Why bother looking after your car?

1ofaKind

1ofaKind

1ofaKind

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Joined
10 Apr 2004
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839
Hi All,

I went to test drive a couple of cars at the weekend. Beforehand I had checked auto trader for similar cars to my p/x, pistonheads, parkers guide and the glasses prices (off network Q website). The 2 trade guides had a figure of around 2800 ish - classifieds were 3500-4000.

As far as I can see my car is in pretty imaculate condition. Its been looked after by me for the last 6 years, fully serviced etc.It still looks, feels and smells pretty much as good as when I got it at 6 months old.

So I think right my p/x is going to be worth top book (its literally just been serviced/mot'd so its at its best). Dealer looks round my car and cannot fault it. He even asked if anyone had ever been in the back.

So we sit down and he offers below bottom book value. I give him my research and he won't budge. The basic response is well sell if private or go elsewhere as I'm not going to move.

So at the moment I'm a bit gutted. I'm wondering why I didn't just treat my car like rubbish and stick a stack of miles on it and run it into the ground.
Why did I bother keeping decent tyres, serviced, cleaned etc.

It leaves me in a situation now where I've got 3 choices

1 - Swallow my pride and accept the poor p/x - but knowing they would probably get at least 1k more than the p/x price and that I have to finance that little bit extra.
2 - Run my car for 1 or 2 more years get 500 quid and accept that fact.
3 - Sell it privately and get the money I expect. Downside to this is that I'm left carless for the 6-8 weeks delivery on a brand new car.

So I'm wondering what other peoples views are on this sort of thing. I'm not stupid enough to expect it to be worth what I paid but when the car is way better than many for sale you expect some sort of adjustment and are these price guides online complete garbage then?

Cheers all.
 
I would certainly go the private route. You will regret selling it for less than you think its worth for a very long time after.
Sure you may be without a car for a while, but its worth it in my books.

Good Luck with the sale.
 
What car is it?

There may be poor demand for it, no matter what the book says. The dealer isn't going to offer a good trade in on something that he a) isn't suitable for his stock or b) won't make strong money at auction.

As for him not caring about the condition, again this is probably cos it would go straight to auction.
 
My car is a 2000 (X) Focus 2.0 Ghia 5dr hatchback, <34k miles,FSH, Leather, Traction control, 12 months MOT, 6 months TAX, recent tyres, just serviced - I'm the 2nd owner (from 6 months old).

I'm not stupid enough to think its a rare car sure there are loads of Focus around but I know its personal opinion I think mine is in pretty top condition.

TBH if I could find someone in my family who wanted it at the price he offered for PX I'd rather they have it (the old going to a good home philiosphy) than letting the dealer have it.

I recon I'm gonna try the old autotrader/pistonheads and see if I can sell that way. Will mean pushbike to work for a few weeks :( but moneys money and for all the green people out there think of your carbon footprint for 6 weeks before you start driving a 3.5litre car :P

Jamoor. The only problem with this is if I couldn't sell it and had done the deal I then have a shortfall to make up at the dealer. Then I could really be over a barrel I guess.
 
the ford focus us a great car and imo you won't have trouble selling it privately with <34k 2litre engine, ghia trim and in great condition.

Whatcar says it is worth 5195quid from a dealer and 4300quid privately (to buy).

Tell that dealer where to stick it
 
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Maybe it's worth buying your new car from another dealer who will give you a better part exchange?

I expect you only really 'profit' from part exchanges if you're giving them a right banger - my friend bought a Focus and got a grand taken off in exchange for his rusty '94 Clio, because they guarantee taking off a grand for any part exchange :p

Personally I'd sell privately if I didn't get a decent offer on a P/X.
 
Ok the car I'm changing to is well slightly different from a 5dr hatchback - Nissan 350Z (brand new) so basically its a £30k car.

I don't mind saying the offer was £2k which I thought was taking the mickey.

I'm gonna see what another dealer offers and if its similar then I'll sell it private. Stupid thing for them is I will then come back cash only and expect a better deal in the 1st place :|
 
If you are flush enough to spend £30k on a brand new Nissan which will be worth £20k before the end of the next 24 months then is it really worth messing about to try and get an extra £500 for your Focus? It will pale into insignificance following the money the 350Z sheds.
 
Well I was looking at ex-demo one which had already shed 4.5k off list but the p/x was the same either way (new or ex-demo). And not being funny irrespective of how flush I am 500 quid or a 1000 quid is a couple of years tax and a service so if I have to work a bit harder to get the extra cash I will do it.

I know cars depreciate - but I either compromise and get an older car without the new engine, wait till some more come up 2nd hand (only a handful around atm) or bite the bullet buy a new one and take the hit. I aim to keep what I get for a long time (4 cars in 17 years).
 
a nissan dealer would bang it straight into auction, they have no interest in the car other than to get rid of it without losing on it.

sell it privately, with all the other focii that are out there on the market.
 
mglover070588 said:
the ford focus us a great car and imo you won't have trouble selling it privately with <34k 2litre engine, ghia trim and in great condition.

Whatcar says it is worth 5195quid from a dealer and 4300quid privately (to buy).

Tell that dealer where to stick it
Click to expand...

Ermmm can you sell it for £5200 or even £4300?
 
As you said they are a lot of focuses to choose from, and most people would prefer to go for a facelift (51 plate onward), even if it means higher milage, or lower spec - so you have to undercut them on the price.
 
Perhaps so you can sale it privately for top money. I don't get why people part exchange for so much less than selling privately. It's hardly hard. It's easy and safe to sale privately.
 
Considering I was looking to buy similar a few weeks ago, I think it may be because there are loads of them available on the market at the moment and people can afford to be picky or bargain. I sure had a big selection in my area.
 
go to another ford dealer and try again, you might get a better deal
i might be also worth while telling them you were offered a few quid more than you were!;)
edit:: is there any point going in the last few days of the month as they have targets?
 
You kept it looking good because you enjoy it looking good, you kept it well serviced because breaking down is no fun.

I used to worry about re-sale value but there's no point - the market decides on the value of your car when you want to sell it and condition / miles will only tweak that.

That said go private, px is a convenience but an expensive one.
 
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