Well, next week I should be not driving a Renault van.

That can only be a good thing [emoji41]

Indeed. I'm picking up my Yeti on Tuesday...

Here is one that's not all doom and gloom. Last September SWMBO decided she wanted a DS4. She had settled on a certain spec and extras. Came across the perfect one. Few emails between me and the seller (private). Agreed to go and look at the car along with a test drive. Car was almost 2 hours away. Car was exactly as described let us give it a good look over and drive. Then invited us in for a drink and cake. Seller told we had to shift her old car first. He said that's fine. Offered to pay a deposit and was told no not to worry. Kept seller informed that we had sold hers after 3 days of seeing it. Still didn't want a deposit of us.

Agreed to pick the car up on the Saturday along with a rough time. Got there slightly later due to traffic but not an issue. In again for more cake and a drink. Tried to do bank transfer but stopped for fraud checks. Seller said we could take the car but not the log book. Anyway after a call to the bank all was pushed through and money paid.

He then gave SWMBO £50 to get some petrol for the journey home. Even though he had sold the car to us at near trade price.

Couldn't have asked for a better deal.

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...Agreed to pick the car up on the Saturday along with a rough time.....

 

I wasn't sure what you were on about there when I read it first time...

I wasn't sure what you were on about there when I read it first time...

Ok maybe estimated time would have been better

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Maybe that's he got it so cheap and the missus got £50 :peek:

Edited 30 April, 201610 yr by Aspman

Maybe that's he got it so cheap and the missus got £50 :peek:

He had brought it 6 months earlier from a main dealer. Had to sell due to knee opp and needing an auto

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I'm considering a car that's up for sale privately (I haven't gone beyond 'considering' at this stage) - it's still under manufacturer's warranty but my concern is that there'll be finance on it and the seller won't clear this until he's received the funds from a buyer... 

 

The seller's name is on the advert and through that I've been able to trace him on LinkedIn (according to that he attended Glasgow Uni and appears to have a pretty good job - just moved job internally last month, which ties in with reason for sale, namely that he has been offered a company car) - there are no guarantees however and I'm wary of a private sale at this price (asking £16k).

Edited 24 November, 20169 yr by Brian69

Do a private HPI check. Not dear and you'll get the answer.

Aye, my first step is to ask of there is outstanding finance - if the answer is 'yes' then I'll go no further - if the answer's 'no' then I'll do an HPI check.

I'm considering a car that's up for sale privately (I haven't gone beyond 'considering' at this stage) - it's still under manufacturer's warranty but my concern is that there'll be finance on it and the seller won't clear this until he's received the funds from a buyer...

Or alternatively on the day of the sale agree instead of paying the seller you ring up and pay the finance company direct yourself. They will then confirm with you the finance is cleared and you can drive away with peace of mind. This is the only sensible way to do it, I'd never trust the seller to clear the finance themselves :-)

People forget two things when buying cars from dealers.

1. Timing is Everything.

2. If you want the best price, flexibility is required.

The spec you want, when you want, at the price you want are the three options. Accept that you can have any two, with the third being a bonus

Our present car is the first car that came from a dealer all the rest (and there were more lemons than a Greengrocers) were private. It was a good experience, found the car we wanted, dealer moved 3 vehicles in front of it to get it out, totally solo test drive, replaced a cracked rear light lens willingly, new mot, p/ex was spot on. Top marks

Edited 3 December, 20169 yr by Bazzer1955

I've got to say that having bought my Optima was from a Kia franchise and then my Superb from a Skoda franchise I personally feel more valued as a Skoda customer. I picked the superb up and it had damage to the bumper. They agreed to get it sorted for me, and in the end it was, as well as a full tank of fuel for the inconvenience. The part ex price for the Optima was spot on in my eyes too and the whole process was smooth. The salesman was alright, but didnt know a lot about the mkii Superb but tried his best. I think the only thing that let them down was that 2 different people told me it had no paddleshift but I was not convinced (photos weren't clear) and looked anyway and it did have them! Was a deal breaker so could have cost them the sale if I hadn't persevered.

In hindsight, the Kia dealer was more of a take my money and run....

Edited 3 December, 20169 yr by chris_1d

Aye, my first step is to ask of there is outstanding finance - if the answer is 'yes' then I'll go no further - if the answer's 'no' then I'll do an HPI check.

I sold one of my old cars and it still had outstanding finance, I drove the buyer to the bank paid the money into my account and then we both went back to my house where I rung the finance company up and paid off the balance over the phone before the buyer went on his merry way :-)