Buying a seriously overpriced car
Discussion
tl;dr. Has anyone bought a seriously overpriced car? Was it worth it, or do you regret it?
The long story is I’m looking at reliving my teenage years and buying a seriously overpriced Mk2 Focus ST-3 from an acquaintance.
It’s the last of the pre-facelift (I don't want a facelift) models; he’s owned it from new, it’s done 30,000 miles, it’s totally OEM, in excellent condition, and he has agreed to sell it to me for £14k.
I learned to drive in a Mk2 Focus back in 2005 when I was 17. I then bought one of the first ST-3s to hit the road, but I had to sell it after 3 months because I couldn’t afford it.
I feel like I have some unfinished business, especially as I love a fast Ford and I crave to own a car with a manual gearbox.
Financially, I can afford it, and I know it will lose money, but I want a reality check from PH before I go ahead.
It’ll be a second car to my 991.1 and will probably do around 3,000-4,000 miles yearly.
What do we think, a good way to blast some cash or is it just rosy retrospection?
The long story is I’m looking at reliving my teenage years and buying a seriously overpriced Mk2 Focus ST-3 from an acquaintance.
It’s the last of the pre-facelift (I don't want a facelift) models; he’s owned it from new, it’s done 30,000 miles, it’s totally OEM, in excellent condition, and he has agreed to sell it to me for £14k.
I learned to drive in a Mk2 Focus back in 2005 when I was 17. I then bought one of the first ST-3s to hit the road, but I had to sell it after 3 months because I couldn’t afford it.
I feel like I have some unfinished business, especially as I love a fast Ford and I crave to own a car with a manual gearbox.
Financially, I can afford it, and I know it will lose money, but I want a reality check from PH before I go ahead.
It’ll be a second car to my 991.1 and will probably do around 3,000-4,000 miles yearly.
What do we think, a good way to blast some cash or is it just rosy retrospection?
t's definitely a great way to empty your bank account.
Using head over heart, when you compare similar cars on Autotrader, is it market priced, or silly over? Looking at the trend of that model over the last few months, are you buying a top of the market price, or a realistic one.
That said, if its in line, with the market, it may not be overpriced, so then heart comes back into it. If you want it, and can afford it without impacting other things, and it fills a gap in your wants list, go for it.
Using head over heart, when you compare similar cars on Autotrader, is it market priced, or silly over? Looking at the trend of that model over the last few months, are you buying a top of the market price, or a realistic one.
That said, if its in line, with the market, it may not be overpriced, so then heart comes back into it. If you want it, and can afford it without impacting other things, and it fills a gap in your wants list, go for it.
How much over priced is it?
The issue isn't when you sell it - the problem comes if you end up getting into a smash and then you've lost the car and lost the money.
Yes, I've overpaid on several cars which I really wanted. I then spend a year or so thinking I've paid too much but eventually forget about it but still have the car to enjoy.
£14K is not a crazy amount of money but can't you get them to be more in line with what you both think is unreasonable rather than you having to live with that feeling on your own?
If it really is over priced then they're unlikely to find a buyer - especially in the market now and it's getting worse so why not hold out for them to see sense?
But if it's something you really want, can afford the money - go for it. You can always get more money, you can't get the time back you'd have with the car.
The issue isn't when you sell it - the problem comes if you end up getting into a smash and then you've lost the car and lost the money.
Yes, I've overpaid on several cars which I really wanted. I then spend a year or so thinking I've paid too much but eventually forget about it but still have the car to enjoy.
£14K is not a crazy amount of money but can't you get them to be more in line with what you both think is unreasonable rather than you having to live with that feeling on your own?
If it really is over priced then they're unlikely to find a buyer - especially in the market now and it's getting worse so why not hold out for them to see sense?
But if it's something you really want, can afford the money - go for it. You can always get more money, you can't get the time back you'd have with the car.
randlemarcus said:
t's definitely a great way to empty your bank account.
Using head over heart, when you compare similar cars on Autotrader, is it market priced, or silly over? Looking at the trend of that model over the last few months, are you buying a top of the market price, or a realistic one.
That said, if its in line, with the market, it may not be overpriced, so then heart comes back into it. If you want it, and can afford it without impacting other things, and it fills a gap in your wants list, go for it.
