Buying a conti private or dealer/garage
Discussion
Hi there,
Will be dipping my toes in to the possible ownership of a conti gt in the spring when we can hopefully go about our business of moving about a bit more freely.Buying from a garage obviously you would get 3 months min warranty but is it a case usually there not worth the paper there written on if a problem should crop up.
Obviously buying private much more of a chance of bagging a conti at a better price and probably more room for movement on asking price as there do seem to be plenty out there (04/05 up to 18k budget) would it be essentially having an inspection on a private sale car ?.I know the AA do car inspections but is the conti a bit too complex for an AA inspector to find the good and the bad in a car.Any advice would be great.
Cheers Chris
Will be dipping my toes in to the possible ownership of a conti gt in the spring when we can hopefully go about our business of moving about a bit more freely.Buying from a garage obviously you would get 3 months min warranty but is it a case usually there not worth the paper there written on if a problem should crop up.
Obviously buying private much more of a chance of bagging a conti at a better price and probably more room for movement on asking price as there do seem to be plenty out there (04/05 up to 18k budget) would it be essentially having an inspection on a private sale car ?.I know the AA do car inspections but is the conti a bit too complex for an AA inspector to find the good and the bad in a car.Any advice would be great.
Cheers Chris
You will be buying a 15 year old car, with a fair few miles under its belt. You seem to know the pros and cons of buying from a dealer or privately. If the former, then his reputation is probably worth more than a warranty, unless it is a major item, so if I were you, I'd try to get both - buy from someone who specialises in these cars and offers a decent insurance-backed warranty to cover the major parts. If the latter, then a PPI is in order, but from a specialist - a Bentley dealer, independent specialist, or someone recommended by the BDC - not a generalist.
In the first instance, however, look carefully at the car's history. It should have been serviced regularly in line with the maker's schedule, for the first few years at least by an authorised agent, then by an independent specialist. If the history is incomplete, look elsewhere - as you say, there are plenty from which to choose. And check the tyres - if they are a cheap brand, that probably indicates an owner who is inclined to cut corners to save money.
Good luck with your search - if you find a good one, you will enjoy it, but do not expect to run it on the cheap - it may cost you less than £20K, but it's still the same car that cost its first owner 6 or 7 times as much.
In the first instance, however, look carefully at the car's history. It should have been serviced regularly in line with the maker's schedule, for the first few years at least by an authorised agent, then by an independent specialist. If the history is incomplete, look elsewhere - as you say, there are plenty from which to choose. And check the tyres - if they are a cheap brand, that probably indicates an owner who is inclined to cut corners to save money.
Good luck with your search - if you find a good one, you will enjoy it, but do not expect to run it on the cheap - it may cost you less than £20K, but it's still the same car that cost its first owner 6 or 7 times as much.
If I was having one inspected I'd prefer to use somebody that knew the cars.
As the seller (many years ago), a potential buyer had my old MB (2-door) inspected by an inspector from one of the 'large organisations': he classed it as dangerous because the folding front seatbacks didn't lock in place. Had he known the model, or asked, he would have known that they are vacuum-locked when the engine is running. A simple thing but it highlights why model-specific knowledge is helpful. It works both ways, of course, knowledge means they know what and where to check for known potential problems, particularly as a Continental GT is slightly more complex than a Ford Capri, yet both are sporting GTs
As the seller (many years ago), a potential buyer had my old MB (2-door) inspected by an inspector from one of the 'large organisations': he classed it as dangerous because the folding front seatbacks didn't lock in place. Had he known the model, or asked, he would have known that they are vacuum-locked when the engine is running. A simple thing but it highlights why model-specific knowledge is helpful. It works both ways, of course, knowledge means they know what and where to check for known potential problems, particularly as a Continental GT is slightly more complex than a Ford Capri, yet both are sporting GTs
I bought my Arnage via a reputable specialist. It needed a couple of things doing under warranty and they were done without a quibble. To be honest the second thing I managed to sort myself but they were ready to receive the car back and do the work. Given the things that can go wrong on these things I would now always go via a specialist or have a private sale vehicle inspected by one.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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