Is this a fair price?

gadgeteer_2

Hi all

A friend of ours have offered us their 2003 (03) Nissan Micra 5 door 1.4SX with 36k on the clock for £1900.

The bodywork is fine, the odd scratch here & there & a ding on the alloys which considering the age is expected. Inside I know what they're like and the seats will be filthy. At best a valet, at worst seat covers will be needed. I love them but they do tend to use the car as a mobile skip!

Anyway, we've been looking at cars in the < £2k range, primarily at Ford Ka's but at that price range, the selection are shocking. At least I know the history of this and I know mechanically it's sound.

Parkers says an good condition private one would be around £2k and poor about £1500. But that's based on average miles of around 80k. This one has only done 36k.

I don't want to insult them by trying to haggle with a mate so for me it's either a yes ok or a no thanks.

But thoughts from the masses would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dippypud

How are they as drivers, a bit harsh I know but you have to think...clutch?, brakes?.

School run and shops only, home serviced or local garage or even main dealer.

Any reciepts for work done or spares bought.

Service book with or without stamps, old MOTs, any advisory notices given, any accidents that you know about.

pitkin2020

Never buy a car from family or friends especially if you are the sort of person to hold a grudge. The car may go on for the next 5 years without a problem but if it doesn't and the engine blows up and the gearbox drops out 3 months down the road it will cause tension between friends/family whether its intended or not.

s_b

this is an early cross over from renault
they have issues
ask friend if its been faultless
if not
do not buy

Kilty_2

s_b wrote: »

this is an early cross over from renault
they have issues
ask friend if its been faultless
if not
do not buy

Heard of issues with the 1.2 engine but not the 1.4...

s_b

its early french can bus
i see the black boxes for the airfrance plane have been found this week too
and trust me im not having a pop here

NeverAgain_2

Micras are known to be good little cars, so they usually fetch a decent price.

Provenance is a big problem at your budget - you never know what you are buying.

In this case you are as certain as you can be the car is straight and honest.

You could chase around for several more weeks, but you still not find what you want.

Buying this car looks a good idea.

s_b

NeverAgain:) the car isnt a bargain its full tilt of whats its worth plus knobs on
so OP needs to know if its a reliable egg as otherwise things are gonna crack;)

gadgeteer_2

Thanks for the advice so far.

I'm not the type to hold grudges and I'm more than aware that if it goes wrong 2 days later, it's my hard luck.

That said, given the price range, the stuff we've seen so far is pretty shocking. That's why this appeals. I've known the friend for a couple of years now and haven't heard them complain the Micra broke down in any of the time they've had it.

They are hard drivers (ie. fast) so that's a concern but given the mileage, and the outside condition of the car, should be ok. I will check as much as I can.

The inside...well we're expecting a mobile skip like I said. Friend has offered to get car professionally valeted for us but i sincerely doubt some of the food stains will come out of the seats and I pity the poor valet! . But GF & I have talked about that and we can just stick seat covers on it.

The pluses for us are known history, newer than what we've been looking at and has air con.

NeverAgain_2

...the car isnt a bargain...

Didn't say it was, and that's a matter of opinion anyway.

The OP has said the selection of used cars viewed so far has been a disappointment.

Why continue to chase around - at some cost - when you know most of what you look at will be unsuitable?

As I said, a big worry at this price is the car is not what it appears to be.

This car is what it appears to be, it's honest, as is the vendor.

As regards the price, the OP will have forgotten what he paid in three months, and in any case the price is there or thereabouts.

Reliability cannot be guaranteed, however much you pay.

Micras are basically sound, but to say anything more is pure speculation.

I wouldn't waste any more time and buy it.

s_b

no worries
a 9 year old crossover at 2 bags of sand keeps garages in business :)why not make it a condition of sale that friend has car valeted and toenails removed from carpets as a prerequisite?