Should I buy it?

[Spudgun]

I've been on the look out for another car. I currently own a Vauxhall Astra, but I've always wanted a Vectra (despite what Clarkson says ).

I've seen a 1998 ('S' UK plate) Vectra 2.0L SRi in metallic red, 47,000 miles for £4,895.

I fell in love with it the moment I saw it on the forecourt. The question is, should I buy it?

[woodyracing]

ive been looking at Vectra SRi's lately and £4895 sounds a lot for an S reg but thats low miles for one of them.

I like black or white ones, but i saw a gold one which looked pretty cool. I wouldnt go for silver, too popular.

[Spudgun]

I've had a look round the outside and it's immaculate. The thing that is tempting me is the RAC inspection and free membership that comes with it.

You're right about the silver ones. I made a point that I wouldn't even look at a silver Vectra.

Oh, decisions decisions!

[Mike Wazowski]

Almost £5,000 for a Vauxhall? Each to their own. My friend recently purchased a BMW 740i on a K plate for £2,000, and it was absolutely mint. One owner, 90,000 miles, and it felt like it was just out the showroom. If I had £5k to blow on a car, it'd have to be the BMW, with the leftover money going on an LPG conversion. And two weeks in the Carribbean...

[Logrence]

Aside from the fact that you've got a 9% chance of dying if you crash an old-style 7 series, BMWs are minging - I'd rather have the Vectra!

[Mike Wazowski]

I had a 1990 730 which was unfortunately "modified" at 70mph courtesy of a snoozing driver spinning me into the central reservation. I'm sure the newer Vectras are more thoroughly crash tested due to more strict regulations, but all four people in my car walked out of it unhurt, and that suits me fine. Plus the weather in St Lucia is supposed to be lovely at this time of year...

[Mike Wazowski]

Course, if you know your Vauxhalls, and it's what you want (what you really really want), then you should get down the auction. Any car on the forecourt for £4,895 is probably a grand more than the equivalent at auction. Which means you could have your Vectra, and a nice holiday too.

[Spudgun]

But I don't really want a zig-a-zig ahh!

I can understand it being cheaper to buy at auction, but I would like a little back-up to go with it. I'm not dismissing auctions, it's just the way I like to play it.

Another reason for getting a Vauxhall (besides just liking them) is that my dad is qualified Vauxhall technician, so I don't have to worry about putting it into a garage.

Labour costs in dealerships are scandalous! I know, I used to work in one! Not as a technician though.

[garcon]

If your dad is a qualified Vauxhall technician, do you really need the extra backup of dealer warranty etc etc?

Avoiding the old sheds that are sold "as seen", at auction you get plenty of chance to look over the car beforehand and a 24 hour period post sale which should give your dad time to give it the fine toothcomb treatment.

I can fully understand your wish to play it safe, but there are bargains to be had out there away from main dealer forecourts.

[garcon]

Another thought - I know you said you're a Vauxhall fan, but it's worth checking out the competition. Sticking with similar cars, £5k will see you in a similar age Mondeo V6 or Primera GT (highly recommend - best handling in its class)...

[Mike Wazowski]

I went to aftermarket specialists to service my beast; £60 for an oil service, £250 for an inspection 2. And although it had 145,000 on the clock when I bought it, it never failed once in 65,000 miles of driving.
Although I haven't followed the prices of Vauxhalls, I did notice that the new Clios (£8k ish new) can be had at auction with less than 1000 miles on the clock for £3,500. If you go for ex-fleet cars, they all are fully serviced and usually in far better nick than most people give them credit for. Think about it; when was the last time you saw a rep driving a car that looked like it was on it's last legs?