MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Mrs Monkey needs a new car. Well a car really, she's driving her dad's at the moment. Budget is around 3k including a years insurance and any other bits and bobs - but the less the better. Insurance on the kind of stuff we're looking at will be around £600 (she's a youngun!).
We've found what looks like the ideal car, went to have a look at it yesterday. It's a 2002 plate Yaris 1.3 SR. FSH, serviced a couple of months ago, nearly new front tyres and not much older rears, nearly a years MOT and 6 months tax. Looks and drives mint, as much as can be told from a test drive. Only trouble is, the chap's asking 2.5k, which is a bit over budget.
So - what's the etiquette for haggling on a car price? She's quite keen on it, but also quite conscious of overspending. What's a reasonable offer to go in with? There's not much to haggle with to be honest, everything seems spot on!
Personally I'd focus on the mechanics and getting it checked out mechanically. I'd be prepared to over-pay slightly if I was buying a good condition-example.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/yaris-1999/?section=bad
On price- at the end of the day he wants to sell. If he sticks to his price, walk. There are PLENTY more out there.
Stick the exact details in Autotrader, do a national search, and see what comes back. £2500 doesn't sound out of line if it's a relatively low-mileage car.
Those are the advertised prices. Knock upto 15% off those.
Aye, 2.2 - 2.7k seems to be about the range for the exact model, and I've had a good poke around it and couldn't find anything untoward.
I'm thinking offer him 2.2k with a mind to paying 2.3, and as you say if he won't budge - we can walk. In no massive hurry for a car, and there are plenty out there. Though not that many Yaris's, it seems.
if a private sale check log book matches address if not prob a dealer will come up with some excuse like bought if for the wife and she doesnt like it
if a dealer check previous owner see if you can get there number ring them and ask any info about the car
this saved me buying a repaired write off some time ago
check no smoke out of exhaust start it from cold listen for knocks rattles pull dipstick oil should be black or oil coloured if its like a creamy color similar to baileys walk away
Mav12 has a goodpoint on the first para.
1) Stick your offer in first, rather than asking the seller what he/she wants. This is the figure that will be haggled from, and it's better for you to haggle from a lower one than a higher one.
2) Don't fill silences. Let the seller fill them, cos in their eagerness to sell they may well let something slip that can be used to get the price downwards.
3) Set an absolute limit. If you're about to walk away over £50, most sellers will capitulate.
I let one car go on 30quid. Seriously. I'd gone OVER book value (as the seller was convinced it was a gem and he'd happily hold onto it forever and had a figure in his head).
I offered over (best value) and he still held out so I walked.
Don't forget within each valuation figure its split into poor, good and excellent. Always offer the poor value. When selling always aim for excellent...
And have a good look around the car and point out *every* defect you can find - from stone chips to wearing of seat trim. Irrespective of whether the condition is fair for the age you want the seller to think they are selling you a dud.
And check every single switch to ensure it all works - interior lights, electric windows, fan, the lot.
When you go back press every button, put everything in every position it could go in. Things like Aircon, electric windows would not be covered in a service or MOT but are annoying and can be expensive when they go wrong.
When you turn up make sure the car is cold (that they have not been runnig it to warrm it up for your arrival) this way you can test things like how good it is at cold start, do the de misting bars in the rear window work, it the heater effective - all things you will want to work in the upcomming months.
Check the seats fold down move through all positions this couild be important to you if you ever plan on carrying bike in the back.
That's the trouble, I genuinely couldn't find any defects!