Newby - Fool Or Wise Guy?

December 25, 2008

Hi All, and a Happy Christmas,

Well, there I was last week quietly filling up my old VW camper with overpriced Orkney petrol (110/L) and I saw this lovely little blue RAV sitting there in the rain looking all forlorn, so after paying I wandered over 'just to have a look' and fell in love with her immediately. She looked absolutely immaculate, and with only 53K on the clock for an S Reg, and at just £1,995 - it just seemed too good to be true, so went in to make a few more enquiries. Turns out it was the 2nd car of an elderly couple who purchased it from this local dealer with only some 9K on the clock and has only done aprox 3K/yr since. Regularly serviced and MOT'd by him (all docs stamped for me to see). Now they've bought a fairly new Volvo from him. and put the RAV in as P/X. Took her for a test drive, and she purred along. Engine bay and underneath looked as immaculate as the interior, and just one tiny needle-like scratch on the bonnet was the only bodywork damage. So on an impulse 'jumped in' and paid full asking price as he said he just couldn't possibly take anything lower, and felt someone else might jump in if I started dithering (it had only come in some three hours ago) When I got home phoned a friend to tell him the news, who after giving him the description said "That's my neighbour's car" - and confirmed all the dealer had said! 'Coincidence'? Anyway, I've now been running her for almost a week, and absolutely no problems to date. Will need a couple of tyres soon, and was shocked at cost of these (£150 +VAT each!) - or 3 times as much as the Camper's. Insurance is hefty too, which was a shock after my old Landy - Group 10 apparently, so again twice as much as the VW. Road Tax due at end of July??? (showing £150 on the current disc). So... 'Fools rush in'? - or did I get a bargain? I know absolutely NOTHING about the marque, so any advice/comments etc would be gratefully received (I don't know if that 'counts' as a question, but I'm sure the Moderator or whatever s/he is called will 'edit' it out if it is) I now look forward to joining T.O.C. and 'swopping stories'. All the Best for 2009

December 26, 2008

I expect this should be in the RAV4 forum...I have never paid more than about £80 incl VAT for tyres.....Insurance has always been reasonable in my book ...I would try the usual websites for alternative quotes. Good Luck

December 28, 2008

I expect this should be in the RAV4 forum...I have never paid more than about £80 incl VAT for tyres.....Insurance has always been reasonable in my book ...I would try the usual websites for alternative quotes. Good Luck

Yes, you're probably right, but I was only following instructions in red at the top of the page, so maybe will repeat this in the RAV 4 forum. Since then I've made a few enquiries locally re tyres, and can get 'budget' ones for £52 +VAT (which is about the same price I paid for my old Landie tyres, so nae bad and have ordered two) I don't intend taking the RAV off-road (apart from the rough track to my house), so reckon they will be ok (no motorway driving on Orkney either!!) Will fish around for alternative insurance quotes too. Thanks for your help, and very best wishes.