How far do/would you travel to view a car?

[Big_Jon]

I am awaiting a container lorry to come and pick up a 1956 split-screen morris-minor that is going to silver-city, iowa, usa!

 

[shorty]

When we brought the Merc we flew to Cork to see the car , then drove it home to Dundalk . With the wifes MR2 we flew to Glasgow then drove it home .

 

[Matt32AMG]

If it was me and I was about to spend a cart load of my hard earned cash, then I will travel as far as I need to go to look at the appropriate car that fitted my ideal requirments. If that meant travelling from Bournemouth to Aberdeen I'd do it if the spec was right and I wasn't buying brand new.

 

[jaymanek]

I used to go to Ireland to buy cars... that was fun..

 

[gaz_l]

Was ready to book a flight from Sydney to Perth to buy an SVX when I was gazummped on the sale (we had agreed price, pick up date etc etc)

:-(

Would have been a great drive back to Sydney

That's about 4 gearbox rebuilds isn't it?

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Mercurial]

More often than not, I find myself lusting after a car that's not exactly run-of-the-mill. And to that end I find myself often travelling around the country to find the best example of that particular car.

In answer to the original question, I'd be prepared to cover the four corners of this fair isle (mainland) if it meant getting hold of the ideal car.

 

[Stan the Man]

I did a round trip, Plymouth to Nottingham and return, to collect my present C220 CDi. I saw the car advertised on the internet, the seller having uploaded some 15 HQ photographs and a video. He took my C180 in part exchange (fair allowance) and I had a 250 miles test drive home (with a 12 months warranty in my pocket).

 

[davidjpowell]

My partner sold her old Peugeot 206 a few years ago when we lived in Bristol. A very nice couple got the train from London - had a ten minute drive, and then examined the car for an hour outside the house. Was very strange. They decided that they did not like the panel gaps and walked away. I was left a little bemused at all this over a 2.5K car!

 

[Will]

The result of most posts on this thread here is what confuses me. Most people seem willing to travel for the right car (and in my case, it was a pretty rare car - spec/conditon etc)

Maybe it's the pre/post xmas, new year blues, credit crunch etc. I think I did a pretty good job with the advert (detailed, with option for a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet documenting all MOTs, service history, parts, mileages etc, plus at least one or two photographs of every aspect of the car (including interior and under the bonnet).

On seconds thoughts - perhaps my advert was too detailed. Ie, buyers felt comfortable bidding blind as they knew I'd gone to extreme lengths to provide all information that they'd need (bar a test drive I guess).

Oh well - it sold to the first person who viewed the car - 'First to see will buy' and all that

Will

 

[imadoofus]

Our own Talbir probably beats the rest (Canada?), but I've been to France, Italy, Germany and Belgium to view cars. None of them were for me, sadly, but I was viewing on behalf of clients, some of whom purchased.

 

[TonyVianoAmbiente]

What about others? What's the furthest you've been to see a car? Where would you draw the line at how far to come?

I travelled from London to Falkirk, Scotland to look at and eventually buy a VW Caravelle. It was quite a rare item; I probably wouldn't travel more than 30 miles for a runabout.

My E300 Diesel came from Deal in Kent. That's about 130 miles from here. My wife and I took the train there and (obviously) drove back, taking time to have a fine seafood lunch in Whitstable and an hour and a half wandering around the historic sights of Rochester before braving the M25. Very civilised!

 

[pills12]

hi will

just seen youre wheels on another posting but cant reply on that one can u please contact me as would like to make an offer:bannana:

 

[Will]

Hi there,

Sorry - not sure if you've seen the full thread - the car has been sold

Cheers,

Will

 

[Meldrew2]

I bought a Citroen Berlingo van from Surrey, and drove it home to Lancashire.

I bought the van "blind" on eBay, and flew on the shuttle to Gatwick, so at least the outbound journey was pleasant - and if I'd known the radio code, the return leg would have been better........

Stopped halfway at the Hilton in Leicester for a nice meal, a comfortable (upgraded) room and a superb breakfast. I saved about £1500 on the deal, even after the flight and hotel.

The van..... well, it was every bit as good as the seller's description and photos, and now, 5 years later, it's still in daily use, and still looks well.

(Not long after, we sold our old Transit minibus to a buyer with a nursing home on the south coast. It gave us many years of service, so hopefully it's still going strong.)

 

[pills12]

sorry not the car these wheels
Original CLK AMG wheels
Hi everyone,

A good friend of mine has a set of four original AMG wheels as fitted to 208 CLK models. They are a staggered 17" set up (7.5J front, 8.5J rear) as used on the CLK55.

Obviously suitable for all 208 CLK models, and should fit most other MBs of this era - C-class, SLK and others.

They are in used condition from a 2001/Y-plate car. Slight kerb markings in places and a bit of discoulouration on the polished lips. I don't think they're every been re-furbed before so should be straightforward to return to 'as new' condition if you wish, but also perfectly usable as they are - depends on your budget I guess
My friend has finally emailed some pics over.

I think he just wants these out of his garage now

Must be worth £275 to someone for genuine AMG rims?

 

[Will]

Oh - sorry

They're sold as well - my friend sold them to another forum member

Will

 

[pills12]

ok thanks

 

[rirhill]

Well I am flying off to Northern Ireland tomorrow to look at a car. I live in Kent and have seem to have found a good example on budget.
So I have to factor in an
Easy jet return flight to view.
Easyjet single to buy.
Ferry ticket home.
Fuel etc.

Nothing like making life hard for yourself.

Cheers
Ian

 

[Rob77]

Years ago, I got the bus down from outside Edinburgh to London to pick up a pool cue. Stayed over at a friend's and got a lift back the following day.

Distance wouldn't put me off buying something I really wanted.

 

[Setanta]

That's about 4 gearbox rebuilds isn't it?

Cheers,

Gaz

Indeed! The reputation of the E4AT appears to be well known!

Would have sandblasted the front of the car though with sustained trans-desert driving at high speeds.....but in Oz, even in the middle of nowhere, there will be a cop with a laser.

Draconian!