In the business for a new car

[polishdon@hotmail.com]

Hej guys and girls

looking to buy a new car, and wanted to know, according to your experience what would you say are some important questions i should ask about the car before i go out to see it? as i don't wanna waste my time driving all over the place.

We will take for granted that the salepersons will tell the truth, and questions like "does the car start? " yes they are funny but im being serious now, would really appeciate the help

so far i have:
1: Has the car got any rust ? specifically in the wheel arches, all the door frames as this is the most common place for it to start (boot, hood, doors).
2: Has the car been used or standing? If standing how long and why?
3: Does it start first time everytime?

and still thinking

 

[Poopensharten]

Which car in paticular?

 

[DrR]

I wouldn't ask any of those lol

 

[polishdon@hotmail.com]

Which car in paticular?

currently a clio 1.6 16V

I wouldn't ask any of those lol

aha ... and why not ?

 

[Gary-Lew]

What age of car are you going to buy if your asking for rust issues, i take it your not buying new then?

 

[polishdon@hotmail.com]

somewhere inbetween a 1999 and 2001, a ph1 in general. Nah mate 2nd hand ... gotta remain realistic

I previoulsy had a clio 1998 and already had a little rust starting in the arches, hence i put it as one of my questions

 

[jenic]

I ask:

MOT
Tax
Mileage
Spare keys and handbooks
Service History
Is it hpi clear (although i will check too if i'm buying)
Number of owners
Any damage

Thats in no order really

 

[Jasey]

1. What's the mileage ?

2. I'm only willing to pay < insert 2/3 of the asking price > Would you be willing to accept that ?

3. Why are you selling it ?

4. If buying privately when you call say "I'm ringing about the car you have for sale" - don't mention make / model etc - this will flush out if you're dealing with a real private seller or a Stealer.

 

[ilovewilly]

2. I'm only willing to pay < insert 2/3 of the asking price > Would you be willing to accept that ?

That would annoy me as a seller. At least look for cars in your budget or ones slightly over and see it in person before offering fixed prices.

I am probably wrong, but always strikes me as timewasters who offer a fixed price, then are bound to want to reduce it on the day.

By all means, I don't go along prepared to pay the full amount, I wait until I have seen it and given genuine reasons why I want money off.

The thing I do along the lines of where your coming from, is say in the first instance 'Is the price negotiable'. I did this with the beamer and the guy said yes and laid down an exact figure of how low he would go - his choice. A yes or no would of sufficed until I had seen the car and made a judgement on value.

 

[jenic]

I agree with this^^, if its the other side of the country i'll ask for loads of info and pics then arrange a price before I go, but if its fairy close (sub 100miles then i'll go and have a look before talking money.

 

[Jamie]

M..atthew has a point. No point in treking around for something that ends up being s**t, get all the info you need.

When buying the Trophy I said I was willing to pay £7,000 over the phone and sort of agreed a price. I didn't see the point in going to Cambridge if he wasn't willing to take what I wanted to pay. However, when I got the 172 I offered a really cheeky amount and went back again as the car was only round the corner.

 

[Jasey]

That would annoy me as a seller. At least look for cars in your budget or ones slightly over and see it in person before offering fixed prices.

I am probably wrong, but always strikes me as timewasters who offer a fixed price, then are bound to want to reduce it on the day.

By all means, I don't go along prepared to pay the full amount, I wait until I have seen it and given genuine reasons why I want money off.

The thing I do along the lines of where your coming from, is say in the first instance 'Is the price negotiable'. I did this with the beamer and the guy said yes and laid down an exact figure of how low he would go - his choice. A yes or no would of sufficed until I had seen the car and made a judgement on value.

The guys asked what questions to ask - I didn't say what he should do with the answers. If someone said yeah I'll accept 2/3 of the asking price I'd walk away - If they said no but I'm willing to drop £x then I'd know where the bargaining really starts .

Oh - And I wouldn't be worried about upsetting sellers

 

[polishdon@hotmail.com]

aight, cheers boys for the help