Smurftech

OK, this could be a long post, i'm looking for my first scooby as you may have seen from my many other recent posts :-)

Seen about 20 that look the part on autotraders website, some local, some national.

Having never bought a car from someone I didn't already know or a main dealer whats the best way to go about it?

Heres my thoughts:

1. Phone call and questions about history, bodywork, mods (if any), is it HPi clear, would they mind a RAC inspection (if it's worth doing). Also can they email me more detailed pictures as i'm fussy about the condition of the bodywork (I can handle mechanical work but not bodywork).

2. If all seems OK then I go and look at car with cousin (main dealer nissan mechanic - better than no-one) and test drive and do some checks.

3. If all OK again then deposit paid and wait for RAC inspection and HPi clearance (are these really necessary).

4. Full payment, collect car and grin like Michael Jackson in a school playground on my daily drive to work (mainly NSL country b roads about 15 miles) instead of being severely pi**ed off in a fiesta!!

Is this how you buy a car from t'internet?? Or am I totally lost?

Oh, and is it worth paying £149 or whatever for the RAC inspection

I tingle with anticipation for your replies - or maybe it's the abbot ale!

StickyMicky

i did not hpi mine
fresh import so it was pointless

took a mate who has a scooby, he took it for a test drive not me
went on his word that it drove better then his

then i pulled it to bits, knocked the price down accordingly, and picked it up a week later, i sat in the seat and everything, but i did not drive it until i actually picked it up

so it could have been really horrible when i actually drove it, but it was not
i still rember the first time i nailed it, and the look on my brothers face as i flew past him (he was driving my tuned up 1.7td vectra back home pmsl)

priceless

taffyboyo

yes ,get it inspected if its older than 3 years, if its still in warranty then I wouldnt bother with an inspection, a good look over by a decent mechanic should surfice,
hpi is a must with any second hand car (never trust anyone selling a car) get it all checked out (go through all the paperwork) and service history is also a must.

you will get a lot more for your money if you buy privately, more risky though,
there are allways loads around and most of the fun is in the looking

Smurftech

Forgot to add i'm looking for a 98/99/00 sonic blue with nice upgrades!