Buying an old 2nd hand car

I'm a late starter in the driving game, and just wanna pick up a cheap enough car (lets say 3/4k) to do me for a year or two - I always hear that your first car should be something you're not too concerned over as regards value as you'll probably hurt the clutch/have some scrapes and bangs in it as you learn etc..

I've had my eye on a few 2nd hand Mazada 323 GLXs, most of them tend to be 1995-7 and cost eur2000-4250.

My question is... if I buy a 95/97 car and keep it for two years.... am I then going to just end up with a 12/10 year old car that I cant sell & am stuck with..? Does this often happen to people who buy cheap cars like this..? The 2nd hand market looks very much a buyers market with lots of cars going for seemingly next to nothing.

Depreciation is inevitable, but irrespective of age yu'll always find a buyer for a sound, reliable, and well maintained car.

Buy the best one you can afford, and have someone who knows about cars go over it first thoroughly.

I'd tend to go for a Japanese model when buying an older car. Also, try and write off the cost over say 3 years (i.e. if you're borrowing, borrow for the length of time you think that you'll keep the car for), so when you come to sell/scrap you will not be making a 'loss'

I had a bit of trouble trying to get rid of a 99 Almera with 105k miles on the clock recently, but got a good enough price when I traded it in against another new car. I think it was the mileage rather than the year that put people off. Have to say that the car was in great nick though, and I had bought it with 92k miles on the clock.

CCOVICH said:

I'd tend to go for a Japanese model when buying an older car.

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I've heard that before alright.

CCOVICH said:

Also, try and write off the cost over say 3 years (i.e. if you're borrowing, borrow for the length of time you think that you'll keep the car for), so when you come to sell/scrap you will not be making a 'loss'

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Nah I'll buy it for cash - I refuse to pay interest on anything if I can avoid it.

As for mileage, what do you reckon is the 'cut-off point' where it starts getting difficult to sell a car... maybe 60/70k..?

100k miles is tops imho.

Anything under that is instantly saleable.

Above that will be trickier/may take longer, and the value suffers.

As a guide to what to buy.......

I sold my 1997 3dr Civic (42k miles from new) for €4450........though it may be difficult to get one as well-maintained as mine (I'm fussy about my cars ).

Buy the best car you can, maintain it properly (e.g. regular oil and filter changes!!) and you will have little problem selling it in a few years time.

Best of luck,
Silvera.

Keep receipts for everything.

As a potential buyer there is nothing I would like better that for the buyer to be able to give me receipts for services, timing belt changes, new brake shoes, tyres, ols NCT results, everything.

If the seller was fussy about the car there is less chance there is that he abused it.


Murt