Buying off family, yay or nay?

Chuck_Norris

As the title suggests, what are peoples opinions on this?

Reason I ask is, the other half has the option to buy a starter car from her sister. It's a 01 Polo base. The car was her starter car, so it's been driven acordingly. Clutch and exhaust have given hassle in the past, and I'm not too sure how well/ successfully they were resolved. And it's a 1.4, which from my perspective is a plus. Bodywork is a bit rough. And then there's the price. She's looking for around €1,500. Which I think is a bit on the high side. Can't say what the mileage is, as I don't know.

So, back to original question, what would people think? My gut says run and keep running. But, I'm thinking the o/h feels slightly compelled to buy it.

As always, all opinions/ advice greatly appreciated.

colm_mcm

Run a mie. Plenty stuff out there for 1500, a polo 1.4 isn't as desirable as a 1.0 so is worth less.

Sounds all wrong to me.

L1011

I've bought off family, but never for prices like that... far too much for a car of that age that likely needs as much put in to it.

Sounds like a crate of sh1t for €1500, her sister is trying to rob her imo.

cantdecide

Unless the deal is a good one, I wouldn't bother chancing it. Cars like those usually don't get shifted on without some suspicion of imminent money needing spending, IME.

Bpmull

You Are probably better of not buying off family as generally it causes more hassle than anything else. plus for 1500 euro i think you could get a better car with less problems.

JustLen

If they can both make an agreement prior to sale that its sold as seen and she doesn't mind paying more than the value of the car than go ahead, maybe it would be doing the sister a favor and that's what the o/h wants to do.

However if this is not the case run a mile

chrismon

Wouldn't want to buy it personally. Would tell her I'm looking for a car that needs nothing done to it.

Chuck_Norris

Thanks lads. I'd be thinking between €1,000 and €1,100 at most for the car, given its condition.

I think the sister in law has left it very late to try and sell it, as she's going traveling in a couple of weeks. Hence the o/h feeling compelled to buy it. Mainly being pushed into it by other family members.

As I said, my initial instinct is to run.

colm_mcm

Don't do it, it's totally the wrong reason to buy a car. If its rough it may only be worth 700 or so.

cantdecide

I'm sure it wouldn't be the end of the world to buy it but your OH would definitely be doing her sis a favour instead of vice versa. The car would have to be considered worthless thereafter. It's hard to shift a 1.4 Polo but at the end of the day, it's not a huge amount of money if she wants to help her sister out...

Chuck_Norris

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

..... Mainly being pushed into it by other family members.

.............

Very unfair of them, they may well reckon it's a bargain at the price though in their naivety. Point her in the direction of donedeal.ie and show her some similar ones. If she than reckons €1500 is fair enough let her place an add.

I wouldn't buy it as I feel compelled to.

Chuck_Norris

Again, thanks for all the replies.

As I said, my initial reaction is to run away. I reckon it'll come back to bite everyone in the arse in the future.

I ha a quick scan of donedeal myself, and there are much better examples going for less/ the same amount.

Alanstrainor

Chuck_Norris wrote: »

Again, thanks for all the replies.

As I said, my initial reaction is to run away. I reckon it'll come back to bite everyone in the arse in the future.

I ha a quick scan of donedeal myself, and there are much better examples going for less/ the same amount.

Aye and keep in mind that the price advertised is not the price you'll pay. In that price range I'd still expect the car to be over priced by a couple of hundred to allow for a bit of haggling.

Chuck_Norris

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Aye and keep in mind that the price advertised is not the price you'll pay. In that price range I'd still expect the car to be over priced by a couple of hundred to allow for a bit of haggling.

Oh indeed Alan. I think it's a non runner anyway, as she's just looked at insurance, and it's not far off the grand mark. Even with 4 years named driver NCB on my policy.

Jimbob 83

I wouldn't

hattoncracker

OP I definitely wouldn't.. Business and family dont Mix and she would get a far better car for less..

Also first Ireland take named driver experience in relation to insurance, get her to call them! :-)

Chuck_Norris

Thanks again all.

I pointed the o/h in the direction of donedeal, and I think she's now edging towards my most hated of cars.....a Micra!!!

Hal1

Tell her to get an mx5 .

Chuck_Norris

Hal1 wrote: »

Tell her to get an mx5 .

An RX-8. Sure it's only a 1.3.

teddybear178

Never get involved with family and money matters. As my mam used to say, "No good deed goes unpunished."

O.A.P

Run run run you dont need that s--t.
I have the nice job of lookng at cars that the family want to buy for some reason. (Im a chippy}. It puts more pressure on me than the man spending the money.
If anyone likes cars keep it to yourself if you can.:(

166man

Buying off a family member is usually a good thing in my books, the most important thing being that you will know or have a rough idea how it was kept, and this is very important if buying in the sub €1500 category.

However I would advise against it in this case. Those 1.4's are barely any more powerful than the 1.0l and are supposed to be a very soft engine. Add in the extra tax and it isn't worth it in my opinion. Your sisters car doesn't seem to have been well looked after and added to the fact that she's looking for mad money and it doesn't seem like such a great deal.