Why would this car be so cheap?

CompBunny

I saw this car on gumtree:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2003-nissan-almera-diesel-long-mot-85000-miles-service-history-sat-nav/90519055

We have never bought a car before, only ever been given them (very lucky indeed, but we are thinking of a second car) so know nothing about buying second hand cars... this looks like an incredibly good price compared with others we have seen, but also too good to be true right?

Why else would it be so cheap?

Wish I knew someone car-savvy in real life who could go visit cars with us, but unfortunately not!

Thanks!

harveybobbles

CompBunny wrote: »

Why else would it be so cheap?

appart from the fact that it is possibly the worlds most boring car to drive? And the people who buy them generally see the process of dying as something to do...

supermanjo

Well, to be honest, you would be surprised to find out where the second hand car market is at the moment. It really is a buyers market. Oh, and to answer you're question, for the millage, compared to other cars on autotrader, it is around £200 under-valued... But the guy has just had a baby so it could be a genuine quick sale.

Just to add to that, I recently purchased a fully loaded 2000 Volvo S40 for £350! I'm holding off on selling my own 2004 S40 because the market is so crap right now, I'd rather keep it and not drive it then make the loss I'm expecting too.

martinthebandit

Why that looks too good to be true

Its either;

Nicked,
A badly repaired write off.
Or currently in Nigeria but the seller will deduct the up front shipping costs from the price; or

All of the above.

CompBunny

harveybobbles wrote: »

appart from the fact that it is possibly the worlds most boring car to drive? And the people who buy them generally see the process of dying as something to do...

Thanks for replying!
Hehe, well our other car is a Vauxhall Nova (my first car!) and full of character and nothing but a pleasure to drive so got that one covered (Although I'm sure some might disagree, but for me just releasing the handbrake makes me happy!:j) Plus uncool car=cheaper insurance for us under 25's!

Any other reasons?

CompBunny

Thankyou both for replying too, so it could either be a genuine bargain or a total con I'd better avoid then I guess...we are too inexperienced to make an informed judgement. Shame!

harveybobbles

Well I just checked the DVLA site and it isn't showing as requiring a VIC, so it could be an honest bargain. But I'd prefer driving the Nova )

CompBunny

harveybobbles wrote: »

Well I just checked the DVLA site and it isn't showing as requiring a VIC, so it could be an honest bargain. But I'd prefer driving the Nova )

Me too :P

Hmmm... could there be a fault with these models that require lots of work done at 80k-ish? Like a cambelt change? Maybe thats not too expensive in modern cars, I haven't a clue! Am I right in thinking that 85k is nothing for a modern diesel? How about petrol?

Rolandtheroadie

Seems to have a few cars on offer at the moment.
http://www.gumtree.com/cgi-bin/list_postings.pl?search_location=Ipswich&search_terms=07935120757

motorguy

scotsman4th wrote: »

Seems to have a few cars on offer at the moment.
http://www.gumtree.com/cgi-bin/list_postings.pl?search_location=Ipswich&search_terms=07935120757

+1

Just checked that too.

The guy has 32 cars listed and hes listed them all as a 'private' seller, thus trying to avoid his trader responsibilities.

Also, theres no mention of miles on the car, so i'd say its been to the moon and back.

Avoid.

CompBunny

Thankyou Scotsman and Paul, I hadn't thought to search for the phone number... does look a little dodgy Blah...I can see this car buying business is a minefield of scary-ness!

The mileage was mentioned though, as 85k in the top line description. If it was totally genuine and all ok it would have been perfect, but I'm sure plenty more will come along. We just want a nice reliable car of any age or type