Why Can't I Make A Decision?

[cruella]

Numpty alert! :D

Further to my heightening expectations, there are a couple MORE cars that I kind of like and I don't know what to do. Trouble is they are all so similar that it is really down to little things - AAAAghhh

They are all 55 reg models - the first (and least likely, but can't be discounted-see I told you I was having 'problems') is a silver XT4 with 50,000 miles on the clock, nice leather interior and a few stone chips. This is now priced at £6499 (down from £6999 in their sale) at a car supermarket I didn't enjoy visiting. At that price I think it's reasonable, but is the mileage rather high?

The next is a black XT3R also with a nice leather interior. Again it has a couple of stone chips - nothing obvious, but it does have a scrape on the side of the spare wheel cover and some bubbling on one of the rims. It has 33000 miles on the clock and has gone down from £7799 to £7499 in the same sale. I did like this one but I would be proper scraping to get this sort of money, to my mind it's still top money. Also, I didn't like the garage - I'm sure that shouldn't matter but it kind of does somehow? Also, they don't take credit cards, so I couldn't top up my cash that way, AND they charge you £25 for the privilege of counting your cash if you pay in readies. But they are only 8 miles away from me. *girl modus* I do like this colour the best though - and the leather is a bonus *girl modus*

The last, but possibly the most favourite is a silver XTR at a Toyota dealers, 1 lady owner, 20,000 miles on the clock. It has a cloth interior. It is on at £6,995. I spoke to a very nice girl there who said it has one tiny dent/stone chip on one of the wings. I asked her how big? Size of a 5p piece? She said it wasn't anywhere near that - she didn't even think a layperson would have noticed it. I had to ask her because there isn't a photo on the advert. Anyhoo, I asked her to mail me some photos, the car looks very nice, has a front bumper bar (which I'm not sure about) side bars (as opposed to side steps-see, I'm learning ;) ) The trouble is, it's a good 200 miles away, and it's silver and it has a cloth interior. But it is low mileage and the money is ok, they will do a bit of a deal for me.

Sooooooo: Should I trawl up 200 miles to see the silver XTR, which has the lowest mileage, is around the right price but has cloth seats and this 'pimp my ride' front bumper thingy? Can you take them off? Would it leave a mark? Are the cloth seats the same underneath as the leather ones? The leather ones look far more comfy. Or should I sell the dog and Him Indoors and grudgingly give the no personality supermarket my hard earned shekels? Is it worth £750 extra for a car with leather seats, which IMHO is a 'better' colour but has some scratches?

Or should I consider the 'outsider' XT4 - even though it is at the same supermarket, it is more on the money. Is 50-ish thousand miles a bit high on a 55 plate car? What are the differences between an XT4 and the XTR?

Him Indoors says if I can't make a decison, I should just sit on the dosh and wait to get exactly what I want. He reckons there'll be plenty coming along.

When you bought your Rav did you compromise on things like colour to get the right spec or price? Or did you hold out for exactly what you wanted? Or are you in the fortunate position of having enough dosh to order exactly what your little heart desired - and has it lived up to your expectations?

What would you do?

[anchorman]

Most always pay a bit more to get another model up and even then wish they had gone another step!!!

The silver one sounds OK but the old "first to see will buy" doesn't wash with me.

Can you forward some photos and where is it? Maybe one of us can have a first look over to see if it is worth you paying old branners for a ride on his train.

I am on earlies and off to bed now but if it isn't far I'll have a look ASAP.

[cruella]

Most always pay a bit more to get another model up and even then wish they had gone another step!!!

The silver one sounds OK but the old "first to see will buy" doesn't wash with me.

Can you forward some photos and where is it? Maybe one of us can have a first look over to see if it is worth you paying old branners for a ride on his train.

I am on earlies and off to bed now but if it isn't far I'll have a look ASAP.

Fanks Anchorman. It's in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, so nowhere near you I think? I don't mind going up to have a look at it, but I can't decide if I should, or hang on for a leather seated, darker one with similar mileage. This is the trouble though isn't it? I could go on and on adding extra bits -I'm soooo high maintenance!

