new car buying advice

Ned · Post by **Ned** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:25 pm

hi guys, im helping a friend look at new cars, i dont know a whole lot but i probably know more than her, so im it.

we're looking at a ford puma and a ford probe. i dont think fords are the best on fuel, but theyre good looking cars and she likes that.

has anyone any quick generic pointers as to what to look out for?

cheers,
ned .

GadgetBoy · Post by **GadgetBoy** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:45 pm

Ford. Fix or repair daily.

I jest, they make a grand car these days.

The rules are simple.

1. Buy it from someone with an address. Don't arrange to meet at a lay by or don't let someone come to you.

2. Check the paperwork thoroughly. If there's no registration or NCT or "it's it the post" walk away. If the person selling the car is not on the paperwork find out why and make sure it's a plausible reason.

3. 12'000 miles per year is the normal average. So a three year old car should have 30-40K miles on it. If it has a lot more walk away.

4. Ideally you should be shown a service history. Make sure it matches the car and ring the garage and confirm the details.

5. Do an HPI check.

Remember, if it looks to good to be true it's usually a wrong 'un.

Take the car for a reasonable drive. Listen for squeaks, rattles. Does it steer straight when you (a) take your hand off the wheel (b) brake? Lift the boot carpet and examine the boot floor. Examine the engine bay. Look down the car down the window line - is it straight. Check bonnet, doors, boot - the shut line should be even and the same width all the way round. Check the carpets for dampness.

That'll keep you going for a while. I'm sure others will chip in too.

excossack · Post by **excossack** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:27 pm

Make sure everything electrical works.

Lada & Korean Parts · Post by **Lada & Korean Parts** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:49 pm

GadgetBoy wrote:Ford. Fix or repair daily..

found on roadside dead
found on rubbish dump
fast only running downhill
ford owners r... dogs (ford owner told me that one)
f'd on race day

etc.etc.

buy something decent,get a holden....

GadgetBoy · Post by **GadgetBoy** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:55 pm

Don't sell 'em here Andy. Well .... except the Monaro. Quite useful if you want to hit warp 9 now and again.

The european Fords are excellent cars these days.

Lada & Korean Parts · Post by **Lada & Korean Parts** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:00 pm

they have improved them then???

i know the ones they were bringing here were crap,like the focus etc.

i thought they may have still been sending rebadged holdens over there.

the fight between holden & ford fans here is great,especialy v8 weekend.....

Ned · Post by **Ned** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:27 am

thanks guys. went to see the puma, lovely little thing. a girls car, but i always though they were very good looking. got an extensive list of things to look out for on the puma, from the net (love the net) and everything was perfect, i mean really nice, except the passenger footwell was damp. not rusted yet, but damp.
my friend wanted something bigger tho, and rear visibility was crap. for the money tho, 900 euro, it was a solid solid car.
shes looking for an estate, a merc, bmw touring or volvo estate maybe.

went to see a golf too, nice bodywork, but the guy was pushy and the engine wasnt idling nice, and it had 137000 miles on it.

i must admit i enjoyed it, it was a good evening!