Is It Me????

Gazmo65 · 27th February 2015, 18:55

Ok I am getting a little disillusioned with car dealers are they a different breed to the rest of us? do I really need to ask that question as I already know the answer. I am in the market for another car and have been looking at another 75 or ZT browsing eBay and auto trader, there has been nothing local to me so I have been doing a bit of travelling, but not before I have spoken to the seller who always describe their cars as excellent condition doesn't need anything doing blah blah blah. So I make the journey and try to view 2 or 3 when in a certain area and what do find no receipt for a belt change or knackered tyres or rust or wet floors or mismatched paint work aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!! can no one be straight are they scared they are going to lose a sale? Well they do as I turn and walk away. Then last night topped it all off, SWMBO has had enough and started looking for cars herself and found a very nice S-Type ****** talked me into it and I arranged to go and see it travelling 110 miles it was described as perfect there was a video on YouTube and it had a full history the gearbox had been replaced under warranty by a dealer it had 4 New tyres " you could put a private plate on it and it could be mistaken for a 3 year old car" I was told. The pictures and video do look good, so I make the trip after some messing about on my behalf get there and straight away notice the rust , start the car and the exhaust is blowing at the back, whilst checking this out I notice that the rear tyres are knackered on the inside edge ( yes the car has had suspension bushes replaced, yeeaahh OK I am told) theres loads of receipts OH but not one for the gearbox, my son who was with me disappears at this point as dad is getting ****** off. After a few minutes my son calls me over and asks for the VIN number get it for him and he comes back to me a few minutes later and tells me he has phoned the dealer who is supposed to have done the gearbox swap and the independent who has also serviced the car just to cover all the bases and the box has NOT been replaced. I speak to the dealer about it who says he didn't say who replaced the box and he thinks I am being too fussy its an older car at which point I turn and walk away and make the 110 mile return trip totally fed up and being told I am too fussy, may be I should just throw my money away and by a 50 quid scrapper and be done with it. In my defence I am thorough when looking at a car as everybody advises you to be, I don't have loads of money to just throw away . So is it me being a fussy old ******.

190SETOURING · 27th February 2015, 19:00

I have been where you are now! It does make one a bit mad i must admit. Keep looking a nice one will turn up, i must have looked at a dozen before buying and driven half way around the country.

first-things-first · 27th February 2015, 19:14

Ooohhh the fun I have had in your situation. I feel your pain. Loot used to be the dumping ground. One lady owner, lovely runner. Sorry to see it go, blah blah. Traipsing for hours on end just to find a freshly resprayed car at a lock up.

Mate who was with me and I had fun with that one. We had to drive 15 mins to get back to his house from the lock up. As we spoke amongst ourselves (with him in the back) we pondered how many accidents it had been in, why sitting on different wheels. He was not impressed. We were less impressed.

I totally agree. Pictures that show the truth, not mobile misty pictures taken in the rain, without all the 'first to see will buy' (I want to be the first just to say no

). An honest advert every time. Quite refreshing on here at least people tell you bad points.

My rule of thumb is now do not go anywhere to see a car unless less than an hour away. Pictures always look good in adverts unless close ups. Hard to get away from rose tinted glasses unless hard nosed when looking. Need to almost come in with 'I know this is going to be a bad car' and work up to the good stuff.

FROGGY · 27th February 2015, 19:20

Try buying a car in the UK when you live in France............
Think you've got problems?

ratchet · 27th February 2015, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by FROGGY

Try buying a car in the UK when you live in France............
Think you've got problems?

Lived there, done that

(Depts 58, 61, 53)

Check out the local expat sites (Angloinfo etc), as the odd bargain does crop up.

As if buying wasn't bad enough, registering just adds to the joy of it all

FrazzleTC · 27th February 2015, 20:17

I've only ever bought one car from a dealer, and it's been an excellent car, and the dealer was fine. I got it for the price I wanted, because even four years ago, nobody wanted a V6 75. To get it taxed, MOT'd for a year, with new tyres, a belts kit in the boot, and a sizeable chunk off the price to get them done, I was happy.

