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Mon 9 Feb 2004 20:54
nearly new ! - tube
i have been looking for a decent 2 hand car for about two weeks
1: main dealer very good car decent trade in price\'was going back next day to buy (£10K price)checked their web site £500 pounds cheaper,showed this to sales man he said you can have it at that price no problem,he would knock £500 off my trade in i smiled at him and walked.

2 next i went to a fairly large dealer not main checked on the phone about state of car and checked on his webb site looked fine 60mins drive to view car was £7000 2 year old diesil 23k on clock full history got there car had 2 bald tyres engine bay was very!! dirty two different number plates (same index) it had water stains on the inside, the salesman told me the millage was correct and showed me a copy of the service same stamp 4 times with same coloured pen this on a 23k? car

i am looking for a decent car 1.8 etc up to 10k low millage
i live in the watford area any one out there know of any decent car dealersout there, i am lucky that i know enough not to buy a lemon i feel sorry for people who dont

thank you for helping me get this out
graham (tube)

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Mon 9 Feb 2004 21:16
nearly new ! - Aprilia
It a fair drive up the M1 for you, but there is availablecar.com (also on the web at that URL) car supermarket near Castle Donnington in Leicestershire (just off J24 - I think).

I have never bought from them, but visited a few times last year with friends to look over cars on their behalf. I thought they were very good. Keen prices and everything in good condition. There is no pressure either - cars are in secure compound and all open so they let you walk around and get in. When you go for test drive salesgirl (they seemed mostly to be women) jumps in passenger seat and just lets you drive.
I have no connection with the company, BTW, but they are much better than other supermarkets IMHO. Friends who bought (Daewoo Matiz and Mondeo) have been happy.
It a fair way from Watford, but if you are spending £7-10k it may be worth the drive.
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Mon 9 Feb 2004 21:23
nearly new ! - Wilco {P}
If you're in Watford, try Trade Sales in Slough?

www.trade-sales.co.uk
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Mon 9 Feb 2004 22:09
nearly new ! - tube
i have been there about a year ago, heard there pretty good,only problem is there low trade-in they give
(98 omega 2.6cdx 68k) i dont want to give it away,but i might have to go down that road,to get what i want,
cheers
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Mon 9 Feb 2004 22:05
nearly new ! - tube
not to worried about traveling if the cars worth it ,what gets me is when they tell you over the phone the car is in great condition and its not,thats what gets me i will take a look any way,
cheers
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Mon 9 Feb 2004 22:13
nearly new ! - Wilco {P}
Yep - focus on the cost to change. But the benefit of Trade Sales or the Great Trade Centre (or whatever they are called now) in Scrubs Lane is you get exactly what you see.

Good luck whatever you do...
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Mon 9 Feb 2004 22:27
nearly new ! - tube
i think that is what i am going to do take a loss for a decent car , cheers
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Mon 9 Feb 2004 23:07
nearly new ! - Andrew-T
Yes, tube, heed the words of the Artful Dodger. Work out the Cost to Change (Screen price less your Part-Ex). The oldest fiddle in the book is to make buyers feel good by saying '£1000 for any old car'. What matters is the dent in your wallet, not the feeling that the silly dealer has given you a silly price - he has been at it longer than you have.

Better still, try to have no trade-in.
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Mon 9 Feb 2004 23:13
nearly new ! - tube
i have a phobia about beening rip off,i am honest with people
i expect the same back ,suppose i will have to get into the real world, to much hassle to sell it private,i know you play into their hands when you px, always get finance from bank
always get good deal,freinds the manager.
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