Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 12:05
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - cdbr

I am still looking for a car for my son, he will be 25 in March so am taking the luxury of time to mooch about various dealers.

Have more or less narrowed it down to a Nissan Note; we like the build quality and spec and it ticks alot of the small car boxes (insurance & economy) whilst having enough room for his lawnmower and gardening tools for the occassional freelance pieces of work he gets in summer.

Budget is £3k. There are lots of 2006/7/8/9 models with up to 100,000 miles on that can be bought for the budget or less.

But I have seen a few 2010 cars emerging of late that are in budget and I am wondering if this is reflective of the downward pressure on values that comes with many new cars leaving the showrooms and will they be forced to reduce existing stock prices after the March trade book (CAP/Glasses Guide) revalue them.

Any thoughts?

Edited by cdbr on 13/02/2017 at 12:05

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 12:30
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - RobJP

At this time of year there's always downward pressure on prices.

I was talking to a friend who works for a main agent on Saturday, and they've currently got 144 cars on site - usual stock is about 100. So there's pressure to get cars sold, because in a couple of weeks there are going to be even more coming in as part-ex stock once the new '17' plate comes out.

So yes, there is that. But bear in mind that the downward pressure also means buyers are more tempted to make a decision - after all, they might lose out on the car to another person if they delay.

As always with a used car that's several years old, buy right. Service history. Condition. Prior MOT advisories and failures (those help to indicate if a car is REALLY looked after or not), how long the last owner had it for. Past receipts for servicing if available. All those things help to build up a picture.

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 12:36
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - SLO76
I can't quite remember the outcome of your last thread. Did you accept the need for your son to have business use on his car insurance? If not then don't spend more than a few hundred quid on a motor as it will be seized by the police if or rather when he's pulled over. They frequently do this with cars used to deliver takeaways and are always on the lookout for owners who will be in breach of the terms of their insurance. This is especially important as he'll be an obvious target for being pulled over if he's driving around with a load of tools in the car.

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 13:35
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - pd

You've got this completely the wrong way round.

The traditional pattern for used cars is they jump in January and then rise slightly to about June and then tail off for the rest of the year.

Prices at auction and the trade generally are certainly quite high at the moment and certainly higher than in December.

Although demand may be low at the moment dealers are always concerned about having stock to cover the usual Spring and Bank Holiday post-winter blues rush so are reluctant to give away (nice) cars at the moment knowing they'll probably struggle to replace it with another stock car at the same price.

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 16:56
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - cdbr

Thanks, that figures and is why my request for money off have been brushed away!

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 16:54
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - cdbr

Thank you.

From the last thread I took home two things; (a) that a diesel was not a good option for him using the vehicle mainly for city use and (b) that he would need to have the lawnmower strapped down if he took one with him.

He will be working full time as an employed person during the day and doing the occassional piece of freelance work in the evening, so far I have left it to him to get quotes for insurance but bearing in mind what you say then I think I need to get involved.

The idea is to get him a decent car so that he doesn't spend loads on repairs and servicing and later when he is ready to go full time self employed he will get a van.

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 19:42
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - SLO76
I fear that he'll become complacent about strapping that lawnmower down especially in a car that doesn't have any of the anchorage points a small van has and having seen the mess heavy objects like this can make to a car in a smash I only hope I'm wrong.

Plus regarding his occasional freelance work. He'll still require business cover. If the local Gestapo spot him running around on a regular basis with a boot full of gardening equipment they'll put two and two together. I'm not being a spoilsport or intentionally negative here, I'm just pointing out the risks which are very real.

As far as the Note goes £3k is plenty to get a well looked after 07-08 1.4 with less than 70k from a dealer but I'd personally be looking at private sales to see if you can pick up that one/two elderly owner gem with low miles and a perfect service history. You'll get to meet the owner face to face instead of listening to a backstreet dealers Jackanory story. If you must buy from a dealer then you want to be buying from a franchised dealer of some sort who's taken it as a part ex and not some fly guy backstreet mob who bought it at auction and tarted it up with a cheap paint job. Any warranty you'll get on a sub £3k ten year old car will be next to worthless anyway but yes a private purchase is still more risky in some ways. You will get a better car for your money though.

It's a chain driven engine so only with a full service history with proof of annual oil changes. Avoid anything without it as it's not uncommon for these to suffer from the oil feed to the chain clogging resulting in a nasty rattle and often a stretched chain. Thoroughly check the clutch also as they're popular among elderly drivers who mostly stick to local stop start driving and may have a nasty habit of riding it.

