Buyers Tips PLEASE!

Graybe83 · Post by **Graybe83** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:18 pm

Hello guys, just joined with the intention to buy, but need some guidelines of what to look out for in a CC. Looking for an Allure, with all the extra's, just need a heads-up on things I need to be aware of. Much appreciated all who respond!

Thar · Post by **Thar** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:42 pm

Hi Graybe83 and welcome to the forum!

This question comes up a lot, you want to look for a car that preferably has a good service history, few owners, if the mileage is over 80K has the timing belt been changed. Obviously you want to know if the roof is in good working order and there are no leaks.

Graybe83 · Post by **Graybe83** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:58 pm

Cheers Thar,

They do seem to have an incredibly good reputation. Economically efficient, great looking and surprisingly roomy (I'm 6ft') can't wait to get my own. Liking the dark blue, seem to be rarer than hens teeth, been searching on ebay and autotrader for the last week. looking for 2004-5 auto silver, bright red or blue, with leather (red and black prefered) but any leather OK. Traders seem to have the monopoly, Im not that trust worthy of em. Will keep searching. . . . and keep u posted . . . .

52nd of February · Post by **52nd of February** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:45 pm

Hi there Graybe83

In terms of what to look for, CC's are heavy on their brakes and new pads can be expensive so ask when it last had them replaced. Take it for a test drive. Release the steering wheel on a straight section of road to see if it still travels in a straight line. Similar with braking - on a straight section of road, release the wheel and apply the brakes fairly firmly. It should pull up in a straight line and if not, according to no problem with the steering system it means there is uneven brake pad wear and this could mean a problem with the connection to one or more of the brakes. Check for cracks in the light lenses, they're expensive to replace. Also check the tread for heavy or uneven wear - more wear on the outside edge means they're out of alignment and even when realigned, that wear will continue and the tyres will soon need replacing.

As for the colour, the red and black leather (termed 'fusion' leather) is only available on black or silver cars. Dark blue is called China Blue and is more common on the hatchbacks - good luck with finding one

The options they can have include cruise control (2005 models on), auto wipers (I strongly advise this - not because you need to be told when its raining, but because the intermittent setting is PRESSURE AND FREQUENCY sensitive, not speed sentitive like mine which I HATE ITS USELESS), auto headlights, leather upholstery, auto climate control, 6 speakers and I think this post is getting a bit long so I'll stop it here.

Good luck!

helen10266 · Post by **helen10266** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:25 pm

Ooooohhhhh 52nd!!!! Your second paragraph sums up part of the reasons why I love my car!

Black paintwork is def the best! Not that I am prejudiced - just a firm believer that my car is the sexiest available!

As for the 'fusion' upholstery - that just comes in handy when I park next to my friends cc and I immediately recognise mine -- I take one look at hers and think yuk!

---- am glad I chose the plain black interior!

My friend and I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in 'synchronised parking' 'synchronised roof opening/closing' --- you can not even begin to imagine how cool it looks outside the co-op!

Helen

52nd of February · Post by **52nd of February** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:49 am

helen10266 wrote:I take one look at hers and think yuk! ---- am glad I chose the plain black interior!

No way! I LOVE the red and black interior! If I had a black one I would definitely go for it!

The black ones do looko very sleek and stylish, saw a black one yesterday - but I love the sparkles in mine - it isn't solid blue - turquoise where the sun hits it, and hints of purple around the edges in the evening sun - far too hot out here for black with leather - 35 degrees your car becomes an oven and the leather would make an effective frypan!

Thar · Post by **Thar** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:37 am

52nd of February wrote:I think this post is getting a bit long so I'll stop it here.

Good luck!

Don't worry about the length of your post, it's all good advice and I'm sure Graybe83 will be grateful for all the info they can get

I have red/black leather...well...I like it... :sorry:

The 'synchronised parking' 'synchronised roof opening/closing' outside the co-op made me larf!

Chushpie · Post by **Chushpie** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:01 am

I love my black & red leather too, it really stands out. Suppose it's a matter of taste though.

I knew my brake pads needed replacing when I bought the car but was surprised at how much they cost when I had them done a couple of weeks ago - they were a lot more than on my Mazda.

The only thing I hate on my car is the automatic wipers - They drive me nuts! They either wipe too often or not often enough, never a happy medium and I've been using them a lot lately with the awful weather we've been having.

Ollie · Post by **Ollie** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:03 am

I too wanted Black with Red & Black interior and saw a few but even though low milegae the leather was not in good condition. People kept trying to warn me off leather because of the heat/sun. I knew all too well leather was a nightmare in winter and the summer but having leather in a past car didnt bother me.

My last car was blue, similar to the blue I have now, and I hated it, I really wanted a different colour, really wanted RED, but when I saw the blue I fell in love with the blue and the black and blue interior, especially as my cars interior was immaculate.

The biggest thing for me when looking at 206cc's was, when looking through the windows on forecourts was to see if it had knobs. By that I mean, spending £3'500 - £4'000 I wanted digital climate control and not the manky knobs

small things please small minds

Chushpie · Post by **Chushpie** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:32 am

Hi Ollie, thanks again for helping me with the upload.

I would have preferred knobs but have the digital controls (simple things please simple minds!) :lol2:

Luckily my black & red leather is in mint condition. Had a look at a cloth interior but wasn't keen.

Ollie · Post by **Ollie** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 12:45 pm

Chushpie wrote:Hi Ollie, thanks again for helping me with the upload.

I would have preferred knobs but have the digital controls (simple things please simple minds!) :lol2:

Luckily my black & red leather is in mint condition. Had a look at a cloth interior but wasn't keen.

Ur Welcome.
Yeah I wasnt keen on cloth, but when I saw mine I loved the blue, and the main areas are made of erm, its most likely cloth but it almost looks that plastic like what fancy dress grass skirts are made of? :/ so is wipe clean for someone like me who is OCD on CLEAN

Ur lucky with mint leather, all ones I looked at and even plain leather inbterirs all leather split worn or torn mainly on bum area and the sides...

Thar · Post by **Thar** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:12 pm

Er...how come you have Chushpie's avatar Ollie? I'm getting confused as to who has made the posts! :/:rotfl:

Ollie · Post by **Ollie** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:36 pm

Thar wrote:Er...how come you have Chushpie's avatar Ollie? I'm getting confused as to who has made the posts! :/:rotfl:

eh? do I still have it? Im on another PC now and it still showing mine...

cheekee · Post by **cheekee** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:46 pm

I was lucky with my leather.

Dont forget to walk around any prospective buy and check the panels for different sized gaps which might indicate the car has been in an accident.

I think if I had got a black one then I would like the black and red interior.

Thar · Post by **Thar** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:20 pm

My leather is in good nick. I use a leather polish on it to keep it looking good.

Your avatar has gone altogther now Ollie