Non bikey, just want some opinions.

Here's the skinny, looking for a car over the cold period (given Ogy has decided he wants a break and a new engine / gearbox).

Considering this:
Hyundai Coupé '04 plate Gen 3 2.0L Automatic (has to be auto), 4months tax, 9months MoT.
Leather interior
Exterior paintwork is in good shape, all the same colour and not bubbled or flaking anywhere. There's a light scuff and a small depression over the rear arch but nothing drastic.
Passenger window doesn't operate but the relay / switch can be heard clicking.
On first viewing everything else was tickety boo, went for a test drive and it changes gear, kicks down stops and turns without any unexpected events.
Engine starts after a turn or 2 and doesn't smoke labour or hunt etc.

On second viewing (tonight) I looked over the paperwork more carefully. The car was serviced on Saturday at kwikfit (boo hiss), turns out that both side lights aren't working (but not replaced / fixed), the discs and pads on the front need replacement, the rear tyres are well past perished and there's quote "slight evidence of oil on the gearbox" knowing kwikfit they could of spilt is themselves or not done a filter up properly but no way to confirm without inspection.
The car has done 53k and there's no indication of a cam belt change - suggested done at 50k / 5 year.

So!
Should I walk away knowing it needs stuff doing or take it as a useful headsup and work on a discount for work required?
Let's be honest, even a dealer bought car could have shagged brakes and no belt change. In this case I at least know in advance.

I'm inclined to go ahead and make an offer minus the cost of the parts needed, better the devil you know as it were but would appreciate any opinions.

 

erm what car is it? i could bebeing blinf but all i read was gen 3

 

D'oh! That's help, eh. I'll add that

 

It really depends on what sort of money they are asking for it????
53K is quite low milage
04 plate not to old
mot and tax
If its cheap enough its worth a go
with the known faults att least you have a haggling start point
Good luck

 

Cheers Paul, that's how I'm leaning towards looking at it. Out of the 5 in the 30mile radius I've found it's at the bottom of the pile on price and mileage.
I'm thinking of working on the approx cost of the work needed and knocking that off the asking price. If he's inclined to accept then it should be a good deal and give me a headstart towards the Mini improvements (once the bike sells).

 

If I had the mony I would buy your bike !

 

Sell the chav wagon

 

*personally ....id walk away...plenty of cars out there that dont need the work

 

would it not be better to get something more practical than coupe

 

Plenty of other cars that don't appear to need work This is the point that I'm unsure of, in this case the problems are laid out to see.
For example, my dad bought a car last year. 3year old mazda from a main dealer with warranty, few months later the rear brakes are being funny, discs and pads are worn within an inch of their life - £200+ repair at the same dealer because it's consumable parts. No way of checking in advance without turning up with a trolley jack and torch, probably a wheel brace too given the depth of the wheels.

Oddly, no. Looking at the figures everything from a 1.4 nissan up to a 2.3 beemer has similar mpg figures and will cost within £100 difference on my insurance.
Given the choice of a little more petrol and £2 a week extra insurance, I'll go with something I like the look of.

This is what's appealing to me, out of the hundreds of reviews there's been litterally a handful at best that have had troubles.
I did fancy an RX8 but while excellent motors all round (and RWD ) if the wankle goes wrong, you may as well scrap the car for the cost of the repair. Already have one impractical car

Having scoured autotrader, there's nothing in the price, age and mileage range from 1.4 to 2.3L not within the area I'm able to go inspect anyway.

Spot on though, if he won't drop the price I'm off. The question was more a philosophical one:

Would you buy a car that you knew the problems on in advance for a discount rather than pay maybe upwards of double for one that appeared okay but in reality could be in the exact same shape?

Same reason people buy shiny cars not mucky ones, we project the assumption that if someone sprays water on their car they pay attention to the hidden parts too.

 

Oddly enough the list of things laid out to see would have me wondering just how much there is that i CANT see, and that alone would see me off into the hills to look for a mini.

 

Bwahahaha! I have a Mini already

Any car this age is going to have something that's not tickety boo on it, having a service sheet in advance is in a way saving me the hassle.
Although if he doesn't budge on price then it's all irrelevent.

For the Mini, I need a few things including a Rover 75

 

a rover 75?...skortch mate you can tow a mini with a robin reliant

 

Tow? I don't want to tow it, I need the engine!

 

Walk away Dave. You need a reliable car with a 12 month MOT. I feckin hate Kwik Fit, robbin barstewards.

 

dave have you put your bike on the 675.cc forum ? I think there is a guy on there who i think maybe looking for a bike as he doesn't have the use of his legs due to an accident aswell. Not definite, but I think there was talk on it.

 

Ooh, interesting. Don't think I'm registered on there. Cheers, fella.

You wouldn't happen to remember roughly where he asked do you? It's a big forum.

 

i think his forum name is mwdynamics

I'm not 100% sure if he is looking...but I think he would like to get back out. I'm not sure how severe his injuries are...I just thought maybe worth touching base.

His story is here http://www.675.cc/675/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11558