As far as worrying about price drops as the guides are updated, it's irrelevant at this age and price. Don't buy based on how much you get off in discount anyway, it's easy to overprice a car only to take it off in discount or over allowance in a trade in but you're no better off. Of course try your luck. Leave the site telling them you're going to see another similar car then call them an hour latter with a cheeky offer, they'll always give you something and while you're at the dealer it often pays to let them quote you a juicy finance deal, one they'll be making a tidy commission on. Then once you've got them to agree a discount and are on site to sign up you tell them you'll arrange your own finance. They can't force you to take theirs and you've scored a discount.

But be careful with a heavy petrol mower in the back. We often payed visits up to our body shop to get details of customers whose cars had been written off after assessment and one in particular sticks in my mind here which was a Ford Sierra estate that had been used by a gardener in the same way... the mower killed him at in a moderate sub 30mph impact.

Edited by SLO76 on 13/02/2017 at 19:51

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 22:24
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - cdbr

Thanks again.

Your advice has resonated with me. The insurance is an extra £1,300 p.a. so it would appear that the solution is for him not to use it for gardening.

Now the question is do we continue with the search for a Note or get him something that he cant get a mower in!!

Having trawled around used car dealers for 3 days most fit the bill you describe, hard to believe really but there you go.

Trying for a private sale, the first car I looked at sold the next day "you snooze, you loose". Next private sale turned out to be a cash converter selling a piece of neglected trash (engine was smooth and it drove OK though).

There just doesn't seem to be many around who are genuine private sales. Was thinking about cruising down ti the local Nissan dealer to let them know I would give fair money for a good example.

So onwards and upwards, thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts, you have been really helpful.

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 23:35
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - SLO76
"Having trawled around used car dealers for 3 days most fit the bill you describe, hard to believe really but there you go."

I'm often asked to view cars for people and 75-90% of the cars I see at these sort of small dealers have problems rangining from poorly repaired paintwork, zero and even faked service history to major mechanical faults. They largely source stock at auction and an afternoon stood at one of the big auction houses watching the junk that flows through the ring would be an eye opener to everyone. The only cars worth buying there are 2-4yr old EX fleet disposal or sometimes larger dealer trade in stock that's too old for them to retail but the majority of stock over 6-7yrs old is garbage.

Removing the need to accommodate a petrol mower will open up a lot of other avenues. At this price you should be looking for a car that has been well maintained above all else. For example, I'd sooner have a mint Renault Clio with full history over a tatty Note or Micra without.

Good call on speaking to the local dealer. Many won't retail older cars like this thanks to over strict trading standards laws and unrealistic customers but some will if they take a nice example in they have faith in.

Our excellent local VW/Hyundai and Skoda dealer is a good source of cars like this since they bought another small used car site nearby to retail older trade in stock from their other sites instead of putting it to auction. Prices are spot on and cars are all trade in stock and not auction bought trash.

Edited by SLO76 on 13/02/2017 at 23:47

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Tue 14 Feb 2017 06:56
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - cdbr

"They largely source stock at auction and an afternoon stood at one of the big auction houses watching the junk that flows through the ring would be an eye opener to everyone. The only cars worth buying there are 2-4yr old EX fleet disposal or sometimes larger dealer trade in stock that's too old for them to retail but the majority of stock over 6-7yrs old is garbage."

Interesting view and my experience exactly. Its over 23 years ago now, but once when I was between jobs I took some part time work from a sports friend who worked at CAP. My role was to stand at auctions and sell the Black Book to traders. Over a few months I think I saw it all and then got to the point where I statred to buy 3 series BMW's that had no metallic or extras but were ex lease and had full history, I then sold from Autotrader at home. Got through about 15 before the bottom fell out of the market. Thankfuly found honest work after that, nowadays the fees at auctions take up any potential savings.

After this recent weekend episode I think I have lost my touch in spotting repairs as the work can be so good now.

The Skoda's we looked at (Roomsters) all appeared to be nice cars and well looked after, I wonder if there is a link between this type of owner and the condition?

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Mon 13 Feb 2017 23:09
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - Andrew-T

Have more or less narrowed it down to a Nissan Note; we like the build quality and spec and it ticks alot of the small car boxes (insurance & economy) ...

Before you settle on a Note, take one for a good long test drive. My daughter had one for a while and could not make the seats comfortable. She is short, so that may have been partly the reason, but bear it in mind.

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Wed 15 Feb 2017 23:20
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - daveyK_UK
The Note from this era is an excellent car and the 1.4 is reliable.
It's big inside but not quite as big as the Honda Jazz and it's not quite as economical as the 1.2 Jazz but still a good car for the money.

