Buying A Second Hand Car Before The Internet | Fifth Gear Classic

What was it like to buying your second hand bargain before the internet took over? Former presenter, Quentin Wilson, hunts the classified to find the best deals. Taken from Series 3, first broadcast in 2003.

#FifthGear #SecondHandBargains

[mrbagitos]

I always enjoyed Quentin’s spot on Top/ Fifth Gear.

[Ibanez]

Love that the Mx5 is still on the road, MOT til October 22 and a very clean one at that!

[rodanderson]

What are the chances? I have owned in the past, a 1999 Mercedes Benz A160, like the one featured, which were a great drive, but had problems with the Auto G/Box, a 1992 Mazda MX-5, which was a great fun car to drive, and I would buy another tomorrow IF I could find one with low ownership and miles, with a service history, and I currently own a 2004 Volvo V50 T5, which has the same 2.5 liter turbocharged motor as the 850 T5 featured in this video. It also is black with Black Leather, and is a great car.

[david]

"There are cheap cars everywhere"

Oh those were the days.

[notroll]

2003 was not really "before the internet"... it was a bit less dominant than now, but most of the good car trade platforms were there already.

[mchaval]

Man, watching this whole thing was a pretty calming experience!

[alexeden]

The saddest thing about this video was seeing all the Rover’s knowing now they’re becoming a rarer sight aside from 75’s!

[nobodyknowsme]

That T5 is built like a tank! Near unbreakable! Really good deal.. Good luck finding one like this today, when everybody just wants to rip you off! Great clip!

[EppingForest]

Driving to car viewings is a pain... and the cars are often misdescribed 😔

[kirbyd]

Shame that turbocharged 'minter' lasted only a few more years until 2006.

[grobetog]

An Ericsson T39 and a Volvo 850. Swedish all the way...

[davidyoung]

I am a Volvo fan and that 850 T5 made my day.

[dontpanicblink]

bought a 2007 accord, i cdti sport, 4 months ago dealer would not budge on the price not even £50 off, he and myself knew it would sell within the week, i bought it the day it was advertised

[derekga]

2003, when most British lease cars were sent to Ireland and clocked to death, no history checks online in Ireland back then

[trainmantrainstramsandmore]

All vehicles as of January 5th 2021

Mercedes A class
Tax: SORN (Must be around somewhere)
Mot: expired 2013

Mazda MX-5
Still on the road!

Volvo T5
Tax: untaxed 2006
MOT: expired 2006

[leonpalmer]

I loved buying auto trader and going straight to the back to find cars under 1000

[colinelderfield]

Back in the day when mobile phones were for making phone calls. Nothing else.Loved Quentin.

[heed]

Rotten sills on an Mx5? RUN QUENTIN RUN!

[DMSVICAU]

(Buyer)
O.K. You want 4 Grand!
What if I say 3 1/2?

(Seller)
That’s really pushing it
NoWay!

(Buyer)
O.K. Well, come back to be with a counter offer.

(Seller)
It’s 41/2!
(Buyer)
O.K. O.K....4

(Seller)
Nope, it’s now it or leave it!

[eurosonly]

Honestly, haggling on a car that is clearly well maintained and babied just seems like an insult. The owner has taken good care of it in service history records and, from that, you can bet that they have done their research in finding out what their particular specimen is worth on the street and what it's worth to them. If your offer is different then you're just wasting their time. They have a figure in mind that they're willing to part with the car for and an owner who takes such good care of their car probably won't be swayed much in their price.