Dealer or private purchase?

[MorrisJohn]

Hi folks,

I never did follow through on my planned purchase of a Minor in 2017. Fast forward three years though and circumstances are very different so I’m looking at buying a saloon this summer. If the lockdown ends!

I’ve spoken to two Minor specialists, Charles Ware and Yorkshire West Riding Classics (WRCC). Both seemed very helpful and reassuring on the phone.

I told both I’m looking for a solid and presentable two door saloon for regular use, and though I’m not expecting anything pristine I want a car free of rot in good running order.

Both gave me very different ideas of what I’d need to spend to achieve this. Ranging from £10,000 to £6,500.

From what I’ve seen online it does seem presentable cars can be had for £5000-7000.

I want to ask, have any of you ever heard of companies taking a £500 deposit as a “finders fee” for sourcing a Minor for you? One of the companies above stated that’s how they work if they’re asked to find a suitable car for you within your budget. It’s then dedicated from your balance to pay when they’ve found a car you’re happy with.

Both of them claim to offer properly serviced vehicles, fully inspected, treated for rust prevention and six month warranties.

Have any of you experience of dealing with either of these companies?

I’m a bit wary about buying privately again, having been stung by a misrepresented rotten heap from the dreaded eBay in the past. I’d maybe consider a private ad through the MMOC but definitely not anything like eBay.

[les]

I’ve not heard of this finders fee before, I’d be thinking its another way to make money, I don’t know how these companies work but would imagine their ‘search’ would involve looking at the vehicles they already have in stock, and then telling you they have found one! Maybe I’m wrong but you’ve got to be on your guard. As I see it, even if they do actually have to locate a vehicle for you, they would sell it for more than they had payed for it, on top of this fee you mention.

[jagnut66]

Hi,
Private, every time. Dealers will always want to make a profit, which is fair enough, however that does mean you will always pay more for a car bought from one of them, rather than a car in the same condition bought privately.
That said, I have heard that there can be bargains to be had at auctions......
Best wishes,
Mike.

PS: If I won a car on a site such as eBay and it turned out (after asking questions beforehand) to be not as described I would simply walk away and report the seller. I certainly wouldn't part with any cash.

[MorrisJohn]

I’ve not heard of this finders fee before, I’d be thinking its another way to make money, I don’t know how these companies work but would imagine their ‘search’ would involve looking at the vehicles they already have in stock, and then telling you they have found one! Maybe I’m wrong but you’ve got to be on your guard. As I see it, even if they do actually have to locate a vehicle for you, they would sell it for more than they had payed for it, on top of this fee you mention.

Yes, it made me slightly suspicious too of it just being another way to make money. Also, I thought there would be nothing to stop them trying to then up the price of the one they’ve “sourced” since they already have £500 of your money?

I reckon my budget will probably be around the £6500 mark.

[MorrisJohn]

Hi,
Private, every time. Dealers will always want to make a profit, which is fair enough, however that does mean you will always pay more for a car bought from one of them, rather than a car in the same condition bought privately.
That said, I have heard that there can be bargains to be had at auctions......
Best wishes,
Mike.

PS: If I won a car on a site such as eBay and it turned out (after asking questions beforehand) to be not as described I would simply walk away and report the seller. I certainly wouldn't part with any cash.

With eBay it’s a case of lesson learned the hard way.

[pgp001]

I have just sent you a PM with my views.

Phil

[MorrisJohn]

I have just sent you a PM with my views.

Phil

Phil,

That’s a tremendous help. Thank you very much, I’ve responded in full privately.

[MorrisJohn]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback. Having given it more thought I think my preference now is keeping my eye out for a private purchase, ideally from another club member.

[ManyMinors]

I would say that you've chosen the 2 most expensive dealers in the World. In the most recent MMOC magazine within the cars for sale section I noticed a very distinctive 1961 Porcelain Green 2door saloon advertised by a member for £4250.00. Within a couple of days, the same car was advertised by one of the dealers you mention above for slightly more than double that . That is quite a mark-up! Dealers are only purchasing the same cars which you could buy yourself privately. You just need to take somebody with you when you go to view cars who has some idea of what they're looking for. Good luck with your searching and don't rule out ebay just because of one poor experience. Ebay don't sell cars. There are good cars and bad cars and both will be available in any sales venue My most recent Minor was purchased from a listing on ebay a few years ago and it has been a brilliant car

[MorrisJohn]

That’s a great illustration of a dealers mark up. I’ll definitely go the private sale route. As you suggest, it might be a good idea to find someone that knows these cars well to take along when viewing. Might be easier said than done though.

