Is it that bad? People always seem to slag it off etc.

Just my g/f is wanting a car soon, and she isnt too fussed what she gets really, so rather than me driving round everywhere, would it be an ok option to go to Carcaft, or is it crap and I should steer clear of it?

I wouldnt touch them. I remember when it was just one office & they had a real bad rep then.
If it got 4 wheels & can go forward they are happy.

I went to the one inb Rochdale back in 2001.  I could get a new citroen saxo cheaper than the 1 year old saxo they had on display...

www.motorpoint.co.uk looks good and I know someone who bought  Focus and has had no problems.

In most cases the best approach is to just going around and having a look at whats available. Be careful of pushy salesmen though, explain you are looking and not buying quite yet. The pushier the salesman then almost inevitably the deal is going to be poorer. If a deal or car doesnt look 100% right then walk away. Dont give them your phone number and preferably leave your mobile out of sight in the car, say you forgot it, if they keep asking leave and say you will be in touch - dont bother.

And as said dont touch carcraft with a barge pole

Try and get a reasonable bank loan

Buy a car privately

Forget about these wanky companies

Look around, look everywhere

I have just put a holding deposit on a 2006 Toyota Avensis 2.2 Diesel. it has 12,000 miles.

How much did it cost me ? £3k - it was an insurance write off, as it had some water damage - the only thing I have found wrong with it is that the radio doesnt work. It is an ex company car, and was simply flooded with water - it wasnt started or anything when it got soaked.

I might use it as a daily driver, I might sell it on for a good deal more than 3k.

Bargains are out there, if you know what to look for.

I would get castrated before Id buy from a garage.

I would get castrated before Id buy from a garage.

I used to think like that, but then I lost the motivation to buy something cheap and half rebuild it.  I also lost the space to do Serious Work as well.  next time I buy a car Ill either lease-hire it, or buy at 12 months old.  These days I just want to turn the key and get places, not too arsed about anything else.  Ill do basic servicing and repairs, but little tricks like swapping axles, and replacing full engines isnt something that interests most people, even when they do know how to do them.

I have just put a holding deposit on a 2006 Toyota Avensis 2.2 Diesel. it has 12,000 miles.

How much did it cost me ? £3k - it was an insurance write off, as it had some water damage - the only thing I have found wrong with it is that the radio doesnt work. It is an ex company car, and was simply flooded with water - it wasnt started or anything when it got soaked.

Was it recovered from the new Broadway underpass?