Calling all car buying experts
 

I know nothing about car maintenance apart from how to check the oil & water. I can usually tell when something is not right mechanically but not know exactly what.
So when we move to Spain what do we do about buying a car?
Here in UK I have several mechanic friends who would assist me in buying and maintaining my car.
New or 2nd hand?
2nd hand are more expensive than UK and I would have to get a fairly new car from a dealer to have any sort of warranty or guarantee of getting a sound vehicle.
New car prices are pretty comparable to UK and at least you know the car's history from the off.
I am interested in a Fiesta sized 5 door diesel at least 1.4. Would there be a long wait to get a new one?

For 2nd hand cars from dealerships is the price usually negotiable? What hidden extras might there be to the price quoted on the windscreen? ie costs for the paperwork, tax etc? How long before I can drive it away?

We will have to hire a car when we arrive until we get our own wheels so the time factor is quite relevant.

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

Another option for you would be to lease a car. I leased a fiesta in the past all in, Insurance, Servicing etc.

Buying a car is just about the same as the UK, Obvisouley you will need different documentation NIE etc. Same pitfalls losing money soon as you drive of the forecourt.

There are literally dpzens of english mechanics down the coast. When you arrive just ask about bars etc and people will put you onto someone realible.

It's not as daunting as it seems.

Good luck.

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

I purchased a second hand car from a main Opel dealer (mainly for peace of mind that it was all above board and legal). you will get a 12 months warranty if purchased from a dealer and they usually employ a Ghestor [spelling?] to do all the change of ownership paperwork (which you of course pay for 100euro-ish). You can of course haggle a price, but in my experience they are usually not that bothered whether they sell it to you or not[!] and so will not move on the price much. Insist on full service, tank of fuel, etc. From me paying [cash] to picking up vehicle took about a week and then two months later had to go back and collect all vehicle docs in my name. They will of course want all you documents and copies (passport, residencia, padron etc) - good luck

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

I bought my current vehicles form a second hand car dealer here on the Costa Blanca. By law all dealers have to give a warranty, so their stock has to be of a decent quality. The transfer of the docs is usaully done by a gestor and is either added on or included in the price, id establish this before negotiating. And the garage I went to didnt have any problem aith a local mechanic checking it over.

Yes secong hand cars are more expensive here but its all relevant, when ive sold mine or part exchanged them ive always got considerably more than theyre worth in the Uk, so its swing and roundabouts.

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

Your location, 'east coast of spain' doesn't help much. If we knew where you were maybe some recommendations could be supplied ?

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

We bought our secondhand car from a dealership with 12 months warranty.

In our experience the warranty is not worth the paper its written on.They always say nothing is wrong when evidently there is a problem.

We got so fed up going back with the same problem only to be told there was/is nothing wrong.

We gave up in the end as there wasnt even a courtesy car available so each time had to hire one whilst they looked at it.

Still got the problem which will get worse as we use the aircon more.Now we live in the centre of town we dont rely on the car as much so getting it mended wont be so bad but still out of our own pockets.

Warranties here are useless I feel so beware who you buy from.Get a recommendation if you can.

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

they're not here yet - they're still doing recces - up & down the east coast!!!

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

You beat me to it !:thumbsup:

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

We don't know exactly where we will end up so it is difficult for anyone to give us any specific help just yet, it is just your opinions and experiences that we wanted to share. We would be willing to travel anyway if it meant getting a better deal.
John1979's post got us thinking about the possibility of leasing. We know that you would never own the car but at least you would know exactly how much it would cost every month to always have a newish car with no worries about insurance and breakdowns etc.
Banco Santander has a link on their site that has a calculator on it where you can choose your vehicle, extras and length of lease, ending up with a monthly fee. For our type of car it would be between 380-415 euros per month over 3 years and 25,000km per year.
I don't know about the specifics of leasing and after the initial period you would either have to continue with an extended lease, get a new car and lease or pay an agreed amount to own the current car. It is just another item for us to ponder, but the jigsaw puzzle is coming together.:rolleyes:

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

The first car I bought in Spain was a 10yr old ford escort from a local dealer.
I paid €1800 for it, and during the 1st year of ownership I must have had well over €2000 worth of repairs done. ALL for free ALL under the dealers warranty.
I have since bought 2 more cars from the same dealer safe in the knowledge that they will honour any claim in the first year of ownership.
So as you see not all dealers are the same.

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

I bought my Fiat Panda secondhand, from a highly recommended car hire company in El Campello (Just north of Alicante). They let me take the car for a three day trial using their insurance. When I agreed to have it, they serviced it and put it through its ITV, loaning me a car while this happened. After the ITV, they did all of the paperwork for the changeover and until that was completed, they let me continue on their insurance. This is an English familly buisness who know how to keep their customers!
As for English mechanics, there are plenty of them, but Spanish mechanics are o.k., you get good and bad on both sides. Again, get a recommendation.
When you arive in Spain you will find lots of advice in your local English bar, make sure you get more than one opinion.
If you havn't decided on an area yet, it's very good advice to rent first!!!!

John

P.S.
I've just seen your other post. So you've met the boozers then ;)

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

No matter what car you choose do a little research via the web for reviews/known problems etc before buying. (check on honestjohn.co.uk)
A car ?, or a Berlingo type vehicle ? as this type is much more flexilble & that is why you see so many around.

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

THAT is exactly what I wouldn't recommend

I know someone who against all other advice (from me & others I know here) did exactly that

he went to a brit bar - was recommended a brit second hand dealer

paid cash for a car - no NIE number - the dealer said that wasn't a problem:eek: & he would take care of the paperwork

a few weeks later he totalled the car

he now discovered that the car was never transferred to his name

the insurance he thought he had was not valid

there were outstanding debts on the car

he is now stuck up the mountain with no transport, & can't afford to buy another car

& since there was no paperwork he seems to have no way out of it



unfortunately that's not the first time I've heard similar stories involving that particular dealer, who I'm told has been denounced countless times, but really doesn't care

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

I did say get more than one opinion. the reason being, that you then get a concensus of opinions and can make a decision on the most recommended.

John.

Re: Calling all car buying experts
 

Its good to hear another story which is positive about dealers.We must have chosen the wrong one which was Seat/Opal.:frown: