Your thoughts on a possible purchase please

[andy2407]

As mentioned in my introduction thread ( l viewtopic.php?f=9&t=28106 l ) I'm currently looking to buy an MR2.

I've been having a look at whats about - both on here and on the usual sources such as Ebay, Autotrader, Pistonheads etc and I've come across this at a garage fairly close to me....

 m http://www.parkhillscarcentre.co.uk/veh ... p=&Modela= m

It's slightly above budget but I'm a cash buyer so I will aim for some reduction, and I appreciate I could always sell the hard top on if need be.

Anyway, I'm sure there is lots of knowledge on here so your comments, thoughts on the price, and suggestions of things to look for would be appreciated.

TIA

Andy

[northernalex]

As mentioned in my introduction thread ( m http://mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=28106 m ) I'm currently looking to buy an MR2.

I've been having a look at whats about - both on here and on the usual sources such as Ebay, Autotrader, Pistonheads etc and I've come across this at a garage fairly close to me....

 m http://www.parkhillscarcentre.co.uk/veh ... p=&Modela= m

It's slightly above budget but I'm a cash buyer so I will aim for some reduction, and I appreciate I could always sell the hard top on if need be.

Anyway, I'm sure there is lots of knowledge on here so your comments, thoughts on the price, and suggestions of things to look for would be appreciated.

TIA

Andy

Car looks ok, and low milage for the year too.

Check for any rust around the arches, Ive only seen one with rust, but you never know.

Also look for oil usage, and wether the engine sounds like a helicopter when you drive it.

Also it should keep on giving power after 5000 revs, take it to the redline.

Probably about 1000 over priced though. But looks a good example with the ducktail spoiler and the hardtop.

Alex

[uktotty]

If the aircon, TTE Spoiler and leather are of interest its not a bad price, hard top is worth £500 but I would say its £500 overpriced.

[northernalex]

Can we agree on 750 overpriced then Russ  s;) s;)

[uktotty]

yeah lets stick in the middle Alex

[ChrisHumes]

looks a good clean example, id say 4500 as you will be hard stretched to find a one with 37k on without hardtop for 4000. leather/spoiler etc are worth 500 to the right person...

[markiii]

Can we agree on 750 overpriced then Russ  s;) s;)

its not a TTE spoiler

[Chris_h]

No mention of history (that I can see) and number of owners..

 Be nice to have a fistfull of paper work to back up the mileage and show it has been well maintained.

[andywood]

Similar to my previous comments i think then Andy - all seems to look good for the right price, but need to know more about history/services etc....

All will be revealed by a thorough generic car/test drive that any second-hand buyer would do i reckon.

What happened to the goal of getting a yellow one to match the Fabia??   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

Andy.

[cclarke99]

For W-Y reg cars with less than 40K miles, Autotrader shows two cars at £3500, one at £4000 and three (including the one above) at £5000. All the others don't have hardtops, and it has a higher spec than most, plus it all depends on how much the dealer is willing to haggle. In the case of the really cheap ones, not very much.

[andy2407]

Many thanks everyone - I'm going to take a closer look at this but a lot depends on how much movement the garage has on price as I get the general opinion you all think its overvalued.

In the meantime I'll keep my eyes and ears open - let me know if you see anything else.

[roger]

I get the general opinion you all think its overvalued.

What is value?

In reality you are always going to pay over the odds from the trade unless they have a big desire to get rid of it, if so why? Whether you think that's worth it, can you find a similar from a private seller etc etc all have to be taken into account.

[andy2407]

What is value?

In reality you are always going to pay over the odds from the trade unless they have a big desire to get rid of it, if so why? Whether you think that's worth it, can you find a similar from a private seller etc etc all have to be taken into account.

Fair point.

I appreciate a car bought at trade is always going to cost more, but I guess on the plus side there is some comeback in case things go wrong. This particular garage also mentions RAC warranty although I've not yet asked how long it is for, or whether indeed the level of cover makes it worth the paper its written on - I know some are full of get out clauses.

Anyway I have a figure in mind - if the garage wont meet it then I shall continue looking.

Private sales seem less common these days. Autotrader must have around 90% trade sales, as are the large majority of Ebay listings. Pistonheads has more of a mix but still plenty of trade adverts. That of course leaves enthusiast sites such as this, and of course I have been keeping my eye on what is on offer.

The next question is then how much time do I have? Do prices really start to rise when the sun comes out? Or do sellers hang back until then, so its a case of more supply to match the higher demand, resulting in prices staying stable?

Hmmmm - I guess time will tell

[Anonymous]

Prices will rise with the better weather.

[andywood]

You got one yet then Andy?   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[Silverman]

Prices will rise with the better weather.

'Fraid so  s:( s:(      Just calculating the March/April add on.    s:D s:D

[mrzwei]

Prices will rise with the better weather.

Profound. That's got to be the equivalent of something like 'We will go to Heaven when we die'  s:lol: :lol: s:lol: