Older Bargain vs Newer Reliability
Discussion
Not the most helpful of thread titles so I'll explain.
Until the last 12 months or so I've tended to opt for newer cars, bought a couple of hot hatches brand new and am still a massive fan of that type of car. But as I got older (now 34) I fancied something that was comfier, more powerful etc and ventured down the road of buying a 2007 CLS63. In turn that's led me into owning a 2003 E320 as well which I use daily and I really cannot fault. It's got 100k on the clock but everything works, it's comfortable, powerful and I'm extremely pleased with it.
So that leads me to the question of buying older cars that are perhaps faster, better spec'd, better built for X amount of money versus buying something newer, that's perhaps not as quick but that bit more modern and perhaps cheaper to run for the same kind of money.
In context my other half is looking to sell up her 2013 Focus diesel as she's changing jobs and mileage is going from 100 miles a day to 20 or under. She seems to be quite taken with the comfort and amount of car you get for your money with the likes of the E class I bought and there are plenty of low mileage CLKs or the like around but they're obviously older.
Pulling a figure out of the air, if you had £10k to spend on a used German car with a decent amount of power but that's not crippling to run what would you opt for?
Until the last 12 months or so I've tended to opt for newer cars, bought a couple of hot hatches brand new and am still a massive fan of that type of car. But as I got older (now 34) I fancied something that was comfier, more powerful etc and ventured down the road of buying a 2007 CLS63. In turn that's led me into owning a 2003 E320 as well which I use daily and I really cannot fault. It's got 100k on the clock but everything works, it's comfortable, powerful and I'm extremely pleased with it.
So that leads me to the question of buying older cars that are perhaps faster, better spec'd, better built for X amount of money versus buying something newer, that's perhaps not as quick but that bit more modern and perhaps cheaper to run for the same kind of money.
In context my other half is looking to sell up her 2013 Focus diesel as she's changing jobs and mileage is going from 100 miles a day to 20 or under. She seems to be quite taken with the comfort and amount of car you get for your money with the likes of the E class I bought and there are plenty of low mileage CLKs or the like around but they're obviously older.
Pulling a figure out of the air, if you had £10k to spend on a used German car with a decent amount of power but that's not crippling to run what would you opt for?
Thank you for all the responses guys and I'll definitely put some of those suggestions forward.
Si, I don't think you're odd for liking the idea of brand new. I've been there although come full circle too.
The car she's seen which has the potential to be a money pit but then again could you justify it based on the love of a car is the 2003 era Merc SL. Great looking car I must admit and a 60k example can be had for £10k!
Si, I don't think you're odd for liking the idea of brand new. I've been there although come full circle too.
The car she's seen which has the potential to be a money pit but then again could you justify it based on the love of a car is the 2003 era Merc SL. Great looking car I must admit and a 60k example can be had for £10k!
Thanks TVRJas that's some good info and like you say for us petrol heads it's all about the heart ruling.
For £10k I'd be between two minds, a safe bet is a hot hatch of some description so you get a relatively new car (sub 5 years), fun and relatively cheap.
But having had a taste of what you can buy that's say 10 years old, would I'd be more tempted with the likes of a CLS or as mentioned M3 or fast Audi etc. Doesn't mean you can't find a low mileage one with the same wear and wear as a 5-6 year old car. If I had to buy an all encompassing car I'd opt for a CLS350 diesel but she's got a soft spot for the SL.
Watch this space as I'm still making suggestions haha
For £10k I'd be between two minds, a safe bet is a hot hatch of some description so you get a relatively new car (sub 5 years), fun and relatively cheap.
But having had a taste of what you can buy that's say 10 years old, would I'd be more tempted with the likes of a CLS or as mentioned M3 or fast Audi etc. Doesn't mean you can't find a low mileage one with the same wear and wear as a 5-6 year old car. If I had to buy an all encompassing car I'd opt for a CLS350 diesel but she's got a soft spot for the SL.
Watch this space as I'm still making suggestions haha
edc said:
£10k gets you a lot of German car. I liked the figure so much I used it twice 
and have a Boxster and a C55 AMG.
Haha I like your thinking! and have a Boxster and a C55 AMG. I've presented her with various different cars, she's not taken on hatches so much so looking at coupes or convertible type cars.
TTs were a no and I did suggest a Golf GTi as I think they're great all round cars but she's not keen. 1 Series Coupe was an option but she's not won over by the interior, may be different if she gets to sit in one.
The only cars she's looked at and really liked was the C Class (W204) Coupe but the cheapest I've seen of those is around £14k, the CLK which come in a lot cheaper but are still great looking and the real head turner is the SL. The only trouble with the SL is that a great example with 60-70k on the clock is around £10k for the SL350 but she'll be using it daily and don't want it to be a money pit.
I don't mind a money pit if it gives me smiles for my money but that's not everyone's point of view.
TooMany2cvs said:
<scratches head>
Unrelated to the coupe/convertible idea that came up afterwards that is. Initially I suggested moving from a Focus diesel to a Golf GTi would be a good move in terms of build quality, comfort and fun. Then she moved the goal posts to different types of cars entirely haha.
I'm no mechanic either unfortunately but I do have a few good mobile mechanics who are quick to help if I'm stuck with something (as well as friends).
You're right though, you'd expect a car that's 3-5 years old to have taken that initial depreciation but expect it to be more reliable than something 5-10 years older.
It's hard to advise someone else on as I know what I'm prepared for buying an older car but other people may not be.
You're right though, you'd expect a car that's 3-5 years old to have taken that initial depreciation but expect it to be more reliable than something 5-10 years older.
It's hard to advise someone else on as I know what I'm prepared for buying an older car but other people may not be.
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