My 'buying an Alhambra' thread - Off to Scotland on Saturday

I've looked at a few so far but not found one good enough. I've decided that i'd be happy with a TDI or 20vt, but want one thats an SE and under 5000.

I'd be happy with one the same age/condition as my golf. The one I like best is this:






I've not seen it in the flesh because it so far away but the seller sent me 10 photos, one of which is of a scratch on the back door/wing.

The car is up for 4750 and is a 2001 X-reg (cheap tax from 2009) with 46,000miles, 1 owner, FSH and a fresh MOT.

I'm tempted to offer 4400/4500 cash and see what he says.

 

looks like a good buy, I would call the dealership in the service history and verify the mileage etc

 

Good idea. I wonder if I could ask my local Seat dealer?

 

I should, especially if they think they might gain your custom!

If you want to pay 4.5k, I should start by offering 4250....

 

THIS ONE has just turned up on e-bay. Its a 153,000mile diesel and it says the SE has a heated screen.

I'd only pay #3500 for it though and he wants #4490.

(Why doesn't my pound sign work on my laptop??)

AND THIS CRASHED TAXI looks a belter

 

Taxi - oops.

 

I've just offered #4400 for the 46,000 mile petrol one. If he accepts i'll be chuffed and go for it on saturday next week.

Then I just need to sell my car quick so the Alhambra isn't sat n my drive uninsured for too long.

 

Got it!!!! #4400 with a #400 deposit and I can tax it just down the road when I pick it up!!!

 

nice, hope the mk4 sells quick. I also have a family wagon,but luckilly for me i can keep the golf also.

I trust there is a mk2 lurking somewhere 1990

 

Not at the minute. But definatly in the future, I dont feel right without one.

 

Reduce your carbon footprint... eat the children and buy a sports car!

 

I've just found a cheap (3500) diesel with some damage to one side:



Its on ebay, It has 82,000 miles and mot till september. It doesn't say much more besides that and it looks a more tatty with dirty seats and an bodgy cassette player. Then theres the extra cost/hassle of repairing it which will make it harder to sell on in a few years. Maybe stress and more hassle if the repair isn't perfect

I'm now feeling I may have rushed into the 1.8t one a bit but then again if I waited for ever I'd never buy one. My deposit is refundable, if the car isn't exactly as described when I pick it up i'll be leaving it there or paying less, so who knows.

I've saved the number for this one into my phone just incase. I'm sure I'll be happy with the petrol one. We'll see.

 

at that sort of money i would just buy a car you can drive home and be happy with, not something you have to start messing with right from the outset... bit different buying a mk2 that needs a few bits, but best part of 5k just buy the decent one....

imo anyway

 

Yes your right. I've decided against the diesel now.

 

Well today i'm gutted.

I got a call of the guy today, he was at the MOT station with the car and the tester pointed out that one wheel was closer to the arch than the oposite one so it looks like its taken a hit.

He phoned me imediately and said he couldn't sell a car like that and is now thinking of auctioning it off to get his cash back.

I asked him a few questions and he said he could honestly see no body damage and thought its was damaged suspension/hub or whatever. I was more than gutted. I insured it yesterday and I have the #4000 burning a hole in my pocket.

Then I got to thinking, how bad could it be? How much would he get at auction? Should I offer him #3500 and take it sold as seen rather than warrantied?

What could cause the wheel to have moved?

I'm 110% sure I want a black SE with low miles.


edit:

He may have even gazumped me???

 

speak to Daz he'll know

offer him 2k as it obviously needs reshelling , then go see Daz and get it fixed properly

 

My head is spinning thinking of what I could do.

I might be best to leave it but they are few and far between.
I could have new suspension, slightly lower, if he agrees to the lower price.
He could tell me to get notted, which I wouldn't mind.
It could be some dodgy ringer.
I could buy another that has had worse damaged fixed in the past.

The car is HPI clear, it could be that its simply been curbed savagely.

 

It's a tad curious the tester pointed this out, other than for Good Samaritan reasons, as it's not technically part of the test.

If it's that bad, there must be some bent suspension underneath, but then why didn't the tester pick that up.
Think I'd want a 2nd (independent) opinion too, if possible?


As for the auction, the rules apply as for private iirc - you buy what you see. If a buyer doesn't pick up the damage, they could end up offering near to the 4k.

UNLESS you can get some solid confirmation on the extent of the damage, personally, I'd walk away. There will always be other ones to buy.

 

I dont know how the MOT turned out, he phoned me early on today while the test was being done. I still like the car and I just sent him this:

I'll view the pics then make my offer, TBH I was looking for a lightly damaged car in the first place but when that came up for the right money I went for it.

 

I'd still get your man to verify the damage, irrespective of what Dave says tbh.