However, I've seen a huge number of absolutely rubbish Rovers, and MGs over the years that I've been viewing. Generally, either be prepared to travel loads, buy a car from someone who'll tell you absolutely everything, or, buy as cheap as possible, and don't bother viewing. I often opt for the latter, and I've not lost out yet!

Keep the faith, and try to buy from a genuinely interested owner. Don't buy on spec, buy on condition.

Departed 32016 · 27th February 2015, 20:20

The thing is theyre old cars now, dealers aren't the answer. Most cars are sub £2,000 with very little profit on them, most dealers want to shift them on....

DMGRS · 27th February 2015, 21:31

I've owned 26 MG Rover vehicles (at last check, can't be too sure!) and about 5 have been from dealers - each one described as 'must see to believe condition' etc.

Out of all of my MG Rover vehicles, they've been among the worst for botched repairs and problems - if you're buying from a dealer, go to a specialist like DPL Autos (a member on here) as they know their stuff.

Doublebassphil · 27th February 2015, 21:54

I know how your feeling. During my last search for a decent motor we viewed a Volvo with cream leather interior, a previous owner had spilt red wine. It looked like a murder scene on the back seat!

I ran away from that one!

Gazmo65 · 28th February 2015, 18:13

I apologize to anyone who has been offended by my bypassing the swear filter in this post no offence was meant, I have received my infraction warning and 3 points.

27th February 2015, 18:55	#1
Gazmo65 Loves to post Volvo S80 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 268 Thanks: 11 Thanked 39 Times in 20 Posts	Is It Me???? Ok I am getting a little disillusioned with car dealers are they a different breed to the rest of us? do I really need to ask that question as I already know the answer. I am in the market for another car and have been looking at another 75 or ZT browsing eBay and auto trader, there has been nothing local to me so I have been doing a bit of travelling, but not before I have spoken to the seller who always describe their cars as excellent condition doesn't need anything doing blah blah blah. So I make the journey and try to view 2 or 3 when in a certain area and what do find no receipt for a belt change or knackered tyres or rust or wet floors or mismatched paint work aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!! can no one be straight are they scared they are going to lose a sale? Well they do as I turn and walk away. Then last night topped it all off, SWMBO has had enough and started looking for cars herself and found a very nice S-Type **** talked me into it and I arranged to go and see it travelling 110 miles it was described as perfect there was a video on YouTube and it had a full history the gearbox had been replaced under warranty by a dealer it had 4 New tyres " you could put a private plate on it and it could be mistaken for a 3 year old car" I was told. The pictures and video do look good, so I make the trip after some messing about on my behalf get there and straight away notice the rust , start the car and the exhaust is blowing at the back, whilst checking this out I notice that the rear tyres are knackered on the inside edge ( yes the car has had suspension bushes replaced, yeeaahh OK I am told) theres loads of receipts OH but not one for the gearbox, my son who was with me disappears at this point as dad is getting ** off. After a few minutes my son calls me over and asks for the VIN number get it for him and he comes back to me a few minutes later and tells me he has phoned the dealer who is supposed to have done the gearbox swap and the independent who has also serviced the car just to cover all the bases and the box has NOT been replaced. I speak to the dealer about it who says he didn't say who replaced the box and he thinks I am being too fussy its an older car at which point I turn and walk away and make the 110 mile return trip totally fed up and being told I am too fussy, may be I should just throw my money away and by a 50 quid scrapper and be done with it. In my defence I am thorough when looking at a car as everybody advises you to be, I don't have loads of money to just throw away . So is it me being a fussy old ***. Last edited by Dragrad; 28th February 2015 at 01:34.. Reason: Contravention of Club Rules - FAQ Rule 2*

