Newbie alert, you expert thoughts on this LCR for sale.

[valleyboy44]

Me and the wife have agreed life is too short and we want to get a 'fun/fast' car, after yeas of having BORING boxes on wheels. Havent got a HUGE budget, were looking at around the 10k mark. (with a part ex of about 3.5k on current car)

Were going to throw caution to the wind and get a new FR/Cupra through a stealer but prefer the older models!

We have found this one on offer near to where we live:

http://www.carshop.co.uk/Leon_1.8 2...65.html?AutoLocateID=43A5C5FB52E9351D159F1721

Just a few questions:

1: Does this look like a good deal?

2: What is the cheapest/best way to verify mileage, as it does seem too good to be true for the age!? (seen a few places on the web to check but whats the best)

I know buying secondhand can be a lottery but just want to do a much as i can beofre i part with our cash.


Ta or any help....

 

[skahigh]

The price seems slightly on the high side to me although the car does look nice.

As far as I know there is no guaranteed way to verify the mileage but an HPI check is by far and away the best way to verify that the car is genuine. I believe they cost about £40 but well worth it for peace of mind.

 

[skahigh]

Also, welcome to the forum

 

[si-mate]

Looks fine to me. I think you can't beat checking condition to verify mileage.

 

[Nabraxas]

I've seen quite a few LCR's around with low mileage - bought mine as a 52 plate with 24,500 miles on the clock; possibly used as a weekend car.

I'd say the price is a little on the high side too but you never know what they might knock off.

HPI check wise if you send a text message to 88600 with the message "CHECK <Space> <Registration>" they will text you back with the details - think it cost me about £5 last time but certainly worth it.

 

[nibbles]

i would agree the price is a touch high
but there is always room for a haggle

 

[Mike Green]

It is probably about the right price if you were going to a stealer.

There are quite a few LCR's around with low mileage. People like to keep the mileage low on these cars. I have seen some with lower mileage than that one, but as said above an HPI check is imperative and will reassure you - also look at the FSH as this will document the mileage pattern as well.

 

[benjiwales]

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...ode=cf311qs&radius=30&showMoreOptions=&page=2

nice yellow one on page 2, if you like yellow, or plenty of diesel's

or if you stretch to 13k there's one with only 7.5k miles

 

[dasmith83]

use the RAC vehicle check rather than HPI themselves, from what i've seen, it's exactly the same info at the end, but only costs £5! HPI is £20 IIRC.

 

[cupra_brown]

did anyone notice that the lcr in the first link hasnt got metal pedals...they are rubber..

just an observation

 

[Willie]

Car looks okay (who ever took that pictures should be shot). Bit of a strange one about the rubber pedal covers, there usually alloy with rubber dimples which are good so no reason to change them.
At 18,000 ish miles your going to need front discs and pads soon which would be £400 fitted for a good set (when you view the car again rub your fingers up the discs from the centre to the outside, if there is a big lip on the edge, 1 mm max, these will need changed. Check the inside as this is where they go first) Also tyres if they haven't been changed will be needing done (probably have been done as no one manages more than 15,000 miles)
Go and enjoy motoring, it a little expensive but nothing better than going for a drive in a warm sunny evening in a fast car

 

[morgus]

you can pick up an 04 deisel cupra (150) for around 8K with about 60.000 on the clock . just as much fun to drive and you'll never need to worry about the petrol guage .

 

[FR+TDI]

Hi & welcome!

Got an FR+TDI 150 for the missus 6 months ago, its black, 55 plate (Jan '06 reg), had 14k miles & gave £12,500 for it (private). Looks great with the LCR bumpers even on 17's, flies (chipped), 40mpg. Most of all, she's pleased!
Try a diesel, yes they smell, are a bit nosier & don't rev, but go well, you may be surprised!!

 

[RikH]

well from pics at least things like the mirrors tie in with the age of the car
so far as mileage check the MOTs and service book as well as those things mentionned above

 

[DodgyDave]

car is over 3 years old - so will have been MOT'd - mileage will have been noted (and check the service stampts - if done at a Seat dealer give 'em a call and ask about the car).

VAG-com can also be used to estimate the mileage the car has done - compare to the speedo and if it's within 10% it's fine.


Dave

 

[samwilko]

If you do go ahead with a proper HPI check over the net, do a google search for voucher codes first. I HPI'd mine before I bought it, searched for a code and found one for a fiver off, not much but money for nothing!

 

[valleyboy44]

cheers all,

i guess the thing is not to just go for the first one we see either!?

 

[S3 AKR]

i guess the thing is not to just go for the first one we see either!?

Its more a case of looking at others too so you've got some comparison.

Also, at this time of year they can't be selling many cars so set yourself an offer price and make them work really hard to get you up higher. Also be prepared to walk away too.

My father-in-law bought a Mondeo TDCI Estate from a Ford dealer and got them down from £12695 on the ticket to £11800 in early December so start low on the bidding and make sure that they are fully aware that you can take the car promptly - they seem to like that!

Last thing....... think really hard before buying black. It shows every mark, chip, scratch, spec of dust etc etc. Its a bitch to clean as you can't just do a quick wash (you have to leather at least - or use Maguiares Quick Detailer). In the past red has been easiest to keep clean, silver hides minor scratches best, never had yellow, black is a pain but looks awesome for the 10mins or so that it stays clean. Diesel is worth a look but although its great mid-range there is something about being able to rev a car which only the petrol engine can give you.

Either way, the Leon will be a fun car to have.

 

[Jonny]

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...ode=cf311qs&radius=30&showMoreOptions=&page=2

nice yellow one on page 2, if you like yellow, or plenty of diesel's

or if you stretch to 13k there's one with only 7.5k miles

The yellow one at JP Board is way over priced for what it is! It had been in the workshop for months, and in the showroom even longer... I looked at it while my car was in for a service before the summer, it was marked up at £14,995 at the time! It looks like it's been rear ended, the paint around the rear arch and side skirt is lumpy / flaky from bad masking, and the colour mismatch is terrible! Done by hand using a Halfords rattle can too... full of runs! And that's not just me being picky... it really is very noticeable from a good distance!

 

[flares]

Thompson & Thompson in Caldicot ( Thompson-Thompson.co.uk ) are Seat dealers & have a 2005 `55 Cupra R , 10,000 miles in yellow @ £12995 . I bought my `02 plate Leon Cupra from the Carshop in Cardiff 2.5 years ago , they only do a basic 3 month warranty . Welcome mate , where are you from ?