Car buying time....

[Kidzer]

Right, I've got my practical test in about 6 weeks (yay ), so I figure its time to start making some arrangements for getting me a car.

I've been checking out the Scot-Ads (which will mean nothing to those south of the border I don't think!), but havent found anything that looks particularlly brilliant.

I had a look on Auto Trader and saw a '97 Fiat Punto 55 S here

I checked on Parkers and they seem to have valued it a bit high, but I dont know how reliable Parkers valuations are, so I don't really know. I'm going to pester the father tonight and see if we can go check it out at the weekend - he has some mechanical knowledge so he sould be able to tell me if it'll last a year or two without falling to bits (I dont imagine it would, its not *that* old!) - then I've just gotta pay for the insurance etc on it....

Any other tips for finding/checking out a used car?

Cheers,
David

[icemachine]

If you take it for a test drive, make sure he hasn't warmed up the engine yet. Many issues that are apparent at start up dissapear once the engine reaches temp.

[Hepatic]

Parkers are pretty reliable as a guide, depends on the condition of the car as to if its worth it. Always haggle too, never pay the asking price

[Kidzer]

Yeah, says £750 ono, so should manage to get it for less than that if the father approves

[Asp]

If buying from a private individual from Auto Trader or similar, when you phone up ask about "the car you have for sale" - don't say exactly what car.
If they have to say "which one?" - there's something iffy going on...

Also, an independent, proper inspection of the vehicle is well worth the expense. If it reveals no problems, then it gives you peace of mind. If there's a small problem - something to haggle with. And if it's a death-trap, that money's just saved your life.

[GORDON STREETER]

I would agree with Asp , also if you can find out a little bit more about the car. For instance, how long has the person that is selling the car owned it, and is their name in the log book ? I have worked on/sold cars for 40 years and have seen all the tricks in the book, and to be honest most of the general public wouldn't recognise a decent car if it run them over ! At least the said car isn't loads of money and as it isn't fully loaded with all the bells and whistles ,there isn't an awful lot to go wrong. Also the valuation guides are "just" a guide and if its a straight car it can save money by the time the next MOT comes round rather than paying less for an old banger !

[kristof14]

I'd avoid getting a Punto to be honest! My first car was a black 2000 Punto, purchased from a main dealer.

It was back with them 1o minutes after being collected as the head gasket had gone. In the following 6 months it required a new steering column, fuel pump, airbag, steering rack and the thrust bearing exploded destroying the gearbox!

I've yet to actually meet someone who's had a good experience with a Punto. it's ashame because it was astunning little car in the looks department.

[Suze]

when you come to do your insurance, aside from the obvious of shopping around, if it's going to be in your name it might be worth adding your father on as a named driver......can bring the price down a hell of a lot

[mattt]

insurance wise

im with Quinn and they are really quite cheap, for example it costs me £800 on my own insurance for a £700 corsa (2nd cheapest quote £1600)

a mate of myn is with Endsleigh and i think his is quite cheap

I would definately put as many hours of driving experience on the insurance to lower it. Ive got my day with 33 yrs drivin and my mum with 27 yrs of experience and that lowered my quote considerably