I subscribe to the "nearly new" philosophy, buying something in warranty but having let someone else shoulder the initial lump of depreciation.

Without getting drawn into theoretical depreciation purchases, nor the merits of shedding, I wondered what the best "in warranty but huge depreciation sidestep" that people on here have bought.

Example, my 370z was a sniff under £34k new, but bought at 18 months old with 11k on the clock for under £21k. So someone else shouldered that initial £13k drop.

Given how fast some other marques can depreciate, I wondered what the biggest lump that someone here has allowed other owner to shoulder is.

Hmmm, wasn't such a myth from my side. I ordered a 3 series convertible new on an 03.

Hated the seating / pedal layout, and after 6000mls I traded it for an S80(which I loved).

I lost 6 grand in 3 calendar months. And I didnt pay list for the BMW either. :-(

I'm drunk, and I think off topic. Sorrrry

I buy, on average, 3 new/nearly new cars a year, almost all from main dealers, I make a lot of polite but low offers, every few months a dealer says "Yes". I own them for 3 to 6 months and try to sell for the same as I pay, usually it works.

Last 12 months:

Subaru WRX, purchased brand new, $47,600, paid $41,000. Owned 3 months, sold for $42,000

Toyota Hiace - Purchased brand New - $48,000 list, paid $37,000, now, 12 months and 25,000 miles later still worth $35,000

BMW 123D M Sport Coupe, $78,200 list, ex demo, 2400 miles, 11 months old, paid $50,000

VW Amarok Highline, loaded, $68,500 new, 5 months old, ex demo, 2,800 miles paid $45,000

I would love to do this and am more than capable of hunting out the right stuff and getting the right price when its moved on, but I only have one car so would need to own another for when I'm looking for my next purchase. Drives me crazy that all I seem to do is find my mates bargains

Bought my focus 3 month old. Retail new at just over £20k. 7000 on clock bought for 10k. 10k in 3 months!

Correct! However we do need some people (business users I suspect) to make such a purchase so these vehicles are around in sufficient numbers to be available to Joe Public a few years down the line.

My Spyder would have listed at just under £57k, bought it from main dealer at 7 months old/4k miles for £44k, so much for slow depreciating Porsches - and looking at the new 911's £100k list, £79k forecourt price for 8 month old cars... hmm

That said at the higher end of the market AM takes the biscuit, even now they are offering £40k+ off new Virages....

Mrs Clapham's E63AMG cost its 1st owner £103k in Sept 2007 (I've got the invoice from MBWest London).

I paid £29950 in Sept 2010.

The true horror is that I bought it from a dealer (albeit got him down from £34995) so God alone can comprehend the savagery of the kick in the nuts that the original owner took when he traded it in.