Independent car dealers, given the chance, moan about how the internet now means everyone can search by price and so their margins are cut.
So I shouldn’t have been shocked to realise this week that given the chance to mark a car’s price up, they take it.
As a result, cars from defunct manufacturers that are now in small supply are being priced in line with much better competitors. Which is to say, being overpriced.
In essence, Joe Public doesn’t see too many of these cars about and there are few others on the market to compare it to. Therefore, if it looks cheap, they’ll buy it without realising that for the same money they could have had a better car. Here are two examples:
Rover 75 Vs Vauxhall Vectra
The Rover 75 isn’t a terrible car, but the last one off the production line lacked refinement (because of cost saving measures). And those 2004 cars now have over 50,000 miles and cost around £3,000. Which also buys a very good Vauxhall Vectra MK 2 from 2004 with 60,000 miles. This is a car with Volkswagen-like build quality, excellent engines and a much bigger, easier-to-load boot. It’s the better family car basically.
Vauxhall Vectra facts
Best used buy: 2.2 P 5 door hatchack
Daewoo Kalos Vs Fiat Punto
Why buy a tiny Daewoo Kalos from 2004 for £2,500 - £3,000 when you can have the bigger, more versatile Fiat Punto? The Punto is has of room inside which makes it extremely practical and running costs are low. The perfect small shopping and commuting hatch.
Fiat Punto facts
Best used buy: 1.2P 3 door hatchback