Buying a used car for £1000. Don't want to be ripped off.

colino

£1500 on a high mile econobox is a cheeky starting price, don't do it. It's all very well buying something like that brand new and being proud of a mediocre but new car in the drive for low money, but as they get older they depreciate into dust. Get a good Focus, Mondeo or Vectra for the same money and don't be seduced by a newer plate.

mrcol1000

So just to update brought the Hyundai Matrix. £1500 and for that got 2005 car with 106,000 miles on the clock. However it had a replacement engine that had only done 38,000 miles. First owner took it all over Europe. Second owner was 80 year old guy who was getting rid as wanted something higher up. Full history which backed it up and know someone who has brought £2000 car from them with no problems. Seemed pretty genuine.

Checked it all out. Wouldn't budge on price but did give me a 2 year warranty for parts and labour on the engine and exhaust 12 months MOT and the garage gives you free MOT for life on the cars you buy from them. Also going to give it full service and winter check.

Few scuff marks but really clean looking. Test drove it and sounds really good. No problems changing gear and brakes feel good. No weird noises, rattles or squeaks. Budget tyres but they look brand new.

Pretty confident got a good deal but will wait and see.

mrcol1000

colino wrote: »

£1500 on a high mile econobox is a cheeky starting price, don't do it. It's all very well buying something like that brand new and being proud of a mediocre but new car in the drive for low money, but as they get older they depreciate into dust. Get a good Focus, Mondeo or Vectra for the same money and don't be seduced by a newer plate.

I can see what you are saying but I don't think I can go through the stress of buying another car for a while so intend to keep this one till it turns into dust so not that bothered about resale value.

James_Lahey

Congratulations on the new car, may it give you many years of hassle free motoring!

techspec

James_Lahey wrote: »

My latest buy came from a chap who inherited the car after a death in the family - the make of car is renowned for having issues (it's a rover - think head gasket!) However it has been really well looked after and had a good quality reconditioned engine dropped in about 40k ago - no problems at all in 6 months of ownership. Already a worthy buy considering (price paid - 6 months tax supplied - scrap value)/6 = ~£20 per month so far and dropping with every days use.

Best of luck avoiding those lemons!

I really fancied the big rovers on Ebay. Many were like new, low mileage and i really liked the design - even though dated.

But everyone i talked to said don't bother - head gasket. Still, that and the fact Rover went out of business was the reason they were so cheap - right?

Still i ended up avoiding them - but as you say - you have had your moneys worth - and i love the look of em.

mrcol1000

techspec wrote: »

I really fancied the big rovers on Ebay. Many were like new, low mileage and i really liked the design - even though dated.

But everyone i talked to said don't bother - head gasket. Still, that and the fact Rover went out of business was the reason they were so cheap - right?

Still i ended up avoiding them - but as you say - you have had your moneys worth - and i love the look of em.

The main reason we are getting rid of our Rover is that the head gasket blew 18 months ago and we spent £500 repairing it. Now it has gone again and as it has already been repaired its unlikely that they can do it again. Even if they could its not worth £500 spending on it.

Its a shame as they are really great cars and ours is only 1.6 but goes like a rocket. I think they are suited to people who like to tinker under the bonnet and can fix any problems. Spares are very easy to get hold off. There is a company Rimmer Bros who do everything and our garage normally gets cheaper universal parts.

squinz

I think it is pot luck. If I was you, I would increase your budget and get something from a dealer if possible.

I bought a 2000 Fiat Punto for £895 and have had to spend about £400 on it in just 7 months. The power steering has gone and it's wheels are in a terrible state. I won't be getting something so old again.

scaredofdebt

mrcol1000 wrote: »

So just to update brought the Hyundai Matrix. £1500 and for that got 2005 car with 106,000 miles on the clock. However it had a replacement engine that had only done 38,000 miles. First owner took it all over Europe.

What was the mileage when the new engine went in? Was it brand new or reconditioned etc?

Academic now as you've bought it, good luck!

mrcol1000

squinz wrote: »

I think it is pot luck. If I was you, I would increase your budget and get something from a dealer if possible.

I bought a 2000 Fiat Punto for £895 and have had to spend about £400 on it in just 7 months. The power steering has gone and it's wheels are in a terrible state. I won't be getting something so old again.

The car we brought first and spent £1k on was a Fiat Punto! The power steering was the first thing that went. Its a common fault on them as its an electric motor that powers it which is very weak.

Looking back I can't believe we spent so much on it. Like the Rover we had, it was a nice little car in itself and it feels like you are in a much bigger car. However the car was knackered when we brought it.

mrcol1000

scaredofdebt wrote: »

What was the mileage when the new engine went in? Was it brand new or reconditioned etc?

Academic now as you've bought it, good luck!

The engine that went in had 35k on it and was reconditioned. The mileage when the new engine went in was about 90K