Buying a used car OMG!!

[Katfish]

I have spent the last 3 weeks looking for a half decent used car, without my OH because he is away all the time.
How hard can it be I thought

I have found that high mileage with full service history means it was a taxi

One doctor owner means it was parked by touch and has the dents to prove it

The car salesman keeps asking if I like the colour, when the engine is knocking

Any tips would be very much appreciated, because I am going a bit mad!

I have been told some absolute corkers, like it doesn't need a cam belt for 200,000 miles

[River]

high mileage diesels are ok as long as they have full service history and if poss 1 owner from new.my wife drives a mazda 6 sport,53 plate,ex reps car,155000 miles,FSH,serviced every 12000 miles,

[roachieuk (aka eciggery2011)]

Hi kat,

I dont drive so really couldnt give none of my own advice but i did trawl up this article for you its from auto trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/advice/2010/07/buying/inspecting-a-used-car

Hope this helps in some way.

[tynesider]

These days check online to see how many miles you get for a gallon of petrol, and also how much the tax is. I have a Mazda 3 and I love it and its the best car I have ever had. But I only get 34 miles per gallon and the tax has gone up to £105 for six months. I get around 150 miles for £25. My next car I hope will do nearly 60 mpg and about half the tax. I will have to wait a couple of years though.
Don't believe what the dealer tells you, check online first and read what drivers say about the car first.

[collie2011]

www.parkers.co.uk

Mike always uses that for impartial info on cars, I think they also tell you how much the tax is for it too.

[Katfish]

Thanks River, so 155,000 is not such a bad thing? Practically all the cars I like have high mileage, which has, up till now, put me off.

[River]

a high mileage petrol car i would stay clear
diesels are a much better car especially high mileage
but do look for 1 owner,fsh cars

[Katfish]

Will do, thanks!
Just seen a peugeot 407, 1.6 HDi, will take ANOTHER trip out tomorrow for a look.

[profbeard]

Remember that with any car, the total cost of ownership is what matters. With used cars, especially older ones, maintenance can be a big factor. You also need to take into account how many miles you drive. If you are a low mileage driver, fuel consumption can be less of a factor than many realise - smaller "more economical" cars wear out faster than larger better made "less economical" ones. (with new or newish cars depreciation is frequently the biggest component of cost of ownership of course).

By the way don't assume petrol cars can't take high miles - my wife's last car (petrol) had 250,000ish miles on it when it finally went, and her current car has over 150,000 on it and rising...

[Katfish]

Thank you Profbeard,
my OH would prefer a big car with all the comforts of his lorry, cruise control, automatic, etc. Hopefully without the microwave, fridge and gas cooker though!
I have been a bit frightened of a large car, because of the fuel cost, and the fact that they have high mileage. As you say about the miles driven per year, Graham goes to work on Monday and comes home on Friday or Saturday, so it would probably do about 80 miles per week
Food for thought!

[Katfish]

Roachie, that guide is very useful, thanks Shame my corsa van has that mayonnaise stuff under the oil cap oops

Tynesider, thanks I used to have a Mazda 323 and it was 24 years old when it died, and that was because I couldn't find spares for it.

Collie thank you, will be checking Parkers, great tip!

[profbeard]

Jun 17, 2011 21:18:06 GMT Katfish said:

Thank you Profbeard,
my OH would prefer a big car with all the comforts of his lorry, cruise control, automatic, etc. Hopefully without the microwave, fridge and gas cooker though!
I have been a bit frightened of a large car, because of the fuel cost, and the fact that they have high mileage. As you say about the miles driven per year, Graham goes to work on Monday and comes home on Friday or Saturday, so it would probably do about 80 miles per week ;
Food for thought!

If you are a lowish miles driver, don't be frightened of autos - yes they use a bit more fuel but are much less stressful in town driving. There is also no clutch to wear out. We switched to autos in the early 90s and with two cars on the go at any time since then we have only had one gearbox cause problems - and that one was at 186,000 miles.

Ignoring the petrol costs (it did average only 20 to the gallon) one of the cheapest cars to run I've ever had was a 1990 Daimler 4.0 That I bought in 1996 and parted with in 2005. Apart from things like tyres, brake pads, and service items like oil and filters nothing ever needed doing to it. (I admit it's not exactly a sensible choice for most people but the wooden picnic tables were lovely...)

[Katfish]

Wow, I'd not be allowed in anything like that, (horse hair, wellies, dog, etc.) Fantastic classic car though.


Well and truly spoilt for choice, will probably end up with a range rover or a plastic pig

[profbeard]

If you are looking for a cheap but quality "stuff things in it" carrier - I can recommend the model my wife has - a 2001 Saab 9-5 SE Auto Estate - full leather, cruise, his and hers air con, load space for the planet. We bought hers three years back with a full service history and 136000 miles for 2 grand... Everyone that's been in it has been impressed by what a bargain it was - there are umpteen of them for sale.

[collie2011]

Volvo estates, built well and have loads of space in them. We've been looking at one for our next car.