Used Car Search

[Han]

Does anyone on here have much experience in searching for used cars?

The only resources worth using at the moment are Autotrader and the Leicester Mercury.

Is there an obvious one I'm missing? It's pissing me off that it's more difficult than i expected. I don't want to start going around every dealer.

If anyone's interested, my budget is around £1,000. Very interested in a Rover 200, preferably the 220 TD or 216.

 

[Singth]

Parkers Car Guide is a good port of call, you can pick them up in any newsagent. Not only do they provide a price listing of all cars but they also offer good reviews and potential mechanical failings.

And just an opinion from myself; don't buy a Rover. They have crap electrics and there are not so many parts or mechanics around so it will cost an arm and a leg. Is it your first car? If so I would recommend something that will be cheap to run, cheap on repairs and something that will give you a half decent return when you come to sell it. Fords and Vauxhalls are decent as are Peugeots (best with diesel). German cars are good but probably out of your price range. Stay clear of cheap Renaults, Citroens and Seats as they will cost a bomb. And NEVER but a Fiat!

 

[Macky]

...
Very interested in a Rover 200, preferably the 220 TD or 216.

That's just asking for people to take the piss

 

[fcukcov]

Parkers Car Guide is a good port of call, you can pick them up in any newsagent. Not only do they provide a price listing of all cars but they also offer good reviews and potential mechanical failings.

And just an opinion from myself; don't buy a Rover. They have crap electrics and there are not so many parts or mechanics around so it will cost an arm and a leg. Is it your first car? If so I would recommend something that will be cheap to run, cheap on repairs and something that will give you a half decent return when you come to sell it. Fords and Vauxhalls are decent as are Peugeots (best with diesel). German cars are good but probably out of your price range. Stay clear of cheap Renaults, Citroens and Seats as they will cost a bomb. And NEVER but a Fiat!

Id echo this. Rovers are also a bloody pig to drive and handle like shit.

Fords are always good for your money you will get an s-w reg mondeo/escort/fiesta or a very early focus.

I know you said you don’t want to keep going around garages but Ive always found it the best way.

Also as you have a limited budget this is gonna sound odd but try the main ford/Vauxhall dealerships. They take loads or cars in as part-exs that they will never use on the forecourts. They generally sell these on to the smaller garages that you don’t want to trawl around anyway. They nearly always have a couple of cheap cars out the back or will know of some coming in. Def worth a try.

 

[Singth]

Here's a link to Parkers. Use it they are very good.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/

 

[Cate Fox]

I would echo the sentiment of never buying a Fiat... mine has been a real pain in the ass from day one and I cant wait to get rid of it in the next couple of months (hopefully).

I wouldnt touch a Peugeot again either, the electrics are truly dodgy in them and they hate the damp weather - so many experiences of it cutting out at major junctions

 

[Han]

Parkers Car Guide is a good port of call, you can pick them up in any newsagent. Not only do they provide a price listing of all cars but they also offer good reviews and potential mechanical failings.

And just an opinion from myself; don't buy a Rover. They have crap electrics and there are not so many parts or mechanics around so it will cost an arm and a leg. Is it your first car? If so I would recommend something that will be cheap to run, cheap on repairs and something that will give you a half decent return when you come to sell it. Fords and Vauxhalls are decent as are Peugeots (best with diesel). German cars are good but probably out of your price range. Stay clear of cheap Renaults, Citroens and Seats as they will cost a bomb. And NEVER but a Fiat!

It isn't my first car - my small peugeot did recently. Dont' really want another but would go for a 306 diesel if they weren't out of my price range.

The Rovers seem to be better value for money in comparison to a Fiesta, for example. Not too sure on your comment about the parts and i've got no idea about the handling.

I'll definitly give the parkers a go

 

[Han]

Also as you have a limited budget this is gonna sound odd but try the main ford/Vauxhall dealerships. They take loads or cars in as part-exs that they will never use on the forecourts. They generally sell these on to the smaller garages that you don’t want to trawl around anyway. They nearly always have a couple of cheap cars out the back or will know of some coming in. Def worth a try.

that would worry me though, you'd have no idea where they've come from/how they've been treated. The big garages just want to get rid of them at any cost.

