OK...
I know a few of you are dying to know what happened, but I just wanted to close the thread on a really positive note...
I didn't get my £14k ... after more research it's clear that wasn't realistic.
Al / Poverty - you were about right with your valuation figures.
I am NOT going to reveal the price I did get only because the very delighted new owner uses this site and it's confidential between me and him, so it wouldn't be right to quote it here.
But I will say this:
Many of us are much too quick to accept the utter crap the dealers tell you on valuation.
When they have a car to sell they give a lot of spiel about warranty, vehicle checks and other blah-blah. They cite Glass
guide, yet when you want to trade in a car they only quote CAP values.
This is a dealer con and if you genuinely have a car that is super clean and desireable, my advice is do not accept any silly low trade in value.
I had extensive negotiations with the dealer where I just bought my Honda S2000 and got him to increase his offer twice - but it was still derisory!
In the end I got a full £2k more by selling privately!
And before anyone suspects the buyer was a mug, think again. He knew he wanted a perfect example of the
Cupra.
After at least one time waster (Who is on here and bought a much higher mileage and inferior car) a serious buyer came to view and immediately realised that my motor was something unique.
He even commented on how it still smells brand new on getting in.
His eyes nearly popped out on seeing the vehicle condition and said he was almost affraid to touch it! (Lol).
He instantly loved the car and after a detailed inspection and my heart-in-the-mouth qualifying lap
agreed to buy at my asking price, without hesitation.
In summary, book price of £10k was totally irrelevant as my car had 30k less miles and brand new alloys, tyres plus a list of options as long as your arm etc, etc... - I got a lot more than that!
The moral is be realistic (OK - I admit I had to tone down my initial expectations) but stick to you guns and be patient.
It will sell for what it's worth in the end - not what some idiot 20 year old dealer tells you it is worth... and avoid P/X...-it's cheaper to give to charity!
I don't feel smug about this, - I am just really pleased that both buyer and seller are happy they got a great deal - the way it should always be!
I am signing off now, - but thanks for everyone's input.
Using this website has been incredibly helpful for my ownership of both my
Leon Mk2's since 2005. Keep up the good work!
Bye & Cheers for now
JM.