[Donald Ross]

I purchased my 1970 1098cc morris minor from Charles ware morris minors a few years ago and it came free of rust. Wax injected and undersealed and very clean and in good condition.

I have had no problem with my car.

They certainly gave me a first class service in my opinion.

Good luck
Donald

[ManyMinors]

I don't know what area of the country you are based in and the two specialists you mention are at almost opposite ends of the country so that provides no clue. Have you tried contacting the local branch of the MMOC in your area? Some areas have very active branches and members who would offer help and advice. If you see a car advertised anywhere, you could always post it on here and gather opinions too.

[MorrisJohn]

Thanks for the Charles Ware endorsement. Speaking to an actual customer is always good.

I’m in Scotland, not a million miles from Glasgow. I’ll be willing to travel for the right car though. I’m not aware of any specialists in Scotland.

Anyone know how big or active my local club branch is? Thanks for the tips on contacting them and asking for advice on any cars I see advertised - I’ll do that.

[MorrisJohn]

Thanks to all that have given me advice.

I’m pleased to say I’ve found my dream Minor, after a fellow MMOC member contacted me by private message offering one of his for sale. It was fully restored a few years ago by Charles Ware.

Having seen the photos it looks absolutely fantastic.

I’ve agreed to buy it at a mutually convenient time in the summer, post-lockdown.

I look forward to hopefully seeing you guys at club meetings and events in the months and years ahead.

It’s even the same colour as my first ever car (hopefully showing below). An added bonus.

2A35F27A-470B-45E3-801A-2C843EB55609.jpeg (40.34 KiB) Viewed 2395 times

[ManyMinors]

Good news. Let us hope for a successful outcome when we come out of lockdown
Something to look forward to.
Smoke Grey suits the Morris well.

[SteveClem]

Lovely looking Mini! My first car was a 1971 mini 1000 in Harvest Gold.
Amazing what could be achieved in a Mini when one is young and flexible. Happy days

[MorrisJohn]

Lovely looking Mini! My first car was a 1971 mini 1000 in Harvest Gold.
Amazing what could be achieved in a Mini when one is young and flexible. Happy days

Thanks Steve. You are right, haha.

My mini was a 1986, originally a 998cc City. I upgraded her to a 1275cc courtesy of a 1990s mini sprite. I then had her bodywork restored and re-sprayed her smoke grey with classic 1960s Austin badges. I should have gone for external door hinges to complete the look.

I loved that car to bits. Pure fun. The handling, if not the comfort, was absolutely superb.

[ManyMinors]

People spend a fortune restoring and modifying Minis don't they .
I don't know whether you have driven a Minor much but you might be in for a pleasant surprise. Even a bog standard Minor 1000 in good condition drives and handles pretty well. I don't hold anybody up on cross country journeys. Over the years I have owned standard and modified examples of both Minis and Minors and must admit that I still find a standard Minor 1000 a rewarding car to drive .

[MorrisJohn]

They certainly do, yes. I used to say to people “it’s a mini thing, you wouldn’t understand.”

I’ve had the pleasure of driving two Minors. Both of them later 1098cc saloons. I found them an absolute joy, and like you say surprisingly capable of keeping up with modern traffic (at least once up to speed).

Issigonis certainly knew how to design a good driver’s car.

And there is no better sound than a-series engine, especially with the rasp off the Minor’s exhaust. Music to my ears.

[Dan the man]

Maybe the £500 " finders fee" is so the dealer isn't sent on a wild goose chase round the country trying to find a car, and when they actually find and view one the client says "oh sorry I bought one yesterday?" or even better bringing a car into stock on order effecting cash flow, just a thought.
Also a dealer mark up includes 20% VAT in the margin scheme, warranty and usually hours of work servicing and prep.
As well as weld and underside refinishing.
I have had this conversation a million times over, Dealers aren't the evil entity they are portrayed to be they source and prepare cars to a better standard than you would buy off a drive way and you are protected with a purchase at retail.

I honestly wish we could just bring cars in polish them and sell them for double the price, but then I would not be selling Morris Minors I would probably be living in the Maldives now. lol