Thread: Buying Used Car Stories

Originally Posted by incisor

how to win friends and influence people ... lesson 1 "the knifery"

I couldn't do it, but I do know of someone that has

Originally Posted by Signal1

The longest process I went through was finding my D2. Although it only took about 3 weeks to find her I looked at 27 in total pretty much most afternoons and all weekends.

My main frustration was dealers who just blatently lie in their advertisements and when you call them. No. 22 - Rang the dealer before I went and asked all the usual questions. "Yep she's a beautie, no damage, just off the truck". Drove the 1hr down there to find a car with blood on the roof lining and door, dent RHR corner panel and most interior metal components rusting. Lets just say that I was not in the best of moods and he coped a right serve and an education on customer service and expectations. Feel on deaf ears though

The one I bought: Neg from $21K down to $18K with RWC for a 00MY D2 Td5 5 seater with 160K on the clock & full Lance Dixon LR service history since new. The best condition one I have ever seen for the age & kilometres. Belonged to a retired couple who bought it 12 months ago for a 'Around Australia Trip' but the husband died 2 months after purchase . Quite sad really as the exact same scenario happend to Mum when Dad passed away only 6 months after retirement.

To sour the process of purchasing a car is Stamp Duty. $8 per $200. $720 to the Bracks Government for what? Revenue for roads and alike...think I would like to see some evidence please!

Now just need to sell the Astra. So the tables have turned

You mexicans Definitely have the best Roads in Australia, bar none, Regards Frank.

Why is it that dealers carry on as if "country car" means no rust or beach work at all.

I have come across plenty of farmers/country people on Fraser and Moreton

Years back I was traipsing up and down Parramatta Rd. looking for a cheap heap to get to work and back, in Lidcombe we spotted and old VW Bug with some rego and fair tyres, didn't look too shabby, so we decided to test drive, wouldn't start, typical VW 6 volt electrics, only headlight beams I've ever seen that actually Droop. Took it for a drive after clutching it, motor had a noise, lifted the bonnet and found a block of wood that had been stuck behind the Fan-air cowling and against the firewall to hold the engine up, had slipped down and was causing the fan blades to hit the cowling, slid the block of wood back up and no more noise, had to be done every 500Klms or so. Anyway we get back to the dealer and have a whinge about the car and offer him $300 cash, he winces and umms and ahhs and says , "Tell you what Mate you give me $200 cash and she's yours", Crikey, you could have knocked me over with a feather, so we paid him the $200 and left. That car lasted about a year travelling from the Windsor area to Balmain every work day, would never start, had to clutch it, in winter it was rough because it was dark when we left for work and when we got home, I used to carry a large torch which I would hold out the window when we were in areas with no roadside lighting, don't remember ever spending any money on it, Great Deal, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Tank

Years back I was traipsing up and down Parramatta Rd. looking for a cheap heap to get to work and back, in Lidcombe we spotted and old VW Bug with some rego and fair tyres, didn't look too shabby, so we decided to test drive, wouldn't start, typical VW 6 volt electrics, only headlight beams I've ever seen that actually Droop. Took it for a drive after clutching it, motor had a noise, lifted the bonnet and found a block of wood that had been stuck behind the Fan-air cowling and against the firewall to hold the engine up, had slipped down and was causing the fan blades to hit the cowling, slid the block of wood back up and no more noise, had to be done every 500Klms or so. Anyway we get back to the dealer and have a whinge about the car and offer him $300 cash, he winces and umms and ahhs and says , "Tell you what Mate you give me $200 cash and she's yours", Crikey, you could have knocked me over with a feather, so we paid him the $200 and left. That car lasted about a year travelling from the Windsor area to Balmain every work day, would never start, had to clutch it, in winter it was rough because it was dark when we left for work and when we got home, I used to carry a large tocrh which I would hold out the window when we in areas with no roadside lighting, don't remember ever spending any money on it, Great Deal, Regards Frank.

Pitty there arent more used cars like that, ones that dont need money spending on them i mean

When i was looking for my first rangie back in 94', i went to a well known LR 'specialist' in Melbourne's sth east, car was clean and straight for a 78' model, driving down the rd it went ok so i stomped on the gas to see what sort of backlash it had went to change gears and the gearstick came out of the box ! So here i was belting down nepean hwy one hand on the wheel the other in mid air with a dangling gearstick in my hand, drove straight back to the yard and left immediately. Ended up buying my 81' rangie for about 3k less and in better condition.

My best experience was buying BlackBetty.
Southern Landrover were advertising it as the cheapest TD5 in australia,$14990.I had $10000 saved and despite vowing never to borrow money for a car again my wallet was burning me!!!!
I rang up to enquire,they had actually had lots of enquirees but nobody had come to look at it yet.
The salesman said there is only 1 real problem,198000ks.Its black,no scratches,has ACE,bullbar spotties.Its too good to send to the wholesalers but really too hi in ks to put on the lot.I explained I was from the country and couldnt just pop around the corner for a look.Well you will really like this one if you are from the country,its a Broome vehicle and we have done almost all the servicing.If you see it you will buy it said the salesman
I cant get up there for a couple of hours(its 4pm now) I dont want to travel up and find you have sold it on me.Well I will hold it till 7pm if you want,ok deal.
Grabbed Lindsay,called into my bros place in Perth to get him to help check it out,drive into Southerns and there is this immaculate BLACK BEAST outside the showroom.I said to Lindsay and my Bro,no way cant be my one,sure enough it was.I reckon I had it as mine even before I got in for a test drive.Lindsay kept saying buy it dad this is awesome.No regrets at all,was willing to take the gamble on the high ks due to the servicing all been done and synthetics used.Despite a few TD5 issues lateley,its a very good car.The insurance co refused to insure it for under $21000!!!!!
Andrew

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Southern Landrover were advertising it as the cheapest TD5 in australia,$14990.

I looked at a Disco1 privately that was advertised as the cheapest 1998 model in Australia. I went and looked at it and it was obvious that it had quite a few aftermarket type accessories removed. I was told he bought it like that. Anyway the guy repeated his line about the cheapest 98 model in australia and I laughed and said it wasn't even the cheapest 98 model on the page of the website . Both cars were in SE Qld too.

It was in bad shape too. Both mechanically and cosmetic. Although it was in near perfect nick according to the owner.