July 2018
This is actually relating to Bikes and trikes, but could just as easily be re cars, so I’ll post it here...
Having just retired, I’ve sourced my dream trike.... a factory built German jobby, costing £20k +.
The supplying dealer agreed to take my motorcycle in part ex, offering £4500, which I’m happy with. It’s an import, so in view of the paperwork, it should be delivered in 2-3 weeks.
In the meantime I saw on a Facebook bikers group, that someone was looking for a bike like mine, he viewed it this week, and agreed to buy it for over £5000. (No deposit paid though).
Today I called in the dealers to drop off a Satnav cradle fo4 them to wire in, and while we were chatting he said “by the way, I’ve sold your bike already”
I explained about the private offer, and he said “well you can’t do that really, as it was all part of the agreed deal”
He’s right... I paid a hefty deposit, and signed paperwork referring to the part ex. Also because it’s a small operation with the owner and a couple of staff, I don’t want to fall out with them, as I’ll be taking it there for servicing as it’s a very specialist vehicle.
I just feel awful letting down the private buyer, who travelled a way to view.
Thoughts please!
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I've finally decided on a used car to buy. After much deliberation (as per my previous posts), I'm going to go for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6GDI Petrol (SE Nav), 67 plate (9 months old) with just under 4k miles. Its an ex car rental (Enterprise) from Motorpoint. Cost of £16.4k.
We've decided we (my gf as well) can live with the potential leisurely pace of the engine/car given we are both quite cautious drivers and will be extra cautious with our 2 young children on board. Also we will be mostly driving on slower, local and flat roads anyway. We still really like the car and haven't been convinced enough by alternative cars to for one of them instead.
This post is more about what I should check and keep in mind when collecting the car and completing the deal. I have given it a test drive and it seemed fine. There were a couple of external scuffs and stone chips which they said have been fixed.
I'm planning to pay by credit card (which they will allow) therefore I know I will have some protection from the credit card company. I'll also have the protection from the remainder of the Hyundai warranty (just over 4 years remaining).
In addition Motorpoint have agreed to give it a service before I pick it up (because its within 3 months of being due one).
Bearing in mind that I've never owned a car and don't have any mechanic pals, I'm just wondering what I should make sure I do before completing the deal and paying for the car (I've not signed anything yet only paid a refundable deposit).
Is it overkill and a waste of money (bearing in mind how new it is in terms of age and miles and the protection I will already have) hiring a mechanic to give the car the once over before I buy it?
What's the worst that can happen if we have any problems after buying it and what's the most likely type of problems we may encounter?
I plan to also check:
- the service book and make sure its been stamped for the recent service
- there is a spare key and it works
- the scuffs and chips have been repaired
- electrical items work OK.
Is there anything else I should/can check given I'm pretty clueless about car mechanics?
Any advice welcome.!
Apparently the service they were going to carry out would involve just an oil and filter change, but he said they would have used Hyundai parts.
Is that all a first year service would entail? Hyundai charge £150 for this!
Yes! The 1st service does not include the air filter, cabin filter or brakes check; in fact they do very little to justify the price or the book stamp....
Has anybody removed the A/C system from a 2007 VW MK5 golf, my condenser is shot and the pressure valve is leaking, I want to remove the whole system and just leave the Radiator and Intercooler, is this feasible without any comebacks, I will possibly have to leave the A/C generator in situ but thought a shorter serpentine belt my be fitted may be an answer.
Any thoughts on this subject would be most welcome
Thanks in advance Read more
If you’re trying to save money, just buy an aftermarket condenser and pressure valve. It won’t be expensive, normally easy to find on sites like europarts. In this weather i’d want it working!
At that age its a discussion about a warranty claim for the cost. Read more
And what about the warranty claim question?
Add Mercedes to the list for bad customer service. They are interested only in replacing whole units...not repairing them. Intransigent and not bothered by customers opinions, bet they aren't the worst lo either.. I may make this car my last Merc due to their attitude. Last CLK had a roof problem, Mercedes wanted to replace the lot for mega bucks...just as they do my present SLK roof...local indie 'tweaked a sensor' for an economical fix. Read more
I really can understand John F's point of view after seeing how some cars are 'serviced'.
Thanks - and I haven't even contributed to this thread! I have always thought MBs are overpriced moneypits, with the exception of just one well known model. They have cost all I have known who have had them a fortune in either depreciation, service costs, or both....
I have learner insurance on my polo. My parent is insured to drive any car that is insured, does this appply to a provisional insurance? Thanks Read more
I would only ever use DOC extension cover for very occasional situations.
