Buying at lower end of market
Discussion
It's been many years since I've bought a car less than 3yrs old and I have to say the experience is somewhat of a shock to the system.
I started looking at NB MX-5s as a second car but have shifted my attention to the Mk3 MR2.
Aiming to spend £3k, most seem to be being sold by sole trader type folks. For those selling via FB Marketplace, a glimpse at their profile reveals potentially shifty characters (insert your own shifty character of choice) which don't exactly inspire confidence.
Add into the mix the ability to check MOT history and every car looks like an absolute lemon!
Have I been mollycoddled for too long with my lease deals and PCP?
I started looking at NB MX-5s as a second car but have shifted my attention to the Mk3 MR2.
Aiming to spend £3k, most seem to be being sold by sole trader type folks. For those selling via FB Marketplace, a glimpse at their profile reveals potentially shifty characters (insert your own shifty character of choice) which don't exactly inspire confidence.
Add into the mix the ability to check MOT history and every car looks like an absolute lemon!
Have I been mollycoddled for too long with my lease deals and PCP?
That's one thing I do like about Facebook marketplace, you can check out the people selling them and swerve any shifty looking people. Unfortunately that is usually all of them!
I still prefer autotrader, as the seller has to pay for the ad if it's over £1000, which puts off many of the scrotes and chancers
These two look like quite nice examples, the MOT histories seem ok, though I'd have a good look under them for rust if you do go to see them.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207097...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204024...
I still prefer autotrader, as the seller has to pay for the ad if it's over £1000, which puts off many of the scrotes and chancers
These two look like quite nice examples, the MOT histories seem ok, though I'd have a good look under them for rust if you do go to see them.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207097...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204024...
Finding a clean (underneath) MX5 NB/ NC at this budget is nigh on impossible.
I keep an eye on NB's for sale and 99% of the time, most, while waxed to high heavens on the outside are basically shot underneath, as shown by the MOT history. Can understand why you stopped looking.
MR2 is a bit more solid. However, don't the early examples have a catalytic converter that disintegrates, ruining the engine? I know they have some sort of underlying problem which grenades the engine, so might be worth researching.
Have you thought about an MG TF? I am a member of the Facebook group and your budget would get you in to a very nice car, possibly even a 160.
I keep an eye on NB's for sale and 99% of the time, most, while waxed to high heavens on the outside are basically shot underneath, as shown by the MOT history. Can understand why you stopped looking.
MR2 is a bit more solid. However, don't the early examples have a catalytic converter that disintegrates, ruining the engine? I know they have some sort of underlying problem which grenades the engine, so might be worth researching.
Have you thought about an MG TF? I am a member of the Facebook group and your budget would get you in to a very nice car, possibly even a 160.
It’s all part of the fun, weeding out the chaff. FB marketplace, eBay, gumtree, carandclassic are the best places to go hunting, you just need to put in more effort to find the good stuff.
I don’t really have an issue with sole traders, I’m buying the car and if it’s at the right price and checks out, it doesn’t matter if they are making a few bob on it or not.
Having the online MOT history helps a lot to help shortlist possible views. Some people come across as knobs on messenger but are nice in person, it’s a bit of a lottery.
There are some proper ropey cars out their though and lack of prep or body damage seems to be more common place with some not even bothering to wash the car now - I just take that into account with a polite haggle and be prepared to walk away.
Like others, I’d suggest the MR2 is your better option at this price point, when I was looking, most NB mx5 MOT histories suggested they’d been parked in the titanic for years.
Good luck in the hunt
I don’t really have an issue with sole traders, I’m buying the car and if it’s at the right price and checks out, it doesn’t matter if they are making a few bob on it or not.
Having the online MOT history helps a lot to help shortlist possible views. Some people come across as knobs on messenger but are nice in person, it’s a bit of a lottery.
There are some proper ropey cars out their though and lack of prep or body damage seems to be more common place with some not even bothering to wash the car now - I just take that into account with a polite haggle and be prepared to walk away.
Like others, I’d suggest the MR2 is your better option at this price point, when I was looking, most NB mx5 MOT histories suggested they’d been parked in the titanic for years.
Good luck in the hunt
TheFungle said:
It's been many years since I've bought a car less than 3yrs old and I have to say the experience is somewhat of a shock to the system.
I started looking at NB MX-5s as a second car but have shifted my attention to the Mk3 MR2.
Aiming to spend £3k, most seem to be being sold by sole trader type folks. For those selling via FB Marketplace, a glimpse at their profile reveals potentially shifty characters (insert your own shifty character of choice) which don't exactly inspire confidence.
Add into the mix the ability to check MOT history and every car looks like an absolute lemon!
Have I been mollycoddled for too long with my lease deals and PCP?
I looked at MR2s in this budget. Only 1 decent one came up, and it was provisionally sold within the hour. Think it's a waiting game to find a clean one, or raise the budget.I started looking at NB MX-5s as a second car but have shifted my attention to the Mk3 MR2.
Aiming to spend £3k, most seem to be being sold by sole trader type folks. For those selling via FB Marketplace, a glimpse at their profile reveals potentially shifty characters (insert your own shifty character of choice) which don't exactly inspire confidence.
Add into the mix the ability to check MOT history and every car looks like an absolute lemon!
Have I been mollycoddled for too long with my lease deals and PCP?
vikingaero said:
The problem is that of inflated pricing in our current market.
Ropey older cars that were worth £1.5-2k are now the £3k cars advertised. The £3k cars of a couple of years ago are now the £4-5k cars.
Agree with this.Ropey older cars that were worth £1.5-2k are now the £3k cars advertised. The £3k cars of a couple of years ago are now the £4-5k cars.
Plus, everything is now "a modern classic mate." or an "investment for the future". MK3 Mondeos, Rusty old C-Classes, MK4 1.9 TDI Golfs etc.
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