Buying from a "Franchised Main Dealer"

apples1

An RAC check saved us from buying a poor car a few weeks back. Given up on plan of buying a Cat C car (to save money now).

If we buy an Econetic Fiesta (up to 2yrs old) second hand from a Ford Dealership do we still need/benefit from RAC check before buying?

Secondly Is it worth buying through dealer rather than privately (same make model and age of car) to get warranty that a dealership provides?

Thanks in advance.

motorguy

apples1 wrote: »

An RAC check saved us from buying a poor car a few weeks back. Given up on plan of buying a Cat C car (to save money now).

If we buy an Econetic Fiesta (up to 2yrs old) second hand from a Ford Dealership do we still need/benefit from RAC check before buying?

Secondly Is it worth buying through dealer rather than privately (same make model and age of car) to get warranty that a dealership provides?

Thanks in advance.

Good question!

Theoretically, if you bought privately, then the car will still be under manufacturers warranty anyway, so if you were to do an HPI check you could have a low risk purchase. BUT for a bit more, in theory, by buying from a main dealer they should be taking ALL the risk out of the purchase.

One thing i would say is to check around for the best price. Its easy to assume that all fiestas of equal age from a main dealer will be pretty much standard across all dealers - thats not the case. There could even be up to several thousand of a difference - use fords online car finder to compare and be prepared to travel for the rigt car.

Also, try car supermarkets

fivetide

Be mindful of the warrenty they offer though. Out local Ford dealer had a nice priced car (which we did buy) that had an 'RAC checked' sticker on it. However, they were cutting corners by giving a third party warrenty as oppsed to an offical Ford used warrenty. do make sure your dealer is offering the full service for the money.

motorguy

fivetide wrote: »

Be mindful of the warrenty they offer though. Out local Ford dealer had a nice priced car (which we did buy) that had an 'RAC checked' sticker on it. However, they were cutting corners by giving a third party warrenty as oppsed to an offical Ford used warrenty. do make sure your dealer is offering the full service for the money.

If the O/P is looking for a car up to 2 years old, then they'll have the balance of the Ford manufacturers warranty by default anyway.

fivetide

pgilc1 wrote: »

If the O/P is looking for a car up to 2 years old, then they'll have the balance of the Ford manufacturers warranty by default anyway.

I saw that.

The Ford Direct warranty covers a lot more and lasts two years so would have offered and extension over the three years and also includes recovery etc. Plus it is unlimited mileage so worth having

http://www.ford.co.uk/BuyingandprotectingyourFord/Warranties/UsedCarWarranty

chieffy72

We've got a few in stock if you want to use these prices as a guide:
http://www.peoplescars.co.uk/used-cars/search/?itAction=search&search_url=used-cars&category_search=&used-car-search%5Bauto_marque_detail_id%5D=30&used-car-search%5Bauto_model_detail_id%5D=289&is_van=0&is_bike=0&advanced=1&used-car-search%5Bregistration_date%5D=&auto_marque_detail_id=30&auto_model_detail_id=289&used-car-search%5Blower_price%5D=8000&used-car-search%5Bprice%5D=13000&used-car-search%5Bauto_body_style_detail_id%5D=&used-car-search%5Blocation_detail_id%5D=3&used-car-search%5Bdoors%5D=&used-car-search%5Bauto_transmission_detail_id%5D=&used-car-search%5Bauto_fuel_type_detail_id%5D=2&used-car-search%5Bmileage%5D=&used-car-search%5Bengine_size%5D=&used-car-search%5Btax_band%5D=A

apples1

Thank you all for the posts. Have spent the day visiting garages inc main dealers within an hour of home plus lots more on the go online research.

Have realised that maybe a 1.4 titanium diesel may also be an option IF it came with a lower upfront price to offset poorer MPG. Now considering that AND Econetic. Want to stay under £10k. Needs to be 5 door, low to average mileage.

When we started out today we were under the impression the fiesta had 5 star safety rating (including for rear seat passengers). When we test drove one today the seller said it was 4 star for the rear safety unless it had curtain airbags (which would have been an optional extra when new). Can anyone confirm this for certain one way or other as my children will go in this car & 5 star rating was a big attraction to me.

chieffy72

The early Econetics were a bit limited on spec so if it was me I'd go for a 1.4TDCi Zetec or Titanium and pay the £30 a year road tax. It is 5 star Euroncap,you can see the results here: http://www.euroncap.com/tests/ford_fiesta_2008/333.aspx

chieffy72

Again,here's what we have in stock around your price range. If we're not in your area you can just use these as a guide;
http://www.peoplescars.co.uk/used-cars/search/?itAction=search&search_url=used-cars&category_search=&used-car-search%5Bauto_marque_detail_id%5D=30&used-car-search%5Bauto_model_detail_id%5D=289&is_van=0&is_bike=0&advanced=1&used-car-search%5Bregistration_date%5D=&auto_marque_detail_id=30&auto_model_detail_id=289&used-car-search%5Blower_price%5D=9000&used-car-search%5Bprice%5D=11000&used-car-search%5Bauto_body_style_detail_id%5D=6&used-car-search%5Blocation_detail_id%5D=&used-car-search%5Bdoors%5D=5&used-car-search%5Bauto_transmission_detail_id%5D=8&used-car-search%5Bauto_fuel_type_detail_id%5D=2&used-car-search%5Bmileage%5D=&used-car-search%5Bengine_size%5D=&used-car-search%5Btax_band%5D=

chieffy72

On a completely unrelated note check out the euroncap results for the old Rover 100: http://www.euroncap.com/tests/rover_100_1997/11.aspx

Scary or what!? If any of your loved ones are driving around in one of these get it to the nearest scrapyard asap!

fivetide

chieffy72 wrote: »

Again,here's what we have in stock around your price range. If we're not in your area you can just use these as a guide;
http://www.peoplescars.co.uk/used-cars/search/?itAction=search&search_url=used-cars&category_search=&used-car-search%5Bauto_marque_detail_id%5D=30&used-car-search%5Bauto_model_detail_id%5D=289&is_van=0&is_bike=0&advanced=1&used-car-search%5Bregistration_date%5D=&auto_marque_detail_id=30&auto_model_detail_id=289&used-car-search%5Blower_price%5D=9000&used-car-search%5Bprice%5D=11000&used-car-search%5Bauto_body_style_detail_id%5D=6&used-car-search%5Blocation_detail_id%5D=&used-car-search%5Bdoors%5D=5&used-car-search%5Bauto_transmission_detail_id%5D=8&used-car-search%5Bauto_fuel_type_detail_id%5D=2&used-car-search%5Bmileage%5D=&used-car-search%5Bengine_size%5D=&used-car-search%5Btax_band%5D=

I think you need to watch these posts chap. It's not really in the rules to be promoting your own stock as advertising isn't allowed. By all means keep up the advice but mind the advertising or you may get a swift ban! :eek:

That and Peoples were the dealership who refused to provide a Ford Direct warranty on a Ford used car bought from a Ford dealership as mentioned above.