God I hate it - as far as I'm concerned, it's right up with there with death, divorce and redundancy as a major life stressor. Probably why I always keep cars for years before getting rid.
Anyway - 20-yr-old daughter's now after her first car and needless to say she's leaning on yours truly for advice. I'm certainly no car expert and not the best go-to person, but want to advise as best I can. Last few used cars I've bought myself have come from a local 'nearly new' car supermarket and have been fine, but that place is a bit above her price range: Where would people recommend I go to for sourcing a vehicle under these circumstances?
- About £3k budget (ie purchase price; excluding insurance etc)
- I have little confidence in my own ability to avoid a total dog and source her a good deal
- she lives an hour or so away from me so if I go to a local dealer and it turns out to be a pup - not ideal
I know a private sale would be cheapest, but also most high-risk - however can that be realistically cancelled out by paying the AA £150ish for an inspection, or is that a waste of time? I do know all about HPI checking etc.
Or is she safest going for the poorest value-for-money option - a franchised dealer locally (to me, while home for Xmas), presumably with a reasonable warranty and so she could take it in to another franchised dealer (in her home town) if there were problems?
An independent "Arthur Dayley" operator, with whatever 'warranty' that may or may not provide (with or without an AA inspection?)
Any advice much welcomed. David