 

[Macky]

The Rovers seem to be better value for money in comparison to a Fiesta, for example. Not too sure on your comment about the parts and i've got no idea about the handling.

That's because they are shit & people are willing to take whatever they can get just to get rid of them.

 

[Macky]

that would worry me though, you'd have no idea where they've come from/how they've been treated. The big garages just want to get rid of them at any cost.

You'd have just as much knowledge about the car as buying it from anywhere else.

 

[Han]

That's because they are shit & people are willing to take whatever they can get just to get rid of them.

Or people tend to go along the lines of thinking that as Rover are no longer around, they are more expensive to run. But asking around for peoples' experiences, that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Singth]

that would worry me though, you'd have no idea where they've come from/how they've been treated. The big garages just want to get rid of them at any cost.

If you are really worried then you can get an AA carcheck done. Think it costs a fair bit these days but they will do it, even at a dealership.

 

[Joe_Fox]

Han,

Get yerself a Fiesta.

My one that cost £500 is still going.
Passed both MOTs first time, two services and brake pads went once.
I think I've paid about £300 in repairs, services and MOTs and she's still running well.

Joe

 

[Han]

Han,

Get yerself a Fiesta.

My one that cost £500 is still going.
Passed both MOTs first time, two services and brake pads went once.
I think I've paid about £300 in repairs, services and MOTs and she's still running well.

Joe

Was thinking about it but i want the 1.25, 1.3 or 1.4 and i can't find any good ones for the price.

 

[Singth]

Or people tend to go along the lines of thinking that as Rover are no longer around, they are more expensive to run. But asking around for peoples' experiences, that doesn't seem to be the case.

They are not more expensive to run, they are both economical on the fuel and insurance. But if you were to have a prang or a serious mechanical repair (something that is more likely in the market you are looking in) then it will cost alot more than a Ford or a Vauxhall as the parts and mechanics are harder to come by.

 

[Feriol]

It isn't my first car - my small peugeot did recently. Dont' really want another but would go for a 306 diesel if they weren't out of my price range.

The Rovers seem to be better value for money in comparison to a Fiesta, for example. Not too sure on your comment about the parts and i've got no idea about the handling.

I'll definitly give the parkers a go

My brother has a Rover 25, no problem at all getting parts, unfortunately we know that from a lot of experience needing to buy them.

They seem better value with the start price, but it won't be long before it has cost you more.

I know a few people with Kia's. They are very cheap used, and never heard a bad word from people that own them.

 

[Han]

They are not more expensive to run, they are both economical on the fuel and insurance. But if you were to have a prang or a serious mechanical repair (something that is more likely in the market you are looking in) then it will cost alot more than a Ford or a Vauxhall as the parts and mechanics are harder to come by.

Mechanincs wouldn't be a problem for me.

I think the parts thing is true for any make other than those 2 given their popularity. The only Ford i'd opt for is a fiesta, my concerns for these are above. Not sure if i fancy any of the Vauxhalls.

 

[Han]

My brother has a Rover 25, no problem at all getting parts, unfortunately we know that from a lot of experience needing to buy them.

They seem better value with the start price, but it won't be long before it has cost you more.

I know a few people with Kia's. They are very cheap used, and never heard a bad word from people that own them.

never even considered them, might have a snoop around.

 

[Singth]

That's a good call Feriol. Kia's (and Hyundai), whilst being a little less fashionable, have long warranties on them so definately worth a look.

 

[fcukcov]

that would worry me though, you'd have no idea where they've come from/how they've been treated. The big garages just want to get rid of them at any cost.

That's because they are shit & people are willing to take whatever they can get just to get rid of them.

You'd have just as much knowledge about the car as buying it from anywhere else.

Sorry Nathan but Macky has got it spot on in both cases here, people cant give rovers away at the minute, no on wants them.

The big dealerships will let you look over the cars in the same way you would at the garage down the road and they are the same cars you will go down the road and pay another grand for at Mackys Dodgy Motor Co.