It's about £3k over the closet model I've seen.Using head over heart, when you compare similar cars on Autotrader, is it market priced, or silly over? Looking at the trend of that model over the last few months, are you buying a top of the market price, or a realistic one.
That said, if its in line, with the market, it may not be overpriced, so then heart comes back into it. If you want it, and can afford it without impacting other things, and it fills a gap in your wants list, go for it.
Plus keeping realistic about these things, it'll probably need a few new poly bushes to tighten things up, and there is always the risk the engine will grenade itself. Also, expensive road tax + breakdown cover.
If it were to be my only car, I wouldn't flinch, it's just something I will use at weekends, and my 911 will do my longer or more important journeys (more reliable + cruise control).
I guess what I'm saying is, I'd hate to buy it, and be bored after a month once the novelty has worn off.
Pistom said:
£14K is not a crazy amount of money but can't you get them to be more in line with what you both think is unreasonable rather than you having to live with that feeling on your own?
If it really is over priced then they're unlikely to find a buyer - especially in the market now and it's getting worse so why not hold out for them to see sense?
Maybe I can work on the seller, but it's not advertised anywhere (he's an acquaintance and it came up in conversation).If it really is over priced then they're unlikely to find a buyer - especially in the market now and it's getting worse so why not hold out for them to see sense?
ha !
if its a companion to a 911, I bet it will end up doing more miles than 3k a year. It will be so easy just to jump into in comparison to go to the shops/friends/take X to the tip....
Go for it, whats the most you really are going to loose ? (probably less than I lost on a £7K RX8 I bet and I never regretted that)
if its a companion to a 911, I bet it will end up doing more miles than 3k a year. It will be so easy just to jump into in comparison to go to the shops/friends/take X to the tip....
Go for it, whats the most you really are going to loose ? (probably less than I lost on a £7K RX8 I bet and I never regretted that)
Gary C said:
ha !
if its a companion to a 911, I bet it will end up doing more miles than 3k a year. It will be so easy just to jump into in comparison to go to the shops/friends/take X to the tip....
Go for it, whats the most you really are going to loose ? (probably less than I lost on a £7K RX8 I bet and I never regretted that)
That's part of the reason for buying a second car.if its a companion to a 911, I bet it will end up doing more miles than 3k a year. It will be so easy just to jump into in comparison to go to the shops/friends/take X to the tip....
Go for it, whats the most you really are going to loose ? (probably less than I lost on a £7K RX8 I bet and I never regretted that)
I do about 8k miles a year but there are circumstances where I would benefit from something more practical, so maybe a 50/50 mileage split would be a good guess.
Pistom said:
"He's owned it from new" is probably the clincher for me where a £3K differential really wouldn't be a deal breaker.
It also sound like they're not keen to sell it so are using price as an excuse not to.
If that is the case, and the seller is dithering, he may accept £1500 less. Or you could try £1800 less, and accept you may get it for £1000 less.It also sound like they're not keen to sell it so are using price as an excuse not to.
(What are the odds the seller is a PHer, moderate to high?)
It's a case of whether or not you can get what you want somewhere else for less.
If there are loads of these low mileage Fiestas all over the classifieds then why pay more?
The price sounds not far off what it would have cost when it was a new car? It is nearly new if it is low mileage and has been looked after.
If there are loads of these low mileage Fiestas all over the classifieds then why pay more?
The price sounds not far off what it would have cost when it was a new car? It is nearly new if it is low mileage and has been looked after.
I believe you will regret the purchase.
The car will be fun to drive but I don't think it will be anything like you remember to own. It will feel quite slow by modern standards (that Volvo engine is strong, good for mega miles, but more designed for torque and cruising than racing). It will probably rattle and things will likely keep failing, which will potentially spoil the enjoyment. I think the novelty will soon wear off.
I considered one of these a while back and it was apparent they are quite difficult to sell. I don't think your friend would achieve anything like they want if they advertised the car, especially this time of year and in a downward market. My recommendation would be to buy a nice sensible mileage (70/80k) unmolested one privately for c.£6k, get it out of your system then hopefully get most of your money back.
The car will be fun to drive but I don't think it will be anything like you remember to own. It will feel quite slow by modern standards (that Volvo engine is strong, good for mega miles, but more designed for torque and cruising than racing). It will probably rattle and things will likely keep failing, which will potentially spoil the enjoyment. I think the novelty will soon wear off.
