Buying a used car (Alfa!!)in the UK: pros and cons?!

Arequipa wrote: »

So, overall, is there an adventage to buying a car from UK:

Better spec, usually better looked after and lots more choice.

If dealing with main dealers they usually have well educated, knowledgeable staff who are eager to sell.

Arequipa wrote: »

Hey! Thanks Barabus..so if a car advertised on autocar.uk is from a recognised dealer: i is worth a shout?!

Any info on main dealers in uk?!
Sorry i am very new all things motoring!!

Thank u!!

You should try alfaowners. It's a forum and they would be able to give you a good guide. After that do the usual background checks and maybe get it appraised by the RAC. It's hard to advise you unless you have a specific car in mind.

Arequipa wrote: »

Hey! Looking at an Alfa 2008-2010, 1.9 JTdm, with Ti spec...
Given its an alfa : would like lowish mileage & full service history...

There is a guide on importing cars from the UK. Have a look through that as it's full of useful advice.

To find a specific garage which is good to deal with you'll need to check the owners forums. They will also have detailed buyers guides and also cars being sold by enthusiasts who are generally up front about work that's been done. I'd check them first as trying to make a warranty claim could be hassle.

That's honestly the best advice I can give.

Other than that a HPI check, history check and get the car looked over properly and the paper work before handing any cash over is a must.

Those wheels look different than other TIs ive seen.

My brother is considering getting a car in the UK and has come across this organisation.
You tell these people what type of car you want, the specand the price you are willing to pay and they go to the UK to source it for you.

Would anyone recommend them/another organisation? Or would he better off looking online at UK garages? Neither he nor me know a lot about cars...

http://www.jrcmotors.ie

Arequipa wrote: »

I would be interested to see what they are like too..
Someone who got you the model, in the spec you want, full service history & organised a full AA Check, would be really helpful....

It'd basically cost you the price of doing it yourself pus a couple of grand profit for them if you do that.

I'm on Alfa Owner and imported a 159 Ti in July. Pro's obviously are the wide list of options. A warranty with a standard dealer isn't going to be worth much as you wouldn't be able to use it so get the AA check done.

To be honest if you got that 159 Ti down in Kerry for 12k you would be doing as well as going over to the UK. I believe on Ti models here the 19" alloys were an option so some over here come with those 18" ones instead.

From your list of positives:
So I see the pros as:
1) Bigger range of cars/specs/engines etc Yes. This is a major advantage seeing as there's minimal Ti's come up for sale here.
2) With higher spec.There's not much difference in spec when it comes to the Ti other than maybe getting the 19's which 2 of the Ti's for sale here unfortunately don't have.
3) Possibly lower prices... In my experience the Ti's that sell here usually go for around the same price as importing.


From your list of cons:
Cons:
1) Lack of follow up if any problems. You'd have the same here if you buy privately or with a low warranty.
2) having to pay vrt.Wouldn't really say its a con as you just have to factor it into the price and determine whether price is better here.
3) Not being 100% sure of the cars driving history, how well serviced and maintained etc..Look for a service history. That's no different to here.

I wonder what size deposit these car sourcing companies want up front before going ahead and bringing a car across on the ferry? I'd doubt very much they would bring in a car without a substantial deposit, on the hope that a customer will agree to buy it without seeing it first.

Arequipa wrote: »

Oh yep, was aware of the Ti spec...
Do Gerry, Don & Pat work for Alfa Ireland?

No their indepents that come highly recommended for servicing

What's your budget and what engine are you looking for by the way?

Arequipa wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies & feedback!!
I am looking at getting an Alfa 159
-2008-2011
-1.9jtdm or maybe 2.4 Jtdm
-Ti spec
-i would hope to spend €10k to a max of €15k inclusive of everything..!!

Think colour wise: black with tan leather seats would be nice...!

You won't get a Ti for 10k unless the mileage is high. I'd say close to 12k for what your looking for in an 08 with around 50-60k miles. You'd get a 2.0 or 2.4 for the upper part of your budget but would have to go the UK. A 10 or 11 i'd say would be over budget in any though from what I can see other than high milers.

When i was getting mine i did a spreadsheet of the vrt prices for each year and each engine to reference when looking.

I bought it on an eBay auction which would generally not be advised but it had a full history and was still under warranty with an Alfa dealership.

Also make sure the belt has been done as it's recommended after 4 years or around 50k

If getting a 159 from the UK make sure to check the floorpans for rust. It's a common enough issue on both the 159 and the 156.