Advice Buying a second hand Roomster

[digitaltrance]

The Background

After nearly a year of stress fighting a loan company, I will be receiving a ppi refund in the next few weeks. The first thing my wife and I must do with the money is replace our poor old Escort. Not only because it has many mechanical problems but because we have a large breed dog (leonberger) that at 6 months has almost out grown the boot area. I have to say I hate nothing more than buying cars, even a trip to the dentist is more preferential. I especially hate buying second hand having been sold some lemons in my time, hence why I will be buying from a official dealer this time.

Getting to the point....

After many weeks of looking at mpv's I had failed to find anything that will meet my requirements that is to say reliable, automatic not to old with a truly flexible inside and most importantly reasonably economical to run and for around the £5500 mark .. Until I stumbled upon the Skoda site and viewed their approved used cars. It seems I can buy a 07/08 registered auto Roomster with less than 50,000 on the clock for around this figure. Which is wonderful I had no idea I could get such a young car for what to most people in car circles in not a lot of money (please note it's a lot of money to me )

Finally Questions

I guess I am a car salesman’s dream in that I usually pay what the car has on the window screen, but at 45 years old I'm tired of being such a mug so my first question the price on the screen what does it mean ? Basically in your experiences what haggling parameters do I have ???

Next why are these cars so cheap so young surely it can't be simply down to ego and the way they look can it ? I have read all the online reviews and watched the videos, am I missing something ? It all seems a bit good to be true. As does the skoda 12 month warranty and year rac cover for cars under 50,000 on the clock

I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have so I can make the buying process a little less financially and mentally painful thank you for reading.

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[rob-s-]

Hello,

If you are paying cash, decide how much you are prepared to pay before you go to a showroom. Your escort will probally not be worth anything as a part exchange so it would simplify things if you dont offer it as part exchange at all.

Each car and dealer is different but you should get at least a couple of hundred pounds off the screen price.

Check when the next service is due on the car. If it is due ask how much it will cost. Factor this into the price you offer (the dealer will probally offer to service it for you as part of the deal).

If buying from a Skoda dealer get them to chuck 1 years warranty in as part of the deal.

Dont allow them to talk you into any finance offers.

Only look at the car you went to view. The salesman will probally try to get you to buy another car (which will be more expensive).

Do your research (on here is a good start) so you know what engine type/size, age, mileage, colour, specification etc etc roomster you would like (and afford) before you start.

Hope that helps some

[Calomax]

Hello,

Do your research (on here is a good start) so you know what engine type/size, age, mileage, colour, specification etc etc roomster you would like (and afford) before you start.

Hope that helps some

The OP wants auto, so at his budget he only has a choice of the 1.6 petrol. And the price will be dependant on the rest. The Roomster is super for carrying dogs, but it is a shame it doesn't have a lower boot sill. But we can still manage a Golden Retriever that is nearly 15 years old.

[tuscan30]

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your search.

A good starting point would be to check out your local dealers feedback on this forum. Most Skoda dealers seem to be a cut above the average but it's nice to see what other forum members have to say about their own experiences with the dealer.

They probably don't want the hassle of getting rid of your Escort as already mentioned and you'll get a much better discount with no trade-in. Be bold and offer them several hundred less than the sticker price - you can always go up. There is some truth in the myth that they get more and more keen to sell cars as the month end approaches if they haven't quite hit their sales targets.

Once they get to a price that they won't go any lower on, that's the time to start asking for free accessories, extra warranties and services to sweeten the deal. As these "extras" don't reflect directly in their sales budget they can be quite amenable to giving stuff away.

Both our Roomsters were dealer ex-demo's and we managed to bring a tear to the salesman's eye on each occasion - but don't forget that despite their protests they will NEVER sell you a car if it is going to cost them money, there's always a profit left in it for them.

Think about getting a bumper protection moulding if you are carrying a big dog - the rear bumper will get scratched very quickly otherwise.

