Ads selling nine year old cars privately.

"john ryan" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Assuming you're just after something fairly generic, then Autotrader would be my first port of call.

I'd use the local auctions if you know how to give a car the once over.

Mine too

You can't beat the local paper. May sound like a snob, but it allows tyou to consider: "would I buy a used car off this guy? Is he hiding something ?" I bought an 02 Primera almost 3 years ago for 2300 from paper. Some would say a bit high, but it's been a trouble-free great car.

Also ask "How long have you owned it?" Beware if less than 2-3 years. Also ask: "Has it ever been in any collision?" Beware. Don't worry about overpaying for agreat car vs Parkers, etc. One significant repair will more than make up the difference.

Why? - I used to chop and chage my daily driver every 12 months or so as I got bored of them.

Something I've always done when buying privately is to get the supposed owner to drive the first part of the test drive. That way, you can form an opinion as to whether it really is a car they have used daily, and can see if they have bad habits such as riding the clutch.

Chris

Plus the seller could have had their moneys worth from the car and is now getting shot.

The last two cars I sold, I'd owned one for six months and the other for three. I sold the first one because I changed my job, and the second because it was only bought as a runaround while the Land Rover was off the road for a chassis change. The first one (Citroen BX diesel)lasted over two years that know of, and the second (1991 Fiat Panda) is still being used three years after I sold it.