ADVICE please about car on ebay

ChumLee

impressive_ironing wrote: »

I think thats why the other guy said pre 2000 diesels? either way, I'm super confused haha. so much choice and I guess it goes down to peoples personal experiences and preferences? Now you mention a kia... I saw one on ebay in my location and wondered about it but I dont know ANYTHING about them. It's a KIA CARENS le crdi 2.0 diesel. 2006
Item number 121724827438

I'd be asking why the service history ended three years ago. Maybe he's done it himself but I'd want to see evidence of that. If it's been run for three years on the same oil best leave it alone.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/kia/kia-carens-iii-2006-road-test//

forgotmyname

Mondeo estate well over 6ft inside with the rear seats down.

Probably 7ft if you move the front seats forward also.

EdGasket

impressive_ironing wrote: »

I think thats why the other guy said pre 2000 diesels? either way, I'm super confused haha. so much choice and I guess it goes down to peoples personal experiences and preferences? Now you mention a kia... I saw one on ebay in my location and wondered about it but I dont know ANYTHING about them. It's a KIA CARENS le crdi 2.0 diesel. 2006
Item number 121724827438

Don't know about that particular one but a work colleague has 2 diesel Carens and is very pleased with them. A DMF went on one but was fixed under the 7 year warranty.

I'd say the one you listed is overpriced. Carens go very cheaply and if you want an even cheaper, similar car try a Chevrolet Tacuma. Why not get a petrol Carens? Dirt cheap to buy and no DMF's to go wrong. You'd get a petrol Carens with under 100K miles for a few hundred quid.

Talc1234

impressive_ironing wrote: »

me again....sorry to ask so many questions.
what are thoughts on a Volvo V70 diesel age 2002
a 1.6 TDCi ford focus estate with possible turbo issue ( age 2007) diesel
berlingo 1.8i petrol 2001
every time I find a car that ticks all the boxes...it's 100 odd miles away

The ford focus TDCi has a duel mass fly wheel which is prone to failing and will cost £1000+ to replace. Had one, never again!

Rolandtheroadie

Although I prefer my pre 2000 VAG, the OH wanted something a bit newer, so I got her a 2008 Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi LS Estate.
208k miles when we got it around 8 months ago, with a FSH. Timing chain so no worries about whether a timing belts been done or not.
It's a bit smaller than my Passat, probably comparible to a Focus.

I wouldnt let distance put me off for a cheap car either. Our ceed was a little over 250 miles away.

In 8 months I've put new brake pads on it and replaced the washer bottle pump. We had a key issue too, when the only working one broke it cost £140 to get a replacement and reprogram the spare (so make sure theres 2 working keys)

Paid a lot more than we usually do, but I think that'll balance out due to how long we'll have it.

impressive_ironing

Rolandtheroadie wrote: »

Although I prefer my pre 2000 VAG, the OH wanted something a bit newer, so I got her a 2008 Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi LS Estate.
208k miles when we got it around 8 months ago, with a FSH. Timing chain so no worries about whether a timing belts been done or not.
It's a bit smaller than my Passat, probably comparible to a Focus.

I wouldnt let distance put me off for a cheap car either. Our ceed was a little over 250 miles away.

In 8 months I've put new brake pads on it and replaced the washer bottle pump. We had a key issue too, when the only working one broke it cost £140 to get a replacement and reprogram the spare (so make sure theres 2 working keys)

Paid a lot more than we usually do, but I think that'll balance out due to how long we'll have it.

thanks, I am appreciating all the input. I'm getting the impression high mileage isn't as big issue as making sure it has service history? obviously low miles is a plus, but on a budget, the car I chose will be higher

ajb69

I am no expert - at all - but perhaps that helps as I know where you are coming from. This is all anecdotal, of course, touch wood every car I've had has run ok....so far!

* Modern diesels are apparently far more complex than old diesels, what with DPFs and what-not, which are expensive to fix. Consensus on forums seems to be avoid unless you do lots of motorway miles (and the previous owner did too).
* High miles are not an issue, compared to a missing service history.
* Maybe buy from a dealer? Yes, you pay more, but you get far more consumer rights if the car goes wrong.
* Although it's a lot of money against your budget, if buying privately maybe consider a vehicle inspection from a friendly local mechanic?

drew

forgotmyname

Not bought anything with less than 120k miles for a long time.

As long as the service history is spot on. Avoid those cars that are run right upto the mileage limit between services.
It its a 12,000 mile max then its just that a max not a target. Find one serviced every 10,000 or less and you could be onto a winner.

Hoof_Hearted

Also consider unpopular models, like the Nissan Almera. It's not a looker but the mechanicals are pretty good and it's very good value.