The Case for Used cars

Sir,

After reading Mr. Coleman of Weston-on-the-Green’s letter I would like to say that I agree wholeheartedly. It has always amazed me why people are prepared to pay over £1,000 for a new car of somewhat dubious quality when it is possible to purchase a second-hand example of a far superior make.

Is it because they expect reliability with a new car? Surely this has been disproved time and time again. I have never owned a new car but have been involved in the miserable reliability of others. Over the years, I myself have owned a number of secondhand examples of: MG J2 Midget, Healey 100, MG TD (supercharged), Alvis 3-litre and at present a Lancia Flaminia coupe and my wife’s Lancia Flavia to name but a few. I can honestly say that all these put together have not totalled the troubles listed by owners of the TR6 mentioned. It always amazes me why, knowing the facts, people still wait months for their turn, to spend between £1,000 and £2,000 on what in fact is nothing more than a gamble—weighted heavily against them.

My own Flaminia cost £650 2.1/2 years ago. To this must be added, say, £150 in running costs, etc. I now feel that I have a car far superior to any valued below £1,500. The Flavia has been of similar good value costing £300 six months ago. Here we have two highquality cars costing initially below £1,000 the pair. In fact less than the price of a new Mini. Need I say more?

I enclose a recent photo of the Flaminia (V6, 2.1/2-litre engine, alloy body, De Dion rear end, dual power discs, etc.).

Derker P. T. J. Edbrook