The extra reliability, fuel economy and magic seats in the Jazz do make it a better option.

Despite that, the Note is a nicer drive than the Jazz and has a nicer gearbox to use, you shouldn't pay more than £2k for a 59 plate with 70000 miles on. As usual, a good service history is essential with the Note as the chain cam engine does like an oil change.
I have witnessed Notes with the 1.4 engine clock up 170000 miles trouble free, a very robust engine.
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Thu 16 Feb 2017 12:20
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - skidpan

My dad had a 1.4 Jazz for 5 years and never had a single issue but that did not make it a good car. The front seats were very uncomfortable and very very dificult to get out of, the ride was absolutely appalling and road noise was definitely the worst ever experienced despite the small tyres.

It was replaced by a Nissan Micra which was obviously smaller but it had comfortable seats, a comfortable ride and little road noise. Mum and dad were delighted from day one. Between us we kept it for 7 1/2 years (the wife had it after dad stopped driving) and in that time the only parts failure was a single front spring.

We replaced the Micra with a new Note which is simply superb for what is a small cheap car. More space than the Jazz but its very comfortable and relatively quiet.

New Retail prices for the Jazz and Note are virtually identical spec for spec but 2nd hand the Jazz is much more expensive. We got over £4000 off our new Note so I am not at all unhappy about the apparant poor used prices since its all relative.

If both the Note and Jazz appeal try both on decent test drives. Having had the opportunity drive both over the years I know there is only one that would get a place on the drive.

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Thu 16 Feb 2017 13:20
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - SLO76
"My dad had a 1.4 Jazz for 5 years and never had a single issue but that did not make it a good car. The front seats were very uncomfortable and very very dificult to get out of, the ride was absolutely appalling and road noise was definitely the worst ever experienced despite the small tyres."

Largely agree. I'm a big fan of Honda's but I'm amazed at how wrong they got the dynamics of the Jazz. It really is a cheerless thing to drive but the latest MK III is a vastly superior car. Still not fun in the way a Fiesta, Swift or Mazda 2 are but much more comfortable and enjoyable all round than the earlier two cars.
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Thu 16 Feb 2017 14:05
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - cdbr

Agree, also the Jazz is more expensive to insure so the Note gets the vote:-)

Saw a delivery mileage 1.2 Acenta in dealer for £10,250 - bargain

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Thu 16 Feb 2017 13:39
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - cdbr

Thanks, good to hear but where can I find a 59 plate Acenta with 70,000 at £2k? I missed a private sale for an honest car that went for £2,900 only last week!

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Thu 16 Feb 2017 13:49
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - SLO76

Thanks, good to hear but where can I find a 59 plate Acenta with 70,000 at £2k? I missed a private sale for an honest car that went for £2,900 only last week!

Wouldn't be too fixated with age here. A low mileage well maintained 56-57plate car with one owner would be preferable to a tatty 59 plate. Here's two cheapos though... Auto Trader #DrivenByMe www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170121152...4 Auto Trader #DrivenByMe www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170216236...4

Edited by SLO76 on 16/02/2017 at 13:51

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Thu 16 Feb 2017 14:09
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - cdbr

Aha!

They look good thanks but I am in the frozen wasteland of Yorkshire so trying to keep travel realistic. Did over 300 miles last weekend looking at cars and that was just local.

Also, part of the deal with Son is that he has to take Pass Plus before he gets the keys. Small discount on insurance but the experience and exposure to all the conditions will hopefully prevent him from banging it.

Edited by cdbr on 16/02/2017 at 14:12

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Thu 16 Feb 2017 18:19
Nissan Note - Used Car Price pressure - SLO76

Aha!

They look good thanks but I am in the frozen wasteland of Yorkshire so trying to keep travel realistic. Did over 300 miles last weekend looking at cars and that was just local.

Also, part of the deal with Son is that he has to take Pass Plus before he gets the keys. Small discount on insurance but the experience and exposure to all the conditions will hopefully prevent him from banging it.

Yeah, figured they'd be too far but just wanted to show good Notes are around for £2k. I love car shopping but cheap end stuff like this would have to be local for me. Wise on the pass plus idea. The driving test really doesn't prepare people for the real dangers on faster B roads and motorways and a course like this makes a real difference even if it doesn't save money. Personally I'd say the insurance industry and/or government should be encouraging extra driver training via cost savings on insurance be they via cuts to premium tax or basic reductions to the premium itself.
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