Buying a 106 GTi
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a 106 GTi, and I'd prefer to buy from a dealer if possible. Parkers and Whatcar value a 2001/51 40k mile example at just over £4000.
Now, it seems absolutely impossible to find one at that price privately, let alone from a dealer. So... am I looking in the wrong places, or are those valuations completely innaccurate?
I suppose the logical thing to do would be to swallow my pride and go for a Saxo VTS, they seem absolutely dirt cheap in comparison for effectively the same car. On the other hand though, I'd expect the 106 to hold its value a little better. Hmm.
Failing any useful tips on where I might find this elusive £4k GTi, does anyone have any suggestions of sub £5k hot hatches that I might consider instead? I am limited slightly by the fact that I really need to buy a car in the next couple of weeks.
TIA.
Now, it seems absolutely impossible to find one at that price privately, let alone from a dealer. So... am I looking in the wrong places, or are those valuations completely innaccurate?
I suppose the logical thing to do would be to swallow my pride and go for a Saxo VTS, they seem absolutely dirt cheap in comparison for effectively the same car. On the other hand though, I'd expect the 106 to hold its value a little better. Hmm.
Failing any useful tips on where I might find this elusive £4k GTi, does anyone have any suggestions of sub £5k hot hatches that I might consider instead? I am limited slightly by the fact that I really need to buy a car in the next couple of weeks.
TIA.
The simple answer is to go for a slightly older car. However its not easy to sell a car these days and you can always make an offer.
I sold my Puma for less than parkers said (it was a nice one) simply because I had no calls other than the chap who bought it.
Dealers have huge markups even on £5K cars. I would expect to get at least £500 off a £5k car at a dealer.
I sold my Puma for less than parkers said (it was a nice one) simply because I had no calls other than the chap who bought it.
Dealers have huge markups even on £5K cars. I would expect to get at least £500 off a £5k car at a dealer.
Simply put, the late (01/02) cars are in demand - I know several fellow owners who have been looking for them as replacements for their own as they like the model so much. Supply is also low, as the 106 was rather aged by then with plenty of new rivals, and Citroen always did better deals on the Saxo too.
Generally they seem to go well above book anyway - better image and interior than the Saxo helps a lot. Well worth persevering with the search, but it may be worth looking at 99/00 cars which should be in budget. The "phase 2" with standard leather/alcantara interiors, white dials, digital odo, etc came in around that time - the later ones just got more and more of the options as standard kit, but they're really no different to the slightly earlier ones. No reason why a slightly older and higher mileage one should cause any trouble either (freak cambelt tensioner problems like mine notwithstanding!).
Generally they seem to go well above book anyway - better image and interior than the Saxo helps a lot. Well worth persevering with the search, but it may be worth looking at 99/00 cars which should be in budget. The "phase 2" with standard leather/alcantara interiors, white dials, digital odo, etc came in around that time - the later ones just got more and more of the options as standard kit, but they're really no different to the slightly earlier ones. No reason why a slightly older and higher mileage one should cause any trouble either (freak cambelt tensioner problems like mine notwithstanding!).
Thanks to you both.
Unfortunately (for me) I came to much the same conclusions. I'm actually "in between cars" as it were at the moment which also makes travelling long distances for an elusive bargain somewhat impractical.
Rather than compromise on getting a car that I actually want, I think I'm going to go for something cheap and cheerful that I don't, and work on finding something better slightly further down the line.
Having said that, according to AutoTrader there's a nice low mileage VTS just round the corner from me so I might have to check that out. They're not answering the phone right now though which makes me think it's probably sold and they're fed up of the constant calls. Or I could just be making that up... we'll see. :-)
Unfortunately (for me) I came to much the same conclusions. I'm actually "in between cars" as it were at the moment which also makes travelling long distances for an elusive bargain somewhat impractical.
Rather than compromise on getting a car that I actually want, I think I'm going to go for something cheap and cheerful that I don't, and work on finding something better slightly further down the line.
Having said that, according to AutoTrader there's a nice low mileage VTS just round the corner from me so I might have to check that out. They're not answering the phone right now though which makes me think it's probably sold and they're fed up of the constant calls. Or I could just be making that up... we'll see. :-)
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