'08 Parallel Import Ford Focus

chambta

woody01 wrote: »

So why in your opening post do you write:
'It's an 18 month old 1.6 Style 5-door Focus which is just what I'm looking for. It's only done 8,000 miles and is in perfect condition'

Whether the 08 Style is comes from Cyprus, Germany, Timbuktu or the moon, it still doesn't ahve cruise control and is not even an optional extra on that model.

At that time I'd never even seen the car and was going on what my friend told me. He said it was closest to the 'Style' in spec. I only noticed cruise control on actually driving it. Not that I'd probably even use it. Is the 'Style' not just a UK model in any case so there's no direct comparison anyway.

TBH I've changed my mind about it. Went to availablecar today and saw lots of others at slightly higher prices but without the complications of them being parallel imports.

emmell

The trouble with buying a "bargain" car off a mate in the trade usually means one they have had for a while and can't shift for numerous reasons, if no one else wants it why should you.
You will come across all the same problems as the dealer when you try to get rid of it.
I also don't know any dealer that would sell a car at a loss, that usually happens when they can't get anybody private or trade to give them a profit, so it goes to auction where an import vehicle would go for a lot less money as most dealers won't take a risk.
ML.

chambta

emmell wrote: »

The trouble with buying a "bargain" car off a mate in the trade usually means one they have had for a while and can't shift for numerous reasons, if no one else wants it why should you.
You will come across all the same problems as the dealer when you try to get rid of it.
I also don't know any dealer that would sell a car at a loss, that usually happens when they can't get anybody private or trade to give them a profit, so it goes to auction where an import vehicle would go for a lot less money as most dealers won't take a risk.
ML.

You're right. They've had it 6 weeks which is as long as they want to hold on to a car for. Often he says they'll then stick it through the auction and hope for the best. Someone's going to pay the screen price so I've let it go. I don't like to rush into things as shown by the existence of this thread!

A Focus isn't an 'exciting' car in any way and it's not grabbed me enough for it be a 'must buy'. To be absolutely honest the car I'd really really like it a Lexus IS. Looking online it's possible to get a new shape 06 plate for £9k ish which is alot more car for the money.

easy

emmell wrote: »

The trouble with buying a "bargain" car off a mate in the trade usually means one they have had for a while and can't shift for numerous reasons, if no one else wants it why should you.

Well it depends whether you want a decent car as a means of transport, or whether you are buying with an eye to selling again in the short term.

In the OP's shoes, wanting a car, knowing the source, I'd certainly consider it, altho also knowing the dealers had it for a while, I'd probably push to get the warranty thrown in for the 7K (but I do generally push for a hard bargain)

"the car I'd really really like it a Lexus IS. Looking online it's possible to get a new shape 06 plate for £9k ish which is alot more car for the money. "

You are right it is, but it'll cost you more to run, insure and maintain than the focus will, especially as it ages.

The dealers will probably send the focus off to auction so someone should get what is probably a lovely car for a knockdown price

Tally-Ho_2

When my brother was in the forces in Cyprus he got a tax free Ford Focus which he imported to the UK when he was posted back. Within two years the car started to rust.

Apparantly cars destined for Cyprus and other southern /western countries in the EU are made the same as cars for for the middle eastern area which has no rain etc so cars get less rust proofofing. However with the UK climate my brothers car was a rust heap very quickly so he got shut it particularly after finding that the perforation warranty did not apply on imported cars.

Tally

blue_haddock

Some of the big car supermarkets also bring in parallel imports from places such as cyprus so perhaps this is one of those type of car.

chambta

easy wrote: »

Well it depends whether you want a decent car as a means of transport, or whether you are buying with an eye to selling again in the short term.

In the OP's shoes, wanting a car, knowing the source, I'd certainly consider it, altho also knowing the dealers had it for a while, I'd probably push to get the warranty thrown in for the 7K (but I do generally push for a hard bargain)

"the car I'd really really like it a Lexus IS. Looking online it's possible to get a new shape 06 plate for £9k ish which is alot more car for the money. "

You are right it is, but it'll cost you more to run, insure and maintain than the focus will, especially as it ages.

The dealers will probably send the focus off to auction so someone should get what is probably a lovely car for a knockdown price

I know that but sometimes things are worth paying more for. Otherwise we'd all shop at cheapest supermarkets and wear 2nd hand clothes.

easy

chambta wrote: »

I know that but sometimes things are worth paying more for. Otherwise we'd all shop at cheapest supermarkets and wear 2nd hand clothes.

You're right of course. If I had the money, I'd swap my Renault for a Merc in a minute!!

woody01

A Focus isn't an 'exciting' car in any way

You are looking at the wrong model then

the car I'd really really like it a Lexus IS

Nothing that amazing about a re-badged Toyota tbh.

chambta

woody01 wrote: »

You are looking at the wrong model then


Nothing that amazing about a re-badged Toyota tbh.

Which Focus model is exciting?