|
|
Mar 20, 2019 22:16:51 GMT
|
What I do find a little strange is almost everyone has said, you have to travel. Why? If you just want a ‘cheap car’ there must be local ones? Or does the guy from Brighton always buy in Sheffield, whilst the guy from Glasgow goes to Oxford. I get it if you are looking for a specific car, but surely if you just want cheap, you go local
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 20, 2019 22:45:21 GMT
|
I buy an awful lot of cars and it's head-melting at the moment, facebook has all but killed off gumtree but it has made it even easier, therefore lazier, to advertise a car (or anything) and so they are the worst, most illiterate, badly pictured "adverts" in history, but you have to trawl them if you want the "barginz".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ive had a couple of good cars that weren't advertised very well, like rubbish photos, bad title and not much of a description which would put a lot of people off but I went and had a look anyway and ended up buying them.
One example being my Lexus GS300, was for sale on FB, title was something like three litre lexus and virtually no description and priced at £150 but ended up being one of the best cars I've ever had. Went straight thru an mot, never ever went wrong, comfy, quick, completely reliable.
I think also if you're known to workmates, friends of friends/family etc as that guy that's into cars and is always buying and selling, you usually get first refusal when they wanna sell and don't want a lot for it, because they just want it gone. I've had a couple of cheap motors from my supervisor because he just wants a quick hassle free sale.
|
|
2001 vauxhall corsa 1972 VW Beetle 1986 Ford Capri Laser1999 BMW E36 323i Touring 1991 Volvo 940 estate 2002 Mazda 323f 2.0 sport 2016 Mercedes Sprinter 1999 nissan almera 1.4 1995 lexus gs300 1995 lexus ls400 1975 bmw 1602 fiat punto 2003 ford fiesta something else...
|
|
keyring
Part of things
Posts: 913
Club RR Member Number: 47
|
|
|
I’ve noticed recently cheaper cars seem harder to come across, been looking for a sub 1.4 engine car for my brothers first car, but it’s been a struggle, I refuse to let him pay a dealer price for a 15-20 year old car. Can’t get him something retro as he’s not really into cars, so I think around 98-08 age of car is what I’ll try find for him, I can do maintenance on it for him when I’m home, but needs to be something reliable
Seen a couple of 1.1 106s that look decent not too far from home, so think I’ll go view them once I’m back on land
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 21, 2019 11:22:26 GMT
|
I’ve noticed recently cheaper cars seem harder to come across, been looking for a sub 1.4 engine car for my brothers first car, but it’s been a struggle, I refuse to let him pay a dealer price for a 15-20 year old car. Can’t get him something retro as he’s not really into cars, so I think around 98-08 age of car is what I’ll try find for him, I can do maintenance on it for him when I’m home, but needs to be something reliable Seen a couple of 1.1 106s that look decent not too far from home, so think I’ll go view them once I’m back on land Admittedly one I found for craigrk for his son illustrates the value of networking. 1.0 on X plate. Basic. Good service history up to a point. Few little things. Craig decided to do a full service incl plugs, brakes, fluids and belts to create a clear and safe baseline. A great day out and for them bonding and learning
|
|
Last Edit: Mar 21, 2019 11:24:57 GMT by grizz
|
|
Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
|
|
Mar 21, 2019 14:00:28 GMT
|
What I do find a little strange is almost everyone has said, you have to travel. Why? If you just want a ‘cheap car’ there must be local ones? Or does the guy from Brighton always buy in Sheffield, whilst the guy from Glasgow goes to Oxford. I get it if you are looking for a specific car, but surely if you just want cheap, you go local Cheap what though? If you are in the market for ANY cheap car then, yes, you will probably find one local. Personally, if I am in the market for something cheap I still want to be driving something that I want to be in rather than have to be in so, in effect, If I want a cheap Saab then I will travel for the right one, within reason.
|
|
|
|
oli123
Part of things
Posts: 134
|
|
Mar 21, 2019 15:43:51 GMT
|
For me being a diesel technician and a bit OCD about my cars it urks me to see cars covered in muck / scratches and neglected. Kind of puts me off them immediately. I am finding it difficult to find cleaner cars. Been to look at a few to find issues with stuff, the usual oil leaks, damage etc.
