Used Car for £6k-£8k....

chrism_scotland

chrism_scotland

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Looking for some car buying advice as since getting a new job in January I've decided its time to get some wheels again!

I'm really keen on the Alfa Romeo GT Diesel and I've spotted a fair few in my ideal price range of between £6k and £8k.

I'm looking for something fairly economical (Hence the diesel) and I was initially looking at things like Golfs, Astras and Focus's but really fancy something a bit different hence the Alfa really (and it looks amazing!)

I've also considered a brand new car (my mums new Fiesta looks nice!) but I'm loathed to spend £9k on something over 2-3 years just to hand it back.

As I said I'm really keen on the Alfa and going to look at one tomorrow but I just wondered what else I could get for my cash!
 
Alphas are nice, but carrying a mechanic in the back seat all the time can get a bit tiring :-)
Is servicing and repairs in your budget, as reliability is iffy I believe
 
Always always have a second hand car HPI checked to make sure there is no outstanding debt on it. Don't ever take the sellers word ,if there is a debt on it you not the seller is the one going to loose out.
May well be worth having an independant mechanic check it out as well such as one of the big motoring organisations as you have virtually no protection if buying private. You have a comeback if making a purchase from a dealer under trades description but not from a private seller.

Remember its a load of cash your handing over and you don't want to just throw it away.

Also do see about spares availabilty. Is there somewhere near you that can supply parts? what is the service costs going to be?

Does it have a full service history? and has it just been serviced by a main dealer and not some back street" fix it quick" merchant.

Always when buying a car make sure the engine is cold not pre warmed first, when starting up does it belt out undue amount smoke. Listen for strange noises from the engine, this is easy to do, just take a long metal rod (such as a long screwdriver) and use it as a steathascope. with it to the ear it really picks out odd noises such as warn alternater bearings when resting on top of different parts of the engine
So many thing you can do as a check even before considering getting a trained mechanic out. Anything that needs attention can get the seller to reduce the price accordingly.

Take a magnet and put it on different parts of the body, it won't stick to fillers. Stand looking along the side of the body from the back , best way to see colour change on a panel and misalignment. Check all panel shuts ie doors -boot- bonnet. Is the gap equal all around? if not it might have had to be replaced due to an accident. That is apart from the usual FULL electrical checks to make sure everything works.

Realspeed

Just a quick note if getting from a dealer pay cash against HP. I nearly got caught out some years ago but I paid cash. Under the Hire Purchase Finance Act of 1963 it basically says the if you purchase from a bonifide dealer the hire purchase company has to go back to the dealer to get their money back. But this doesn't apply if you make the purchase on the never never.

I took me a solicitor to come up with that or I would have lost my car when the HP people turned up at my house demanding I hand over the keys,as the car I just purchased from a dealer had an outstanding debt on it. The dealer since making the purchase had closed down causing me more worries.
 
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realspeed said:
Alway always have a second hand car HPI checked to make sure there is no outstanding debt on it. Don't ever take the sellers word ,if there is a debt on it you not the seller is the one going to loose out.
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The law is different north of the border when it comes to outstanding finance on cars. Up here they can't repossess the car from an innocent private individual the way they can in England. It's still well worth doing an HPi check regardless of this though if you're stupid brave enough to go spending large chunks of cash on a car out the Autotrader....
 
Cheers guys, I'm planning to go via a dealer, dearer I know but I'd rather get some warranty, etc.

A3 sounds a reasonable shout I've looked at them before, I've heard that Alfa reliability on the newer cars is much improved over the old ones as long as you keep them serviced as you should!
 
Tip if getting from a dealer, ask to see the logbook, write down name and addy of previous owner and write to them or ring if you can get tele number, and politely ask why they sold the car and if it had any accident repairs. Put a holding deposit on the car while doing this check. Most dealers will allow this for a week or so.

Funny little story about that.
A pal of mine and I went to a Toyota garage as he had seen a car on the net.
On my advice he put a holding deposit on it at the garage so he could get his cash from the bank. During that week he had a phone call from the garage saying another salesman had already sold the car through the trade that very day but not put a sold sticker on it or told the sales staff.
As my mate had put the holding deposit on it the garage had dropped a huge clanger, so they offered him a newer model higher spec a year younger very few miles on the clock, for the same price which would have been a couple of thousand + more at least and out of my mates price range

Realspeed
 
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chrism_scotland said:
Cheers guys, I'm planning to go via a dealer, dearer I know but I'd rather get some warranty, etc.

A3 sounds a reasonable shout I've looked at them before, I've heard that Alfa reliability on the newer cars is much improved over the old ones as long as you keep them serviced as you should!
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You'll not get much of an A3 diesel from a dealer for £6-8k unless you're happy with an old or high mileage example....
 
