and this is why I don't bother travelling more than an hour now.

Or you could look at it another way.

Travel further, widen your options, get a better example for less money.

Or you could look at it another way.

Travel further, widen your options, get a better example for less money.

Agreed..

I also think with the quality of cameras on phones these days it's possible to reduce the risk of buying a tin-worm infested wreck.

If you're worried about condition, detailed pictures and get the buyer to walk round the car while on the phone to you giving a full detailed description.

A car is normally the second biggest purchase after a house, personally I'm happy to travel for the right car/bike at the right price.

We did South Essex to South Devon two summers back.

 

Drove down on a Sunday in a Mondeo Wagon, inspected potential next car (Dealer, on a Sunday afternoon, couldn't do much more than look)

 

Spent 6 nights in a great farmhouse B&B near Totnes & did some touring around Devon & Cornwall by car & train,

test drove the car (VW EOS,) bought it & drove it home on the following Saturday.

 

FWIW, the Mondeo was bought from Fords of Winsford, that must be app. 170+miles from home, but drove there & back in a day.

Or you could look at it another way.

Travel further, widen your options, get a better example for less money.

 

For some of us time is at a bit of a premium. In addition there's the cost of travel.

Because of this I figure it's usually worth paying a bit more to save me and whoever else I have with me the time and hassle of travelling so far.

 

But.. if you've got the time (as I had before I was married and had a little one) then I would happily travel a long distance to see a car.

For some of us time is at a bit of a premium. In addition there's the cost of travel.

Because of this I figure it's usually worth paying a bit more to save me and whoever else I have with me the time and hassle of travelling so far.

But.. if you've got the time (as I had before I was married and had a little one) then I would happily travel a long distance to see a car.

Yeah fair shout.

I guess it depends how common or rare the thing you're after is too.

fabias are everywhere, classic Bentleys are not. If you get what i mean

Driving to view a car is not the problem, I'd go anywhere in the country to do that and consider it a nice day out and a chance to see more of the country. Buying it however is another story. If you're trading your car in or selling at a local garage then fine, but if you have to get there with no car then you could end up paying a fortune by the time you get a taxi, train/plain (or both) and then a taxi at the other end, that's when it starts to become a problem. If I was not trading in my car then I'd cut it off at about 70 miles and arrange for someone I know to give me a lift.

80 miles away to view a Skoda Rapid in 2013, though I cheated as my work is nearer Aberdeen and I stayed over night in a Premier Inn before viewing and test driving the car the next day, but ended up buying the old silver Leon instead From Inverness (bought 70% of my cars there)

We bought the mrs' vRS privately from a chap in Hitchin which was approx. 140-odd miles from our home in North Sheffield.

 

I also travelled down to the Skoda dealership in Milton Keynes (Lancaster Skoda I think???) which is about 125 miles I think when I was looking for my Superb.... Only to find the car was a right pile of s***e even though the salesman knew I was travelling so far and had specifically asked for an honest opinion on its condition etc.... before travelling to see it.

 

When I was looking for Superb I kept my search nationwide as with me working on the railway I get free rail travel so in my case it's not such a costly exercise travelling to the nearest station then getting a bus or taxi to the location of the car etc.... If I was having to drive I'd probably limit myself to 100-150 miles.

Driving to view a car is not the problem, I'd go anywhere in the country to do that and consider it a nice day out and a chance to see more of the country. Buying it however is another story. If you're trading your car in or selling at a local garage then fine, but if you have to get there with no car then you could end up paying a fortune by the time you get a taxi, train/plain (or both) and then a taxi at the other end, that's when it starts to become a problem. If I was not trading in my car then I'd cut it off at about 70 miles and arrange for someone I know to give me a lift.

I usually run up with a relative or friend if im serious, then ill drive it back.

Lucky really cos alot of my friends are car/bike nuts so we all do it for eachother really.

Typical.. I am still a few weeks away from holding folding and what looks to be the right car, in the right colour, is listed 15 miles from my door.

 

If I do have to travel a coupla hundred miles, swmbo will come with me in our other car.

I will travel a distance for a car.

 

Drove from the Wirral to Norfolk for my kit car for instance.

 

But as has been mentioned already, if they are an "honest" seller, they will take as many pics of the car as you want, that way it should be less of a risk since you can see the bits you want to see.

 

I am looking on here and ebay etc for my next car and most of the ones I am looking at are a few hours away, so travel by train and talk the seller into picking me up from the station, gives me extra time in the car to see how it drives etc

I usually run up with a relative or friend if im serious, then ill drive it back.

