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Hi, I'm looking at a used alfa 147 1.9JTD. I've found one I love - but it's a Cat D. I understand this means repairable damage but am unsure whether to go ahead with the sale. The guy wasn't going to tell me it was Cat D until I asked! I've not bought a used car before, only new. Do I offer less than market value or walk away? How do I find out exactly what damage there was to the car - will the log book tell me?
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Run away. A dishonest vendor tends to conceal more than one issue.
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I agree with madf.
Apart from his point about dishonesty, it also raises all manner of questions about why the car was written off, how it was repaired, how safe it is and so on. Hassle you don't want, or need. Then when you come to sell it on, you will have the same concerns from every potential buyer. You won't be able to P/X it because the trade won't touch it. Plus, some insurers insist on an engineers report before they will cover a Cat D car as well (although some don't).
Plus, probably most significantly, a Cat D car is worth about half as much as an equivalent "straight" car.
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This is a high value car (in relative terms) so I would imagine quite a bit of damage must have happened to make it a cat D. It is more than a cracked head light lens put it that way.
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Thanks. You've all been really helpful - I don't think I will make an offer now. I agree that alot of damage must have happened to make it Cat D as the car is only a few years old. The guy says it was the front but if that was badly smashed it bothers me. I'm tempted to drive new again but with the recession wanted to save money!
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There should be lots of newish genuine cars on the market :)
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Plus, probably most significantly, a Cat D car is worth about half as much as an equivalent "straight" car.
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>>>>> i will have the jtd then
pretty please at half price
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pretty please at half price
Well, exactly bb... someone who could get it straightened and who would know whether it was straight or not might find a bargain there. I'm sure many a former cat D has had a distinguished career in club racing (no, I don't mean stock car or banger racing).
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Don't know what club racing is - I think I know everything about cars!
I agree you could get a bargain if there was minor damage - but don't trust this guy. I would rather pay more and get a safe one.
Buying a used car has been a nightmare. Travelled 75 miles to view an alfa 156 in a small garage this weekend. When we called were told he was closed but would open to let us view the car. As soon as we arrived we called him and he arrived and showed us the car. 5 mins later the guy suddenly had another 'buyer.' who said they were 'just passing' and wanted to look at the 156.' He tried to close us with 'this buyer is coming back with cash tomorrow if you don't want it.' Unbelievable. The car wasn't immaculate as the advert had said. I just said 'Okay, fine - you've got a buyer.'
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He tried to close us with 'this buyer is coming back with cash tomorrow if you don't want it.' Unbelievable
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>>>>>>>>> actually done right its a very effective way of closing a sale
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Insurance write offs can be a bargain, but you need to know what you are doing. I think a Cat D car which is advertised as such, with a properly documented repair and an engineer's report could be a good buy at the right price, particularly if it's a car you plan to keep until its worthless anyway, and you have the knowledge and facilities to inspect the car properly and satisfy yourself that it's been properly sorted.
A friend of mine used to go to salvage auctions and buy stolen/recovereds for peanuts. Back in the day he bought a 3 yr old Calibra Turbo which the local joyriders had "enjoyed" for about half its "street" value. Spent a couple of grand getting it straight and had two years thoroughly reliable use out of what became a truly mint example. Until it got nicked again, and they did a proper job on it that time. :-(
But he knew exactly what he was doing. I wouldn't have risked it.
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A mate of mine had his 147 side swiped, new wing, new door, quarter repaired = £2.5K worth of damage, he drove it around with the superficial damage for 3 months before getting it repaired.
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Check out www.alfaowner.com usually loads of well cared for, enthusiast owned cars on there to choose from (prob mine incuded but haven't decided as a nice 159 has caught my eye . . . . . . . .)
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