I only wanted to buy a car!

Advantages: Choice, worth it in the end, you can save lots of money
Disadvantages: Time consuming, challanging

...Buying a new car should a pleasurable experience, but for many it can be stressful & intimidating. There is something special about owning a new car, choosing something that you have always wanted & getting that new car feeling, that new car smell (albeit the smell of plastic) & driving a car no one has driven before. That is except for the factory workers, test drivers, transporter drivers, garage mechanics & sometimes the handy man at the garage. This is not a review on which new car to buy but a review on the likely pit falls when dealing with sales staff at franchised dealers. Having spent many years working at franchised dealers on the after sales side I have seen more than my fair share of questionable tactics played by sales staff in an attempt to sell cars. DOING YOUR HOME WORK Unless you are the kind of person who...

ScottishWestie 12.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of Buying A New Car

Buying a new car..don't just kick the tyres !

Advantages: low mileage
Disadvantages: need to very knowledgable of all the ins and out's

...Buying a new car is clearly a big decision. You need to do a lot of detailed research comparing urban cycle mpg, depreciation costs and load carrying capacity across a wide range of cars. And then when you've finished all this research you get the car you fancied in the first place even if it has the mpg of an armoured personnel carrier and the depreciation of a dot.com share. It's always a good idea to test drive a new car. It's called a test drive, because you suddenly fell like you're doing your driving test again. The ten minutes you have the car for will be the worst ten minutes of driving you've done since you were with your Dad in Sainsbury's car park. It doesn't help that the salesman will be pointing out the superb road holding as you accidentally mount a kerb, because you can't find the clutch. Its much better just to sit in...

joeyhey2007 30.01.2009 · Read review
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Review of Buying A New Car

I wish I could afford buying one every week...

Advantages: What else ? Brand new !
Disadvantages: Harassing dealers, high prices and insurance premiums

...I am a complete car-nut and I love it. Even if I do not plan buying a new car, I visit a dealer regularly and at least get an insight to a new model or sniff that most wonderful fragrance in the world. This basically is why I have quite good experience on this subject. (Well I also bought a number of cars brand new too -12- since I do not ever buy second hand.) I would suggest that : * Do not listen to the grinning and chattering dude too much. Just tell him that you are going to browse and you will happily ask him questions when you need information. The one who has to be overpolite is him; not you. * Read the brochure carefully first and then start looking at the vehicle. Do you need more power ? Do you need a car this big ? What will you use this car for ? Will it be the right choice for your purpose(s) ? * Take your...

MuratM 15.04.2004 · Read review
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Review of Buying A New Car

Buying A Car Read This

Advantages: Won't get ripped off
Disadvantages: none

...When it comes to buying a used car, it can be a snake pit. There is a lot of con merchants out there, only to willing to take your hard earned money, in exchange for a car that's knackered. I have a few handy hints to follow when buying a used car. Number 1 When you see the car you are interested in, phone up, and say I'm phoning about the car, do NOT say I'm phoning about the metro, escort or whatever car you have seen. If they say which car, leave it, this means they are traders, and you will almost certainly get ripped off. Number 2 Always see the car at the owner's address, if they want to bring the car round to you, this is suspicious, it probably means he's a trader. Number 3 Check all the car papers, mot, registration certificate if the registration certificate is not in the name of the person selling...

mandyco 10.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Buying A Second Hand Car

Its not all about the deal.

Advantages: nothing like driving a car from new, pride in ownership
Disadvantages: depreciation, once you have new, you have buy new again

...Having just purchased a new car, and having worked in the motor trade for over 20 years I thought it maybe helpful to give some advice on buying a brand new car. When you consider it is the highest capital outlay, except of course buying your own home, buying a car should not be entered into lightly. We all have our preconceptions about what make and model will do for us, be it social standing or just doing a job getting us from A to B. I think most people form an attachment to Brands as well; it can say something about you as a person, your wealth, your lifestyle, your aspirations. That maybe all well and good but lets look at the motor trade and what they want from you. Obviously they want your money, they want repeat business, and they want to service your car. Hopefully I can dispel a few myths and help you make an informed...

getscenic 24.11.2006 · Read review
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Review of Buying A New Car

Diesel Buyers Beware!