And as the last commenter said, I don't want just any car like a polo or something (although they are good cars just too small for me), I need something with a bit of room.
I guess I'll have to lower my visual standards in today's market. By no means am I looking for a minter for under a grand but hopefully I'll find something pop up on the bay or marketplace.
|
|
Cars so far I've had: 1995 Corsa B Van 94 Golf MK3 2.0 Driver 98 BMW e39 520i 98 Focus TDDI 04 Honda Accord exec 99 BMW 728i 02 Corolla T sport 98 Focus 1.8 Zetec 98 Subaru Impreza wagon 06 Merc Cls 320cdi 07 Yaris 99 BMW 328i 04 Volvo S60 T5 98 Golf MK3 Wagon 1.8
|
|
|
|
Mar 21, 2019 16:02:02 GMT
|
I'd go.. Volvo estate - 740, 940, 960, early V70. Well built and take the miles. Later cars have some nice luxury for not much money and most have heated seats!. All obtainable within your budget.
Alternatively Subaru legacy estates (non turbo) and BMW E39 tourers also provide roomy, nice bangernomic cars. I find you pay the same for a curse word hatchback as the bigger estates.
|
|
|
|
andyborris
Posted a lot
Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
Posts: 2,214
Member is Online
|
|
Mar 21, 2019 16:57:47 GMT
|
Used to get my daily drivers for a few hundred, always local and usually cards in supermarket's or shops, once or twice Ebay.
Don't see anything reasonable now, have all the cheapies been punted in on a scrappage scheme?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 21, 2019 18:33:32 GMT
|
Face Book market place attracts a slightly different seller from days gone by. As mentioned description is limited to a few words, photos are no longer the < money shot > they once were. Admit if you trawl through deep enough the bargain could be lurking. As i posted earlier my latest purchase was covered in sea gull poo, empty kebab shop boxes, enough old tat to fill a skip and an owner who knew very little about what i asked in the way of normal questions but underneath all the dross was the Volvo 740 i wanted. Alright being older i have time to clean out the new purchase, wash off well hardened sea gull poo and set about fixing minor faults. It is my hobby i enjoy the challenge. However the real lack of effort sellers are prepared to put in for a sale just tells me times are really changing fast. Am i stuck in the stone age where you turned up to view a car, bit of banter, cup of tea and drive away happy with the experience you just had ? In the days of instant this and instant that us old retro dinosaurs are being left behind in our own world and probably find the new age car advertising era a bit alien.
|
|
Started out with nothing and have most of it left.
|
|
|
ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,251
Club RR Member Number: 170
|
|
Mar 21, 2019 19:06:17 GMT
|
Get on eBay etc and search out MK3 Mondeo with the 1.8 Petrol engine. Criminally cheap compared to the often-problematic diesels, but they’re so, so good to drive for a cheap car, pretty well equipped, very comfortable and a huge boot. I know someone who bought an 05-reg one off eBay last year. EML on, which may have put people off, but it was only a sensor. £250 he paid for the car. Spent the best part of 2 days cleaning, valeting and polishing it and what looked like a scruffy car actually ended up being pretty mint. They’re as good as it gets for proper cheap cars in my opinion. Pretty much this. We've had a few Mk3s and taken a fair few to above 300k . You can't really get motoring that much cheaper. Some of the cars I've seen guys get here I reckon they got lucky on. I've not seen a good cheap W211 for sale for example around the place. After all, even a sheddy rusty W210 Mercedes will still fetch £1k without trying. Their rust and reliability issues seem to have firmed up the W124 and W211 values. These days, the cheapest decent cars I've found have been via word-of-mouth.
