Car-haggling advice needed

The other half is looking at a second hand car which looks pretty good and is conveniently close, but it's a bit overpriced, although it does say ONO on the Ad. It's £2900, but I reckon in these financial climes we could get them down to £2500 easily.

My question is this:
If they insist on having all the cash in their hand for the test drive (which we'll certainly want to do), how can I then do the old "I've only got £2500 here, take it or leave it?" when it comes to buying it? Is it a case of finding tiny imperfections in the paintwork, kicking tyres, etc. and claiming the revised offer is based on these?

TIA.

IMO its a bit different with cars to bikes as far as leaving the cash there goes, as the owner can go out with you on the test drive, so as long as your other half has the insurance cert to confirm she is insured it may not be an issue?

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

The other half is looking at a second hand car which looks pretty good and is conveniently close, but it's a bit overpriced, although it does say ONO on the Ad. It's £2900, but I reckon in these financial climes we could get them down to £2500 easily.

My question is this:
If they insist on having all the cash in their hand for the test drive (which we'll certainly want to do), how can I then do the old "I've only got £2500 here, take it or leave it?" when it comes to buying it? Is it a case of finding tiny imperfections in the paintwork, kicking tyres, etc. and claiming the revised offer is based on these?

TIA.

Look round it, and if you're happy agree a price subject to test drive. Once the potential sale price is agreed, hand over the cash and don't crash the car!

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by Gazza77

Look round it, and if you're happy agree a price subject to test drive. Once the potential sale price is agreed, hand over the cash and don't crash the car!

Agreed.And get some advice on just how much to pay for it.It is a total buyers market and you should be able to name your price and stick to it.Book or historic values mean absolutely nothing at the moment.

+1 on agreeing a price first.

Then if theres anything wrong on the test drive eith drive them down further or walk away

At the moment theres so many people trying to sell things theres bound to be others

I'd offer less to start with... don't be afraid of offending with a very low first offer. You'd expect to agree somewhere in between, you can always raise your offer, but not lower it!!

[embee]

In this market don't pay a penny more than you really want to. There are gazillions of cars out there looking for buyers.

Be very careful that you are insured for a test drive and that the car is taxed/MOT/legal for the road.

£2.5k will get you a good car these days. Don't buy anything French or Italian, you'll regret it.

i would not agree on a price till you have driven it,

what car is it.

[Paul the 6th]

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Agreed.And get some advice on just how much to pay for it.It is a total buyers market and you should be able to name your price and stick to it.Book or historic values mean absolutely nothing at the moment.

although having said that it still kind of depends on how skint the seller is... if they're in desperate need of the cash then they could well drop £400 just to get money in their pocket. If they just want rid of the car and a bit of spending money then they might well tell you to sod off and stop wasting their time...

Give it a shot though "I can only stretch to £2500 cash and I've got it with me today (*waggle your wad at this bit*). If you're not interested, fair enough, I'll take my money with me and thanks for your time"

Test drive. If it's no good no point in making an offer. Worse they can say to an offer is no - then you can buy something else.