Buying a used car. Tips ?

flash2006

Hi,
I was looking to buy a second hand car, wondering if more experienced members can give me some tips. My criteria is

1. Spend around £10k,
2. My annual mileage will be around 8K
3. reasonable insurance group (I am a new driver over 30 in UK, but overall have 10 years driving experience previously across 8 countries),
4. Saloon or hatchback - 4 or 5 doors.
5. automatic or semi-automatic transmission
6. and the most important wifey should like the looks of the car )

Any good suggestions

worried_jim

Porsche Boxster 2.7 [228] 2dr Roadster £9,500

2 Door Convertible, Black with complimenting black leather interior, Petrol, Manual, Front head restraints, Rear headrests, Radio/CD, ABS, Remote central locking, Non-smoker, no accidents, full service history, 4 months MOT, 4 months road tax, low mileage, RAC Parts and Labour Warranty until May 2013 can be renewed. Four new Brigstone Tyres, excellent condition, two owners from new Current owner has owned car for past five years

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201302165368492/sort/default/usedcars/model/boxster/make/porsche/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/bn424sn/page/4/quicksearch/true/radius/40?logcode=p

StrongWork

flash2006 wrote: »

- reasonable insurance group (I am a new driver over 30),
- Saloon or hatchback

worried_jim wrote: »

Porsche Boxster 2.7 [228] 2dr Roadster £9,500

Right...er...really?

jaydeeuk1

A boxster is a standard reply on these forums, usually follows a diesel 2009 Ford Mondeo which someone bought for £2k, and therefore everyone must have one, or a diesel skoda, for same reason.

My standard response would be, new driver = buy cheapo car that you won't be too upset if you smash it up. I'd spend half that - even less personally.

Hintza

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

My standard response would be, new driver = buy cheapo car that you won't be too upset if you smash it up. I'd spend half that - even less personally.

OP is a bit older than the standard new driver so hopefully will not have that problem.

steve-L

Hintza wrote: »

OP is a bit older than the standard new driver so hopefully will not have that problem.

Doesn't make them an expert overnight though.

If you think back to after you just passed your test to now you have probably forgotten the scrapes or near scrapes you'd never do now.

My OH passed at 36 ... she still managed some scrapes, learned where not to park etc. in the first year.

Hence insurance will still be HIGH and because chance of a small accident is high in the 1st year.

My OH pays 2x the amount with me as named driver for her honda diesel as I do for a modified 330D with her not on the policy.

Take me off her policy and she pays even more.... put her as named driver on mine and i pay much more. Even now she has 1yr clean driving and NCD.

steve-L

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

A boxster is a standard reply on these forums, usually follows a diesel 2009 Ford Mondeo which someone bought for £2k, and therefore everyone must have one, or a diesel skoda, for same reason.

My standard response would be, new driver = buy cheapo car that you won't be too upset if you smash it up. I'd spend half that - even less personally.

Yet better than a Megane? :beer: unless you're a ladyboy?

bleepandbooster

Don't forget to kick the tyres when you are looking at the car !!!

We have a 1.6 VW Golf Diesel TDi from inchcape and have been very pleased so far ........... cheap road tax ! But manual not auto !

Cofion
David

macman

Unless you narrow the parameters a lot, then you're not going to get any meaningful advice.
You must know if you want a 4 or 5 door car?!
You must know what category/size: supermini, compact, family size saloon or hatchback?
You haven't even specified petrol or diesel engine (what annual mileage?).
Walk into any secondhand car lot with your rather vague list, and you'll be taken to the cleaners and offered the lemon that they've been trying to get shot of for months.

flash2006

macman wrote: »

Unless you narrow the parameters a lot, then you're not going to get any meaningful advice.
You must know if you want a 4 or 5 door car?!
You must know what category/size: supermini, compact, family size saloon or hatchback?
You haven't even specified petrol or diesel engine (what annual mileage?).
Walk into any secondhand car lot with your rather vague list, and you'll be taken to the cleaners and offered the lemon that they've been trying to get shot of for months.

Ok, thanks for the advice, have narrowed it further down. 8K annual mileage, minimum 4 doors. Petrol or diesel is ok, no preference.

catoutthebag

Another vote for 'kick the tyres'

Some other things to try:

- get on your knees with a torch to check the underside (they will think you'll know what you're doing)
- as above, but with the bonnett
- scratch your head while looking at the engine
- stroke your chin while checking tyre tread