search online for a used car

bubbles_2

I wanna buy a used car and am trying to search online. I dont mind travelling to buy it and am looking to spend around 3,500 for a citroen picasso. Does anyone have any cheap websites they browse? I have tried e-bay but they are even more expensive than autotrader in my opinion!

A_Nice_Englishman

Remember these sites are only showing asking prices. What you actually pay will depend on whether you buy from a Citreon dealer, car supermarket, independent trader or privately. Also on how well you have done your research, whether you have the knowledge to spot faults on the car and your negotiating skills.

Look in your local paper and the free advertising papers as well as on the Web and let friends, relatives and colleagues know you are looking.

Nile

Hello bubbles

I'll move your thread over to the 'Motoring & Public Transport' board, where it should get more views and responses.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

saintjanet

Sorry but i dont undertand why you think autotrader is an expensive place to buy from,there are private sales, small garage sales and main dealers ,none are connected with each other so as i say i dont undertand.Sorry if you mean they are out of your price range.

if you however want a cheap car which is not a top class example,why not visit the car auctions.

you could have a look at usedcarroadshow.co.uk for some tips on buying.I always find you get what you pay for in the long run,i have bought cheap in the past and regretted it later.

bubbles_2

Thankyou all for the responses.

Sorry, i didnt make myself clear..

No, i dont think autotrader are expensive , in fact, one of the cheapest i have found. What i meant was that, generally, on ebay you expect to pay slightly less for items but ive found when searching that motors are probably the RIGHT thing to sell on ebay if your looking to make a profit. That's all i meant.

I have thought about auctions but its difficult for me to get there with the kids (babysitting issues) and i only asked as its like anything else you buy, its good to research on the net. For example, if i want clothes, rather than shop through m & s etc i go to discounted clothes websites that sell the same thing for less money. The same applies to toys etc.

But you see, as cars are not something i know much about, i wasnt sure if there were any well known places to search that moneysavers who are into cars use and i had missed.

Even the advice given by MSE'er A Nice Englishman ..

"What you actually pay will depend on whether you buy from a Citreon dealer, car supermarket, independent trader or privately"

I dont know who is cheaper?

The website given by saintjanet will be a great starting point.. thanks for that x

Ted_Hutchinson

bubbles wrote:

i dont think autotrader are expensive

I agree I don't think autotrader are expensive if you use the search engine sensibly.
I only look at "private" sales.
I compare those prices with Parker's - Car Prices Section - all popular models from 1989 ... private poor/part exchange
I confirm the price range from AA TELL ME WHAT MY CAR IS WORTH and maybe What Car Valuation

I've just bought this 2003 HONDA JAZZ 1.4i-DSi SE 5dr CVT-7 Hatchback (private)

• 19,500 miles
• SILVER
• Petrol
• 5 Door Hatchback

19,500 miles, Jazz/Fit. Japanese import. Silver. 3x3 point rear seat belts, ABS, Body coloured bumpers, Remote Central locking, Cloth seat trim, CD player, Electric folding mirrors, Privacy Glass, Ful
for £5500 bearing in mind the parkers price is Franchised Dealer £6,855 Independent Dealer £6,670 Private Good £6,300 Private Poor £5,555 Part Exchange £6,145I think I've done well for a car in immaculate condition.

You can beat the depreciation trap if you buy at the right price.
Over the last few years I've bought several cars for my daughter, one got nicked and a couple written off by her partner. Each time the insurance has actually paid her more for the car than I had bought it for. No one wants the hassle of having a car nicked or having your partner rushed to hospital but financially she has come out better off because I only bought at below bottom book price.
You don't have to offer the price that is being asked, even if you think that is a fair price people sometimes are willing to accept a lower price. By buying privately from autotrader or fish4cars or loot you have the opportunity to visit the car and test drive it, suss out the person who is selling it, examine the documentation and then go away and think about it and only return if you are sure it's a good price, a good car, in good condition.
Never offer the price that is being asked.
Do your research on the type of car you want.
The mileage/age/condition you are prepared to accept.
Be sure the people you are dealing with are decent honourable folk.
Although today I went with a bundle of £20 notes I usually find that we share a bank account. TSB/LLOYDS/NATIONWIDE and using the phonebank to transfer funds saves the hassle of collecting large wads of cash and the pain of counting it all out in front of them.

bubbles_2

Bless you and thankyou for that very detailed response. Wish my dad could sort it out for me but hes no good at this kind of thing...getting on a bit and under estimates prices of everything you can possibly imagine LOL. I will do as you suggested Ted .. and thanks again i feel so stupid! x

bubbles_2

Just wanted to thank you Ted. Followed your advice and got a picasso sx, 02 plate, very good condition, everything working as it should be and milage 37,000 for £3,300. I think i got a fair deal? Thanks again x