It’s pretty much that time of year when everyone is going on holiday.
The nippers are off school and having the time of their lives. Those two significant events, or rather family distractions, mean that it is a rubbish time to try to sell cars. That is a bit of a blow if you are trying to flog something of yours but, for the rest of us, it is a wonderful opportunity to go shopping and get a bargain. The evenings are light and warm, so it’s a perfect time to view cars, and there aren’t so many rival buyers after the same thing.
Autocar's used car buying guides
So let’s go and see what we could get. Obviously, we could celebrate the decent weather with a convertible. I am not sure if you have noticed what staggering value BMW 330Cis are at the moment. Just £2500 in the kitty will bag you a 2002 example with 140,000 miles, but don’t stress about the high mileage. If it has a decent service record, it should be fine. I found a bunch of them for sale online and it seems like a very obvious but entirely logical choice. Otherwise, for the same money, you could get a 2003 Audi TT Roadster – the 225bhp version – with just 100,000 miles.
Find an Audi TT Roadster for sale on PistonHeads
Of course, this being the British summer, rain is just around the corner, so we should invest in something with a proper roof. Quite by chance, I bumped into an old, long-discontinued friend. I didn’t expect to travel so far back in time to look at Honda Preludes, but these won’t break down and only used car aficionados will want them. Around £1000 gets you a 1997 plastic-wheel-trimmed 2.0 Prelude, which is the antidote to anyone channelling early Fast and Furious. A 2.2 VTi, though, is £2000, or you can pay £4900 for a 2000 Motegi edition.
James Ruppert: why 'one previous owner' is worth the premium
Is it too early to start panic buying a 4x4 in preparation for the coming cold snap? Probably, so instead a serious petrol estate should suffice. An Audi A6 Allroad is a nice compromise between silly and sensible, but let’s be really silly and plump for a V8 with a useful 300bhp. Not only that, it is a seven-seat one just like those school-run off-roaders. A 2004 example with 90,000 miles is a mere £3500.
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Best time to buy
New car sales peak in March and September releasing a flood of used models on the market. So, why not wait a month or so and have more choice and more negotiating power when supply exceeds demand?
Then again, the right time to buy is always when the right car comes along at the right price, so maybe there is always a right time?
140000 miles
don't worry, just buy it, it's a-ok...
NoPasaran wrote:
What could possibly go wrong?!?!?!
NoPasaran wrote:
Anyone considering a fifteen-year-old car with a hundred and forty thousand plus miles on the clock needn't be taking too many chances if they stick to the right options. Obviously Japanese is always a wise choice, but I'd be heading towards a big Swede, V70, C70 or S80.
TT, September
Agree with a Celica (or a Supra) - loads around and the turbo won't be on its way out like on many TT's even though they are a modern classic.
There should be loads of pre-reg bargains about next month with the new petrol emission regulations so this might knock on through the used car market?