
I don't really think stuff through much. If somebody offered me something interesting when I had the money to buy it I'd probably just do it on the spot.
I watched the film "The Transporter" - utter rubbish, but, it helped me to decide on what to replace my 318i with! 
Then, the fun started, I spent about 6 weeks looking at various cars before I found the car I have now. 
Then, the fun started, I spent about 6 weeks looking at various cars before I found the car I have now. 
Spoke casually about it to other owners.
Researched by reading forums etc.
Looked at 3 cars within a day or so.
Waved cash at seller, got it.
All without talking about it for 6 months on IRC.
Some people were upset.
Researched by reading forums etc.
Looked at 3 cars within a day or so.
Waved cash at seller, got it.
All without talking about it for 6 months on IRC.
Some people were upset.
I'm always researching various cars and always have an idea of what my replacement car is gonna be.
In my case I was all set to get the VX220 turbo. I'd researched what what the common problems were, what mods were available, prices etc. and I was just waiting for the right one to come up.
Then I test drove the Elise and all that research went out of the window.
I'm really trying to not test drive a 911/Noble/TVR otherwise I might have a problem on my hands.
In my case I was all set to get the VX220 turbo. I'd researched what what the common problems were, what mods were available, prices etc. and I was just waiting for the right one to come up.
Then I test drove the Elise and all that research went out of the window.
I'm really trying to not test drive a 911/Noble/TVR otherwise I might have a problem on my hands.