Decent second hand cars

[Sandy]

Excellent advice Cowboy. One thing I would add is that to check the condition of the clutch start the engine with the handbrake on, engage 1st gear and let the clutch out - deliberately trying to stall the engine. If the engine doesn't stall and keeps on running then the clutch need a major overhaul. With some engines (V8 Rovers from grim experience!) this requires removal of the whole engine for access.

[pm]

Also, make sure that the person selling the car is entitled to do so, i.e. not nicked. In the UK there is a vehicle check that costs around £40. Can't remember the name, but well worth spending. A BMW my wife wanted had a very dodgy history with the MOT mileage going down some years as well as up. Dunno if the equivalent is available in Portugal.
Also make sure it isn't a TR7

[Harry A]

I have been following this topic with interest, as I will be looking to buy a car when we come out in December. We are now into the second page of woffle about how to buy a used car, but sofar nobody has answered the question - where to go to buy a used car. Any useful advice?

[tbbr]

Thanks Harry A, I gave up reading this section due to lack of positive responses ( apart from one PM which I will follow up when the time is right )

[Guest2]

Go to a main dealer. Some of the "stands" on the 125 have cars on their forecourt which they do not own. The owners leave them and then pay a comission to the dealer if sold.

To get some idea of used prices in Portugal log on to www.stand.pt It is in Portuguese but simple enough to search for the car type that interests you. Some of the Algarve dealers advertise on here.

Personally I buy LHD in the UK and matriculate here. Free registration on www.autotrader.co.uk allows you to search by keyword. Put in LHD and make and away you go.

[cowboy]

I gave up reading this section due to lack of positive responses

Sorry to have wasted your time and mine, tbbr.

[cowboy]

sofar nobody has answered the question - where to go to buy a used car.

A Used Car Lot

Jeez....you seem to expect someone to come up with an exact address.

[nightrider]

Thanks Harry A, I gave up reading this section due to lack of positive responses ( apart from one PM which I will follow up when the time is right )

Frankly, TBBR I honestly think you owe Cowboy and apology, he obviously went to a great deal of trouble to give you a considerable amount of information as did others and I believe that your remark was somewhat thoughtless-

Nightrider

[Guest2]

Just realised I gave the wrong address www.standpt.com will make much more sense

[tbbr]

Obviously no offence intended to anyone who takes the time to reply so comprehensively.
However ( and I have commented on this before ) frequently ( very frequently ) liitle attention apears to be given to the actual question asked, which is my case was " WHERE CAN YOU BUY A DECENT SECOND HAND CAR "

Perhaps there would be more contributors ( and fewer Guests ????!!! ) if more effort is made to keep to the subject ( I include myself in this ).

At least I have a web site to explore and a PM to follow up.

[Guest]

Maybe if you didn't go past the dealers but got out on foot and asked someone where to find second hand car dealers you might get some help........but that would be like asking for directions wouldn't it?
____________
my mother always said....if you want something doing, do it yourself

[cowboy]

Obviously no offence intended to anyone who takes the time to reply so comprehensively.
However ( and I have commented on this before ) frequently ( very frequently ) liitle attention apears to be given to the actual question asked, which is my case was " WHERE CAN YOU BUY A DECENT SECOND HAND CAR "

Perhaps there would be more contributors ( and fewer Guests ????!!! ) if more effort is made to keep to the subject ( I include myself in this ). /quote]

" WHERE CAN YOU BUY A DECENT SECOND HAND CAR "

Tbbr, you seem to want, and expect, an exact address.

That's like asking "WHERE CAN I FIND A GOOD WIFE".

No one can tell you that, and if someone did, would you really go there and select a wife based on his say so?

We have tried to give good advice on how to buy "A DECENT SECOND HAND CAR", and what to look for before you buy.

However ( and I have commented on this before ) frequently ( very frequently ) liitle attention apears to be given to the actual question asked...,

Ok, tbbr, here is what you do....

When you get to the location where you want to buy the car....

Open up the phone book....

Look for the "Decent Second Hand Car Dealer" section......

Find the nearest dealer...

With the largest advert,

And buy your car from them.

Or, you could put all the names in a hat and draw out a name, and buy your car from them.

Or, you could put some effort into the project and drive around untill you see a car on a lot at the side of the road that catches your eye...and buy that car from them.

Simple, really....I'm supprised you even had to ask, and, you are as likely to come up with a "decent second hand car" that way as you are if someone actualy gives an address.

Good luck, and I wish you well.

[Michael Crane]

Well said, cowboy. A very comprehensive answer to an impossible question.

[Harry]

Why is it an impossible question. There must be people out there who have bought used cars in Portugal, and some of them may have found particularly helpful dealers.

We just want to avoid the Cowboys ?

[nightrider]

Why is it an impossible question. There must be people out there who have bought used cars in Portugal, and some of them may have found particularly helpful dealers.

We just want to avoid the Cowboys ?

REF:
ALL SECOND HAND DEALERS & LAWYERS ETC ETC ARE HELPFUL BECAUSE "HELLO" THEY WANT TO GET THEIR HANDS ON YOUR MONEY & NOT MANY WILL SORT OUT THE PROBLEMS WHICH SADLY MORE OFTEN THAN NOT APPEAR AFTER YOUR PURCHASE...............

You said it, Second Hand Car Dealers......well most are not Second Hand Care Dealers.......i.e. whether it is an acceptable comment or not they don't have a good reputation (anywhere). So lets see.. your in the UK....purchasing a SHC and if you don't know one end of the car from the other(as Cowboy and others were trying to assist with)etc...etc.....One thing you could do is ask an expert to look at the car like perhaps the AA....and therefore, if things go wrong you may have a re-dress.

Bruxy, is it possible we can look into any form of regulatory body covering this field in Portugal!!

We have never brought a second hand car, so really I am just trying to make comments which I believe if we had would have been sensible. Do you feel.....maybe a good idea would be to purchase a LHD vehicle in the UK and therefore, be able to have it checked out by an expert from the AA. Although the car will have to be maticulated in Portugal. Bruxy again can advise on this.

Maybe this is another thing to be looked into...... would the AA instruct an expert out here for such a transaction..I doubt it! But worth the question in the UK of the AA or similiar! Or has Portugal got the equivilent of the AA!

All of us are only trying to be helpful, so in this instance please try not to display ungratefullness/rudeness....it is not nice. Bit like someone taking the time to purchase and give a gift ...for it only to be thrown back in their face. ........Thank You is much better.

Regards
Nightider