Trying to buy a car

[same_difference]

So I'll still without car following the accident last December. Largely because buying a second hand car right now isn't easy. Well I suspect if I wasn't too concerned with what I bought I might have a bit more luck, but all things considered I'd like to buy something and not have to worry about replacing it for a while. I have narrowed it down to a rough size and age that would be an ideal (4-7 years, 10-12k mileage per year of age, something along the size of a Ford Fiesta/VW Golf/etc).

The main thing that's making it hard is the scrappage scheme. It's taken a lot of second hand cars off the market, reducing supply, pushing up the prices garages pay for the stock, and pushing up the prices they try and sell them for. It's actually got to the point that I'm seriously considering trying to buy a new or if I can find one nearly new ex-demo car. It just needs a certain amount of haggling to try and get a decent combination of price and financing...

What I'm hoping if I do go for a new car is I'll take advantage of some the developments in engines and fuel economy that have come out recently. Might be enough to make paying the extra to buy something new worthwhile.

Still we'll see what happens, but if anyone hears of anything please let me know.

Comments

[pujaemuss.livejournal.com]

I know someone at rugby who was selling a Renault 205 for £500, if you're interested. I don't know much about cars, but the seller is a decent bloke and I trust him. This was about a week or two ago, so text me if you want me to see if it's still available.

PJW

[same-difference.livejournal.com]

I'll keep it in mind as a back up option, more of a step backwards than I had in mind.

[granny-gertrude.livejournal.com]

I rather suspect you're much pickier than me. Given the huge range of risks to cars, how quickly they depreciate, and the money pit experiences of friends I go for something cheap that I feel confident I can get one to two years out of.

Have you tried JFCross in Bitton or Capricorn Motors in Newbridge? May be worth having a telephone chat with them as even if they haven't got something at this moment they'll be able to pull in something through their contacts.

[same-difference.livejournal.com]

Yeah I'm definitely being pickier. Though I'd like to keep whatever I buy for the next decade or so, and I'll probably use mine quite a bit more than you will, so I'm working on a different economic model so to speak.

Thanks for the garage recommendations I had a look at the Capricorn Motors website, same sort of prices I'm encountering ever where at the moment. I'll try calling the other one tomorrow.