I also think your mazda looks liek a sweet-ass ride.
The front seats on the SMC S-Max aren't as taught as they should be for seats that have only been sat in for 5k, compare withthe rears. The discs look too worn too though the pic is at the wrong angle to see properly.
I agree that an ex-hire vehicle needs to be recent. I aim at 12-15 months as they buy for the Summer and keep them till the end of the following Summer.
I've never been the best at negotiating, but I did go on a work course recently. Key points seemed to be:
Be well prepared. In your case this would be knowing book prices, trim levels, similar local cars.
Trade, for example, if you... Then I.... This allows you to agree a lower price by stealth then bump it up with stuff.
Set your range. Your initial offer if they won't open should be lower than the lowest you think is achievable.
If you start trading, do it from your end, rather than theirs.
Move in small steps rather than big jumps.
Don't believe anything the salesman will tell you, trust your research.
Remember it's a game, and you can always walk away.
Remember your initial reaction when he offered you 8k for your Mazda. If you don't get that from the salesman with your first offer, it's too high.
Mmmmm, SMC Slough........Sister lives in Windsor, she got her Smax from Newbury........ She was able to deal a lot better there than for one in Slough.
also how can they say my car is only worth 8k when it looks like this .....
Completely irrelevant. They just don't want your car at that price, if they take PX they either have to sell it (In which case they want to buy it cheap to make on it) or send it to another dealer (In which case they want to buy it cheap to make on it) or sen it to auction (In which case they want to buy it cheap to make on it).
Sell private, the only down side is you end up without a car till you get a new one. Or take the PX offer and avoid the hassle.
I'd keep the Mazda.. Buy a roof box (for the luggage not the dog) for trips away. Looks lovely.
not reading the whole thread BUT you with your history of car issues from what ive seen on here want to buy a car with no service history.
dont do it.
Dont price on milage or age , price on condition and service history is part of that condition - no service history its not worth the top dollar price he is asking for it.
cars dont like sitting around for long periods - and the fact that has dont 5300 in 6 years would scare me alot - it certainly doesnt add to its value in anyway over an average milaged one.
