Looking for a car;dealers can i trust?

inforfun

Hi there,

Not that i really need a car but it is more and more playing up in my mind to get one.
I am looking to spend max 3500 on the car. Mind says something small and economic, heart tells me big and or fun.
Insurance will be too much for my liking anyway as my NCB expired a long time ago.
Diesel or petrol makes no difference to me.

I have been looking on the usual websites, cbg/carzone/driving and found a few cars i wouldnt mind to be seen in.

The thing that bothers me most though is that i have no experience whatsoever with car dealers in Ireland. I havent a clue which one to trust and where to stay away from as far as possible.
I know more about cars than the average tyre kicker but i certainly would not call myself an car expert.

All i know is that i dont react too well on being ripped off or being taken for a ride so i would like to avoid that as much as possible.


Vectra

Passat

Another Passat
Slightly over budget but i am confident i can talk it down to budget.

Golf

Astra
Don't really fancy that model but i do like the NCT till 03/2011 ....
As said, it is a struglle between heart and mind at the moment.

Again a Passat

These are the ones i have been looking at so i would like to know if any of those i should not bother going to have a look

niceirishfella

A dealer you can trust? Ehhhhh?

Saab Ed

OP you seem to have found some of the most expensive cars in the world. Every one of thoses cars are way OTT on the price tag. At the money you are talking about and the type of cars you are looking at I'd say you're better off trying to stick to a private sale and bring someone who knows what they are talking about too view the cars with you. Used car dealers are used car dealers. Its not that you cant trust them but just remember its their living to try and get as much as possible for selling used cars. Simple as. And you're as likely to get ripped off at a main dealer paying 10 grand for a car as you are likely to be givin the best service in the world spending 1500 quid with some guy in a portakabin in a gravel yard. Look around.

RentDayBlues

Also - that first Vectra is 13 years old and only has 36K miles on the clock?

Anan1

Saab Ed wrote: »

At the money you are talking about and the type of cars you are looking at I'd say you're better off trying to stick to a private sale and bring someone who knows what they are talking about too view the cars with you.

Sound advice, IMO.

niceirishfella

Saab Ed wrote: »

some guy in a portakabin in a gravel yard. Look around.

you talking about me Ed?;)

inforfun

Saab Ed wrote: »

OP you seem to have found some of the most expensive cars in the world. Every one of thoses cars are way OTT on the price tag. At the money you are talking about and the type of cars you are looking at I'd say you're better off trying to stick to a private sale and bring someone who knows what they are talking about too view the cars with you. Used car dealers are used car dealers. Its not that you cant trust them but just remember its their living to try and get as much as possible for selling used cars. Simple as. And you're as likely to get ripped off at a main dealer paying 10 grand for a car as you are likely to be givin the best service in the world spending 1500 quid with some guy in a portakabin in a gravel yard. Look around.

Well, that is me told...

My problem is with bringing someone who knows what he is talkign about is... i dont know anyone here that has a good enough knowledge about cars.
I am one of those foreigners... i dont eat swans though.
I also come from a country where cars are even more expensive then here so any of those cars i mentioned did look ok as it comes to price.

But thanks for the advise. I appreciate it.

inforfun

niceirishfella wrote: »

A dealer you can trust? Ehhhhh?

Yeah i know.... let me rephrase it: A dealer where it is not a 100% certainty you ll have to bend over and take it unlubed.

RentDayBlues wrote: »

Also - that first Vectra is 13 years old and only has 36K miles on the clock?

Exactly my thoughts. But then again, seeing all those service papers in one of those pics i thought it couldnt hurt to go at least have a look at it.
Am also aware it doesnt have to be a good thing, low miles.

Saab Ed

niceirishfella wrote: »

you talking about me Ed?;)

I love gravel ...Gravel = value IMO

Anan1

Saab Ed wrote: »

I love gravel ...Gravel = value IMO

Gravel = posh. Muddy potholes = value.;)

budhabob

Anan1 wrote: »

Gravel = posh. Muddy potholes = value.;)

What does grass equal so?

Saab Ed

budhabob wrote: »

What does grass equal so?

Cows :pac:

daRobot

At 3.5k , you're really in Arthur Daley territory.

Your best bet is to search for a (private) well looked after car with a fully documented service history, sold by someone respectable.

Micky Dolenz

RentDayBlues wrote: »

Also - that first Vectra is 13 years old and only has 36K miles on the clock?

For 2K, pure madness.