Buying a CLK blind. Is the AA's word good enough

[Ade B]

If you are spending £9k on a car you really want, a few hundred quid here or there on inspections and train fares are going to make little difference a year down the line. Its hardly an impulse buy in this case.

Ade

 

[280gee]

If you are spending £9k on a car you really want, a few hundred quid here or there on inspections and train fares are going to make little difference a year down the line. Its hardly an impulse buy in this case.

Ade

Especially if the inspection reveals something the seller "wasn't aware of."

 

[hawk20]

There is an alternative of course. Buy from a Merc dealer under the approved used scheme and you get 12 months warranty and all the checks done.

There is a pretty tasty one at the Southend Merc dealer. Not a 430 but a 320 which still has bags of poke. Leather, parktronic and lots of bits. Looks smart. Younger and less miles and only asking £10,900. Bet you'd get it for under £10k with no part ex. especially in January, not a fast moving month. Here's a link: -

http://www.mercedes-benz.motortrak....yle9=4&franchise9=26&vids=13536967&vidindex=0

 

[chriswt]

Chris,

Firstly - if the report comes back as good - what do you intend to do? You've paid out £160 or £260 and are you likely to get much cash off the price?

Would you be happy to pay the full £9K if it's what the seller says it is?

If so that's the right thing to do I guess, but as others have mentioned, you don't actually know at this stage whether the seller will move on price, especially if he thinks you're keen after paying out for an inspection

If you're looking for a 'bargain' I reckon it's not that cheap personally. I've seen proper CLK55s down in the south with similar mileage, better spec (COMAND etc) and in good straight condition for £2k more than that.

Good Luck,

Will

Who's post do I quote first!????! ahhh

You've hit the nail on the head Will. They guy has had his car serviced at a main dealer from day one and according to him its in A1 condition. If, £260 later, I find there is nothing of major concern with the car I've just wasted my bargaining tool. Basicly I have no more than £8k-ish to spend and for once in my car-buying life I want to walk away rather than spend more.

The cars has been for sale for quite some time (good few months) and so he may be keen to sell. Otherwise I'll hold out for another one.

CLK55 would be nice but I'd rather pay top money for a car like that just to know that its going to be a good'un. My other car choice would be a C43 though which is well within budget but more expensive to run.

There is an alternative of course. Buy from a Merc dealer under the approved used scheme and you get 12 months warranty and all the checks done.

There is a pretty tasty one at the Southend Merc dealer. Not a 430 but a 320 which still has bags of poke. Leather, parktronic and lots of bits. Looks smart. Younger and less miles and only asking £10,900. Bet you'd get it for under £10k with no part ex. especially in January, not a fast moving month. Here's a link: -

http://www.mercedes-benz.motortrak.c...7&vidin dex=0

Thanks Hawk that looks like a nice motor, my old man would love it if could make sensible choices like that but I want V8 power and unless the dealer would drop to £9k then I couldn't justify spending the extra dosh.

 

[Dieselman]

A forum member very kindly offered to buy something on my behalf. He gave me his bank acount details and within minutes I had transferred the necessary funds into his account; all done within minutes. The other methods might cost money, but how do those costs compare to the days committed in travelling, and the actual costs of maing the two journeys?

Just my observation and the most important thing is the buyer does what they are happy with.

Regards
John

The funds have gone from your account instatly, but not into the other parties. In addition they can be clawed back by the bank.

With a CHAPS payment the transfer still isn't instant, but both banks have proof of the transaction and funds cannot be clawed back.

 

[Dieselman]

unless the dealer would drop to £9k then I couldn't justify spending the extra dosh.

They probably will if you're serious.
I got more than that off my car before seeing it plus £1000 of service work and tyres as well.

 

[glojo]

They probably will if you're serious.
I got more than that off my car before seeing it plus £1000 of service work and tyres as well.

Just what I was thinking and if this example appeals to the member then nothing ventured, nothing gaine. If you want a V8, then stick to your guns, but feel free to make any dealer an embarrassing offer (not too embarrassing though)

John

 

[chriswt]

Just what I was thinking and if this example appeals to the member then nothing ventured, nothing gaine. If you want a V8, then stick to your guns, but feel free to make any dealer an embarrassing offer (not too embarrassing though)

John

I'm very tempted but I really like the AMG kit and the drive of the 4.3.

Also www.mercland.com have a very similar CLK which is a lot cheaper and Jay (whom I've alreay talked to about it) seems like a nice chap to deal with so I couldn't consider a 320 without considering his car.

 

[grober]

The AA report will not include a valuation of the car's asking price. The inspector may well comment "off the record" with his preliminary telephone report but the question of value for money doesn't come into the report. As previously mentioned the report offers no money back guarantee if the AA gets it wrong or misses some major fault. They don't for example undertake an "under car inspection" if the vendor doesn't offer a car lift facility-something a private vendor wouldn't have access to. That's an essential part of any inspection of a car > 3 years old/requiring an MOT .
Personally I would never buy a car a) I haven't seen personally b) driven myself. The AA inspection can be of assistance as a "second pair of eyes" but is not by any means adequate on its own IMHO. An inspection by a Mercedes specialist you know and trust is best but may not be readily available if your new to Mercedes ownership.
At the end of the day it really depends on how "risk averse" you are to borrow a phrase from the IFA fraternity, and also your financial reserves if you should buy a faulty car requiring expensive repair.