|
|
|
|
keyring
Part of things
Posts: 913
Club RR Member Number: 47
|
|
Mar 21, 2019 20:08:25 GMT
|
I’ve noticed recently cheaper cars seem harder to come across, been looking for a sub 1.4 engine car for my brothers first car, but it’s been a struggle, I refuse to let him pay a dealer price for a 15-20 year old car. Can’t get him something retro as he’s not really into cars, so I think around 98-08 age of car is what I’ll try find for him, I can do maintenance on it for him when I’m home, but needs to be something reliable Seen a couple of 1.1 106s that look decent not too far from home, so think I’ll go view them once I’m back on land Admittedly one I found for craigrk for his son illustrates the value of networking. 1.0 on X plate. Basic. Good service history up to a point. Few little things. Craig decided to do a full service incl plugs, brakes, fluids and belts to create a clear and safe baseline. A great day out and for them bonding and learning That looks a cracking buy! Few little niggles to sort, but looks a really clean car, and even a nice colour to go with it! This is the kind of thing I’ve been trying to find for my brother, my mum is keen for him to get something with power steering, I personally don’t see it such an issue but I’ll see what comes up!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another option if you're in a job that's a big company such as Public Sector employers or big insurance companies, there's always the wonder of the work intranet - don't rule it out. I had been looking for an R170 SLK and a guy popped an ad on - blue SLK, quick sale £1450 ono. It was also 4 miles down the road. So naturally I went to have a look and crispy front wings aside (which can be replaced) it was as good if not better than cars on eBay and Auto Trader at £2k+. It drives beautifully, everything works and of course the roof comes off. He was the previous owner for the last 7 years and there's a whole folder full of receipts from the local specialist. It has 2 keys (unusual these days I've found) and a full set of nearly new Pirelli P7s. £1200 later and it's all mine. I could run it for a couple of years and get more back for it. Sadly it's not quite RR-worthy as it's a 52-plate. I also needed to get shot of my VW Bora (again not Retro) and popped it on FB Marketplace expecting the usual "I'll give you half the asking price" garbage from chancers. Instead within the first half an hour I had 3 very interested replies all asking intelligent questions with no mention of price. The first guy came to see it the next day and we settled on a sensible price. He paid cash and everyone was happy. With anything if it's priced right and the vehicle is described honestly, you usually won't have problems.
|
|
|
|
Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
|
|
Mar 22, 2019 14:10:53 GMT
|
For me being a diesel technician and a bit OCD about my cars it urks me to see cars covered in muck / scratches and neglected. Kind of puts me off them immediately. I am finding it difficult to find cleaner cars. Been to look at a few to find issues with stuff, the usual oil leaks, damage etc. And as the last commenter said, I don't want just any car like a polo or something (although they are good cars just too small for me), I need something with a bit of room. I guess I'll have to lower my visual standards in today's market. By no means am I looking for a minter for under a grand but hopefully I'll find something pop up on the bay or marketplace. See this is what I really miss from my days of buying second hand heaps as daily hacks because I couldn't afford better. I'd buy a car and spend a whole day valeting it out till it was as spotless as it could be, basically removing all trace of previous owners smells, grubby finger prints etc. I'd also clean the body work till even the scabby bits gleamed, the premise was to make it look the best it could be. Psychologically, the car was then going to be super reliable because it was super tidy... I did the old inflation calculator thingy the other day and my £250 chuggers back in the 80s would be the £650 ones now. TBF, I have to say that a lot of the £650 cars now certainly seem to be better than the £250 ones I used to buy back in the 1980s.
|
|
Last Edit: Mar 22, 2019 14:11:18 GMT by Rob M
|
|
Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
|
|
Mar 22, 2019 14:20:19 GMT
|
This has just come on FB and it's near me and I would be all over this like a tramp on a sandwich! ''Just a testing the water see what I get offered on this mot until end of August few little patches of rust mainly on the bottom of passenger door and little bit of front passenger side wing. Been my daily for the last 6 months or so running a 1.6 Cvh with full custom made stainless steel exhaust system. Had new starter motor around 3 months ago as well as new discs and pads on the front around the same time.Can be sold either with the wheels pictured brand new wheels with brand new tyres all round covered about 300 miles if that or can come with the black mondeo wheels that came with the car when I brought it which have tyres but aren’t in great condition could do with new tyres and wheels could do with a touch up obviously price will be more with the wheels pictured. I’m in no rush to sell it so no silly offers can also come with the white front bumper pictured in last photo pm me for more details and to make me an offer'' He is looking at the £1K mark or thereabouts.
|
|
|
|