paging Bear

Off the wall suggestion...

....what about a Volvo 850 T5?

 

Good idea.

 

Bear says...

And very fucking nice that is too.

 

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WW...urce=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

Within your budget I think.

 

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=se
arch_used_cars_full&make=VOLVO&model=850&variant=&keywords=&min_pr=2000&
max_pr=4000&mileage=5&agerange=&postcode=b91+1se&miles=100&max_records=5
0&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

'How fucking much?'

Worth around half that.

I was recently offered a decent 850 2.5 GLT 20v on an M plate for a
grand.

 

Suspiciously low miles, I'd say. Can't really see an L-plater having
*really* done less than 40k miles from new. [1]

Not that you need to worry about mileage on an 850 anyway.

120k miles, ISTR. Nicely run in.[2]

[1] There's the exception like my dad with an immaculate Impreza (non
turbo) that's done under 20k miles since he bought it new in '94.

[2] PeteM's your man if you're interested, although it was back in
December so his mate will almost certainly have sold it by now.

 

I'd prefer to buy something that's been used and most likely regularly
serviced than one that's been driven down to the shops once or twice a
week by an old duffer that's only seen an oil change once every 2 or
three years.

Those up for £3k are being sold by chancers hoping that someone comes
along who's taken in by low miles..... in reality, a 10 year old 850,
even with sub 40k miles is only worth £2k absolute tops, and that's only
if it's a 20v GLT.

 

Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.

The mileage adjustment doesn't, by any stretch of the imagination,
inflate the price of a car by 250 to 300%.

<fires up Autotrader>

As suspected. 60k or so mile cars start at £1500.

 

Ahhh, right, so a few extra toys make £1k difference, do they?

I did the 850 thing back in December - GLT / GLE makes little
difference, and at 10 years old condition is more important than miles.
£2k max. for a good one.

10v vs 20v does make a difference, but not as much as you'd think.

Dealers can ask what they like (I've seen enough piss-taking today
alone), but that doesn't reflect the actual value of what they're
selling. (I've managed to lop off 25% min. on my last few purchases).

 

Have you looked at the mileages on those?

 

Yes, and the loading for mileage isn't 300%.

 

My brother recently sold a '95 T5, 180k miles and nearly fsh for SITRO
£1.3k.

Good car it was too.

 

Haven't you ever asked about car things?

 

I enjoyed driving it but only because I treated it like I would a hire
car

 

Makes a change from uk.rec.whatnewbikeshoulddarsyget

 

heh. When it comes to motorcycles, he's not exactly an impulse buyer,
is he.

 

*Ding*

Sounds like my Voyager. I think even 18mpg is optimistic when I'm in a
hurry.

Phil