How do you get on with your local mechanic?
I'd grab him and get a nice example buying private under his gaze, if you tell seller its going under mechanics scrutiny and it's a lemon, you wont hear from them again
It's a gamble, as all purchases are, but you'll get a lot more car for your quids and you could use saved cash on a warranty, but that could probably start another thread
I've got an older A4 estate and I refuse to get rid of it, in my case, it's been a fantastic motor with great mpg, comfort, reliability and it could tow a house
Audis are among Nikons as lovely shiny things for me
Good luck with the new motor
 
Having been driving for 50 years bought- driven -repaired (under mechanics watchfull eye in the early days ) and sold more cars than I care to remember , one does tend to think of the seller as the "enemy" to do batttle with. They are there to sell at the best price and you are there to knock that price right down. So just before signing ask after getting the price down ask for floor mats- full tank- cleaning kit
etc. Each one in turn not all at once, and you will be suprised at what you can get if the salesman thinks he may loose the deal and his commission. Time of year also count as garages want to clear out old stock ready for the new plates/models

Realspeed
 
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Flash In The Pan said:
You'll not get much of an A3 diesel from a dealer for £6-8k unless you're happy with an old or high mileage example....
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Yup, the op hadn't mentioned dealer when I replied though :)

Privately there seems to be a few good buys going as i've been looking for the same.
 
Personally I would go for a Badge that is the newest within my price bracket. I wouldn't set my heart on a particular make of car if it means its years older with a high milage, more things are likely to go wrong with it. It may have cost more new but a second hand car several years old with possibly several owners? na not for me.
For 8 grand you could get a fairly new car for that kind of money , ok may be a bit smaller with a smaller engine etc but on average a better buy all round.

A new ford Fiesta 1.2 is around just over £8,000 and you have full warantee on it. As just one example
So an ex demo would be in the price range or a brand new KA well within the price range
Link
http://www.hartwell.co.uk/new-cars/...lSB=KA&fuelCar=&bodyCar=&postcodeSB=&x=64&y=4
http://www.hartwell.co.uk/new-cars/ford/fiesta

Just as a couple of examples

Realspeed
 
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Diesel might not work out to be as efficient as you think unless you're doing lots of mileage. Diesel engines run a lot less efficiently when cold so if the car is just to be used as a shopping trolley you'll see little benefit, they have shorter service intervals, and diesel is becoming very expensive... As well as the extra cost in the first place.
 
You might think diesel will be cheaper in the long run but in the long run you are going to be spending more on diesel. Diesel is more expensive and from my past of diesels you won't see a benefit. Buy a petrol skoda I got to Weymouth and back to Kent on around £50 and I drove around for a week on that to the shops and attractions. People might stay clear of them but I think they are great cars and I'm only 22 most of my mates are still into their snow mobiles lol
 
nick.baker said:
You might think diesel will be cheaper in the long run but in the long run you are going to be spending more on diesel. Diesel is more expensive and from my past of diesels you won't see a benefit. Buy a petrol skoda I got to Weymouth and back to Kent on around £50 and I drove around for a week on that to the shops and attractions. People might stay clear of them but I think they are great cars and I'm only 22 most of my mates are still into their snow mobiles lol
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I get 600-700 miles per tank from my diesel (Mondeo ST TDCi). Petrol equivalent (ST220) would see me getting around 320 and with my heavy right foot, probably alot less, plus I wouldn't be able to have as much fun so often.
 
If you fancy an Alfa, treat yourself to an Alfa and ignore all the helpful forumites who tell you to buy VAG/Audi/Skoda/Seat!

If you need to justify your Alfa-buying decision, you'll get your answer in response and feel every time you move the steering wheel! ;)
 
nick.baker said:
You might think diesel will be cheaper in the long run but in the long run you are going to be spending more on diesel. Diesel is more expensive and from my past of diesels you won't see a benefit. Buy a petrol skoda I got to Weymouth and back to Kent on around £50 and I drove around for a week on that to the shops and attractions. People might stay clear of them but I think they are great cars and I'm only 22 most of my mates are still into their snow mobiles lol
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Skodas are basically just a Volkswagen underneath and since plenty of the young'uns like their Golfs and Polos there's really no difference. I still hear of people saying things like "I wouldn't be seen dead in a Skoda" because they obviously haven't a clue what makes them...

Same as people who lust after a Saab but hate Vauxhall for whatever reason...
 
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trencheel303 said:
Skodas are basically just a Volkswagen underneath and since plenty of the young'uns like their Golfs and Polos there's really no difference. I still hear of people saying things like "I wouldn't be seen dead in a Skoda" because they obviously haven't a clue what makes them...

