Advice on purchasing a car privately

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Smithy100

180 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 37

#1702798 13-Jan-2017 16:29

Blurtie:

Just looking at purchasing something boring for the family. A small economical runabout mainly used for short trips to and from the city. Budget is around the 10k mark, so looking for best bang for my buck.

Liking the look of a 2010+ Ford fiesta, which are being listed around 10-12k. Hence this post and trying to figure out what a realistic price to expect from a listing on TM.

That's fine - so you're a buyer in a market with multiple options. As others have said; don't go too silly if you like the car, but don't necessarily go full asking price either. Unless you really like the car, the buyer, and the car is price reasonably based on your research. There is no one rule - because there are multiple factors involved - price is just one of many.

I've paid full asking price before (as I did with my current car) because the car ticked the boxes, it was presented well, I got a good "vibe" from the buyer - and, most importantly, it was very reasonably priced at the start. The seller wasn't the type to bargain, and I didn't see a need to try.

Also, there'll be others out there "expecting" to drop their pants so will overprice their car accordingly.

Once you're happy with the car, the seller, and the price - go for it. Whether or not you have to negotiate like a demon to get their is ultimately irrelevant.

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 43

#1702906 13-Jan-2017 20:50

I've bought and sold a fair few cars. In your situation, there's a lot of options. You can afford to make lower offers, with nothing to lose.

As a seller I've taken really low offers if I've not had much interest, the buyer was reasonable, or I just wanted it gone and there was cash in my face.

If you're looking at cars at about 10k, I'd be going in around 7-8, depending on how long it's been listed, how it's presented etc. I personally prefer to ask all my questions first, view if possible so that I can make a genuine offer & commit to it. Be polite, let the seller know you like the car, but there are a lot of options, this or that bit is not perfect, 'but none the less youd be interested at about 8k otherwise you'll move onto the next one. As others have said, try to get extras -wof, reg, fuel, towbar, roofracks etc included.

I bought a car from a yard recently. He had it advertised at $11k, +$800 for a 3 year warranty. I asked if he'd take 10k if I also bought a warranty & he said no. After thinking it over I asked if he'd do $10750 including the warranty, and he decided that was acceptable. People think of money in different ways.

Blurtie

472 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 130

#1704067 16-Jan-2017 12:47

Thanks for the info Joff. Good to know. So when you go to sell a vehicle on TM or whaere ever, would you say you list it for more than what you want for it - with the mindset that you know potential buyers are going to offer you a lower amount anyway?

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2153
Inactive user

#1704126 16-Jan-2017 13:55

Every vehicle you see will be listed for what the seller wants, What they will take is another question.
A vehicle is worth what ever someone wants to think its worth. Dont go telling people their car is not worth this that the rest, Just walk on.
Find one that is around your budget and is well looked after (Genuine seller). Have a good look yourself and drive it.
Now if the person on the auction has listed no problems with the car and you pickup oblivious faults, walk away. What else are they not telling you about?
If you find a nice car with good history and a honest owner try and value it against the rest of the market and compare you price with their asking price. Judge from there where you should be entering the market, If the car is over priced you can try for your value but i would move on and not spend much time negotiating.

Dont go looking to get the best deal, Make a realistic offer and be happy with your offer before purchase.
Look i have owned many cars i have got for a good deal and 90% of them were just a good deal.

Cheers

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

#1704530 17-Jan-2017 10:01

SepticSceptic:

20-30 percent less than a comparable model at a licensed vehicle trader.

They need to cover selling costs, warranty, etc. A private sale doesn't

I agree with that - yet when looking for used cars, asking prices from private sellers seem to be based on dealer prices, and you've no idea how receptive to haggling they'll be.

There's a reason why they're selling their bucket of bolts, and it's probably not that they're "leaving the country" or "got company vehicle now".

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