Advantages: Cleaner emissions
Disadvantages: Expensive upkeep

...be driven at motorway speeds, to get the revs up and the heat of the engine up, to burn off the "soot" and clear the filter. ~The AA Come to the Rescue~ In the end, the poor car limped home and Snarf called Seat, as he was still under warranty. Seat sent out an AA man to have a look at the car (part of the service you get when you buy a new Seat), but the man could not fix it - he and Snarf ummed and ahhed over it for a long time, but unfortunately no amount of manly standing around the car could fix it. He told Snarf to call Seat and get them to arrange for the AA to take it the the nearest Seat dealership. Snarf followed the instructions and another AA man came along and fixed the car to the back of his van and took it away. Snarf later spoke to the Seat dealership - New Southgate Seat. ~The dealership - New Southgate Seat...

tazzywazzy 13.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Buying A New Car

Buying a specialist car needs some thought

Advantages: owning a supercar, the thrill of driving, getting a great deal
Disadvantages: costs, dodgy dealers, possible pitfalls

...the forum for any problems they might have had with the car. It might be the reason they are selling! If you are paying above £3,000 it is well worth having an inspection done by the AA or RAC. It's also worth making sure you know where the nearest specialist is who you are going to use as your resident mechanic. When I buy a car, I always take it to my specialist who will give it a 30 minute lookover and drive out and come back with a list of problems. Thats another point, regardlessof what the seller tells you, be prepared for the car to need work within the first 3 months of ownership. Finally, go to local meets to talk to other owners. This is invaluable. Not only does it give you a new social network but you will learn of the common problems, hear of spare parts and tuning options, learn of dodgy dealers and crappy mechanics...

fightgear 01.08.2007 · Read review
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Review of Buying A Second Hand Car

What Made You Buy THAT Car

Advantages: We often get the car we want
Disadvantages: We are often led by the nose by the adverts

...~ ~ When you purchase a new car you might truly believe that you are buying it for any number of excellent reasons. It fits into your budget. It looks good and has loads of safety features. It goes like sh*t of a shovel! But the REAL reason that we buy a new car is almost invariably to fulfil some deep-rooted emotional need in our psyche. And what new car you buy often reveals more than you think about the type of person you actually are! ~ ~ When you look at it logically, buying a new car is actually a very irrational thing to do. It depreciates in value the second that you drive it out of the car dealers, and most of the time you could buy an equally good (or better!) used car for FAR less money. But every year when the new models make their first appearance in the showrooms, or when the registration numbers change, the motor...

the_mad_cabbie 27.05.2003 · Read review
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Review of Why People Buy A Particular Car

The last rites of a great British tradition

Advantages: It used to have respected name. You could buy the whole company!
Disadvantages: Huge debts, clapped out models, Sh***y Rover. Chinese Mafia.

...On the day the world buried a truly great individual (Pope John Paul II) the press announced that the liquidators had finally been called in at MG Rover. I find both of these events deeply touching, I'm neither a Catholic nor an MG Rover driver. I am however married to a Polish Catholic and in business am (fortunately) a very minor supplier to the Longbridge plant. Sorry if some of you are clicking the "off subject" icon about now, humour me a little if you will, I will get to the buying a new car subject I promise........ How many of you are surprised that MG Rover actually limped along this far? Any of us who have visited Longbridge or even a local dealer saw the writing on the wall years ago. Rover has traded for years on its name, an image whipped up on a 1950's and 60's image of an England that never really existed...

RICHADA 09.04.2005 · Read review
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Review of Buying A New Car

car salesmen are chauvinists

Advantages: knowing what has happened to the car, no possible hidden accident damage, lovely new smell in the car
Disadvantages: male car salesmen and their attitudes

...Now I know that there is an old fashined view of car salesmen as wideboys, but how many women have gone to buy a car and totally changed their view and found them charming gentlemen?? Not many, I'll bet. I had cause to go and buy a new car some little time ago, and I had a virtually new MG Metro to trade in. Anyway, when I walked into the Ford showroom, in Halifax as it happens (but the location doesn't matter- they are the same wherever you go)they were quick to come over and talk to me..which was good. I told the man what I wanted, and he nodded and smiled and pointed me towards a car in the showroom. Instead of talking about performance and how much it did to the gallon which is what I wanted to know, he showed me how nice the covers were on the seats (yes, I know women are usually more interested in the interiors than men are...

suecowsill 03.02.2001 · Read review
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Review of Buying A New Car