The Car Thread ... !

[Apple fanboy]

any one got tips on buying a used car? In my mind a used car (10+ years) is just a money pit that is "fix or repair daily". I am planning to buy an older bmw and looking for any help on the topic.

I know people look at higher mileage as a "worse car" but is a well maintained "150K miles" car really worse than a "50K miles" one that has been roughly driven with bad maintenance? any signs to look for maintenance quality?

So what model? The trouble with expensive cars that are now affordable due to age is often the price of the parts.

So for example if your car cost £100,000 new and you can pick it up for £10,000 10 years later, if you have to buy parts they can often be more expensive due to it still being considered a part for a £100,000 car.

Of course for more popular models there will be other manufacturers options or second hand items which helps.

Also what is your confidence level with repairs? Do you have the required tools and space to work on a car? What if your car was off the road for a week or two? Do you depend on it for work?

That said older cars can still be reliable depending on make, age and how it’s been treated.

If you buy new you have the reliability but you lose through depreciation (and possibly interest on any loan).

So there is no win. Cars cost money.

If you have a knowledgeable friend or relative that can assess the condition of a car prior to purchase (or pay a 3rd party to do a car inspection), that can help.

When you view a car don’t let your heart rule your head. Do your research. Know what to expect for the price you want to pay. Remember if it looks too good a deal to be true, walk away.

Get underneath the car. Look for any signs of damage. Or check the condition matches the mileage.


Be realistic about what you can repair yourself.

If buying from a salesperson remember they will be better at negotiating than you. It’s their job! Go on the last day of the month. They might need your sale to hit a target.
Walk off the lot and try not to look too keen. Don’t tell them you have been searching for that model for ages. Or you drove 100 miles to see it.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[rb2112]

any one got tips on buying a used car?

Bring a knowledgeable friend along for their judgement and also as a 2nd set of eyes.

 

[keksikuningas]

You don't need track lessons, you need driving lessons. That car with that engine you can drive in third gear full throttle all day long around a track....

Seriously I find this rather scary how you are reacting to that car.

dunno maybe im overestimating the car due to not being used to driving it and being cautious due to being on public roads

 

[MacBH928]

So what model?

bmw 5 series early 2000's , i think its called e39

The trouble with expensive cars that are now affordable due to age is often the price of the parts.

I saw ads for range rovers from 10 years ago for like $20K/£15K and it really makes me scratch as they are $100K models new. But looking at insurance evaluations they are not far off, it is decreasing 10% of original price every year.

Also what is your confidence level with repairs? Do you have the required tools and space to work on a car? What if your car was off the road for a week or two? Do you depend on it for work?

i have spare car but i do 0 work myself.

(or pay a 3rd party to do a car inspection), that can help.

thats what i am planning. I heard now they connect them to a computer that writes a full report on the condition of the car, but i am not sure how can a computer asses the condition of the parts. Maybe best it can do is to tell you what works and what is faulty.

Know what to expect for the price you want to pay. Remember if it looks too good a deal to be true, walk away.

🤣🤣🤣

If buying from a salesperson remember they will be better at negotiating than you. It’s their job! Go on the last day of the month. They might need your sale to hit a target.
Walk off the lot and try not to look too keen. Don’t tell them you have been searching for that model for ages. Or you drove 100 miles to see it.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

thanks for the help man, i appreciate it! good tip on the end of month thing.

 

[MacBH928]

but my previous car I drove for almost 10 years had 70 something horsepower and it was a hoot to row gears while getting up to 80-100 on the curves with my favorite tunes blasting on the econobox speakers.

ill honest and say i never know they made cars that were less than 120hp