Tootle

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Fri 14 Jul 2017 15:55
Tootle - leonora

Does anyone have any experience of selling via Tootle? Selling my (nearly) three-year olds Mini Cooper with lots of extras; it cost over 23K but have only been offered £10,200 for part exchange with Mini and £10,800 with Audi. Has moved me to tears as only 6,000 on clock and in perfect condition. Sign.

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Fri 14 Jul 2017 16:04
Tootle - Wackyracer

Almost all cars lose about 50% of their new price at around 3 years old. If you like the car and don't want to lose a shed load of money, why not keep it for another 3 or more years. The older they get the less they depreciate year on year.

This is one of the reasons that I tend to buy vehicles no newer than 3 years old.

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Fri 14 Jul 2017 16:40
Tootle - RobJP

That's about it. Unless there is a very limited supply and a very high level of demand, almost all mass-produced cars are similar in terms of drop in value.

It might be worth your while trying webuyanycar, just to confirm. But I suspect the numbers quoted aren't too far away from realistic.

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Fri 14 Jul 2017 17:06
Tootle - hillman

Wackyracer is right if it is so good then keep it.

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Fri 14 Jul 2017 17:22
Tootle - Manatee

I always assume when trading in

- they will always try to steal it (they would be negligent if they didn't).

- if you tell them what you want they will usually get nearer to it.

The other thing is what is a trade-in price? If it is against the full OTR price of the new one, then you should aim for something materially higher than the basic trade value of your car.

I always separate the two things, I want to see what I am paying for the one I am buying and what I am really getting for the trade-in. Both of these can be benchmarked - get a new price from Drive-the Deal, and WBAC for the trade value. Then you have something to start from.

Edited by Manatee on 14/07/2017 at 17:23

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Fri 14 Jul 2017 18:59
Tootle - leonora

Thanks for your comments. I can't keep the car as we are going down to one car and my husband only drives automatics! But, to be fair to him, I want to change it anyway as bizarrely I don't feel that the Mini is designed for small people - to reach the pedals safely (even with steering wheel adjusted to optimum position) the seat has to be in such a position that it is a chore getting in and out of the car and at 64 I want to do this without resembling an aged crone (which I'm told I do not - yet). I am looking for something I can step into rather than bend down to; so the Audi Q2 seems to fit the bill. Have also tested Mini Countryman but it does not have the same oomph. Any recommendations welcome - although the list of must-haves is rather long. Apple carplay (other half) is a definite requirement as is keyless access (me).

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Fri 14 Jul 2017 19:11
Tootle - RobJP

Keyless access (called comfort access by some) is actually a terrible security weakness. It's well-known that you can get 'boosters', meaning that the ne'er-do-wells can boost up the signal from the remote (sitting inside your house), to open the car that's parked on your drive, then get in and drive off in it. And all they have to do is switch on the booster, then open the door, get in and press the 'start' button. Car gone.

I'm told it can be nullified if you keep the key in a faraday cage.

Not a 'feature' I'm keen on, myself.

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Fri 14 Jul 2017 20:11
Tootle - Manatee

Keyless access (called comfort access by some) is actually a terrible security weakness. It's well-known that you can get 'boosters', meaning that the ne'er-do-wells can boost up the signal from the remote (sitting inside your house), to open the car that's parked on your drive, then get in and drive off in it. And all they have to do is switch on the booster, then open the door, get in and press the 'start' button. Car gone.

I'm told it can be nullified if you keep the key in a faraday cage.

Not a 'feature' I'm keen on, myself.

I didn't know that, nor had it occurred to me, although I was not under the illusion that it is theft-proof. Thanks.

The Faraday shield should not have holes unless they are significantly smaller than the wavelength. I reckon the wavelength range is 0.7 - 0.9m so any fine mesh should do, but I think I'll pop mine in an Oxo tin at home. I wouldn't trust pig wire even if the theory works!

I don't mind keyless, I am less likely to lose the key which I can keep in a zipped pocket, and it's more convenient for loading when my hands are full. Not really necessary though.

