Looking for my first car - found it!

[tickedon]

Went out today to motorhouse in Cannock and a few car garages too. The car I like most is the Honda Civic, it looks like something right out of Back to the Future - it's ace!

Was down in Cannock at the motorhouse over just a week ago picking up my Ford Focus. They have some great prices on cars down there! I spoke to the sales person over the phone and bought the car without seeing it (obviously did appropriate checks before going & down there before paying balance) - wasn't disappointed!

I ignored the Astra pretty quickly, really was between the Civic or Focus - both are great cars, went for the cheapest one in the end

Like yourself, my first "own" car and was looking for something reasonably new. I don't think you can really go that wrong with a Civic or Focus as long as you are sensible.

Good luck with whatever you choose - and enjoy!

[Parm]

I asked the owner of the Civic some of the questions that dave suggested on page 3 of the thread. Here's the response I've had from the chap:

The car has no outstanding finance i am the outright owner but for your own peace of mind you can always do an HPI check after veiwing the car. It will probably cost you about £25.00 for the check.

Its 1st service is due now. There will be no need to pay for this as i took out a 5yr service plan at the time of purchase and will be transferable.I will also look into the possibility of the GAP Insurance being transferable but i doubt that will be possible.The car tax is also due now but i will ensure it is taxed whether it is purchased by yourslef or not.

I have been the only owner of the vehicle. Only 1 fault has occured and that has been in the past 2 weeks which is an indicator bulb has gone. But other than that the car is in excellent condition.

Any other info i can help you with please dont hesitate to contact me.

Sound good? I think so!

[Guy]

I asked the owner of the Civic some of the questions that dave suggestion on page 3 of the thread. Here's the response I've had from the chap:

Sound good? I think so!

I'd say go for it

[tickedon]

As a note, RAC do HPI checks for like £5....

[dave87]

I asked the owner of the Civic some of the questions that dave suggestion on page 3 of the thread. Here's the response I've had from the chap:

Sound good? I think so!

It does indeed, I'm glad I could be of help

[Howard]

I asked the owner of the Civic some of the questions that dave suggestion on page 3 of the thread. Here's the response I've had from the chap:

Sound good? I think so!

Indicator bulb?? Outrageous. Walk away. Now.

[Parm]

Right then, biiiiiiiiiiig update today!

I went over to see the Civic and I like it. The car was a little bit dirty and in need of a clean, but other than that it was in good condition. A few little scuffs on the inside, but nothing a good clean wouldn't fix.

The seller was asking for £12,750, I got him to agree on £12,000. That to me seems a really good price for the car! I'm now going to do a HPI check and all going well, I'm going to go back over on Wednesday, pay for the car and bring it home.

Now that I'm so close to buying, any last minute points I need to consider?

[Guy]

Right then, biiiiiiiiiiig update today!

I went over to see the Civic and I like it. The car was a little bit dirty and in need of a clean, but other than that it was in good condition. A few little scuffs on the inside, but nothing a good clean wouldn't fix.

The seller was asking for £12,750, I got him to agree on £12,000. That to me seems a really good price for the car! I'm now going to do a HPI check and all going well, I'm going to go back over on Wednesday, pay for the car and bring it home.

Now that I'm so close to buying, any last minute points I need to consider?

Thats a very good price, well done that man

Erm not much else I can think of . . . how much tax is left on it?

[tickedon]

Now that I'm so close to buying, any last minute points I need to consider?

Obvious ones:

a) Get insurance quotes (and obviously insurance before you pick it up...)
b) Is the guy going to leave the tax disc in it?

[Parm]

The car has been taxed for another 6 months, now runs out end of September.

Insurance! I'm looking into that, it's gonna cost me around £800...

One question I do have; the car hasn't been serviced yet but the owner says he purchased a 5-year service plan with the car. He believes he'll be able to transfer that to me. Does that mean to imply I'll have five years worth of service cover? I need to enquire about that one.

[tickedon]

One question I do have; the car hasn't been serviced yet but the owner says he purchased a 5-year service plan with the car. He believes he'll be able to transfer that to me. Does that mean to imply I'll have five years worth of service cover? I need to enquire about that one.

Most can be transferred - you'll need to double check if it's a dealers or a Honda offer.

They normally work on 5 years of service intervals so you could hit it sooner in theory. E.g. if it's 10,000 mile service intervals (= 5 years/50,000 mile service plan), and you do 20,000 a year, you'd only get 2.5 years from a 5 year plan.

Best though is to check exactly what he has - that'll give you all the details.

Also, find out what the service interval is and how many miles its done. If it's gone over the interval, then you could have warranty problems down the line. I know that my Focus has a 12,500 interval - but if you go 1000 miles over that, Ford will refuse major warranty work and blame it on improper servicing.

[Guy]

Insurance! I'm looking into that, it's gonna cost me around £800...

Thats nothing . . . ! I envy you with that price!

[Parm]

It has landed...



It's the first car I've owned and to say I'm chuffed is an understatement! I absolutely love it! It's a spaceship!!!

More pictures coming later, I'm off for a quick drive.

It's a Honda Civic Type-S GT 1.8 i-VTEC Auto. Thanks again to everyone for all the advice given!

[Nick]

Niiiice.

I assume cos it's a faster 'cos it's a red one?

/oblique reference to Australian comedy groups = off

[Guy]

Awesome Ive always liked them in red.

Whats the auto-box like?

[Howard]

I like
I got pwnt by one of these (was a manual though by the looks of it) on a big roundabout onto the M25, I couldn't quite keep up Lol