Bentley Mulsanne: You Know You Want To
Better than half price after 8,000 miles? Yes, you really do want to!
Alright, so 'invest' may be the wrong word when talking about cars that plummet in value like one of those cartoon anvils pushed off a cliff. But when it means cars like this Mulsanne are available for so much less than their original price, we shall not complain!
Now we have covered the £100K Phantom previously, but now's the time to consider the Bentley alternative. If £98,000 can ever look exceptional value, this car does. Interestingly, as the Mulsanne has been around for a little while now, there are a few cars available for less than £100,000 - take your pick!
While the style may not be to all tastes - some find the headlight arrangement a little odd - there's something delightfully old-school Bentley about the Mulsanne. It still uses the 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8, for example, here producing 512hp and 752lb ft. That outrageous peak torque figure is made at 1,750rpm too, ensuring the most effortless of progress.
Look at the inside as well. The wood is dark, the leather is extensive and the carbon fibre is absent - this is traditional luxury at its very best. Imagine how different a Continental GTC customer must be to the one after a Mulsanne.
Anyway, to the particulars of this car. The spec appealed, in a fairly unassuming exterior colour (with some fantastic wheels) and a nicely appointed interior too. There are all manner of colour combinations available, of course, but the Mulsanne does seem to suit a lot of them.
However, the most intriguing aspect of this Mulsanne is the price. Yes, as a 2011 car it's one of the earliest, but then there wasn't a significant update for a good few years after launch. Yet with only 8,000 miles recorded, it's for sale at £98,950. Right now a brand new Mulsanne would cost you £229,360.
Of course that's still a huge amount of money. And, yes, it seem likely the Mulsanne will depreciate further from this point. It will surely cost a lot to maintain too. But for this much luxury, performance and presence, that amount doesn't seem totally barmy. With a private numberplate on it many would struggle to tell it apart from something brand new.
The logical decision would probably be to buy a new luxury saloon like a 7 Series or S-Class, with their greater efficiency, more advanced technology and manufacturer warranties. But if ever there was a compelling case against logical, this Bentley has to be it. If the numbers can be made to work in your favour, it could be sublime. Good luck!
BENTLEY MULSANNE
Price: £98,950
Why you should: BMW price, Bentley luxury
Why you shouldn't: Still £100K, the money also needed to run it
See the original advert here
Seriously. These are just money pits that "ordinary" people wont touch. Who actually would buy it is mildly interesting, but if I ever see one, all it tells me is there's someone with more money than sense nearby.
Plenty of alternatives that wont bankrupt you. Take your pick of endless supply from the usual suspects (MB, Audi, BMW, Lexus, etc).
Seriously. These are just money pits that "ordinary" people wont touch. Who actually would buy it is mildly interesting, but if I ever see one, all it tells me is there's someone with more money than sense nearby.
Plenty of alternatives that wont bankrupt you. Take your pick of endless supply from the usual suspects (MB, Audi, BMW, Lexus, etc).
The options you suggest are now sadly glorified taxis in and around London. Shame really but the image has been tarnished.
Wibble and a very hard look behind the sofa. One of those "if I sold all my toys" cars.
ETA Last of the proper Bentleys. Not one of those jumped up VW things
Bentley have been owned by VW since 2003!
Bentley have been owned by VW since 2003!
Senior Partner had one for a week but went for a Flying Spur eventually.
Have to say it did feel a bit 'old' but it did seem more special than the Spur but I don't know why!!
Seriously. These are just money pits that "ordinary" people wont touch. Who actually would buy it is mildly interesting, but if I ever see one, all it tells me is there's someone with more money than sense nearby.
Plenty of alternatives that wont bankrupt you. Take your pick of endless supply from the usual suspects (MB, Audi, BMW, Lexus, etc).
Yes you're correct that there's nothing quite like the stuff from Crewe in terms of how they are built and sheer presence. But if you shut your eyes I reckon you'd find the Lexus the better ride, and probably in most ways the Lexus is just as good. It just doesn't make the same sort of statement that a Rolls or Bentley does. If you're not bothered what other people think I reckon a Lexus LS is the way to go.
Just look at this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
or perhaps this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
You could employ a chauffeur for two years with the change left over.
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