Car wanted for international friends -great success, now what?

[Andy F]

Some of our best friends are visiting the UK from Vietnam this month. They no longer hold British citizenship (they emigrated about 9 years ago) but need use of a car while they are away. They've been quoted £1500 -£2000 by the usual hire suspects so have asked if I can find them something to buy then sell after they've left. 

A) has anyone got anything lying about they can sell or we can borrow. Close to Gloucester would be ideal as work is absolutely crazy ATM.

I'm about to head out and look at this 206 hdi (early one so should be good). Only problem is it has quite large gaps in mot history and I've no idea why, I'll ask the owner shortly. Nothing scary on the mots that are present and from the pictures it looks very tidy. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/739430553964649

 

 

[Ian_Fearn]

My Panda?

[Coprolalia]

My Octavia?

Just down the road in Pontypool, half your budget and cheap to insure/tax. 

How long are they in the country?

[sierraman]

I think for the agg and the hassle even if it was £2000 to hire a car it sounds an infinitely better idea than buying one.

[Sham]

15 minutes ago, sierraman said:

I think for the agg and the hassle even if it was £2000 to hire a car it sounds an infinitely better idea than buying one.

What he said. How much will you actually save by the time a non resident insures a shitbox that may breakdown any minute?

[sierraman]

The insurance would be insane, non U.K. licence and no no claims. Plus what about tax and breakdown cover? 

[loserone]

I have loaned cars off to my BiL before and he and his wife have EU licences.  Never been expensive, and I once bought an MGF off here just for the purpose.  

[mark165]

Try HIC for insurance, then second place was tempcover. Had a similar situation recently. Saved a fortune.

[Dan_ZTT]

Almost didn't post as I've been thinking about buying it myself, but this CLK320 convertible would be ideal for a summer holiday toy (the other merc that comes up in the picture would be alright too), it's cheap and working and not miles from Gloucester... it'd sell/roffle on here easily enough afterwards too I'm sure
 

 

[Andy F]

Thanks for all the replies. I did think about using this as the perfect opportunity to get a convertible in the fleet under the watchful eye of Mrs Andy but unfortunately they are a family of 4 so need something with more seats than a CLK. 

I've done similar before for family members and never had any trouble, fingers crossed this is a good one too. I always used to be 306s to do this. At one point we had 3. A 1.4, 1.6 pez and a 2.0 hdi. Once they left my wife kept her favourite and we sold the rest.

I've just got in from picking them up an early (2001) 206 2.0hdi for £600. New tyres, zero rust anywhere, clearly been very well cared for and same family owned since nearly new.It ended up with the grandson after the original owner died but he has just leased an Audi S3 so this was surplus to requirements. It only needs to last a month, then I'll probably roffle it on here super cheap. Unless I enjoy driving it after they've gone and keep it a while. A 2.0hdi in a 206 is a bit of a riot! 

[Andy F]

Well our friends have returned to the Southern hemisphere so I'm picking this back up tomorrow. Not really sure what to do with it. They were absolutely delighted with it and took it all over the UK visiting friends and family and (thankfully!) it didn't put a foot wrong. I think I'll use it for a bit and get it reMOTd in October and go from there. Unless anyone wants a swap for a large 7+ seater...? I'm just relieved it was reliable for them!

[ruffgeezer]

Pffft, some thread! Pics or it didn't happen!

[yes oui si]

Roffle etc

[vaughant]

10 hours ago, Andy F said:

Well our friends have returned to the Southern hemisphere so I'm picking this back up tomorrow. Not really sure what to do with it. They were absolutely delighted with it and took it all over the UK visiting friends and family and (thankfully!) it didn't put a foot wrong. I think I'll use it for a bit and get it reMOTd in October and go from there. Unless anyone wants a swap for a large 7+ seater...? I'm just relieved it was reliable for them!

Will Pm. 

[Andy F]

On 7/30/2022 at 12:18 AM, ruffgeezer said:

Pffft, some thread! Pics or it didn't happen!

Proof! Better than I remember actually. Sills completely solid and it's an early one with no coms2000 craziness. I think I'll keep it until the Xantia is safely through an MOT at the end of August and then move it on. Drives nicely though 2.0 hdi is more than adequate in this rollerskate!

[Andy F]

Mods, can this be moved  please as it's not for sale just yet?

[NorthernMonkey]

1 hour ago, Andy F said:

Mods, can this be moved  please as it's not for sale just yet?

Done 👍

[Kiltox]

Do you still have this @Andy F?

[Andy F]

I do, and it's an absolute gem @Kiltox

But sadly the Xantia has failed it's MOT on much welding and a couple of other things that I'm struggling to get parts for at the moment so I'm using the lil pug for work. I'm weighing up repairing or changing for something else. I can't keep the pug long term as it's just too small.

[Kiltox]

Bah, was hoping it was surplus and I could tempt you with a deal on my other (much bigger/better) camping trailer now the tiny one has sold. Could use some spare wheels given how difficult it seems to get the A8 booked into a garage