Going to look at some cars today!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

[kalniel]

Well I discovered that if I'm not interested in buying there and then on that day, they are not interested in helping me at all. It also seemed a little expensive, is there usually much room for negotiating at these places?

Around £100 or so, no more really. They will be keen to sell today as it's end of month so helps the books - you'll get a bit more assistance on other days, but not a lot - these places are low margin, high turnover type places. If you have enough documentation (passport + other proof of address) they'll often let you take the car there and then. Often they will anyway, despite supposedly mandatory fraud checks. They should be able to give you temporary insurance as well, so you have a week or so to get your usual insurance switched over.

[1stRaven]

Audis where supposed to be on that list, forgot about it. I should also add my budget is flexible to within £1500 i reckon.

So far today has been a bust, apparently car salesmen aren't interested in selling cars if its a bit wet. I have had no assistance at all and tbh, haven't even spotted anything remotely interesting.

I had that issue as well. Spent last Monday going around several dealers in the Midlands, with either the cars sold but still classes as available on the website or being denied a test drive due to age. (I'm 30 and was looking at Audi's, BMWs etc so i couldn't figure this out)

I ended up putting a deposit on an Audi A8 on Saturday so just working out how to sort out a private plate transfer in a week.

Keep looking though, as the last dealer I visited, they are struggling to sell cars at the moment.

[scaryjim]

... im going to be working in manchester for most of the rest of the year ...

Know where you're going to be living yet? 'Cause if it's in Manchester itself, don't bother with a car. Plenty of decent public transport up here

OTOH, there's also quite a lot of used car places too, so it should be possible to pick up something you like the look of (there's a huge car auction place just down the road from me, for instance).

[Biscuit]

I had that issue as well. Spent last Monday going around several dealers in the Midlands, with either the cars sold but still classes as available on the website or being denied a test drive due to age. (I'm 30 and was looking at Audi's, BMWs etc so i couldn't figure this out)

I ended up putting a deposit on an Audi A8 on Saturday so just working out how to sort out a private plate transfer in a week.

Keep looking though, as the last dealer I visited, they are struggling to sell cars at the moment.

I would have thought they would be more keen to help me if they are struggling to sell. Its bizzare, 1 in 4 garages just do not seem interested in changing me from someone who is there to look at cars into someone willing to make a deal. The best place so far has been a Honda garage, and i seem to recall that being the case last time i was car hunting!

Know where you're going to be living yet? 'Cause if it's in Manchester itself, don't bother with a car. Plenty of decent public transport up here

OTOH, there's also quite a lot of used car places too, so it should be possible to pick up something you like the look of (there's a huge car auction place just down the road from me, for instance).

Yeah i know Manchester pretty well, studied there and spend a lot of time there visiting friends. I would be staying in a hotel while im there as its not permanent. Would probably leave the car at my parents in Yorkshire so that if i do need it for anything i can train back and get it.

At the moment my heart is semi-set on this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

need to decide if i actually like the syling and if i trust the dealer. M-Sport with 2 doors looks pretty nice i think, especially in red. Checked it out using one of those reg plate checkers and it all seems ok.

Im also having some issues with my damned fiesta again aswell so i need to get that sorted before i can sell it

[Biscuit]

Finally took that 123 out and... yeah i really like the car. It wasnt anywhere near as hard-riding as people made it out to be. Was relatively tame if im honest. Performance is great from a diesel (although didn't get to properly test it out).

Anyone any opinions?

[Biscuit]

In a complete change of heart... I'm gunna get a Civic Type R. There are some great deals on them up north and my parents are looking aswell so they are keen to make a good deal. They gave me a fantastic offer so i might have it by Friday.

Just took it for a test drive and you cannot argue with that insane vtec sound... Just fell in love. Get a year warranty with Honda aswell

[DanceswithUnix]

Nice choice!

Have known a few CTR owners, not heard anything bad about them yet.

Really aught to give one a go some day.

[Biscuit]

Went up again today and squeezed a few more hundred quid off the price. They couldnt drop it much more because its in such good condition... i struggled to argue it down any further because they said (and i completely believe them) of the 4 CTRs they have on the forecourt at the moment, that one will sell fast. They also offered me £2000 for my 2003 1.6 Fiesta Ghia without seeing it... so thats pretty generous IMO.
There is barely a scratch on it and the interior is really clean and tidy, wheels dont have a single scuff... and this is BEFORE Honda have properly processed it though. When i went in initially they had only had it there for a few hours.

Couple of little niggles they agreed to sort out, but they are really picky things just so they know i want control of the deal

Nice choice!

Have known a few CTR owners, not heard anything bad about them yet.

Really aught to give one a go some day.

The sound when those valves open up is just awesome... be prepared to want one if you try it.

[Agent]

In a complete change of heart... I'm gunna get a Civic Type R.

Just took it for a test drive and you cannot argue with that insane vtec sound... Just fell in love. Get a year warranty with Honda aswell

Nice!

I have a Type S GT and love it. The only thing I didn't like about it was the road noise. Last week though I had a new set of tyres on due to wear and the difference is unbelievable (for the better).

A year of ownership and I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. Had the Honda warranty too - had one minor issue and they sorted it right away without any hassle. Top marks

The Civic is just a cracking well rounded car. I was the same - everything just felt 'right' in it.

Keep in mind the tax bracket with a Type R though.

[Biscuit]

Nice!

I have a Type S GT and love it. The only thing I didn't like about it was the road noise. Last week though I had a new set of tyres on due to wear and the difference is unbelievable (for the better).

A year of ownership and I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. Had the Honda warranty too - had one minor issue and they sorted it right away without any hassle. Top marks

The Civic is just a cracking well rounded car. I was the same - everything just felt 'right' in it.

Keep in mind the tax bracket with a Type R though.

Great to hear from satisfied customers. Not that it would overpower the urge to get one anyway but there is always that small 'oh my god' voice when you spend this kind of cash.
Everyone with an audi or beemer seems to have a pretty big 'but' when explaining why it was great. None of that with Honda!

All the ones available are GTs really, I think the initial outlay for the additional trim must have been worth it over the basic because it's all I have seen.

270, for the one I'm looking at. Can handle that! It's the 460+ brackets I think is a bit much

[DanceswithUnix]

The sound when those valves open up is just awesome... be prepared to want one if you try it.

lol, sadly I can't have all the things I want.

If we ever win the lottery, I swear the garage will be bigger than the house. My wife is as bad as I am with this sort of thing

[Biscuit]

lol, sadly I can't have all the things I want.

If we ever win the lottery, I swear the garage will be bigger than the house. My wife is as bad as I am with this sort of thing

Don't have a wife and I can't see this making it any easier. Also don't see it fitting in the garage... I need to hear that engine again before I have second thoughts :-P

[Biscuit]

I went to pick it up this morning and whilst i got to take it for a spin (previously i had driven a slightly older, worse condition one with more miles on the clock), it hadn't been serviced and it was still licensed with the previous owners private plates so i'm going to have to wait until Monday now

Will be very disappointed if i have to drive up next weekend for it, long bloody drive!

[Biscuit]

So i wasnt able to pick it up today either, DVLA dragging their heels apparently. I have made a fuss about all the driving i have had to do and they offered me a full tank of petrol... better than a kick in the teeth. Might have to have a hunt locally this week though as i dont like being dicked about!