Same as people who lust after a Saab but hate Vauxhall for whatever reason...
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I'm not sure brand allegiance is quite as logical as you describe. The badge and 'cool factor' (yes, I just made that up :D ) is just as influential as any logic as to what lies under the bonnet. At present I'd never consider buying a Skoda (or a Saab and a few other makes for that matter) not because I doubt the quality of the car but because I don't want the image that car carries to be reflected on me in a similar way that BMW drivers get branded as bullies of the road even though many of them aren't. Some people simply want an affordable, reliable, fuel efficient vehicle to run them around and couldn't care less about the brand whilst others want their car to say something about them. That said Skoda are doing a good job changing their image and could well change my mind about them in future, not just yet though.
 
TriggerHappy said:
I'm not sure brand allegiance is quite as logical as you describe. The badge and 'cool factor' (yes, I just made that up :D ) is just as influential as any logic as to what lies under the bonnet. At present I'd never consider buying a Skoda (or a Saab and a few other makes for that matter) not because I doubt the quality of the car but because I don't want the image that car carries to be reflected on me in a similar way that BMW drivers get branded as bullies of the road even though many of them aren't. Some people simply want an affordable, reliable, fuel efficient vehicle to run them around and couldn't care less about the brand whilst others want their car to say something about them. That said Skoda are doing a good job changing their image and could well change my mind about them in future, not just yet though.
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That seems kinda shallow :S
 
TriggerHappy said:
I'm not sure brand allegiance is quite as logical as you describe. The badge and 'cool factor' (yes, I just made that up :D ) is just as influential as any logic as to what lies under the bonnet. At present I'd never consider buying a Skoda (or a Saab and a few other makes for that matter) not because I doubt the quality of the car but because I don't want the image that car carries to be reflected on me in a similar way that BMW drivers get branded as bullies of the road even though many of them aren't. Some people simply want an affordable, reliable, fuel efficient vehicle to run them around and couldn't care less about the brand whilst others want their car to say something about them. That said Skoda are doing a good job changing their image and could well change my mind about them in future, not just yet though.
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Hehehe. You sound like the young hipster type with the ray-bans and skinny jeans who sits in Starbucks with an iPad for hours on end desperately trying to be noticed by the shy girl across the room :cool:

Personally I couldn't really care about my "image", and with the technical know-how you can score good, solid reliable vehicles like the Skoda which cost less than Audi or VW counterparts (usually) because of the "image problem".

Image is also subjective. Many people who drive around to the shops and back in Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7 or BMW x5 probably think they're the dog's danglies "oh look at me, all on my own in my massive car with tires the size of Ireland". Personally I think they look like complete bellends!

So the whole image thing is really very subjective, and I guess it all comes down to how self conscious a person you are. Me, I do things because *I* want to, not because I'm trying to gain the approval of a certain peer group.
 
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I bought a ford focus cc 2008 2l turbo diesel for 9k getting 45mpg and getting it remapped so will get 52ish mpg
 
Look at a BMW 1 series diesel. 120D preferably, or a 188D. I sold my 2006 BMW 120D just recently for 7k. It was fair condition with 65k on the lock, FSH.

They're quick, comfortable, and economic (for the performance)
 
trencheel303 said:
Hehehe. You sound like the young hipster type with the ray-bans and skinny jeans who sits in Starbucks with an iPad for hours on end desperately trying to be noticed by the shy girl across the room :cool:
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Haha well you got me right on one of those. I am *maybe* still young. As for the rest; my jeans don't need any effort to clear my knees and don't reveal my arse to the world, I don't own a single pair of sunglasses let alone ray-bans, I have only once been in a starbucks, I don't own an iPad and I certainly don't pose hankering for the attention of some pretty girl across the room when I could just introduce myself and save myself the agony. Dare I take a similar stab at your image? I'd best not ;)

trencheel303 said:
Personally I couldn't really care about my "image", and with the technical know-how you can score good, solid reliable vehicles like the Skoda which cost less than Audi or VW counterparts (usually) because of the "image problem".

Image is also subjective. Many people who drive around to the shops and back in Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7 or BMW x5 probably think they're the dog's danglies "oh look at me, all on my own in my massive car with tires the size of Ireland". Personally I think they look like complete bellends!

So the whole image thing is really very subjective, and I guess it all comes down to how self conscious a person you are. Me, I do things because *I* want to, not because I'm trying to gain the approval of a certain peer group.
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rssmrry said:
That seems kinda shallow :S
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I absolutely agree that some people don't give a hoot about how others perceive them and you may well be one of those. Broader buying habits indicate that fashion and trends have a huge part to play in the general populace's decision to buy products. I'm not entirely convinced that that alone qualifies people as shallow.

I should have known posting about image in an old-fogie, Clarkson idolising, car thread would result in being called shallow :lol: :D :naughty:

In case you read this and don't understand the meaning of the smilies (perhaps you're too old to get that), my reply is very much tongue in cheek and is intended to sound neither defensive nor offended.
 
