Trying to buy a cheap car - what a pain!
Discussion
Having sold my "big" car through Wizzle, I'm looking to buy a cheaper car with plenty of loadspace - specifically length.
Budget is up to £5k, something like a Berlingo or C3 Picasso. Needs to have a fold-flat front passenger seat so I can get a grandfather clock inside - 7 feet, preferably closer to 8 feet long.
C3 seems to be the smallest car that'll take a long load, but the folding seat was an option on the lower trim levels.
I've found a few at reasonably local dealers, but they do seem to be a bit overpriced.
A lot cheaper from a private seller, but that's where the problems start. Most private sellers don't seem to add the trim level or spec to their adverts. When I message them to ask, they don't bother replying.
Why bother placing an ad on Facebook Marketplace if you aren't going to respond to enquiries?
Budget is up to £5k, something like a Berlingo or C3 Picasso. Needs to have a fold-flat front passenger seat so I can get a grandfather clock inside - 7 feet, preferably closer to 8 feet long.
C3 seems to be the smallest car that'll take a long load, but the folding seat was an option on the lower trim levels.
I've found a few at reasonably local dealers, but they do seem to be a bit overpriced.
A lot cheaper from a private seller, but that's where the problems start. Most private sellers don't seem to add the trim level or spec to their adverts. When I message them to ask, they don't bother replying.
Why bother placing an ad on Facebook Marketplace if you aren't going to respond to enquiries?
clockworks said:
Having sold my "big" car through Wizzle, I'm looking to buy a cheaper car with plenty of loadspace - specifically length.
Budget is up to £5k, something like a Berlingo or C3 Picasso. Needs to have a fold-flat front passenger seat so I can get a grandfather clock inside - 7 feet, preferably closer to 8 feet long.
C3 seems to be the smallest car that'll take a long load, but the folding seat was an option on the lower trim levels.
I've found a few at reasonably local dealers, but they do seem to be a bit overpriced.
A lot cheaper from a private seller, but that's where the problems start. Most private sellers don't seem to add the trim level or spec to their adverts. When I message them to ask, they don't bother replying.
Why bother placing an ad on Facebook Marketplace if you aren't going to respond to enquiries?
In terms of "overpriced" it looks like ALL 2nd-hand cars have gone up noticeably in price.Budget is up to £5k, something like a Berlingo or C3 Picasso. Needs to have a fold-flat front passenger seat so I can get a grandfather clock inside - 7 feet, preferably closer to 8 feet long.
C3 seems to be the smallest car that'll take a long load, but the folding seat was an option on the lower trim levels.
I've found a few at reasonably local dealers, but they do seem to be a bit overpriced.
A lot cheaper from a private seller, but that's where the problems start. Most private sellers don't seem to add the trim level or spec to their adverts. When I message them to ask, they don't bother replying.
Why bother placing an ad on Facebook Marketplace if you aren't going to respond to enquiries?
Re: Facebook Marketplace - you might be shocked at the number of timewasting enquiries an ad generates. I sold a car recently and must have had 70 replies within 30 minutes, most of them offering to pay "cash" if I accepted 30% of the advert price (it was on sale for £400), some of them implying they were doing me a personal favour by taking it off my hands as it would never sell.....
I'm not suggesting that your enquiry was timewasting, only that the sellers can get quite fed up very quickly
clockworks said:
Having sold my "big" car through Wizzle, I'm looking to buy a cheaper car with plenty of loadspace - specifically length.
Budget is up to £5k, something like a Berlingo or C3 Picasso. Needs to have a fold-flat front passenger seat so I can get a grandfather clock inside - 7 feet, preferably closer to 8 feet long.
C3 seems to be the smallest car that'll take a long load, but the folding seat was an option on the lower trim levels.
I've found a few at reasonably local dealers, but they do seem to be a bit overpriced.
A lot cheaper from a private seller, but that's where the problems start. Most private sellers don't seem to add the trim level or spec to their adverts. When I message them to ask, they don't bother replying.
