brillomaster Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I cant see a problem to be honest, its very easy to find bad reputations for any company on the internet, its now so easy to find bad news, and as mentioned people with bad experiences are a lot more vocal than those who have had good experiences. But anyways - you're buying the car, not the dealership - don't let a bad rep on the dealer put you off a potentially perfectly fine car. but i'd say, go back and get a test drive yourself - its only a Honda civic for peats sake. if the dealership refuses to let you test drive a civic, the only reason would be because they are hiding something, in which case just walk away. and then if the car drives fine, do a double check of all the service history, and you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 I'm going to ring them today and mention I'm heading back on the weekend but i want to drive the car before finishing the deal. If they won't let me do so then something is not right and I'm not wasting my time and money driving down there. I'm pushing my budget a little by spending 4 grand as I had only intended on spending 3 originally and the last thing I want is for something to go wrong and be stuck miles away from the dealer with a car that doesn't work, I'm also eating into my savings that I had aside for the 350Z every time i waste a journey which is a pain. If the car was for myself I'd be less stressed to be honest but because it's for my partner who has a 4 year old child I want it to be right. I used to own one of these cars so I know what to look out for, I'll head back with an eagle eye and a list of things to check before parting with any cash. (should have done that in the first place). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydbax Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Looking at the 2 Autotrader pages for 'Car sales' and 'Performance' it appears they are the same company but split into two, a 'run of the mill' car sales company and a branch that deals with (alleged) 'performance' vehicles (sportier models). They have over 100 vehicles for sale over the two companies so they are obviously not a 'small' trader and as such if I were you I'd be inclined to be more positive about your pending purchase, likelihood is all will be fine. Their most expensive car for sale is £14K, with a few at £11K, with loads of really cheap cars, which shows the market they are aiming at. They appear to have a decent turnover of stock so someone is buying their cars - Hope everything is OK with your new car - please keep us updated here, it's always good to have feedback on local dealers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 Cheers Floydbax. Maybe I've got myself all worked up over nothing but I'm still going to be very catious when I head back there on sunday. I mean the history was great, the car looked nice and was on good tyres all round with an MOT that had no advisorys, the paperwork can't really lie. I just felt sick reading through the storys on the subaru website. I'll report back after the weekend to let you guys know how this pans out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydbax Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I didn't bother reading through the Scooby complaints, the only real negatives I found on these guys is overpricing, which to me is not exactly anything to complain about. You either accept that you pay a premium for the benefits of buying through a dealer or you buy privately and take that risk! ( Yeah I know they have a bad customer relations reputation but at the end of the day you WILL have the law on your side!). I don't see anyone here giving Tradelink any grief for making a few bucks over non-trade cars! Anyway aren't Scoobies notoriously difficult to know when it's a 'good un'?? Bit like Celica GT4's - the reason I didn't continue my love affair with Toyota!!! I thought Typr R's were in general a fairly bullet proof bundle? As you say you know your way around them I'm pretty sure you will soon know if there's any problems with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 Yea after giving it some thought thats my way of thinking. The type R's are a very well put together car, very reliable. It's not like a highly strung impreza or evo that needs constant attention and specalist care. Most of the threads about the company on the forums have been deleted, the main gripe is not pricing, it's cars having major flaws (engines letting go, dodgy repair work, hidden faults etc). Thanks for your input tho fella. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 Arghhh! Just noticed this one on my doorstep. Typical. http://www.oakwoodspecialistcars.co.uk/used-cars/honda-civic-2-0i-vtec-type-r-3dr-whitley-bay-201412019357945 Same price, higher miles but I've been to look at it and the bodywork is in much better nick, it really is immaculate not even a stone chip on the bonnet and the interiour looks new. The dealer has a good rep around here and the car comes with full MOT and service. Something about buying a car with 100k on is still daunting to me even though I know these cars are good for 200K no problem if looked after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey81 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 My ep3 is being collected next weekend, its an honest car with good history for my ownership of 3 years but i took a gamble when i bought it as it had no real history, only that his mate serviced it. It drove nicely and i had no reason to doubt him. Its a 2005 with 100k on the clock now, i bought it on 72k. I has been the most reliable car i have ever owned. In my ownership i have replaced the ARB bushes and drops links which cost £40. I have recently had the clutch changed (£480) as it was harder to get a quicker change in 3rd gear at high revs, its a symptom of wear so i had it changed before it could do any possible damage. It uses a little oil, but doesn't drink it like some can do. The main issue i have had with the car is people causing damage to it. The front bumper got tapped twice over christmas when parked in a hospital car park, its not really noticeable but annoys me still. The drivers side rear quarter had a hit and run, i have never got it fixed because i worried about not getting it to the standard i wanted it to be so took a hit on the price. So 28k, 3 years and its cost me just over £500. The only reason it is going is because the wife wants a cheaper car as she is looking at jobs a little further away. The biggest killer is low oil and over revs but you cant really check that on a used vehicle, so do the normal checks, drive it and see how it feels. