Tips on buying an used car

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vaultedskies

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Hi guys

I'm trying to decide whether my next car should be bought new or used. My current car (Ford Fiesta Ghia) I bought used from a Ford dealership and subsequently found out that the car had been in an accident, despite the dealer claiming the opposite prior to the purchase. I've had lingering issues with the car, most of which stem from the accident.

So basically I am hesitant to buy used again, due to a fear of undisclosed/unseen issues. However, I definitely see the value in buying a demo or 1 year old car and my current thinking is to buy a nicer/better spec demo model, rather than a brand new car in a lower bracket. [Currently I'm thinking mid-spec Golf 7. My budget is c. R250k-R300k.]

Is there any advice you guys can give me to avoid the pitfalls of buying an used car. If I buy a demo from a reputable dealer, will that be a good bet?

Thx!
 
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vaultedskies

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Drifter said:
You can get a brand new Fiesta ST with that budget.
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I won't buy Ford again, considering the bad experience I had with the purchase and also subsequent TERRIBLE service at various service centers. I don't have an issue with the cars, but the service centers in CPT are awful.

I think I'd prefer something in the next bracket up, maybe a bit more luxurious...
 
azbob

azbob

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vaultedskies said:
ja, couldn't decide which was right... ;) "an" 'cause it's followed by "used" or "a" 'cause the noun is "car"
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Your reasoning is incorrect in either case.

"an" is used when followed by a vowel sound, sound being the important word here. Although "u" is a vowel, the word "used" begins with a "y" sound therefore "an" should not be used.


As for your second reason, I don't think that's a rule.
 
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Arthur

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vaultedskies said:
ja, couldn't decide which was right... ;) "an" 'cause it's followed by "used" or "a" 'cause the noun is "car"
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No sweat. English is a bugger at the best of times. Odd as it might sound, "used" doesn't begin with a vowel sound but with a consonant, (in IPA, ju:/).
 
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vaultedskies

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abzo said:
Your reasoning is incorrect in either case.

"an" is used when followed by a vowel sound, sound being the important word here. Although "u" is a vowel, the word "used" begins with a "y" sound therefore "an" should not be used.


As for your second reason, I don't think that's a rule.
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Thanks for explaining that
 
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vaultedskies

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Arthur said:
No sweat. English is a bugger at the best of times. Odd as it might sound, "used" doesn't begin with a vowel sound but with a consonant, (in IPA, ju:/).
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thanks, Abzo also just noted that it depends on the sound, not the actual letter :)
 
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vaultedskies

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jman said:
In that case, you'll have to look at the older model, considering your budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.za/used-ca...randcommercialpricerangeszar/250000-to-299999

I'd go with the BMW. You'll get a newer car- model wise and year wise. And probably with less km's on the clock
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Thx jman, ja getting a newer car with less km is definitely preferable. Would a comparable C-Class Merc not fall into the same price range as the 3-series you listed?

[Edit] I mean, I've always seen the 3-series and C-class as comparable. So if you could get a nice 3-series in that price range, I would've thought you could get a C-class as well?
 
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jman

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vaultedskies said:
Thx jman, ja getting a newer car with less km is definitely preferable. Would a comparable C-Class Merc not fall into the same price range as the 3-series you listed?

[Edit] I mean, I've always seen the 3-series and C-class as comparable. So if you could get a nice 3-series in that price range, I would've thought you could get a C-class as well?
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Not from what I can see. The two are direct competitors, but the C-class seems to be pricier than the 3 series. Looks like you get more for your money with the BMW
 
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vaultedskies

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jman said:
Not from what I can see. The two are direct competitors, but the C-class seems to be pricier than the 3 series. Looks like you get more for your money with the BMW
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might be that the C-class has been revised more recently..?
 
jman

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That could be it. Bottom line though, with a 300k budget, you'll get more with the BMW.
 
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vaultedskies

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jman said:
That could be it. Bottom line though, with a 300k budget, you'll get more with the BMW.
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I'll check it out :)

I'm still unsure about buying used though...too worried about the car's potential bad history...
 
Noob-Noob

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jman said:
That could be it. Bottom line though, with a 300k budget, you'll get more with the BMW.
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Explain the "more" you get from a BMW?, if you talking slightly newer or with a little less KM's on the clock, then yes.

But the Mercs are much more reliable, has much more features and more luxurious than the BMW, it also keeps its value better than BMW.
BMW is nothing more than a glorified (less reliable) Corolla.
 
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tylerspears

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Lament said:
Explain the "more" you get from a BMW?, if you talking slightly newer or with a little less KM's on the clock, then yes.

But the Mercs are much more reliable, has much more features and more luxurious than the BMW, it also keeps its value better than BMW.
BMW is nothing more than a glorified (less reliable) Corolla.
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Not sure about the last bit there about the Corolla but you're spot on about Merc vs/ BMW resale values
 
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