Car finder

Astaroth

I have to say that I normally love finding the best deal for things like insurance, camera equipment, holidays... and I mean the best deal not just the cheapest

When it comes to cars however I am just losing all will to live.... I know what sort of car I want (roughly) and I know how much per month I can spend but there are so many opitions re finance/ company car/ HP/ PCP/ Lease and these all then vary when considering the different vehicles on the short list.... then I think sod it I'll get a better car and just spend more than I should but then that does nothing more than increase the options.

I almost wish there was a personal service you could have to pay a flat fee to and they come back with the best car and the best way of paying for it... kind of like the house hunters you get but not a % of what they have saved as obviously it isnt clear when you are considering leases -v- loans and I would want to feed in my company car option.

Is it just me?

peterg1965

I think I know what you mean Astaroth, except that I would see your dilemma as a 'nice' challenge! Why dont you use us (on here) as your car finding service. Tell us your budget, what you are looking for and whether you have a part ex. Life is a lot easier with part exchanging! There are plenty of good deals around at the moment, so fire away!

Matt_Nixon

If you can do it, sell your car privately, you will be offered far less for your car part exchanging, in my case between £800 - £500 and you lose at lot of negotiating power.

I can recommend the autotrader.co.uk website as I sold my old car through it, don't put your email address on though as it seems to attract the 419 scammers.

Astaroth

Top end of £400 per month exc insurance - prefer £300

Want - something "sporty"/ a bit different, hard top convertable would be good. 2 or more seats, luggage space enough for a suitcase sort of amount

Dont want - soft top, sporty looks but no performance, tiny sports/ "girly" car like MX-5

Have an old Saxo that could be used for part ex but would prefer not

After suggestions I will have a look at our work prices but some appear to me to be fairly good (eg Merc C Coupe c180 2 years maintained contract at £295 for 10,000 miles/ year where as others are terrible)

nickmack

Astaroth wrote: »

Top end of £400 per month exc insurance - prefer £300

Want - something "sporty"/ a bit different, hard top convertable would be good. 2 or more seats, luggage space enough for a suitcase sort of amount

Dont want - soft top, sporty looks but no performance, tiny sports/ "girly" car like MX-5

Mazda RX8?

1.3 wankel engine giving 231bhp

DavidHM

£400 pcm = £14,400 after interest over three years, £12k cash

Maximum age 3 years?

You could do an RX8 for that, certainly. Try http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/detail.asp?Id=322291

You could do a three-year-old C180 coupe too - and own it outright after three years.

Or if you want truly different, not necessarily better.

http://www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/detail.asp?Id=321386

Astaroth

Maximum age at acquisition would be 3 years - preferably less.

If it is a lease vehicle like the Merc then it will obviously be brand new at acquisition and higher cost - though obviously I have nothing to show for my money at the end of it. If going for a purchase then longer finance (5 years) would be acceptable to increase the buying power.

Did look at the Mazda RX8 but through our works schemes they are all over £400 either as a lease or company car so had discredited it