Sorry, location is Birmingham too

I just traded in a 58 reg Electroclash, 49k miles, adjustable Konis on back, complete service history - belt/water pump, a/c compressor belt/all disc pads done at 41k. It's in Devon but PM me if it sounds interesting and I'll give you the details.

babbo_umbro said:

I just traded in a 58 reg Electroclash, 49k miles, adjustable Konis on back, complete service history - belt/water pump, a/c compressor belt/all disc pads done at 41k. It's in Devon but PM me if it sounds interesting and I'll give you the details.

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I suspect it would have been interesting if you still had the car, but if you've traded it in then the dealer will want their usual markup and it will be just another overpriced 100HP, albeit an excellent one.

Some first class cars get advertised privately with the "will be traded next Friday if unsold" qualifier, and even more just get traded in at book without ever being offered because many folks just don't want the hassle of a private sale (Robin's 500 is a good example of one).

The windscreen prices of forecourt cars tempt would-be private sellers into being unrealistically greedy but this does not sell cars; they often end up accepting a very low price from the trade after turning down significantly higher offers from private buyers.

If you are patient and prepared to travel, you'll get the right car for a fair price.

And if you think buying secondhand cars for a fair price is hard, just try buying a house. I've spent nine months looking, had shedloads of offers refused, and all but one of the properties I've made an offer on is still unsold :bang:.

Thanks, PMed.

jrkitching said:

I suspect it would have been interesting if you still had the car, but if you've traded it in then the dealer will want their usual markup and it will be just another overpriced 100HP, albeit an excellent one.

Some first class cars get advertised privately with the "will be traded next Friday if unsold" qualifier, and even more just get traded in at book without ever being offered because many folks just don't want the hassle of a private sale (Robin's 500 is a good example of one).

The windscreen prices of forecourt cars tempt would-be private sellers into being unrealistically greedy but this does not sell cars; they often end up accepting a very low price from the trade after turning down significantly higher offers from private buyers.

If you are patient and prepared to travel, you'll get the right car for a fair price...

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I agree with all that but it does at least give another bit of input.

babbo_umbro said:

I agree with all that but it does at least give another bit of input.

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Absolutely agree .

Mine is up for sale now. 2007 full history, new cambelt and water pump. Updated Bluetooth stereo. Full stainless steel exhaust including flexi pipe.
54000 miles 2 owners absolutely immaculate condition. No expense spared. In grey!
I'm in Cardiff if you're wanting a look

Well.... the white one was absolutely immaculate. Pretty much perfect. Unfortunately the price is fixed at £5200. wouldn't even knock 50 quid off!! Shame, its a real stunner.
I think I would have happily paid over the book value for that one. but not by that much!

I think it was actually too good for me. As I've said in my OP, I want to chuck mountain bikes in the back! I think a car that perfect I would be afraid to use, have fun with and put a load of miles on it for fear of damaging or whatever....

Mines up for £3800 ish

Depending how this next one goes, I might give you a call later. Its a bit of a slog down there... but yours does sound pretty good

looking at a blue one in 30 mins.

its 2008, 44k. But its stood for a couple of years and the recent MOT threwq up some advisories. (perished tyre, worn disc, back box corrosion, front strut loose.)

Its up for 3400 ish, but looking at worst case it could do with a £1000 worth of parts and work to get it back into shape. But its his wifes dads cars (passed away), so if they want shot of it, they may just take a low offer.

SH4RKY said:

looking at a blue one in 30 mins.

its 2008, 44k. But its stood for a couple of years and the recent MOT threwq up some advisories. (perished tyre, worn disc, back box corrosion, front strut loose.)

Its up for 3400 ish, but looking at worst case it could do with a £1000 worth of parts and work to get it back into shape. But its his wifes dads cars (passed away), so if they want shot of it, they may just take a low offer.

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All of that is cheap & easy to fix, but you'll also need to do the cambelt ASAP so budget for that too.

From what you've said, I'd say it's worth around £3000 - £3200 so don't be too greedy.

Good luck

SH4RKY said:

looking at a blue one in 30 mins.

its 2008, 44k. But its stood for a couple of years and the recent MOT threwq up some advisories. (perished tyre, worn disc, back box corrosion, front strut loose.)

Its up for 3400 ish, but looking at worst case it could do with a £1000 worth of parts and work to get it back into shape. But its his wifes dads cars (passed away), so if they want shot of it, they may just take a low offer.

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Half of that is standard wear and tear though, with the exception of the strut perhaps.

Right. The blue one was nice in blue! Buuut it was understandably scuffy considering how long it had been standing etc. Couple of bonnet scratches, not sure they would cut out and the rest of the paint work was badly 'washed'

If I was being picky I would want 4 new tyres, all round discs and pads + fluid swap, cam belt and water pump and probably a new battery. Thats just to make it road worthy.

Had some other issues too, the aircon wasn't cold (probably needed a regas), the clutch squeaked and felt a little spongy (didn't return smoothly), and the exhaust will need replacement before the next MOT.

It wasn't bad, and most of the stuff is easily fixable. haggled to sub 3k for it which i feel is about right considering the work.

Unfortunately, after seeing Paul's, I just cant justify it! For a similar price to get the blue one road worthy, I could have his immaculate example! For me at the moment, (especially considering I have very limited spare time to work on cars (house hunting =/)) There isn't enough difference in price between bad and good examples to bother mess about with the bad ones!

Thats IMO and current situation of course... my situation a couple of years ago i may have bought the blue one to play with doing it up!
Hope it finds a good home and gets some TLC.

SH4RKY said:

and the exhaust will need replacement before the next MOT.

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Whys that

Well, the back box at the very least. It was very badly rusted!

Would think there may be a few more issues along the exhausts length considering the rust on the rear. Perhaps not, but I can only base an opinion on the bit I saw


As i say, its a bargain and would make a great little project car for anyone with the time.

SH4RKY said:

Well, the back box at the very least. It was very badly rusted!

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It would have been fine, they all look like that, outer skin is designed to rust away and fall off slowly before exposing the inner skin which will then eventually cause problems. OEM Fiat boxes have done this for about the last decade in the UK now, looks bad, but it actually a very good design feature. I'd put a fiver on it lasting until the car is 8+ years old

Most will be similar you'll find.

Well done sharky. You bought a real cracker mate!!