Lucky really cos alot of my friends are car/bike nuts so we all do it for eachother really.

Yeah we do this too, or if I really need to I've got the train to pick my bike up. Was 100 odd miles away but advance fares and planning meant it didn't cost me much tbh.

Yeah we do this too, or if I really need to I've got the train to pick my bike up. Was 100 odd miles away but advance fares and planning meant it didn't cost me much tbh.

 

Makes you appreciate the ride back too i bet?  

Makes you appreciate the ride back too i bet?

 

Haha, I was in a hurry, had to get back for work but it was fun for sure. 

I did Scarborough to Sandgate for a Capri - a 600 mile round trip. Then Scarborough to Brighton for the Ignis - another 600 miles.  The problem with living where I do is that 50% of the potential radius is the North Sea and then the other 50% is fields, moors or forests.  I have to travel as there's bugger all round here.

I drove a 350 mile round trip to view the octavia vrs I bought.

Specifically because it had the rare half leather alcanTara interior.

Worth it as I bought it.

Haha, I was in a hurry, had to get back for work but it was fun for sure. 

 

theres worse things to be riding in a hurry than a CB1000 . 

I'm looking at a bike at the moment. It's 5 hours each way... but im still tempted. 

 

The beauty of cars these days is mile munching is a piece of cake even in a little hatch. 

 

and the ride back, if i do buy it, will be a right hoon. It probably wont want to go past a petrol station.. but itll be the grin factor i think. 

Edited 25 March, 201610 yr by fabiamk2SE

Im pretty fussy about what i buy, it has to be right.

So distance isnt an issue tbh

 

 

+1

 

Done a few trips from Lichfield to south London to look for (E30) M3’s the last one was ‘concours condition’.... well apart from bits of paint missing from just about every panel and a big crease in the inner wing, this was from a dealer as well!

 

Bought the TT from Stoke On Trent (from Folkestone)

 

Collected the (new MKII) Superb from Chesterfield (from Folkestone) but as it was a new car it doesn’t really count... I was prepared to collect it from Carlisle 

 

I won’t however go inside the M25 for a car anymore as they all seem to if had a hard life.

+1

 

Done a few trips from Lichfield to south London to look for (E30) M3’s the last one was ‘concours condition’.... well apart from bits of paint missing from just about every panel and a big crease in the inner wing, this was from a dealer as well!

 

Bought the TT from Stoke On Trent (from Folkestone)

 

Collected the (new MKII) Superb from Chesterfield (from Folkestone) but as it was a new car it doesn’t really count... I was prepared to collect it from Carlisle 

 

I won’t however go inside the M25 for a car anymore as they all seem to if had a hard life.

 

You sound like you do things like me mate. I will go anywhere for the right car/bike, but if its not as described when i get there, i feel really done to. 

 

Me n my dad drove 4 hours each way (from Derbyshire to London) for a CX500. Described as immaculate, all original etc etc. Got there and itd been reprayed, engine had been rebuilt badly, parts off different year models etc etc. Dad knows what he wants and exactly what hes looking at, so he'd never of bought it if it wasnt right and explained over the phone the situation. Yet the dealer didnt hesitate, just said it wasnt to be missed etc etc. 

 

Wasnt half ****ed off when we got there. He was a man of few words luckily.. 

 

Back in the car and 4 hours back again. Wasted time, wasted fuel etc etc. Just no need for it. 

Dude.. for a CX500?? I wouldn't go further than the next town over for a maggot.

 

I did Rainham (Essex) to Chester for a 1978 GS1000E (would have been mid 90's).. rode up there with a friend on pillion (on her bike), rode the GS home.

Would have been an ace ride back had another friend not told me that every bike would run fine on unleaded and I brimmed it with the stuff.... and they don't.

Although I've never done it, yet, I would travel any distance for the right car, in the right colour at the right price! Right colour is important to me. You've got to be happy with your car otherwise you won't love

Went to Liverpool to view and buy my wife's VRS.....a few hundred miles at least.

Audi coupe quattro was from Wolverhampton.....nearly 3 hundred miles.

......and last in the door, Audi S2.....flew to Belgium and drove it home

 

Can you beat a good road trip!!

Dude.. for a CX500?? I wouldn't go further than the next town over for a maggot.

I did Rainham (Essex) to Chester for a 1978 GS1000E (would have been mid 90's).. rode up there with a friend on pillion (on her bike), rode the GS home.

Would have been an ace ride back had another friend not told me that every bike would run fine on unleaded and I brimmed it with the stuff.... and they don't.

He fancies one for some reason haha. Just to add to the collection.

Along with a CBX1000.