First Time Buyer

BigDuffman

Right!

Apologies if this is not the right channel. I had a look and couldn't see anything similar stickied.

Taking first step into buying a motor (have been driving years in company cars but have never had to buy my own) and I'm completely green in terms of haggling and inspecting of 2nd hand cars. I wouldn't know where or what to look for.

Would be hesitant of buying by through a private sale as if I opened the bonnet I wouldn't have a clue what I was looking at! Also the one of my mates who was a mechanic has since left the country. So thinking a dealer would be best option to avoid being sold a crock.

Currently looking at getting an A4, 01-03 either 1.6 or 1.8. Around the 5k mark seems to be standard pricing.

Would also look at a Mondeo around the same price.

Any advice, caveats!?

Anan1

BigDuffman wrote: »

Any advice, caveats!?

Yup, stay away from dealers at that end of the market. Are you a good judge of character? That can be worth more than knowing your way around a car, and you can always pay a mechanic a few quid to double-check the car before you commit.

Treehouse72

I'm in much the same boat. To keep things simple, I've been studying this:

http://www.carsireland.ie/carbuyersguide.html

An excellent and simple guide for the amateur having a look at a car on the forecourt. Then, if you want to proceed with the purchase...

http://www.aaireland.ie/AA/Vehicle-checks.aspx

Not sure about the AA pricing, but shouldn't be too much.

These two simple steps seem to take a lot of the mystery and fear out of it for me.

BigDuffman

Thanks for the info!

Few more questions, for a car in around 02-03 what would be an average amount of kilometers I should be looking at on the clock?

Also any advice on Audi's? A4s in particular