Why bother placing an ad on Facebook Marketplace if you aren't going to respond to enquiries?
FB marketplace really is the worst place to look for a car, particularly at the £5k price range. Use Autotrader or EBay instead.Budget is up to £5k, something like a Berlingo or C3 Picasso. Needs to have a fold-flat front passenger seat so I can get a grandfather clock inside - 7 feet, preferably closer to 8 feet long.
C3 seems to be the smallest car that'll take a long load, but the folding seat was an option on the lower trim levels.
I've found a few at reasonably local dealers, but they do seem to be a bit overpriced.
A lot cheaper from a private seller, but that's where the problems start. Most private sellers don't seem to add the trim level or spec to their adverts. When I message them to ask, they don't bother replying.
Why bother placing an ad on Facebook Marketplace if you aren't going to respond to enquiries?
Thanks for the V50 suggestion - added to my list.
Do private sellers still use Autotrader and Motors for selling cars? I've done a few searches over the past couple of years, and nearly everything that comes up is from dealers.
I've been looking on eBay too, but Marketplace had more choice at the lower price range.
I messaged one person yesterday afternoon. They have read the message, but didn't reply.
Messaged another two early today, and they haven't read the messages yet.
Tried Gumtree earlier, found one from a small dealer. Got a response - sold.
Do private sellers still use Autotrader and Motors for selling cars? I've done a few searches over the past couple of years, and nearly everything that comes up is from dealers.
I've been looking on eBay too, but Marketplace had more choice at the lower price range.
I messaged one person yesterday afternoon. They have read the message, but didn't reply.
Messaged another two early today, and they haven't read the messages yet.
Tried Gumtree earlier, found one from a small dealer. Got a response - sold.
Thanks for the tip on the "private seller" filter.
Because of where I live, a search within 50 miles (2 hours drive each way) only tends to bring up 20 or so options, so not a massive problem to sort out the private sellers. If I expand the distance much further, I start getting flooded with cars in South Wales, which is no good for me - I live near Penzance.
I can't face driving a repmobile again (I did that for 20-odd years), so no Mondeos or Vectras/Insignias.
I have to admit I like quirky-looking cars, hence thinking of a C3 Picasso. if there were any decent ones left, I'd probably go for an original Multipla.
This car will only be used for deliveries/collections, and the odd DIY or tip run, so driving dynamics aren't an issue. It'll probably only 2000 miles a year.
I found a suitable C3 on eBay, with a small dealer. He phoned me back within an hour of messaging, had a chat, seeing the car tomorrow.
I also had a response from a Marketplace seller very late last night. It's a grand cheaper, but twice the mileage. Same age and trim level.
I think the dealer car sounds like a better bet, as it will come with a fresh cam belt/water pump and a full MOT, as well as some kind of warranty, if I don't chip him too much on the price.
Because of where I live, a search within 50 miles (2 hours drive each way) only tends to bring up 20 or so options, so not a massive problem to sort out the private sellers. If I expand the distance much further, I start getting flooded with cars in South Wales, which is no good for me - I live near Penzance.
I can't face driving a repmobile again (I did that for 20-odd years), so no Mondeos or Vectras/Insignias.
I have to admit I like quirky-looking cars, hence thinking of a C3 Picasso. if there were any decent ones left, I'd probably go for an original Multipla.
This car will only be used for deliveries/collections, and the odd DIY or tip run, so driving dynamics aren't an issue. It'll probably only 2000 miles a year.
I found a suitable C3 on eBay, with a small dealer. He phoned me back within an hour of messaging, had a chat, seeing the car tomorrow.
I also had a response from a Marketplace seller very late last night. It's a grand cheaper, but twice the mileage. Same age and trim level.
I think the dealer car sounds like a better bet, as it will come with a fresh cam belt/water pump and a full MOT, as well as some kind of warranty, if I don't chip him too much on the price.
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