Terrified of buying new car

StripeyMiata

OddballJamie wrote: »

Never heard of a rare FIAT Panda, unpopular spec would be more accurate.

:rotfl:

I was quite fond of it but it was the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. FIAT lowered the springs "for sportiness" but kept the dampers from a FIAT Panda 4x4 so the ride was both harsh, and extremely bumpy. I have a Roadster with Mazdaspeed racing suspension and it was more comfy.

It was also the only Panda (I think) with Bluetooth as standard, but because it was a low production model they never translated it for other countries, so it only spoke Italian, in an aggressive manner. She was known as "shouty Italian Woman" on the FIAT Forums.

StripeyMiata

bigjl wrote: »

So why do you infer that traders routinely buy cars for £1000 and sell for £2000 and pocket £1000 tax free without spending a penny.

I'm not a trader but I would have thought at that price range you would be lucky to make £500 profit?

I know the current seller of my car asked for a HPI check from me as got a letter from Experian asking for it, how much did that cost him?

I guess valeting the car, at least £50?

Advertising, my old car is listed on his website, about 10 other minor sites, eBay and Autotrader so I assume that's quite expensive, especially as it's been listed since November last year.

Sorry it sounds like I'm being a bit stalkerish about my old car but I like to check in on it now and again to see if it's still there

AdrianC

bigjl wrote: »

The fact that you feel a Home Trader is dishonest says an awful lot about you thatn it does about me.

So why do you infer that traders routinely buy cars for £1000 and sell for £2000 and pocket £1000 tax free without spending a penny.

Reading and comprehension skills are not your strong point, are they?

Double_V

Have you checked on AutoTrader with your price bracket. See what make and models comes out.
You cannot go wrong with VW.

agrinnall

downshifter wrote: »

Apologies, I wasn't clear. I'm not looking for a 4wd, the camper will do if I need to get along these roads in winter, I just want a basic ordinary runaround. Thanks

Thanks for the clarification, but clearly many subsequent posters have not bothered to read the whole thread as they are still banging on about 4wd cars, so perhaps it would be better to edit your original post as well - although once people have got hold of the wrong end of the stick it can be very difficult to persuade them that they have done so .

DigForVictory

If the length doesn't spook you, I'd go for a Mondeo. Mostly as my abused old rattletrap keeps on going, wind, rain, snow, motorways & dodgy country tracks. Officially it's not worth £500 (age & millage let alone condition ahem) but it's worth 'way more than that to me. It isn't a pocket city nip-about in size though.
(Currently driving to destruction a manual 1.8 petrol Mondeo which is a bit stiff on road tax but has boot space enough to carry 4 scouts camping tackle.)

jiggawhat2k

DKLS wrote: »

Great cars but the best mpg I got out of mine was 28/9mpg. One of the cars I wish I hadn't sold, I quite fancy a STI for the tip run.

I've been bugging the missus to let me get a Forester STI but she isn't having any of it, especially in metalic blue with the gold wheels

19lottie82

My DH's parents have 2 Toyota Hylux Surfs (?). One is a 1995 model and has never needed any repairs, ever, apart from routine servicing and new tyres.
My DH is a mechanic and says for an older 4x4 on a budget, you can't go wrong with these.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201501300569051/sort/default/radius/1501/postcode/g207en/page/1/make/toyota/onesearchad/used/price-to/2500/usedcars/model/hilux?logcode=p

bluebiro

I sold my car to Quciks for £900 and they got it on sale now for £2164 but saying that for them to sell it on responsibly it needs new tyres complete brakes and suspension as well as been 10k over due for a timing belt so can't imagine there been a huge profit in it for them.

BeenThroughItAll

StripeyMiata wrote: »

Advertising, my old car is listed on his website, about 10 other minor sites, eBay and Autotrader so I assume that's quite expensive, especially as it's been listed since November last year.

Sorry it sounds like I'm being a bit stalkerish about my old car but I like to check in on it now and again to see if it's still there

Only Panda I can find which fits the bill is this one. Is this it?

Listed since November 2014 on eBay, Autotrader, and a few other sites.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Panda-1-4-16v-100HP-SPORT-AC-PRIV-GLASS-CD-MET-BLUE-ALLOYS-/201217443223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ed97e8597