Sleep tight - I hope work runs smoothly tomorrow. :)

[xenodrew]

"AND they charge you £25 for the privilege of counting your cash if you pay in readies."

Fantastic, a company that charges you, to count your readies - that's wrong, so wrong, on oh so many levels - I'd be extremely reluctant to enter into any contract with someone who has the audacity to include counting your cash as a chargeable service.

Just think what they might charge you for during the next few months, if you bought from them -

The air they put in your tyres

Parking, when you take the car on to their property for the inevitable warranty service

etc etc

It may sound flippant, but, the counting your cash charge immediately got my hackles up, very bad karma . . .

Take the cash in, show them it, then walk away.

Rant over, calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean . . .

[Hoovie]

The car supermarket you didn't like visiting - not in White City is it? sounds like that one. I went there a couple of times years ago and was put off the place.

I think cars in the north of England tend to be a little cheaper then those in the south and espeically London, so not surprised you are seeing keener prices there.

This is what I think you should do ....

Make a list on paper of the things you MUST have, and the things you would LIKE, plus the colours you can happily live with, then your max price and max age you want to go for.

If you find a car that ticks the boxes, you're sorted!!

Question: Did you compromise?

Well, I set out to buy a RAV4 in black or carbon quartz, diesel and saw a nice looking black diesel XTR 55 plate - but it was in Norwich (I'm in East Devon) - I bought a Cadmium Green Petrol XT3 05 plate from my local dealer and TBH it was the only one I test drove. It is still not my fav colour but not something I worry about.

I suspect you may be over-analysing your purchase?

[cruella]

"AND they charge you £25 for the privilege of counting your cash if you pay in readies."

Fantastic, a company that charges you, to count your readies - that's wrong, so wrong, on oh so many levels - I'd be extremely reluctant to enter into any contract with someone who has the audacity to include counting your cash as a chargeable service.

Just think what they might charge you for during the next few months, if you bought from them -

The air they put in your tyres

Parking, when you take the car on to their property for the inevitable warranty service

etc etc

It may sound flippant, but, the counting your cash charge immediately got my hackles up, very bad karma . . .

Take the cash in, show them it, then walk away.

Rant over, calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean . . .

That was my feeling - I mean, cash is usually a bonus isn't it? When I spoke to the bloke I had 7 grand about my person and he wasn't even interested!

The car supermarket you didn't like visiting - not in White City is it? sounds like that one. I went there a couple of times years ago and was put off the place.

I think cars in the north of England tend to be a little cheaper then those in the south and espeically London, so not surprised you are seeing keener prices there.

This is what I think you should do ....

Make a list on paper of the things you MUST have, and the things you would LIKE, plus the colours you can happily live with, then your max price and max age you want to go for.

If you find a car that ticks the boxes, you're sorted!!

Question: Did you compromise?

Well, I set out to buy a RAV4 in black or carbon quartz, diesel and saw a nice looking black diesel XTR 55 plate - but it was in Norwich (I'm in East Devon) - I bought a Cadmium Green Petrol XT3 05 plate from my local dealer and TBH it was the only one I test drove. It is still not my fav colour but not something I worry about.

I suspect you may be over-analysing your purchase?

You have me bang to rights there Hoovie! Overanalysers anonymous could be my second home!

The car supermarket is in Harlesden, which may be near White City; it's in that general direction. I can understand the prices being immovable on a minter, but there were a few little faults - more than I could overlook for the price. I AM fussy, but also it's all a bit new territory for me. If it was a classic Volkswagen I'd be a lot more confident.

Interesting to hear about your Rav :) I might just take a look at the Northallerton one tomorrow.

Does anyone know if the front bumper protector thing comes off withour leaving a mark/holes? Just in case like... ;)

[bothwell_buyer]

so,

what happened?

I tried reading Times on line but couldn't find the outcome.........

oh. sorry - its today yer going.....!