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Sat 15 Jul 2017 11:58
Tootle - leonora

Fortunately, the car is kept in a garage so I am hoping this would not apply!

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Sat 15 Jul 2017 01:39
Tootle - Avant

I haven't heard of Tootle, but if it's typical of websites like Webuyanycar, the prices offerfed will be at rock bottom.

£10,000 + is actually a pretty good price for a nearly three-year-old Mini. Late last year we could only get £10,500 for SWMBO's two-year-old Mini Roadster with 12,000 on the clock against another Mini (which we didn't want) and £8,500 against an Audi A1 - although we got a good discount on the Audi.

Minis don't hold their value as well as they used to, so I'd suggest PXing it for the Audi, which you'll find is in a different class altogether to drive. Or if you want an SUV (Sitty Uppy Vehicle) the SEAT Ateca is cheaper than the Q2 but has the same mechanicals.

Edited by Avant on 15/07/2017 at 01:51

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Sat 15 Jul 2017 12:09
Tootle - Manatee

£10,000 + is actually a pretty good price for a nearly three-year-old Mini.

Minis don't hold their value as well as they used to, so I'd suggest PXing it for the Audi, which you'll find is in a different class altogether to drive. Or if you want an SUV (Sitty Uppy Vehicle) the SEAT Ateca is cheaper than the Q2 but has the same mechanicals.

Bear in mind that an automatic in either case will be a DSG, which works brilliantly on the move but is to my mind poor for manoeuvring compared to anything with a torque converter. It might also be a bad idea if you want to keep it for 10 years. I am currently trying to persuade herself that we need to get rid of her Roomster DSG at 3 years old but she likes it too much. But what do I know - millions use them.

The Q2 to my eye is overstyled inside and out, and according to this

www.whatcar.com/news/audi-q2-vs-ds-4-crossback-vs-.../

will be more expensive to own than the Ateca. I'd look closely at the interior in the Audi - my daughter has an A6 in S line trim which has not stood up well at all to family use (not abuse). There is also now an equivalent Skoda, the Karoq,which replaces the Yeti.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi86jeKl99M

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Sat 15 Jul 2017 12:18
Tootle - leonora

Yes, I think we are going with the Audi - I know the Ateca is very popular with motoring journalists but I beieve they only do auto in diesel...no - I have just checked and there is now an auto petrol available so am now looking into that one!

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Sat 15 Jul 2017 12:23
Tootle - SLO76
You have to be careful when specifying a Mini. Lower spec cars hold their money reasonably well but high spec £20k plus Mini's are too expensive and all that extra spec adds little to resale values at 3yrs plus.

As much as I'm happy to see another example of UK motor manufacturing success I wouldn't buy one new or used. They're overpriced status symbols that don't drive, last or (to me) look any better than a Fiesta or Suzuki Swift at far less money.

Be wary with buying another high spec supermini even an Audi A1.
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Sat 15 Jul 2017 19:41
Tootle - Avant

Be wary indeed - good advice - but a high spec car may be available on a good PCP deal if it holds its value well, as Minis used to and the A1 still does - better than other VAG brands. That's why we got an A1 for SWMBO.

If you don't want a PCP, you can still take one out and pay it off at any time.

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Sat 15 Jul 2017 20:13
Tootle - Manatee

Also check for leasing (contract hire) bargains.

A quick scan of Lings Cars suggests the Polo GTI 1.8TSI DSG 192bhp at £224 a month, 3+35, is one such. Average cost including admin fee and VED under £2,900 p.a. for three years. That's a £21k car with a nailed on £8900 'depreciation' over 3 years. No worries about the gearbox reliability, just chuck it back.

Edit: Just noticed you can have the same car, pre-reg (who cares, it's not yours) for £218 a month, making <£8,500 for 3 years.

Edited by Manatee on 15/07/2017 at 20:20

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Sat 15 Jul 2017 20:32
Tootle - SLO76
True. More often than not PCP or contract hire are the way to go with high spec cars. That or buying them once someone else has taken the bulk of the value out of it.
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