Adding parents as named drivers may even reduce the policy cost....
Stuck for ideas, my slk roof come s away a bit at the back in hot weather, mercedes want to put a new roof on. it only needs sticking down according to what i can gather....any ideas on who would do this? Merc won't, local body shops not keen either! Read more
Could try car trimming specialists ... or sunroof specialists
Nissan know exactly what they are doing. The 30KW Leaf has very real and documented issues with battery degradation (much worse than the 24KW Leaf). This means a material loss of range within 3 or 4 years which is a big problem as the battery cells fail. Battery replacement is expensive. The issue is caused by the lack of a Thermal Management System (TMS) to cool the batteries when they are fast charging or on hot days or when driven faster. So they have introduced software that throttles super charging on the new 40KW Leaf, if the battery is too hot (so if you drive fast (70 mph) on a hot day this will happen or if you have already fast charged the battery once). They are trying to limit what will be a serious warranty financial liability in no time (30KW issues but perhaps otherwise 33% worse) by strangling rapid charging using their software. The 2019 model is rumoured to be a 60 KW battery BUT also has a Thermal Management System = a battery cooling system. Tesla and other players in EV have a TMS to protect battery life, range and avoid murdering journey times (a very big issue on the American market). So...Nissan know exactly what they are doing - making sure they don't drown in expensive battery warranty claims but short-changing 40KW owners who will see the value of their cars free-fall as people realise how limited this model is (its worse than the 30KW version for journey times if your battery is hot) and perhaps a cynical "stop gap" car for Nissan who didnt want to rush the launch of the more expensive 60KW version with the all important TMS.
Check out the very active Twitter hashtag #rapidgate
twitter.com/hashtag/rapidgate?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoog...g ... Read more
Do you not stop at all on a 300 mile journey? The Hyundai Kona EV is now available with a real world range of 260 miles and with a short rapid charge while you nip to the loo or have a cuppa will get you there. Hyundai and Kia EVs have proper TMS so repeated rapid charges are no problem, unlike with Nissan's offerings which have fallen behind in EV technology IMO.
Government dithering is the cause, with a fair measure of 'diesel gate' thrown in. Many of us (myself included) have been happy with diesel, but with the plan to ban it by 2040, it's thrown a spanner in the works. Manufacturers have been slow to respond to the decline in diesel, premium petrol vehicles from some are as rare as rocking horse droppings and/or have appalling economy. Electric cars are a joke because they (a) don't have the range and (b) are heavier and often slower, plus the network of charging points is limited. I live in a town of with a population of 50k and there is not one charging point. A commute to work for me would need to recharges in each direction, so lost time negates any benefit. With London widening the congestion and emission zone substantially from April 2019 and other cities thinking about it, what is needed is clear advise on what, if any, diesel cars will be allowed into such areas. We also need Government-led efforts to rid towns and cities of buses and taxis which are nor Euro 6 emissions, as in my area we run buses with a 52 plate! For too often the motorist has been blamed for emissions, yet the bus and HGV worlds do nothing to clean up their acts.
I am on the verge of buying a new/nearly used car, but still cannot decide on petrol or diesel because of lack of Government clarity. I am loathed to spend £40k on an SUV for it to be a white elephant 18 months later. Read more
Modern EU6 diesel cars are cleaner than petrol cars and even hybrids and they also use less fuel. All this scaremongering needs to stop. Yes It makes no sense to buy a diesel car if you're a low mileage driver but it also makes no sense to buy a petrol or hybrid car if you're a high mileage driver. In fact hybrids are a false economy because they cost more to buy and run than diesels. Any old diesel vehicles that produce smoke from the exhaust should be removed from the roads by way of another government funded scrappage scheme and if the owners refuse to get rid of the cars then they should be no longer road legal.
Hi need some advice on a family car. i had my heart set on a mondeo or hyundai i40 around the 2012 mark(autos) but the i40 mpg and the powershift element of mondeo is putting me off slightly, I do about 15-20k a year and i dont want to go beyond the 8k. cant really think of any other options (i dont want any prestige brand) 40mpg plus would be perfect. I think any owners of the mondeo/i40 would be useful
Thanks... Read more
This is true, I'm getting 50mpg from a 1.8 civic driven similarly, overall average over 1 year and 9000 miles is 48mpg. IV not found it short of poke, on uk crowded roads and it's very refined and smooth riding. Negatives are a poorish steering lock but overall it's decent enough.
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As above...you should honour the original agreement..and should NEVER have "sold" it anywhere else privately.
I agree too, that you should reimburse the "facebook" viewer for his time and travel expenses.