Tips on finding bargains?

Stormster

Stormster

Stormster

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Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,671
Location
Stoke-on-Trent
Basically I've FINALLY had a good offer on my Corsa Sport 1.6, tis an old car now (1999 reg), subtle mods etc.. prob owes me 2700 quid if I go all OCD and note down eveeerryything I've spent which is pretty sad, I know...

I've been offered 1300 quid for a 100,000 mile T plate Corsa in pretty good nick all in all.

Which, is good! I guess lol... but:

How can I find something worthy of replacing it which won't be a dog of a car without paying over the odds? I don't really wanna spend loads, between 2 and 2.5k. Been looking at run of the mill stuff like Focus's, Astra's and they're W reg 90k miles for 2 grand. Just seems stupid? I also don't wanna travel 300 miles on the chance it's gonna be a waste of time and money.

I don't want a big barge even though yes you can get more for your money... Also been looking at MG ZR 160's, Clio 172's, Golf 1.8 turbos (2000 reg, 100k for 2500 quid.... bargain?!).

Just feel I'm not wanting to sell my car only to pay over the odds for something else.

Any tips on places to find bargain motors which are gonna be reliable and cost effective if I even bother accepting his offer? It just feels so frustrating as I've been looking for ages and can't find any good deals worth persuing.
 
everyone is after a bargain. if you find one, well done, otherwise go find the best car you can and stop thinking 'bargain'.
like fox said in another post, you could end up waiting 6 months to find a similar car to what you can now, but a few hundred quid less yet what have you really saved? nothing.
 
Theres actually a few ST170's not TOOOO far away, I might have to do some enquiring lol.

I just hate spending over the odds. I paid £1300 quid for my Corsa in Jan 2007, I like the fact I'm getting it back and have just paid to keep it on the road for 2 yrs so prob 500 quid a year. Would be lovely to keep on doing that haha.
 
I sell a lot of corsa's. Can you send me some buyers please, at £1300 for a 100k '99 i have as many as you can provide for :eek: How the hell have you managed that price?
 
Just luck I think and some good sales skillz! lol :)

IMG_4976%20copy.jpg


The car in question.
 
I guess being a "Sport" and what looks like slightly lowered there is always bound to be a chav who will pay over the odds. Seriously though thats an amazing price for that car given what you can buy those for.
 
Try owners clubs. Most of them have a for sale section if they have a forum. It can be a good way to find out about a cars history too.

Also private sales, people looking for a quick sale if their situation is desperate i.e. moving abroad/new job/baby/ill health and so on.

As well as keeping an eye on what cars haven't been selling.
 
Easiest way is to go for the none standered cars. got my mate a p reg renault megane rt (big boot) for £300 with 6 months tax and 11 months of mot, cos no one wanted the model with a boot.
Dont go for the focus and astras as they keep their prices quite high go for the unsual cars tbh their cheap as chips these days
 
I don't really want an ugly unusual car though... cheap for a reason lol :) I want something I might enjoy owning for a couple of years. Some poke would be great but for around 2500 quid I'm probably dicing with millions of problems from a battered car...

Just gonna have go mental searching lol - loads of local garages none of which seem to advertise anywhere which is annoying too.

Jez, the lad who's made the offer isn't a chav... just someone who likes the car and the fact he can fix it for pennies all by himself.

I just want rid of the stigma, it's done me proud, never missed a beat.
 
Think I've finalised a "shortlist" of cars I'm gonna consider now around £2500 quid.

Alfa 147 (but it's at the BOTTOM of the list in effect, just incase lol)
Ford Focus 1.8 3 door
MG ZR 160
Renault Clio 172
Vauxhall Astra 1.8 3 door
Volkswagen Golf 3 door 1.8 20v turbo

I know some are a bit more performance orientated but it seems for that size of car, at that budget, I aint got much choice.

I drive around town mostly, a Focus ST would be great but I'm not sure if I'd be happy with the fuel consumption?

I can't choose a favourite.. I'd love more performance but I'd also love a newer reg'd car too, something normal for when I'm not in the mood for a rough ride! :)

So I guess most of the cars are compromises... nippyish, decent handling, cheap to run, reliableish etc.

Forgot to say, seen a 1.8 Focus Edge, 3 door, black, 1 owner, 54 reg but 95,000 miles for £2490. Should I let the milage put me off? It looks immaculate.
 
The 1.8 Ford engine is the one to avoid tbh. Try to either get the 1.6 or the 2.0l as the 1.8 has the speed of the 1.6 and the fuel economy of the 2.0l!
 
It's just finding one at the right price without being miles away.

Seems to be differing opinions of the 1.8... some claim they do seem more torquey but more of a lazy revving engine and some say the 2.0's are shocking on fuel. Theres hardly ever any 2.0's for sale, especially MK1.5 front ended ones :(
 
My 2.0 is averaging 35ish at the moment, though a spirited drive will see a lot less. If you actually weigh it up, a few MPG doesnt really cost that much more unless you do a huge amount of miles.
 
If I went for a 2.0 and it did 29/30 round town, that'd be fine really... In practise from what I hear it's usually a bit less lol. I'm used to about 32mpg round town and yeah you're right it's only really pennies but I do a lot of town miles really :(

How do you find the 2.0 performance? :)
 
2.0 Zetec engine is a lovely drive and will go very well in something like the focus, it was good enough in the mondeo barge!

The fuel economy isn't half as bad as you might think. Even with LOTS of town miles (say 100 a week round town) your looking at an extra cost of £2 per week as it will use an extra half a gallon
 
If your sitting in town all the time then about half the cars on your shortlist are pointless. You might as well get the 1.6 Focus is economy is such a worry for you.

Clio 172, MG ZR 160 and the Golf 20v 1.8T are not cars for people who worry about getting 30+mpg in town. Something I struggle to get in a 1.4 Fiesta.
 
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I really don't know how you Young Dudes get plus 30mpg out of your cars :confused:
I run a 2 litre & am happy to get 20 mpg average but then I drive the car rather than let it float about everywhere :D
I can get 37mpg on a run but find it more fun to aim for the Lowest figure, My record is 19 so far :D When I am low on petrol I just buy more & drive it harder to get a lower figure, It's Much more fun my way :cool:
 
malc30 said:
I really don't know how you Young Dudes get plus 30mpg out of your cars :confused:
I run a 2 litre & am happy to get 20 mpg average but then I drive the car rather than let it float about everywhere :D
I can get 37mpg on a run but find it more fun to aim for the Lowest figure, My record is 19 so far :D When I am low on petrol I just buy more & drive it harder to get a lower figure, It's Much more fun my way :cool:
Click to expand...


They obviously aren't trying hard enough. Since I've had the Leon, I've averaged 18MPG, and the BMW is around the 22 mark.
 
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