What do you do if buying shoes or a bag????

EDIT - its now 6.44am - so whats the update? (getting excited ! )

[Hoovie]

The car supermarket is in Harlesden, which may be near White City; it's in that general direction. I can understand the prices being immovable on a minter, but there were a few little faults - more than I could overlook for the price. I AM fussy, but also it's all a bit new territory for me. If it was a classic Volkswagen I'd be a lot more confident.

Interesting to hear about your Rav :) I might just take a look at the Northallerton one tomorrow.

Does anyone know if the front bumper protector thing comes off withour leaving a mark/holes? Just in case like... ;)

I am sure they are fitted with 4 big bolts so removing it will leave holes

I think we are talking about the same supermarket - down Scrubs Lane and now called "Car Giant" - Things may have changed (doesn't sound like it though), but the lack of care on the vehicle preperation was amazing and lack of interest of staff remarkable.

End of the day, a 55 Reg RAV should be a great buy, just depends what features you want in it.

[shutty]

Im 9 miles from Northallerton and had 5 Ravs in the past & worked for Toyota dealer for 9 years

If you want me to have a look i will ?

[anchorman]

Sounds like a good offer from Shutty (it is too far for me). He can assess and at least say if its worth the effort.

Nice one Shutty.

[cruella]

so,

what happened?

I tried reading Times on line but couldn't find the outcome.........

oh. sorry - its today yer going.....!

What do you do if buying shoes or a bag????

EDIT - its now 6.44am - so whats the update? (getting excited ! )

You are quite mad - I like that in a man! :D Oh, BTW; the shoes/bag thing - if I like them and they are right for the job, I buy them in all the colours I like! :P

I ended up not going to Northallerton this morning, it wasn't really logistically possible to get there, look at it and get to the post office to tax it before 12.30 if I wanted to drive it home. I might go in the week.

The car supermarket is in Harlesden, which may be near White City; it's in that general direction. I can understand the prices being immovable on a minter, but there were a few little faults - more than I could overlook for the price. I AM fussy, but also it's all a bit new territory for me. If it was a classic Volkswagen I'd be a lot more confident.

Interesting to hear about your Rav :) I might just take a look at the Northallerton one tomorrow.

Does anyone know if the front bumper protector thing comes off withour leaving a mark/holes? Just in case like... ;)

I am sure they are fitted with 4 big bolts so removing it will leave holes

I think we are talking about the same supermarket - down Scrubs Lane and now called "Car Giant" - Things may have changed (doesn't sound like it though), but the lack of care on the vehicle preperation was amazing and lack of interest of staff remarkable.

End of the day, a 55 Reg RAV should be a great buy, just depends what features you want in it.

That's the very place, the bottom line is I do like the black car, but their customer service is second to everyone! I might email them and see if there's any joy to be had further up the chain so to speak. They've irritated me enough for me to be reluctant to give them my hard earned.

The bumper holes are a bit worrying, I can't decide if it is really smart or a bit OTT...

Im 9 miles from Northallerton and had 5 Ravs in the past & worked for Toyota dealer for 9 yearsIf you want me to have a look i will ?

That is a very kind offer, only I can't decide if I can be doing with the bumper thingy. The car is at rmb Toyota in Northallerton, Tracy, the very nice girl I spoke to sent me some (fairly blurry) photos I have attached one below. Do you think it's a bit pimp my ride? (no offense meant to anyone who has one!)

I know I'm being a bit of a girl/overanalyst about this, but do you ever get that feeling that you might be letting a bargain go by?

[cruella]

I just saw the same bumper thingy on Hoovie's car - looks great on his! Do you think Rav's are like beetles, in the fact that they are all the same marque yet some look different/more appealing than others?

*I never said I was normal did I?

[dave.m]

Was going to suggest you look at the photos of Hoovies front "A" bar, looks great. Cant think why you would to remove it ?

[Hoovie]

of the selection you have identified in the post, cruella, I would go for the last one - the XTR - without any doubt.