I considered one of these a while back and it was apparent they are quite difficult to sell. I don't think your friend would achieve anything like they want if they advertised the car, especially this time of year and in a downward market. My recommendation would be to buy a nice sensible mileage (70/80k) unmolested one privately for c.£6k, get it out of your system then hopefully get most of your money back.
Yep, my current Transporter T6.
Got it last year, tail end of the covid prices for everything, pretty specific what I needed with it, DSG, Twin sliders, tailgate, factory kombi and Highline spec.
This was August and hard to come by unless quick, saw one for sale (private) 66 plate for £32,500, not worth that but did some negotiation and got it for £30k.
After 2 days had proper buyers remorse, I had jumped into van life at the top end and given up a manufacturer car scheme to get the allowance to pay for the T6, I put it into WBAV and it was £23k at best, spent the next few months regretting it and even now have a love hate relationship with it. (most of this comes from having new company cars for the last 20 years).
Its a great family transport and for camping / dog / bile stuff, I've now paid enough off the loan to be back in profit with it and they do hold there value well.
From I want one to doing some research (not enough) to get swept up with it all and spending £30k on a van was 5 days lol never again.
Got it last year, tail end of the covid prices for everything, pretty specific what I needed with it, DSG, Twin sliders, tailgate, factory kombi and Highline spec.
This was August and hard to come by unless quick, saw one for sale (private) 66 plate for £32,500, not worth that but did some negotiation and got it for £30k.
After 2 days had proper buyers remorse, I had jumped into van life at the top end and given up a manufacturer car scheme to get the allowance to pay for the T6, I put it into WBAV and it was £23k at best, spent the next few months regretting it and even now have a love hate relationship with it. (most of this comes from having new company cars for the last 20 years).
Its a great family transport and for camping / dog / bile stuff, I've now paid enough off the loan to be back in profit with it and they do hold there value well.
From I want one to doing some research (not enough) to get swept up with it all and spending £30k on a van was 5 days lol never again.
3k over for a well looked after one owner low mileage example is justifiable IMO
and remember focus RS prices have gone insane at recent auctions so i would not be surprised if STs got a price lift as well, there is a strong market for fast fords
low millage 2010 RS sold for 34k here
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2010-ford-focu...
and remember focus RS prices have gone insane at recent auctions so i would not be surprised if STs got a price lift as well, there is a strong market for fast fords
low millage 2010 RS sold for 34k here
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2010-ford-focu...
Based on what you've said I don't think how you're planning on using it lines up with buying a mint, top of the market kind of car. If you're buying it to keep it valuable you're looking at keeping it out of bad weather, committing to paying top whack for servicing and repairs, and keeping it down to maybe 1k miles a year. If you want something fun that you can also use as a semi daily without worrying about using it or it getting the kind of minor knocks and wear and tear that comes with use, I'd be looking for something more mid-market.
Obviously it depends on what else you'd do with the money, and your attitude to it, you might be someone who can write off a big chunk of £14k without worrying about it in which case you're just buying the nicest one you can find and having fun with it without worrying about future value. I think if that was you, you probably wouldn't have started this thread.
Obviously it depends on what else you'd do with the money, and your attitude to it, you might be someone who can write off a big chunk of £14k without worrying about it in which case you're just buying the nicest one you can find and having fun with it without worrying about future value. I think if that was you, you probably wouldn't have started this thread.
Dave Hedgehog said:
3k over for a well looked after one owner low mileage example is justifiable IMO
and remember focus RS prices have gone insane at recent auctions so i would not be surprised if STs got a price lift as well, there is a strong market for fast fords
low millage 2010 RS sold for 34k here
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2010-ford-focu...
Low mileage Mk2 Focus RS have always gone for 30k plus for 10 years or more now, the market hasn't really changed for them in the last decade, infact if anything it has slipped a little from it's peak. and remember focus RS prices have gone insane at recent auctions so i would not be surprised if STs got a price lift as well, there is a strong market for fast fords
low millage 2010 RS sold for 34k here
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2010-ford-focu...
I don't see the Mk2 Focus ST following the same trajectory especially if the OP is actually going to drive it and not just put it away in storage somewhere.
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