Looking for my first car - found it!

[Howard]

Lol that's trivial, they'll fix it

[Guy]

Just seen this, of any interest?

Vehicle Details

[usxhe190]

7th gen celica?

[kalniel]

7th gen celica?

Not for a first car!

[Parm]

I've edited the thread title slightly, as I've found the car I want. What I need now is buying advice.

Bearing in mind that I've never purchased a car, and generally know very little about them, what should I know before going into a purchase? Remember, one of the reasons I've chosen the Civic is that it has triangular exhauts - that's the extent of my car know-how!

So, the car I've got my eye on is a Honda Civic 1.8 Type-S GT Auto. It's an automatic, which I hadn't planned on originally, but now like the idea of. It has the flappy paddle things behind the steering wheel so manual can still be used if I fancy it.

The car is available as a private sale and is listed as £12,750 ONO. It has done just 5,800 miles and the description reads:
"Automatic, 5,800 miles, Red. 3x3 point rear seat belts, ABS, Alarm, Alloy wheels, Audio remote control, Body coloured bumpers. £12,750. ONO"

It is exactly what I want, and the price seems favourable compared to what else is out there. There is one catch though, the car is situated some 70 miles from where I live. I'm thinking about making the trek to go see the car on the weekend.

Before I go, what do I need to know? Any tips on haggling? How can I get that price to come down, and how low should I expect it to go? What should I look out for to make sure the car is ok? Should I have it inspected professionally?

All those questions, and any other buying advice you can offer would be very much appreciated.

[dave87]

Have a look on parkers - see what the value of the car actually is - cars take a big hit in the first year.

Is it from a dealer or is it a private sale?

What is the reason for sale? If they are selling it due to a change of circumstances have they looked after it properly? Any damage - wheels kerbed etc?

Is it on finance? if so - offer to settle the finance for them, and pay the rest to themselves. If its financed for more than it is worth, walk away. There is no guarantee they will settle it, and the finance company will come after the car. (Law says you cannot pass title to that which you do not own - the finance company owns the car, not the punter).

Obviously check the condition of the vehicle - if the front (or rear) tyres are excessively worn at the edges, or there is no writing on the sidewall, you know its been abused. I would say this is rarer with an Auto though. Has it had any shunts (however minor) if in doubt, HPi it.

Does the Civic have a first service (usually around 1k) - if so, has it been done, and has it been done on time? ie 900-1100 miles, not 3k.

How old is it? If you can't get any off the price and the Tax is running out, will they put a full 12 months on there for you etc.

Just a few things I'd look at before parting with your hard earned.

Oh, and don't be afraid to make a low ball offer - its a starting point to a negotiation, not the maximum price you'll pay - and if the seller wants the car shifted, you may get it for less than you expect - ie £12750 offer 12, go from there (usually meeting in the middle). Obviously this suggests the car is worth what is being asked for it, you find no problems, etc.

[Parm]

Thanks for the tips Dave! Parkers puts the pricing as follows:
Original Price £16,932
Franchised Dealer £14,575
Independent Dealer £13,930
Private Good £13,160
Private Poor £11,610
Part Exchange £12,255

Judging by that, this one is looking about right.

It's a private sale, from a guy in Rochdale, I've been in touch with him via e-mail and he says the reason for sale "is that i have a new company car".

He's asked me to feel free to put any other questions forward, so I'll be sending along all the ones you've suggested. Hopefully, I'll be taking the trip to go see the car this weekend or next. Excited!

[Nick]

I'd honestly consider the diesel: Long term you'll save a packet on fuel and on road tax.

It's about £70 cheaper a year on tax, mine was £115

Fuel wise, my Mitsubishi Carisma 1.9 DiD (yes, i know it's not an exciting car but it's a great motorway cruiser) saves me about £25 a tank on fuel compared with my 1.8 petrol Proton. ie, to do the same mileage per tank-full I get from the Carisma, I have to stick another £25 of petrol in the Proton.

That said, Civics are great cars but test drive the ARSE of it... and don't be afraid to mention any problems you notice to the owner.

Don't make a decision there and then either, even if he says he's got other people looking/interested... There's plenty out there for sale, so if you miss this one, another one'll be along soon enough.

[soopahfly]

Might have already been mentioned, but what about a Seat Leon?

[Parm]

Nick, in regards to the diesel, is it worthwhile if the driver estimates a low mileage?

From what I've read, the more mileage you do, the more beneficial diesel becomes? I'm going to be doing less than 10k a year, which is why I'm opting for the petrol.

As for driving, is a diesel nicer to drive than a petrol? I always thought diesel cars were louder, but maybe that's no longer true. I do however prefer a quieter car.

soopahfly, the Leon does look quite nice but I've got my mind set on the Civic now - I want!


*EDIT* Just found out that the Automatic option isn't available on the Diesel models. I kinda like the idea of an auto now so that rules the diesel out.

[Howard]

Nick, in regards to the diesel, is it worthwhile if the driver estimates a low mileage?

Nope.

From what I've read, the more mileage you do, the more beneficial diesel becomes?

Yep.

As for driving, is a diesel nicer to drive than a petrol? I always thought diesel cars were louder, but maybe that's no longer true. I do however prefer a quieter car.

They sound clattery and not as smooth as petrols. This is the same for the power delivery style. Some like it, I prefer a smooth petrol.

[Guy]

Diesels are only really beneficially if your going to be doing alot of miles, and atm theres a good 6/7p per litre difference in the costs between petrol and diesel, which on some cars can work out to be an extra £3/£4 per tank extra.

Diesel technology has come along leaps and bounds in the past few years, there not that much louder than the equivilent petrols, with the clatter only really noticeable on startup and when its sitting idle.

From what ive heard Honda diesels are much smoother and more linear in the power delivery, so that shouldnt be too much of a problem.


But as you've said your not going to be doing vast miles, so get the petrol, cause it's cheaper to buy, and more fun with a nice VTEC lump in there

[Howard]

Diesels are only really beneficially if your going to be doing alot of miles, and atm theres a good 6/7p per litre difference in the costs between petrol and diesel, which on some cars can work out to be an extra £3/£4 per tank extra.

Not forgetting what most people seem to... The purchase price of the diesel car, i.e more!!!

This is what gets me.. People go on about "OMG my new diesel gets 55mpg and my old car only got 30!!" but they fail to mention that they've just spent £15,000 on a new diesel Astra or something

[kalniel]

Not if you buy diesel Astra's before diesels were popular Saved a bit of money vs the petrol one

[Howard]

Yes but who would want t... I mean..... Good for you

[dave87]

For the parents V70 the diesel was a logical choice, it was more gutsy than anything short of the t5, and it was more fuel efficient. Also, in a larger car it was torque that made the difference to the driving experience which was predominantly around town/longer motorway trips. None of that B road blasts We probably do around 13k/year in it, but combined with the residuals and the fact a new model was due, made it not a lot more than the comparable spec'd petrol.

For a Civic, which is a nippy, good handling car, the petrol is a better choice, even if you are going to select an auto. Being as it is a new model, and you are most likely buying second hand - the only cars you are going to be able to get hold of are high mile ex fleet cars, or ones which have something wrong with them. If the diesel engine is as good as it should be, lots of them will be held on for a long time to come. Ok, yes, you will get the odd gem crop up, but they will be few and far between.

I'd say stick with the petrol, its a better choice for your situation.