So ... to wait or not to wait?

[Kennyf]

Gents/Ladies,

So when in the S2 buying market do you wait for the model, colour and trim you're after or just be grateful when a well priced non dog ruff model comes up?

I've a learned friend/colleague who keeps me right when it comes S2/s4 buying as I'm very impatient and niave . The reason I mention S4 is although my preference is S2 there is a hell of a lot of B5 S4s to be had for S2 money however I'm assured there is a reason for that, and in that advice I trust!

So again, at what point do you compromise personal choice over a perceived bargain to good to miss!?

All comments welcome

[S2central.net]

Depends if you are dead set on a specific colour or trim. There are some boring colours (mine included) but it's best to find a tidier car with better history vs a gash one in your favourite shade of blue.

[Kennyf]

Damn it , was I that transparent! Ming blue would be nice lol.

Agreed but horses for courses as I seen a thread where a chap knocked back a non category Q plate based solely on the fact a private plate couldn’t be put on it. That’s not a criticism as I'd prob have the same which on context again limits me to 92 K >

That's the question though , with these cars now inherently becoming rarer can a buyer really afford to e overly fussy?

[Rusty]

Get what comes up at the right price and in the right condition; that's what I did and I've learned to love the whiteness...

[willg54]

depends how much you want to spend on repair bills, are you fussed with a insurance write off etc? Took me 6 months to find mine, didnt really need to have all the works its having done on it, i just got carried away... I went to look at a few and this one just made me have a fuzzy feeling in my crotch...

[raymor]

Ummm... depends what you want it for really and how much skin you want in the game

If you want a relatively dirty finger nail free S2 ownership, breath deeply, dig deep and shell out for one that's been cossetted by a fastidious forum member. Somewhere between £4.5K and £6.5 and be prepared to maintain it at that level too or you will be taking a depreciation hit.

If you're not too broken hearted at breaking a fingernail or two, you'll be able to pick something up that maybe requires a bit, but you'll save on the purchase price and do the needed bits at a pace your wallet can take.

No need to take a depreciation hit when you begin to maintain it yourself.

You pays your money and you takes yer choice.... oh and btw, the wife says if you buy a $h!tter, don't think it's sitting on our drive while I 'help out'

[newsh]

I went to look at a few and this one just made me have a fuzzy feeling in my crotch...

Wax on ... Wax off

[macspring]

Wait, the right one for you will come up sooner than you think. Two or four months is nothing in the overall scheme of things. It'll work out better in the long run and you'll be happier also.

Colour and bodywork would take preference. Having said that the whole package is worth waiting for tbh.

You'll be stuck with the wrong one for long enough.

[Kennyf]

oh and btw, the wife says if you buy a $h!tter, don't think it's sitting on our drive while I 'help out'

Funny my wife says the same ...... what if I douse it in aftersahve?!

Well Raymor hits another nail on the head , cost. Happy to buy one in need of a bit of work to save on initial outlay and I can spend as I go along under the advisement and with my best begging face the help of Raymor!


Rustys point is true to, fair price fair condition always has an appeal but then as wiilg54 once you get one that pulls on the hold heart strings you can be led down the path of a world pain or joy dependant on luck.

To add a bit of perspective will prob be aiming at the 3 to 3.5k dependant on timing and how good a price I can get versus the advertised price.

[raymor]

... be patient, wait a bit and take each one as it comes. Known good forum cars will attract a premium, however if you're getting something that needs a little loving care, preferably get a standard one. That way when you get problems, they're not due to a previous upgrade gone wrong...

and if you feel you want practice in getting your hands dirty you can...

lift the spare TDI engine into the garage
prep the S6 front end for the TDI
make the 3" system I'm putting together for the TDI...

Put you off yet??

[Kennyf]

always willin ...... slightly less able

Actually would't mind seeing the exhaust fabrication , block moving, eh not soo much!

[sfrs4]

i have this same problem, and it was me that knocked back that mint black Q plate, because i have a plate worth £600 i don't want to loose, but now i am begining to think do i sell the plate and buy another one older so i can have an older car and open up the market....... but i want an aby engined s2 so that only opens up a couple more years anyway so why bother..... sod it anyone know how to make a b5 rs4 into a seven seater then i can just keep that :-)

[dest]

If you want a B5 S4 there are some serious bargains out there at the moment!

[Kennyf]

Personally the only reason I started to contemplate an S4 was due to the rarity of the S2. I would have probably walked that path if I hadn’t had some sense talked into and my own concerns confirmed. The S2 isn’t going to be a cheap car to run however I think the S4 would be a far more expensive prospect.

[dest]

Let me guess, they wheeled out the old "the engine has to come out to do any work?" lol
Ive owned 2 S2's and 2 S4's and cant really say they are that different to run