It seems a lot of car for a good price - better then the two at the Giant supermarket when all things taken into consideration, is a reasonable spec (I see it has the tinted rear glass as well, which IMO is handy for a city car), it has probably been looked after a lot better which is why it is for sale at a Main Toyota Dealer and not a stack 'em high supermarket, and you will get a proper aftersales backup package. Maybe you can get them to throw in a full 1 years toyota warranty with the car as part of the deal if not in there already?

Black Cars look great until they get mistreated - then they look very second-hand

Silver Cars are great for hiding the dirt - they are more common place, but does that really matter? and the chrome pack makes it a little bit different as well and does add value.

[cruella]

Thank you for the replies - I'm warming to it! I'll probably just get to like it and it'll be gone before I get there - I'm getting good at that!

Will keep you posted... :group-cuddles:

No wonder him indoors is keeping well clear! He hasn't liked a car I've bought so far! Funnily enough he will drive them if he's stuck and has deigned to the odd barbeque by the sea in the camper. :D So far he has gone from "Rav4, what do you want one of them for? Oh, I don't like that one - why don't you get a Volvo xc90?" (Yes dear, surely the perfect compact town runaround with a little bit of soft roading thrown in - not! ) To "that one's no too bad - make sure you get a dog guard eh." To "where's this Rav4 then, I thought we'd be able to go down the coast today in it; will we be able to get my road bike in the back?"

[Plutus]

I'd go for the silver one in Yorks too.

It looks the best buy to me.

I have a vehicle with leather seats and if they don't have seat heaters they are pretty cold in this weather.

I wouldn't pay extra for leather again BTW.

Agree with other posts about charging you to count your cash. The arrogance !!. They deserve to fail with that attitude.

[bothwell_buyer]

Thank you for the replies - I'm warming to it! I'll probably just get to like it and it'll be gone before I get there - I'm getting good at that!

Will keep you posted... :group-cuddles:

No wonder him indoors is keeping well clear! He hasn't liked a car I've bought so far! Funnily enough he will drive them if he's stuck and has deigned to the odd barbeque by the sea in the camper. :D So far he has gone from "Rav4, what do you want one of them for? Oh, I don't like that one - why don't you get a Volvo xc90?" (Yes dear, surely the perfect compact town runaround with a little bit of soft roading thrown in - not! ) To "that one's no too bad - make sure you get a dog guard eh." To "where's this Rav4 then, I thought we'd be able to go down the coast today in it; will we be able to get my road bike in the back?"

Ye never said ye were wan o them .....fire-raising punters!

A barbeque by the sea in the campervan - is the thing made o steel or sumpthin??

Whit yer needin is no a RAV but a fire-enjun !!! It has space fur a bike or twa....... :wacko:

[Dippy]

The front bumper A bar is great, I just have a cattle bar. My wife used it on many occasions as a parking sensor :(

[Robert6920]

Having fitted a front nudge bar to my wife's Rav4.2, whilst sipping a glass of wine (timing is everything) I can confirm you do drill ten 10mm holes in the front bumper to fit it

I do think they look spectacular, though....

Happy hunting!

[shutty]

Saw it there today as i passed through

Looks fine, The dint on the wing is noticeable as its on the top edge of the arch of the wing but a dent wizard should be able to remove it for £50, I have seen them fix worse

Car looks good in silver with the bars on frt & rear and also has rear parking sensors

Its up on forecourt for £7495

I did take some photos but not sure how good they are as it was getting dark

PM me your email and i will send u the pics if there good enough

[cruella]

Saw it there today as i passed through

Looks fine, The dint on the wing is noticeable as its on the top edge of the arch of the wing but a dent wizard should be able to remove it for £50, I have seen them fix worse

Car looks good in silver with the bars on frt & rear and also has rear parking sensors

Its up on forecourt for £7495

I did take some photos but not sure how good they are as it was getting dark

PM me your email and i will send u the pics if there good enough

How very kind you are! I have sent you a pm. :)