Opinions please

[peteatreat]

Hi all.

My search for a decent Series MM lowlight has not been productive within my price range and I think I will have to now consider a slightly later model.

This Saloon is on a Dealers classified ad on EBay ref 350907708925 and I would appreciate some thoughts you may have.

I know it is difficult just from the photos but any observations would help before I consider making contact.

It seems that it has been untaxed for some while as a vehicle enquiry check on the DVLA site shows date of liability as 1/9/1992 and that a fee for road tax is indicated!? I am a little confused over this bit.

There also appears to be some inner arch work carried out as evident from the photos which seems to have been painted in a shade of red Hammerite type paint. Does this look ok? Apart from that, the underside looks very sound and fairly original. What do you think? All other observations would also be appreciated.

Look forward to seeing your comments.

Many thanks

[busguy]

Hi

I actually like the look of that car and its history. The underside looks solid and confidently sits on the lift. The bodywork doesn't seem to have been messed with. The red touches here and there can soon be returned to original specification. If the engine and gearbox are really sound and it drives well, and they put a full MOT on it, I would risk buying it for £2K - £2.5K, but certainly for no more than the advertised price.
The reg number has a value to some. If you check out Registration Transfers site and search a DA number, it will show a variety of start figures they are selling various numbers for. Realistically, the actual 'value' is probably half that sale figure, or less. In this vehicle's case I would say the number has an asset value of £1000/ plus or minus £200, that could be realised in an emergency, if, and it's a BIG IF, you can find a willing buyer.
Good luck in your search.
John
PS The reason it has been off the road apparently, is that it was part of the garage owner's personal car collection.

[alexb]

Hi.
I was toying with the idea of going to see this one but i feel my 3k budget may get laughed at..

Be carefull that you don't open a can of worms asking for 'opinions' as some take a dim view of it.!! ( i tryed and got a bit of a telling off.!.)

Ide just say go and have a look and if you like it and it suits your requirement go for it.!!!

Not much of an opinion im affraid.

Looks lovely to me and if my budget was bigger ide make the journey to see it.

Alex.

[beero]

My car, a 1962, had been sat in a car port for 20 odd years and it cost over £2k in parts just to get to get it back on the road, without it being resprayed yet, so I would say go for it.

[tysonn]

LOOKS! like a bargain to me,certainly from the pics.I would imagine that due to the fact the reg number hasnt been mentioned in the description it may be "non-transferable" but its the car thats for sale,if the number is transferable thats a bonus.Well worth a look in my opinion.

[TFM150K]

The red paint under the wheel arches would appear to be red oxide "anti-corrosion" paint - a coat of wax or whatever will finish the job off! The mention of money in the DVLA record is cos in 1992 we still had to pay exise duty! Don't panic! It'll be free! Car looks good but there is only one way to find out - it is in Conwy, you are in ???? - get moving before someone else does! Good luck!
P.S. if coming (or going) from England I would recommend the A55 - its like a motorway with roundabouts!

[AfricaJack]

Something strange with this one!! I have made 2 offers to buy. The first time I never heard from them. It was withdrawn off ebay. It was then relisted. I was now told there was an offer of £3750 - but the buyer never turned up [cant think why not !!]
I have now re offered and there is a deathly silence even after a phone call and email to them.
So - I don't know really whats going on.
Also the reg No has not been mentioned !!! -strange.
Will let you all know the outcome.

[POMMReg]

Sounds a bit "iffy" to me - there again, most things do.

Not one of those scams is it?

If it sounds too good to be true etc etc.

[busguy]

As it is part of the garage Chairman's collection, and one of his minions is dealing with it, the communications between them could be less than perfect, hence the less than decent response 'Africa Jack' has received. Minion tell Chairman he has an offer and Chairman doesn't come back to him. Meanwhile he has to get on and do his day job too, to earn his commission!

I think it is a genuine sale. Bumbling, but genuine.

[AfricaJack]

Agree with you busguy.
As they seem to have a multi franchise dealership - I hope they don't treat their customers this way. Maybe losing a few sales. Whats happened to good manners???

[tysonn]

How ridiculous is this?If its up for £2500 on an Ebay classified thats the asking price and should clinch it!If hes now talking about being offered 3k+ and its still for sale then its an auction.Looks like theyre trying to take advantage of the cheap(£14)total cost of a classified ad which means they have no commission to pay to Ebay but auctioning it nevertheless.Common practice unfortunately and a contravention of Ebay T&Cs.

[AfricaJack]

I spoke to them after 5pm yesterday. It now seems they took a deposit on it yesterday afternoon from someone in Scotland.
Their comms with customers not too good. Would never have happened in "the old days"!!!
The guy I dealt with and made my offer [their sales manager] seems to have gone off for all today and half tomorrow. Wonder if my offer was even passed on.

[bmcecosse]

It looks like a very honest car to me - sits up nicely and no tacky 'accessories' - very much as it came out of the showroom. I would say well worth the asking price - but to get it would mean turning up at the garage with cash in hand. Looking forward to seeing it 'in Scotland'.... lesson to learn here perhaps - if you find a car you fancy, GO AND SEE IT! If you mention it on here - others will take notice.....and may beat you to it........

[peteatreat]

Thank you all for your comments which have been very helpful.

It is a difficult position to be in when you like the look of a car but have limited knowledge. Do you keep quiet and take a chance or do you seek advice.

Both options have their own pros and cons but for me,with limited knowledge, to seek advice was the right decision.

In addition to my lack of expertise, the journey to North Wales would take a day to do the return trip and it also seems from some posts, that difficulties have been encountered with communications etc.

May I wish the successful new owner of this car all the best and hope they enjoy it.

It would be good to find out if it all went smoothly though!

Thanks again for the help given.

Regards. Pete.

[jagnut66]

lesson to learn here perhaps - if you find a car you fancy, GO AND SEE IT! If you mention it on here - others will take notice.....and may beat you to it........

Hi,
I agree with BMC on this one, there have been several cars for sale that have been discussed on here, that I have thought that if I'd had the spare cash at the time I would have gone to look at -- 'he who hesitates Rodney!' -- to misquote 'Fools and Horses'....
The main point being that if the above had been the case and I'd liked one, I would have bought it, before the person talking about it had the chance, following the thinking that if the other person is still vacillating about even looking at it......
As to long journeys to see a car, I always treated it as a bit of a 'grand day out'.....(Abby came from Manchester and I lived in Milton Keynes at the time. I've even travelled from Reading to Plymouth, just for a spare part for one of the MK 2's I have owned in the past. All part of the fun!! ).
Best wishes,
Mike.

[AfricaJack]

Whats missed here is that I offered a couple of hundred over the price in the classified advert. I agreed to buy it and bank transfer the cash at the classified price. Only to be told he [the Chairman I presume ] wanted offers OVER the classified advertised price.
I still have not had any reply from them, or been told its sold. In fact silence.

[tysonn]

Poor way to run a business I reckon(putting it mildly).

[bmcecosse]

Hope the new owner 'in Scotland' comes on here with the car. Wouldn't expect them to tell us what they paid - but they may indicate how 'pleasant' the buying experience was..... If it was sold with the reg number - it shouldn't be too difficult to find it if it appears at shows next year. I'll keep an eye open for it!

[moggiethouable]

Perhaps the system in Scotland that prevents gazzumping of property, should be applied to vehicles.

[bmcecosse]

Don't believe for a minute that there is no gazzumping on house sales in Scotland! Until missives are exchanged you can never be sure a house has a new owner. At that point of course - there is then NO going back on a deal.