Cal09

They seem to be very expensive in Spain

snikpoh

YES

(This is the minimalistic thread!)

Casa Santo Estevo

I agree and yes!

agoreira

Astronomical! Mind you, new one's aren't cheap.

warren d

If you think that's bad then go look at the car prices on the islands.

chulo

Ok.

Rotor

Sure are, but they last longer generally as theres rarely any corrosion issues unless they are german imports,mot`s (ITV) are quiet strict here so a freshly tested one should have good brakes/suspension/steering although its not a gaurantee,unless your a mechanic get an independant inspecion before buying and also get some example prices for regular replacement parts such as clutches , brake discs , shock absorbers , catalytic convertors etc, whilst parts prices are similar to the UK you will be shocked at the cost of certain parts for what seems to be a sensible hatch back /saloon /4x4.

Mitzyboy

Im not sure thats always the case Rotor. The test on my 4 x 4 almost seemed cursory, and my sports car went in to the ITV with a split side wall tyre (I hadn't realised) and got a pass certificate

fionamw

... and further to what Mitz said, I think maybe the quality of 2nd hand cars depends on where youŕe looking - if for example they´re 4x4 used off road rather than as Chelsea/Marbella tractors, there may be different issues!
We looked long & hard & decided that since most seemed to have huge mileage & not many Spanish vehicles around here are kept pristine, we´d rather fork out for a new one so we knew the provinance of all the dots, scratches & glitches as time went on.

Mitzyboy

Its not worth having a decent car here Ive decided. We bought a low mileage car from a garage. It was almost perfect when we had it. The idea was to buy a new one in a few years time. Not now. Ive had so many doors opened into the side, and people hitting it as they park beside me. People dont seem to care about their cars here. Unless you choose very carefully where you park, you are going to end up with all manner of dents and dinks

You are right, the mileages on cars over here does seem very high

chulo

I wouldn`t hire rentals in Spain either, we got caught a few times due to dents suddenly appearing.

jdr

You can buy insurance to cover excess claims on hire cars. ;-))

pete_l

Is it that they don't care - or just that they don't regard cars as much of a status symbol; but more of a workhorse / appliance, merely there to get the job done?
There was also a news report in Britian a week or two ago to say that the price of used cars there was rising. Partly because of the gummint's scrappage scheme, but also because people were hanging on to them for longer, so altogether there were fewer s/hand cars on the market.

mikelincs

Most Spanish buy a car, they run it till it's knackered, and scrap it, so, no they aren't bothered.

agoreira

Cost you £50 for stays of up to 31 days, for as many times as you visit. We often stay for month, if you do that a few times a year, you're quids in! A lot charge €3 a day, so one stay of a few weeks you'll have made your money back.