[hertsnminds]

why are these cars so cheap so young

Look at what they cost new and after 3 years expect to pay half that or less. My Roomster was around £13k so it should be around £6,500 on a forecourt in 3 years especially if it has less than 30k on the clock. Same is true of most manufacturers, Maserati's that are £80,000 new can be picked up after 3 years for under £40,000 (actually between £25k and £35).

[digitaltrance]

Thank you Rob-s- , calomax & tuscan30 for taking the time to posts, your comments are all very helpful much to think on.

We are now set on getting a Roomster they become more appealing the more you look at them. I know the price I quoted was right at the bottom end for that year, If I have to pay a little bit more for the right one I will . Finance is never an option for us, we learnt that hard lesson a long time ago and are still paying the price.

I think a rubber boot liner will be a must as leonbergers like newfoundlands love water and mud, the car would look like a pig pen in no time. I think the dog getting in will be fine until he gets old, but I never would have thought about the bumper scratches until they had happened more rubber mats me thinks.

Thanks again I will keep coming back like a bad rash :-)

[digitaltrance]

Look at what they cost new and after 3 years expect to pay half that or less. My Roomster was around £13k so it should be around £6,500 on a forecourt in 3 years especially if it has less than 30k on the clock. Same is true of most manufacturers, Maserati's that are £80,000 new can be picked up after 3 years for under £40,000 (actually between £25k and £35).

Sorry I only just saw your post thank you. Yes you are right they are very well priced from the outset it was a stupid comment from me, I guess my brain was still buzzing from the fact I had finally found a car in my price range that still had a low mileage … It's strange I think out side the box on most things but I had never thought to look at Skoda's (how many times must you have you heard that ) Have a great day

[Jonny5ive]

Welcome to the forum digitaltrance

A wealth of knowledge and experience on here from fellow Roomster owners. As someone has already said the option of automatic limits your engine choice to a 1.6 petrol.

If being an automatic is not an essential for your purchase this will widen the used options for you. The 1.9tdi PD105 is a great engine for this car and thoughts (not just on this forum) are that the 1.4tdi can feel a little under powered.

HTH

[RandomSkodaperson]

We have three dogs - 1 Swiss Mountain , 1 cross moutain dog / collie and a whippet. All three fit in the boot of the roomster without an problems. The fit far better than when I had the Saab 9-5 estate.

The Roomster has been excellent and one of the best cars to date for family life. I also have two girls and their friends always comment how much bigger the car is on the inside.

Good luck finding a nice one.

[loskie]

We have three dogs - 1 Swiss Mountain , 1 cross moutain dog / collie and a whippet. All three fit in the boot of the roomster without an problems. The fit far better than when I had the Saab 9-5 estate.

The Roomster has been excellent and one of the best cars to date for family life. I also have two girls and their friends always comment how much bigger the car is on the inside.

Good luck finding a nice one.

At the age and/or mileage you are looking at it is worth factoring a new timing belt into the sums. Either get the dealer to include it(and documented) or reduce the price accordingly. Beware of the various warranties some will exclude certain items that are prone to fail and costly to repair such as clutches and turbos.

Roomster is a pig ugly(IMO) but practical and good value car would suit more people if they werent so worried about appearances.

GOOD LUCK let us know how you get on.

[P6bJOHN]

I've had my Roomster since May, I also think it's a pig with lipstick, but that's part of its charm. My wife loves the car and who am I to tell her she needs glasses, she married me! I have managed to roll up and take to the tip a extra kingsize mattress, with the tailgate shut. I have just driven round Normandy and beaten it with a stick, still getting 47mpg from a 1.2 tsi 105. I'm 6'5" and disabled and yet I find it very comfortable. It can fit 4 tall adults and luggage comfortably, (I don't consider the middle rear seat to be much of a seat). I don't think I have had a car before that I would consider buying again, but I would a Roomster. It is a hidden gem of a piece of kit.

[digitaltrance]

Wow thanks for everyone who has now posted . Wife dropped into local Skoda dealer yesterday just to ask a few questions and we are going for a test drive in a 2008 they have this weekend. This one is not auto but it will give me a feel for the car. Most of the cars which I am looking at seem to be auto 1.6 16v (105BHP) 2 . I know we live in a country where automatics are generally frowned upon but I’ve just always preferred them. I guess if I was worried about street creditability I wouldn't be buying a Roomster lol. On further inspection I think I will have to raise my original figure I wanted to pay, but oh well it will be the the youngest car I’ve owned in about 16 years and as i always say you get what you pay for. I will let you all know how I get on, have a good weekend and thanks once again.

[digitaltrance]

We have three dogs - 1 Swiss Mountain , 1 cross moutain dog / collie and a whippet. All three fit in the boot of the roomster without an problems. The fit far better than when I had the Saab 9-5 estate.

The Roomster has been excellent and one of the best cars to date for family life. I also have two girls and their friends always comment how much bigger the car is on the inside.

Good luck finding a nice one.

Wow you have your hands full I have two dogs (no children) but the leo pup (lol small horse) is the only one who will travel, my Alsatian cross (10 year old) has never been a big auto fan and prefers to just sleep on the bed.

[digitaltrance]

I've had my Roomster since May, I also think it's a pig with lipstick, but that's part of its charm. My wife loves the car and who am I to tell her she needs glasses, she married me! I have managed to roll up and take to the tip a extra kingsize mattress, with the tailgate shut. I have just driven round Normandy and beaten it with a stick, still getting 47mpg from a 1.2 tsi 105. I'm 6'5" and disabled and yet I find it very comfortable. It can fit 4 tall adults and luggage comfortably, (I don't consider the middle rear seat to be much of a seat). I don't think I have had a car before that I would consider buying again, but I would a Roomster. It is a hidden gem of a piece of kit.

Thank you for that info, they do seem to be rather good.

[mdk1]

Hi and Welcome to Briskoda.

You will find the Roomster a very practical car.

Where abouts in Essex are you, as there is a new Dealer just opened at Rayleigh Weir.

[loadswine]

If you get a Roomy from a Skoda dealer, I think you get a years warranty as part of their used car scheme. Yes, you pay a little more, but they do have some decent cars on offer and you can search for what you are after on the skoda website. Found my one that way and am extremely pleased with it.

I'd certainly agree with John a few posts up, that its a bit of a hidden gem. Its briliant really. It carries an amazing amount of stuff and the back seat passengers get to sit in a very comfortable place indeed.

[digitaltrance]

Hi and Welcome to Briskoda.

You will find the Roomster a very practical car.

Where abouts in Essex are you, as there is a new Dealer just opened at Rayleigh Weir.

I'm in sunny Clacton by the sea, there is a dealer just down the road and one in Colchester, but i will check that one out as well thanks

[mdk1]

They are a good dealer in Clacton

[Allams Skoda]

Hi and Welcome to Briskoda.

You will find the Roomster a very practical car.

Where abouts in Essex are you, as there is a new Dealer just opened at Rayleigh Weir.

Really? That is rather cool, good to have a Skoda dealer on the A127 again, I used to work at Prince Avenue Skoda on the same road but much further towards Southend, many moons ago, it's now a Hyundai dealer I think?

[Allams Skoda]

Oh and on topic, we've got a Roomster Auto for sale. It's obviously over budget but it is a '58 plate and it has done only 22k.

Have a look?....

Edited 23 September, 2011 by Allams Skoda

[Calomax]

Skoda website is also worth a look, Used Skodas are on there nationwide, and you can search on your criteria

[digitaltrance]

Oh and on topic, we've got a Roomster Auto for sale. It's obviously over budget but it is a '58 plate and it has done only 22k.

Have a look?....

Yes this would be exactly what we are looking for. It even has the interior I want (so bored with black and grey) and yes it is out of my budget, but thanks for posting it. I look over the Skoda approved used car site every few days even though I won't be buying for another 3 weeks (well a man’s got to have a hobby lol)