Chill man I didn't mean any offense... although looking back I guess my post sounded a bit provocative... lol
 
Check the price of spares,brake pads,exhaust,filters etc i.e the bits that wear out.
They can be very expensive on some cars.Also check if it has a timing belt or chain?,the cost of belt replacement can be very high and its one of these jobs that has to be done,if it breaks you need a new engine!
 
Alfa's are drivers cars like Subaru,, buying any used car is a gamble regardless of the manufacturer, I wouldn't buy an Alfa new but they're all stunning looking cars for not much money
 
How about a nice Honda Accord? The 2.2 CTDI is a fantastic engine, its nippy and economical. I've had 4 different diesels over the years and this one has been the most refined. The best thing is you get japanese build quality and fairly economical servicing.
 
Not many Alfa owners seem to have replied so here goes: I've had two and had few problems. On the first, the washer jet motor got replaced under warranty and a speaker grill fell off. And the passenger seat squeaked when somebody sat on it. With the second I don't recall any problems at all, but the passanger seat squeaked when nobody sat on it. That was in the mid 90s spanning 4 and a bit years. I'd have another in a minute but I've had my fix and prefer an auto these days. Basically, if you want one, you want one for a reason, and you're not going to be happy until you get one.

I had a look on Autotrader and all the ones in your price range are about 5-7 years old and have done big miles, hardly surprising since nobody will by a diesel like that from new unless they plan to do a lot of miles. Some of the petrols look better value.

There is another option. Do you have a garage or drive? The 1990s GTVs are now dirt cheap and the early ones could be insured with a classic car policy, also dirt cheap. 2Ltr twin spark engines are great and there are 3Ltr V6s as well. Buy carfully and you probably get your money back. Then you could spend the bulk of your £8k on something nearly new from the far east, with a 5 or 7 year warranty, with hardly anyting to pay on duty.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys really cracking ones in there. I've taken a closer look at other things tonight and there is a helluva lot out there for the same cash, things like 2 year old Seat Leon's (which I loved as a hire car!), some cracking looking Volvo's and even 11 Plate Fiesta Zetec-S's with hardly any mileage that I discounted as for £16k new it was too dear!
I'm going to take a look and a test drive of a 1.9 diesel Alfa GT next week when it comes in, low mileage at 34K for a 57 plate and I've put down a refundable holding deposit of £200 so I've got first dibs! Although a large part of me after my researching motors tonight is half wondering if my cash would be perhaps more sensibly (or more practically) spent on something else than the Alfa GT as beautiful as it is!
 
realspeed said:
.http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_gt_guide.shtml

Well worth reading Chris before committing to buy, especially about the cam belt in the article

Realspeed
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Thanks mate, the particular GT I'm looking at is at 34k and the dealer have said they'll make sure its done if its not been done already.

But I am beginning to think I could get something cheaper to run and potentially newer.
 
chrism_scotland said:
Thanks mate, the particular GT I'm looking at is at 34k and the dealer have said they'll make sure its done if its not been done already.

But I am beginning to think I could get something cheaper to run and potentially newer.
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One point to remember when looking at secondhand cars, if something looks like a bargain, whether it be a make/model or just an individual car, there's usually a very good reason and it's rarely because it's perceived as "uncool"....
 
Flash In The Pan said:
One point to remember when looking at secondhand cars, if something looks like a bargain, whether it be a make/model or just an individual car, there's usually a very good reason and it's rarely because it's perceived as "uncool"....
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Its one reason I'm possibly a little wary of the Alfa, its done 34k miles which is very low compared to many I've seen but is also cheaper than many I've seen with 60k on the clock.
 
chrism_scotland said:
Its one reason I'm possibly a little wary of the Alfa, its done 34k miles which is very low compared to many I've seen but is also cheaper than many I've seen with 60k on the clock.
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Decent used cars in the up to £7k price range are scarce in the trade at the moment, with many popular makes/models doing well over the "book" value at auction, so you'd have to ask yourself why any dealer would want to sell something off cheaply without good reason....
 
I'm considering getting an A6, quattro or allroad (97-04 version) at the moment to replace my van. Found one that was reasonably priced in a dealer but they said "trade sale only" in their advert, which I guess means "run away" :naughty:

Know very little about them, except that the towing weight is good (1900kg or 2100kg depending on model for the 2.5TDI engined ones) and the audi 4wd system is good based on when I had a quattro. Obviously would be a bit of a departure for me to buy a vehicle with the engine in the front, haven't had one like that for about eight years.
 
chrism_scotland said:
Well I had a good look at an Alfa GT Blackline in a carpark today and I'm not so sure its for me sadly, lovely looking car but I don't think its got enough space on the inside for me!!

Looking at a new Focus or maybe a Fiesta now I think!
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:nono:
 
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