 

[Will]

Chris,

Why not just offer £8K (or even less if you're feeling cheeky!) for the 430.

You've got nothing to lose, and if the buyer knows you are miles away he might crack just to tempt you to view the car.

If you get it down to the price that you're happy with, then maybe consider paying out for an inspection.

It's madness to me to pay £160 or £260 for an inspection if the car is already £1000 more expensive than you can afford or are willing to pay

Will

 

[chriswt]

Chris,

Why not just offer £8K (or even less if you're feeling cheeky!) for the 430.

You've got nothing to lose, and if the buyer knows you are miles away he might crack just to tempt you to view the car.

If you get it down to the price that you're happy with, then maybe consider paying out for an inspection.

It's madness to me to pay £160 or £260 for an inspection if the car is already £1000 more expensive than you can afford or are willing to pay

Will

You're reading my mind. I'm gonna knock the inspection on the head for now and go and see the car for myself.

Good points Grober, I've bought two cars Blind from Ebay although I always could have walked away if they were dogs, so I'm happy to take certain risks based on gut feeling and my basic mechanical knowledge.

As for reserve cash for unexpected repairs, I've got these two bits of plastic in mt wallet that would need to come into play should the worse happen.

 

[Will]

Chris,

Before spending a whole day travelling to see the car 'on the off chance', you're far better off starting the negotiations before you visit.

Ie - contact the seller and explain the situation. You really like the car, but you just can't afford the asking price. Ask politely if it is worth you coming to see the car bearing in mind you have £8K

I'm sure if the guy needs to sell up he'll listen and consider your position. At the end of the day, as the potential buyer with the cash, you do have the upper hand.

You'll still have the opportunity to inspect and consider the car anyway, but at least you'll know it's not a wasted journey if he's not willing to budge on the price.

He needs to reel you in to come up to see him and his car, not the other way round.

Will

 

[chriswt]

A spanner has been thrown into the works!!

Going to see the CLK tomorrow (sunday) but after having a sneaky look on Pistonheads I found this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/351671.htm

Damn!

 

[gbjeppm]

Going to see the CLK tomorrow (sunday) but after having a sneaky look on Pistonheads I found this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/351671.htm

Damn!

That looks like a well loved C43, I can understand your dilemma.

 

[Alfie]

Going to see the CLK tomorrow (sunday) but after having a sneaky look on Pistonheads I found this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/351671.htm

Damn!

Did you go to see the CLK? What was it like?

 

[chriswt]

Did you go to see the CLK? What was it like?

Didn't get a chance this weekend. I will be going up there on Friday with cash in hand (well sort of).

Might see that C43 tonight if he has'nt sold it already. He had a call after being on Pistonheads for 10 minutes.

 

[chriswt]

Right, train ticket to Hull is booked for Friday.

Has anyone got any good haggling tips to make sure I get this car for £8000 instead of the £9k its advertised for?

I really don't fancy having to pay an extra £39 for a ticket to get out of Hull!

 

[Will]

Chris,

That should be the easy bit.

You should negotiate the price before you even travel, no point in making the journey if the car is too expensive IMHO.

Speak to the seller, I would have been upfront about this to him before booking the ticket - will save much embarrassment and time in the long run.

Will

 

[hawk20]

Right, train ticket to Hull is booked for Friday.

Has anyone got any good haggling tips to make sure I get this car for £8000 instead of the £9k its advertised for?

I really don't fancy having to pay an extra £39 for a ticket to get out of Hull!

I was given this one by a car dealer friend. First get his price down as far as you can till he insists he can go no lower. Now, be nice as pie, say how much you like the car and would love to own it, but you really can't afford to go over £8k. Wish him the best of luck with his sale and make as if to leave. Show no signs of indecision. You are leaving. At this point, if it really was his lowest price, he 'll stick to it. If it wasn't he'll offer to accept a new lower price or will accept your offer.

Even if you start walking, like Columbo you can change your mind, hover, walk back and say 'Oh to hell with it, I'll find the extra somehow'.

 

[chriswt]

Chris,

That should be the easy bit.

You should negotiate the price before you even travel, no point in making the journey if the car is too expensive IMHO.

Speak to the seller, I would have been upfront about this to him before booking the ticket - will save much embarrassment and time in the long run.

Will

You are right but I didn't want to talk money until I have the cash inf ront of him as he's got 'ovno' on the autotrader advert and so I doubt he'd go much lower over the phone.

I will pay more than £8000 for the car if its as good as he say it is so I can always go to my maximum if the £8k offer doesn't work. But if he doesn't accept my maximum then I will happily take the train back home.

If the cars still for sale a few weeks later he might just agree to the £8k over the phone.

Also I did a price check of the car

Prices

Dealer £11,940

Private £10,240

Part Ex £9,790

Cost New £43,000


Seems like its price under book anyway and the plate must be work £500 plus to someone.