I'm kind of nervous about private sales to be honest. But then again, most dealers will wash their hands of you if you go back a few days later with a fault.

I dunno, I'm just thinking out loud here.

Looking at a few 2005/2006 4.2SC examples. 3 from dealers, 1 private. The private one is around the same price (£14.5k) but is on less mileage (75k vs 100k for the dealer ones).

Have any of you bought from an independent and had any luck if something goes wrong a few weeks later?

SC prices seem all over the place at the moment. I've seen 2005 examples on around 100k anywhere from £12k to £20k. This worries me and makes me think that the good ones are all priced at the £20k mark and the ones in the £12k - £14k bracket are shoddy. Is this the case? I can't seem to put my finger on why the prices vary so wildly.

It's difficult to be black and white on this as I find there's good and bad in both cases.

I tend to take a lot from the advert as a first line. Spelling / grammar errors such as the ubiqutous 'V.o.u.g.e' have me looking elsewhere. Main dealers will never express emotion in their ads but you'll get the warranty and maybe a better prepared car, but not always.

The specialist dealers I went to for my first and current FF were all rubbish in their presentation and manner, so I ended up buying privately off this forum.

Second time around with my iminent S/C and it's a main dealer but only because they had the right car at the right price at the right time etc. But I've enjoyed the main dealer experience so far and have just received a nicely worded email confirming all the details prior to collection on Saturday. And I don't think I paid too much for that over a specialist.

I think you have to select a few cars you like and arrange viewings and make your own mind up on a case by case basis. It's often the little things that swing the deal and often the car will 'talk' to you if it's the right one (hopefully).

Regarding prices, I'm always wary about 'cheap' cars but there are bargains to be had and the prices don't always reflect poor quality. Only time and a meticulous approach to inspection when viewing can verify that. And, even then, are you ever sure until you've built a few trouble-free miles up? I'm not.

The other issue with prices at the moment is that we're coming out of the cold spell where prices are artificially high and entering warmer weather where prices take a seasonal dip. Because we're in the middle of that transition, some prices seem to be set at winter and others lower to reflect the milder weather. Well, that's my take on it anyway. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

Recommendations can be a good way forward as Dealer experience can vary wildly. Buying private can be very risky as you have zero comeback or warranty.

there are very VERY few good independents around.

The ones that tend to do it for the love are the best ones to go for.

For such an example look above  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Buying from a dealer with 3 month warranty with saved me ~2-3k

Two months after buying, it went back after developing a vibrations under acceleration, dealer first paid for a new torque converter which didn't fix it. Then they paid for a gearbox rebuild which didn't fix it. It then had a new drive shaft as they discovered it was worn out. Still not fixed so they had land rover diagnose the problem which turned out to be incorrect injectors fitted by the previous owner.

They had new/correct injectors put in, all paid for by the dealer.

I will never buy private unless from a member here with +300 posts

Buying from a dealer has saved me quite a bit in that the EGR valves seized and where replaced under warranty.

A few other bits and bobs where all sorted for free. Sometimes not the best service maybe due to there being no cash in it for them.

I'm slightly old fashioned in that i'd rather pay slightly more than take a chance with someone who deals in prestige cars but doesn't have the backing of a large infrastructure.

However its personal choice and there are probably bad experiences with indies and main. Luck of the draw........

Your right prices are all over the place, but remember the screen price is just that, its not what you have to pay, i just bought a 2006 ajv8 90,000 miles full land rover history 6 month warranty for 11,000 screen price was 12,000, without too much trouble to get the price down, just start with a low bid and work your way up i think it also helps if you have no px.
Always a lottery buying private very little comeback if any at all.
Alan.

^ You got it for a bit less than the correct "Private" price from a Dealer so you saved about £1k well done if its a good one

Right, good advice. Thanks.
I have no trade in and it will be a cash sale.

Gazellio @ Prestige Cars wrote:

^ You got it for a bit less than the correct "Private" price from a Dealer so you saved about £1k well done if its a good one

Did you get a Gearbox Overheat Message before the above?

Gaz

Could be a weak "Coolant" mixture certainly worth checking.

No nothing just the message while i was doing about 60 it was on screen for about 10 seconds then went away didnt affect the car in any way, i did phone the dealer and he said it could be due to a low battery.

Probably battery I would not worry unless you see it again but why did the dealer sell you a car with a dud battery?

I had the windows tinted, done at the dealers and that was his excuse, blaming the tinter for running the battery down, not had any messages about the battery and its started first time even after being stood for three days so hopefuly ok.