Wanting a new car, talk to me. (noob questions)

Sp00n

Sp00n

Sp00n

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Joined
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Location
Brighton
Looking for some advice.

So my polo is giving up the ghost so I'm going to sort out a loan and get myself a new car, the plan is to get a mk4 golf 20vt.

The thing is, I've never really bought a car worth anything substantial, my first car was a gift and the 2nd was a company car, then this polo cost 500 quid so I never bothered checking it over, just bought it and drove it away the same day as I needed something ASAP.

My Dad said I should think about getting any new car inspected first so I have enquired about getting an inspection from the RAC and they want £185 for the privilege which seems pretty steep, AA also seem to charge roughly this, is that a normal sort of price? Do you guys get your cars checked over when you buy them or do you just use your knowledge? Would I be better off finding a local garage to where the car is being sold or even a VW garage?

If you do get them checked then what is the process, do you put a deposit down and say I want it back if it fails the checks, or do you buy the car and say I want a refund if it fails the checks?
 
Is this really worth the bother for a Mk4 Golf? All this talk of inspections and loans would be fine for a mk5 but it seems like overkill for a 10 year old hatch!

Just go and get one?
 
Take a friend with some proper knowledge, have a look on line for a buyers guide to the car.
 
[TW]Fox;18154233 said:
Is this really worth the bother for a Mk4 Golf? All this talk of inspections and loans would be fine for a mk5 but it seems like overkill for a 10 year old hatch!

Just go and get one?
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Well its still a few grand and I don't fancy get done over, it's going to be 7 years but I guess its still a fair point, I'm just worried I will get mugged off!

Morba said:
Take a friend with some proper knowledge, have a look on line for a buyers guide to the car.
Click to expand...

I've sat down and looked at the common faults and joined up to some forums, trouble is I don't have any mates with mechanic knowledge, this is my problem.
 
You are in brighton, there are a few members on here from around there, might be worth asking if anyone would be so kind (if they feel they could help) :)
 
I didn't think there were many 04 mk4 around? Surely it will be older than that.

Just take a mate and have a good look round it.
 
Sorry I meant 8 years, forgot its 2011, the one I'm looking at is a 53 plate.

I don't have any (mechanic) mates :(

Anyone wanna be my friend?
 
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Do your homework on the car in question. Basically find out if the belts have been changed if neccessary. Find out all the common faults of the car. Always take it on a test drive either you drive it or get the seller to. Take a friend with you cause he wont see the car in the same light as you due to been over excited about it.
Ask plenty of questions like why are they selling it if private and how much they bought it for if a garage (they will lie but you get a rough price).

Finally try very hard to knock money off the price. They will always say that its as cheap as they can go and say theyve had interest in the car. Not always true. So if they wont budge then say that you will have to think about it and start to walk off and see if they make a counter offer.

You dont need to have a mechanic friend. Your dad or someone in your family that know something about cars would be best even if the only thing they know is what to look out for e.g. rust, faulty heaters or something.
 
My [miniature] piece of advice would be to try *every* single switch in the car to make sure it does what it's supposed to. It sounds obvious now to do that when parting with x,xxx, but it's not funny when you find certain things don't work. :p
 
Thanks BD, perhaps I'll just take a friend with me then as another set of eyes, I mean I'm not entirely inept when it comes to looking at cars but I'm certainly no pro, I guess I just need to calm down because as you say I think the excitement may get the better of me.

/edit thats a good point daz, I never checked the heaters on my polo, along comes winter and I have to wrap up if I'm driving anywhere long distance!
 
Find a few examples and post them up here for the cretins to scrutinise. If you find any examples locally, I'll come with you and have a look if I am free.

I obviously won't guarantee that a car won't be a hidden trashheap, but I'll do my best to find any problems.

P.S Post your budget and consider alternatives, my fianceé had a MK4 albeit a 1.4 but it was far from trouble free motoring and eventually died last week.
 
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Oh thanks Gaijin, I really appreciate the offer. I've got access to around 5k but I don't really want to spend more than 4 as I'd like to put the rest towards the insurance and maybe some little mods.

So, I have been looking at these 2 examples:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...en/page/1/radius/40/postcode/bn24ta?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...en/postcode/bn24ta/page/8/radius/40?logcode=p

The 2nd one is over-priced so I was thinking of offering something like 3.8 and my polo (if they even want it) and seeing what they say.
 
What do you want from a car? Is it a golf you really want specifically?

Also £3800 plus your car would be around the asking price, so ask for a lot less :p
 
My polo isn't worth £800, trust me (its a 1994 with 116k miles, oil light is on etc...).

I want that specific car, a 1.8T 150PS :)
 
Yes you are right, sorry I meant the one for 4,600. Don't know what to offer on the 2nd one. I'm trying to find what the "right" sort of price is from glass's.
 
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Just be aware that the cambelt interval on these engines has been revised to 60k or 4 years from the originally stated 100k.

I found this out AFTER buying my Octavia and had to stump up for a cambelt that was 6 months overdue straight away.

Gaijin also makes a good point about the running of these cars. My one (different car but essentially the same oily bits) has been miles away from the trouble free ride that my 306 gave me.

Other than that the 150bhp engine should be smooth and with no funny noises from the turbo. There are some quirks to the 1.8T that might put you off a good one for no reason. Things like the secondary air pump that at this age probably will sound like a hair drier on a cold start and the fuel vapour recapture filter ticking away instantly spring to mind.

My only other advice would be to get an Octavia vRS and get a better looking (IMO), quicker and better handling (in some peoples opinion :p ) for less cash ;) FAN BOY +1 YEAH!
 
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Sp00nerism! :D

Getting back on topic, can't believe MkIV Golfs still command such a premium nowadays. I'd be looking to get something much newer for that cash.
 
They are overpriced German tripe in my eyes. The Mk4 Golf is horrid and I have never liked them. Id much rather buy a Seat Leon 1.8T 20v and save some money. You can get hold of a 2002 1.8T leon for around £2000 nowadays.
 
Local Octavia's to me are the same price with that mileage, I also don't really like their look.

I'm a VW fanboy through and through I'm afraid (although apparently SEAT intrigues me)


BD10NNF said:
They are overpriced German tripe in my eyes. The Mk4 Golf is horrid and I have never liked them. Id much rather buy a Seat Leon 1.8T 20v and save some money. You can get hold of a 2002 1.8T leon for around £2000 nowadays.
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O'rly? o_O

Also, why is it tripe?

Standard leon wheels are soooooo fugly.
 
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