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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put a "This Car is *not* for sale sign* on our car

70 replies

bruffin · 21/07/2015 08:39

We inherited an old battered Nissan Micra from MIL. Its an automatic 03
plate but only has 30k on the clock. I work for a dealership and had it valued so know the value. Its off road on our drive at the moment so no tax or mot but that will be sorted out in a few weeks. We are keeping it for the dc who are having driving lessons at the moment. It has a few knocks as MIL was driving it up to a few months before she died at 87.
We keep getting people knocking on door or leaving notes wanting to buy it! Confused Another note this morning. We live in a quiet cul de sac, so it's not like we get a lot of people walking past the house
Is there something about this car we dont know, was it used in a heist and someone's hidden drugs or money in it Grin

Shall I start a bidding war

OP posts:
TalcAndTurnips · 21/07/2015 11:40

< Did any of the kneelers look anything like this?

Most punters assume it's a verse from Deuteronomy or summink.

To put a "This Car is *not* for sale sign* on our car
toboldlygo · 21/07/2015 11:46

My battered old M-reg Micra was stolen, never traced, and the police suggested that people were nicking them to order to fit a newly introduced class in some banger racing type thing. No idea how true that is but it still smarts, it was a cracking old car and I was left out of pocket as the insurance excess was about three times the value of it. Angry

TalcAndTurnips · 21/07/2015 11:54

That's the worst damned bit, toboldlygo, isn't it?

A few years ago one of our cars had a 'disagreement' with a farmer's gate - a faithful and reliable friend was written off for almost no return. Sad

Skeppers · 21/07/2015 11:58

My DH (and I when I was driving it) used to get this a LOT with his old Honda Civic.

I could never see the appeal, it wasn't particularly sporty or flash (to me it looked like an old man's car) but he'd get random, trendy types approaching him in car parks, etc. asking if it was for sale. Apparently it was some sort of rare Japanese import. Who knew!?

Original poster
bruffin · 21/07/2015 13:19

A friend just had his old faithful stolen and is worth less than the excess as well Sad

OP posts:
WhyOWhyWouldYou · 21/07/2015 20:58

You do know an automatic Nissan Micra sells like gold dust don't you!?!

I have one - I only got it because I went and asked at a dealership, if they came across one could they let me know. They said the bloke who'd just passed me was part exchanging one - It would be in the following week - as my family had just bought a few cars from them they said they could hold it for one day, once it came in, so I could look at it. I agreed. When I went back following week - three people came in asking about my automatic Micra out front, whilst I signing the damn paperwork - they hadn't even put for sale on it! It was just parked out front.

DiseasesOfTheSheep · 21/07/2015 21:04

I've had the same phenomenon with my archaic Defender, which they aren't to know is unbelievably broken inside! It's a culty kind of car though Grin I didn't know there were hardcore Micra enthusiasts out there!

pregnantpause · 21/07/2015 21:07

I have an off-road car on my drive and get endless people offering to buy it. One fella knocks every six weeks, each time raising his eyebrows further when I say no, it's still not for sale, I fear next time his brows may lose the fight with his forehead and disappear, forever, into his hairline.

dodobookends · 21/07/2015 21:15

It doesn't have an unusual/desirable number plate does it? A friend of mine was offered far more money than she expected for her old battered Fiesta because it had WHU in the registration number.

thenightsky · 21/07/2015 21:38

Well it cannot be because its rare. I've just searched autotrader and there are 523 micra automatics within 80 miles of me, and I live in a fairly sparsely populated area.

I'm going with the desirable number plate or the mafia/money stash thing.

Grin
DadfromUncle · 21/07/2015 21:41

Micras have a reputation as the the modern day cockroach type car though.

MrsBojingles · 21/07/2015 22:44

I had an old Micra. Someone walked into my workplace to find the owner to offer to buy it off me. I was happy to, it had no power steering and was doing my back in. It also leaked and had mould. But I loved that car!

WhyOWhyWouldYou · 22/07/2015 01:09

I didn't know there were hardcore Micra enthusiasts out there!

Not any Micra. Just an automatic Micra. Its because if you want a small automatic its pretty much the only car to have. There is the yaris but they are really expensive. Then next smallest decent automatic is the 1.4 corsa, but never the 1.2. After that you need to go up to cars with 1.6 engine, to get good automatic.

So if you spot an automatic Micra, with reasonable mileage and service history you snap it up.

Hence why I think op is getting people asking - its bashed up on the outside making it worth less than one with a nice body, so people are hoping to bag a good automatic for a pitance.

Original poster
bruffin · 22/07/2015 07:49

Thanks everyone
The number plate is boring but i realised its not 03 its W so 15 years old.
Hopefully wont be too long and ds will be driving her or if i pluck up courage have some more lessons myself and have a go. I passed over 20 years ago but havent driven since and have no confidence

To put a "This Car is *not* for sale sign* on our car
OP posts:
YellowYoYoYam · 22/07/2015 08:05

This thread is making me miss my little micra. Sad

Wish I'd never sold it, such a fun reliable little car.

RagstheInvincible · 22/07/2015 08:09

U3A! Even the guys from Sicily steer clear of them!

Skeppers · 22/07/2015 08:29

I do love my old Micra. They aren't glamorous but they are properly reliable little cars. Something about the engine having a belt instead of a chain? Or vice versa? I can't remember the exact details. I called the RAC out once because my car wouldn't start (turns out it was the immobiliser, nothing to do with the engine...it just needed a wipe Blush) but the very nice RAC bloke remarked that Micras were one of the best second-hand cars to have as they're usually kept tidy and seem to last forever. Mine sailed through its last MOT.

(Having said that now, it will probably break down on the way home...!)

mollie123 · 22/07/2015 08:33

I have a 'K' reg VW golf auto 1.8 which is barely 'scrobbling' thru its MOT and I am resigned to replacing it this year. Shame as it is built like a tank and has most original parts Smile
should I just leave it on the driveway with moss growing on the bonnet and hope someone 'wants' to buy it Shock

mollie123 · 22/07/2015 08:34

OP - some good parking dents in that car Smile

Brandysnapper · 22/07/2015 09:08

My driving instructor banned me from using my parents' automatic car until I had passed my test in annual car - too confusing.
So maybe you should sell!

Original poster
bruffin · 22/07/2015 09:22

Ds driving instructor said the same Brandysnapper,so ds isnt using it
We know the history of this car so we might as well keep it for now for when he passes. Dd will probably start lessons soon as well.

OP posts:
JennyOnAPlate · 24/07/2015 17:46

I had an automatic micra (bought second hand). It finally died a death after 180k miles!

PtolemysNeedle · 24/07/2015 17:50

I have a car that I've SORNed on my driveway and have experienced the same. It's mostly travellers looking to buy and then sell for scrap metal.

londonrach · 24/07/2015 17:51

Buffin..im worried too re your u3a comd as my dad is very involved like talcs.... (Rushes off to phone mum to ask if dad suddenly got more money)

londonrach · 24/07/2015 17:51

Comment not comd