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 I'm heading back on sunday! I rang the place to tell them I wanted to drive the car before putting the rest of the cash down and the blokes attitude was horrible. Not sure what it is with car dealers but everyone I've dealt with recently has been rude, impatient and seeming to think they know it all. Fingers crossed all goes well anyway and the drive home is uneventfull. I'll keep people updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) Hmmm. Trouble is if you've told him you're coming to test drive the car, it gives them time to cover up anything they don't want you to find. I would've told them I was coming to finish the deal and THEN ask to test drive the car once I was there. Having said that, I really hope it's an honest car and worth the journey, stress and more importantly the hard earned cash!! Edited January 23, 2015 by Rock_Steady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I always try and buy cars private as most of the time dealers know nothing about the history or the car itself. Plus you usually pay a premium. There must be tonnes of EP3s on private sale? Get on the Type R forum, there should be some loved ones with decent history on there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I always try and buy cars private as most of the time dealers know nothing about the history or the car itself. Plus you usually pay a premium. There must be tonnes of EP3s on private sale? Get on the Type R forum, there should be some loved ones with decent history on there. Totally agree.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 The only thing i can think of that might be something to hide would be the clutch, or possibly steering rack. Both of which couldn't really be hidden anyway. The engine was pulling fine when he drove it and it idled nice and low, the gears apeared to be engaging well too. Fingers crossed it turns out to be a good car and liek you say worth the stress, time and money! There are tons of EP3's up privately but unfortunately non worth looking at local to me. Most have done way over 100k now and look tierd. The nearest one on autotrader I like the look of is over 200 mile away. I've already done over 600 mile driving about looking at cars and I'm in a real hurry to buy otherwise I'd put the cash to one side and wait until something come up. Side note, I can't find the for sale section on type r owners, not sure if i'm having a moment or if it's been removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 You need to be logged in mate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 I spent most of yesterday looking online and a car popped up on autotrader 5 minutes away from where I work in Newcastle . The car was with a trader, Full history, 3 lady owners, it's made in 05 and has only 80k on the clock. It was priced at 3,999. It's an absolute gem, not a mark on it, even the alloys are in mint nick. Snapped it straight up and even managed to knock a bit off the price. I feel really lucky, over the moon with it To top it off I've been told I can claim my deposit back from the bank if those cowboys down south won't give me it 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WINKJ Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Congrats! Sounds like the best outcome. I always find t funny when people say 'lady owners' as im not sure how that is a positive sales point given my partners driving! Ha. Enjoy it 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjf1985 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Nice mate! Looks like a minter. Probably better off buying that. There may not have been any issues with the other car but you've saved yourself the worry in case there was a hidden horror and the long trip to collect it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 Deffo! Plus this one is nearly two years newer and with lower miles. I'll be giving it a good detail and getting some pics of it alongside the Z soon as the weather perks up a bit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanman312 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I really miss mine might have to get my missus one now lol Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydbax Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 ' those cowboys down south ' OY!!! We're not Southerners 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 haha You're south of me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Yay, congrats dude! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floydbax Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 We might be a bunch of cowboys tho' 'The South' starts at Watford Gap, then it's the Midlands 'til Staffs, They call us the Northwest but seem to forget there's a lot of England and the UK further North!! - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 That's good that it's turned out for the best in the end. Happy for you & the Mrs. This thread is making me miss my Type R though a bit now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowhereboy Posted January 25, 2015 Author Share Posted January 25, 2015 Cheers GM, i love it. It feels strange getting back in a front wheel drive car with a bit of power, gonna take a bit getting used to. It feels much quicker than it actually is too due to the way vtec delivers the power. Its definitely not as planted as the Z mind, its made me realize how well the Z handles. Plans are to tidy up the engine bay a little, get a decent air filter on it and sort the handling out with springs, camber arms and front strut brace. I also fancy some red JDM foot mats if i can find them anywhere! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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