Post by the hamster on 09. Apr 2007 at 11:17
We had a Vauxhall Omega as our family runaround which I bought for the missus in January :y. We have 3 small kids (5, 9 and 12) and when the rules changed for car seats our present car wasnt big enough so I got the Omega because of its size and value for money.
Then 3 weeks ago someone decided to park their Focus Cmax in the boot :'(, therefore writing ours off. Now I got a good deal when I bought the Omega. 1997 R plate, 2.0 16v CD model, good condition, plenty of mot and tax, lots of toys (air con, heated seats etc), 120000 miles, £550.
So, after a couple of weeks in a courtesy car and a bit of haggling they pay out £1300, result. Thing is, my missus now thinks that bargain motors grow on trees and I'll get another one like that no problem.
I persuade her to part with up to a grand and go hunting and found a peach on Ebay.
1999 T reg Omega 2.5 v6 CDX
144000 miles
2 owners (its was the guys car at BT then he bought it from them)
11 months MOT
5 months tax
Climate control
Cruise Control
Full Leather
Stereo system with built in phone (just insert sim)
Electric everything, including sunroof (unusual for a climate car)
Alloys with Pirelli p6000's
Full and well documented service history with £1000 in reciepts over the last year on exhaust, brakes, mot and tyres.
Got the seller to give me an idea on price and he said its mine for a grand! I arrange to go and look before the auction ends as any sensible buyer should.
Went to have a look the car, located in a quiet little village near Colchester. All the houses had names, not numbers and were detatched with wooded surroundings and seperate garages. The bloke was an ex BT manager, in his 50's and a bloody nice chap.
I looked over the car, we chatted about it, he showed me various marks etc but had described the car very well and honestly. Took it for a drive and it was smooth as silk so I say we'll take it. Thought about haggling him down a bit to cover the fuel but it was already a rediculous bargain and it had half a tank, he even threw in a speed camera detector for nothing. £1000, sign here, off we go.
This is the best bit.
We are sat in Pizza Hut 20 miles away when the phone rings. It was the seller. He said that he would like to appologise and i start thinking S**T, I knew it was too good to be true ::).
He said he was taking the listing off ebay when he noticed that he hadnt mentioned some of the tiny marks on the car (we are being ultra picky here) and that he thought he had put photos on to show them. As I had driven all that way (130 miles) to look at the car based on his description, baring in mind I've looked at it, driven it and bought it, would I accept a £50 refund as a token of goodwill. Exqueeze me? Baking powder? You want to give me £50 back on a car i've already bought thats an absolute minter and has a book price of about £1700?
Ok, if you insist
Then when I get home he's emailed. "I forgot to mention that the washer bottle has a little leak and i've looked on ebay and you can get one for £15 so I refunded you for this as well". Cash is in the post to you.
Now thats honesty and integrity. Overall, very very pleased with the car, it does need new rear discs and pads but he told me that. The toys are great, especially the phone. We got 35 mpg on the way home using the cruise control so we are well happy. I'm just praying nothing happens to this one, trying to find another dream bargain will be tricky.
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Then 3 weeks ago someone decided to park their Focus Cmax in the boot :'(, therefore writing ours off. Now I got a good deal when I bought the Omega. 1997 R plate, 2.0 16v CD model, good condition, plenty of mot and tax, lots of toys (air con, heated seats etc), 120000 miles, £550.
So, after a couple of weeks in a courtesy car and a bit of haggling they pay out £1300, result. Thing is, my missus now thinks that bargain motors grow on trees and I'll get another one like that no problem.
I persuade her to part with up to a grand and go hunting and found a peach on Ebay.
1999 T reg Omega 2.5 v6 CDX
144000 miles
2 owners (its was the guys car at BT then he bought it from them)
11 months MOT
5 months tax
Climate control
Cruise Control
Full Leather
Stereo system with built in phone (just insert sim)
Electric everything, including sunroof (unusual for a climate car)
Alloys with Pirelli p6000's
Full and well documented service history with £1000 in reciepts over the last year on exhaust, brakes, mot and tyres.
Got the seller to give me an idea on price and he said its mine for a grand! I arrange to go and look before the auction ends as any sensible buyer should.
Went to have a look the car, located in a quiet little village near Colchester. All the houses had names, not numbers and were detatched with wooded surroundings and seperate garages. The bloke was an ex BT manager, in his 50's and a bloody nice chap.
I looked over the car, we chatted about it, he showed me various marks etc but had described the car very well and honestly. Took it for a drive and it was smooth as silk so I say we'll take it. Thought about haggling him down a bit to cover the fuel but it was already a rediculous bargain and it had half a tank, he even threw in a speed camera detector for nothing. £1000, sign here, off we go.
This is the best bit.
We are sat in Pizza Hut 20 miles away when the phone rings. It was the seller. He said that he would like to appologise and i start thinking S**T, I knew it was too good to be true ::).
He said he was taking the listing off ebay when he noticed that he hadnt mentioned some of the tiny marks on the car (we are being ultra picky here) and that he thought he had put photos on to show them. As I had driven all that way (130 miles) to look at the car based on his description, baring in mind I've looked at it, driven it and bought it, would I accept a £50 refund as a token of goodwill. Exqueeze me? Baking powder? You want to give me £50 back on a car i've already bought thats an absolute minter and has a book price of about £1700?
Ok, if you insist
Then when I get home he's emailed. "I forgot to mention that the washer bottle has a little leak and i've looked on ebay and you can get one for £15 so I refunded you for this as well". Cash is in the post to you.
Now thats honesty and integrity. Overall, very very pleased with the car, it does need new rear discs and pads but he told me that. The toys are great, especially the phone. We got 35 mpg on the way home using the cruise control so we are well happy. I'm just praying nothing happens to this one, trying to find another dream bargain will be tricky.
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