27th February 2015, 19:20	#4
FROGGY I really should get out more....... MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 17500 REAUX, CHARENTE-MARITIME Posts: 2,749 Thanks: 2 Thanked 133 Times in 90 Posts	Try buying a car in the UK when you live in France............ Think you've got problems? __________________ http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps628d4119.jpg IN THE BLACK NOW

27th February 2015, 20:17	#6
FrazzleTC This is my second home Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands Posts: 7,924 Thanks: 533 Thanked 1,178 Times in 920 Posts	I've only ever bought one car from a dealer, and it's been an excellent car, and the dealer was fine. I got it for the price I wanted, because even four years ago, nobody wanted a V6 75. To get it taxed, MOT'd for a year, with new tyres, a belts kit in the boot, and a sizeable chunk off the price to get them done, I was happy. However, I've seen a huge number of absolutely rubbish Rovers, and MGs over the years that I've been viewing. Generally, either be prepared to travel loads, buy a car from someone who'll tell you absolutely everything, or, buy as cheap as possible, and don't bother viewing. I often opt for the latter, and I've not lost out yet! Keep the faith, and try to buy from a genuinely interested owner. Don't buy on spec, buy on condition. __________________ 1967 Rover 2000 Automatic 1969 Rover 3500 Series One 1979 Scimitar GTE 2013 Mercedes SLK250 CDI

27th February 2015, 21:31	#8
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,320 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	I've owned 26 MG Rover vehicles (at last check, can't be too sure!) and about 5 have been from dealers - each one described as 'must see to believe condition' etc. Out of all of my MG Rover vehicles, they've been among the worst for botched repairs and problems - if you're buying from a dealer, go to a specialist like DPL Autos (a member on here) as they know their stuff. __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

27th February 2015, 21:54	#9
Doublebassphil Regular poster Rover 75 tourer 1.8t auto Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 33 Thanks: 45 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I know how your feeling. During my last search for a decent motor we viewed a Volvo with cream leather interior, a previous owner had spilt red wine. It looked like a murder scene on the back seat! I ran away from that one! __________________ getting my cuff links caught in the strings!

27th February 2015, 19:00	#2
190SETOURING Posted a thing or two MG ZTT 180se,MG ZT 260se Monogram Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Huntingdon Posts: 1,413 Thanks: 215 Thanked 263 Times in 169 Posts	I have been where you are now! It does make one a bit mad i must admit. Keep looking a nice one will turn up, i must have looked at a dozen before buying and driven half way around the country.

27th February 2015, 19:14	#3
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	Ooohhh the fun I have had in your situation. I feel your pain. Loot used to be the dumping ground. One lady owner, lovely runner. Sorry to see it go, blah blah. Traipsing for hours on end just to find a freshly resprayed car at a lock up. Mate who was with me and I had fun with that one. We had to drive 15 mins to get back to his house from the lock up. As we spoke amongst ourselves (with him in the back) we pondered how many accidents it had been in, why sitting on different wheels. He was not impressed. We were less impressed. I totally agree. Pictures that show the truth, not mobile misty pictures taken in the rain, without all the 'first to see will buy' (I want to be the first just to say no ). An honest advert every time. Quite refreshing on here at least people tell you bad points. My rule of thumb is now do not go anywhere to see a car unless less than an hour away. Pictures always look good in adverts unless close ups. Hard to get away from rose tinted glasses unless hard nosed when looking. Need to almost come in with 'I know this is going to be a bad car' and work up to the good stuff.

27th February 2015, 20:20	#7
Departed 32016 This is my second home Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,190 Thanks: 101 Thanked 257 Times in 145 Posts	The thing is theyre old cars now, dealers aren't the answer. Most cars are sub £2,000 with very little profit on them, most dealers want to shift them on....

28th February 2015, 18:13	#10
Gazmo65 Loves to post Volvo S80 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 268 Thanks: 11 Thanked 39 Times in 20 Posts	I apologize to anyone who has been offended by my bypassing the swear filter in this post no offence was meant, I have received my infraction warning and 3 points.