Bentley Arnage for £10k less than a Sandero?
New cars get ever more expensive - cheap Bentleys keep getting cheaper...
Probably you didn’t expect a story about a Bentley Arnage for sale to begin with the Dacia Sandero, but there is a link. See, today marks the UK launch of the latest, hybridised version, a car significantly more stylish, capable and desirable than those which have come before. But significantly more expensive, too…
The Sandero famously arrived in the UK as the cheapest car on sale at £5,995. That was as recently as 2013, too. Now, obviously, that car was a bit naff and the latest one will feel like it’s from another planet, but still - six grand! The range was topped by a Laureate model at £7,955. Even in today’s money, they’d be less than £9k and less than £12k. The new Sandero range starts at £17,995. It really does seem like the days of cheap to buy and cheap to run cars are behind - those with engines, at least.
But there is still an abundance of cheap-to-buy temptations, at least, which brings us back to the Arnage. Because this one’s exactly £10k less than a new Dacia Sandero - there’s something never written before - for sale at £7,995. A proper Bentley, too, with the 6.75 and a cool spec. Eight thousand pounds for eight cylinders will always appeal, especially when it looks as suave as an Arnage.
The mileage is entirely acceptable for a 26-year-old car, at 116,000, and if the MOT history isn’t flawless then it’s hardly disastrous either. The big Benters scrubs up well in the pics too, the shiny bits still shiny and the paint more than presentable. There’s nothing that immediately identifies it as a bargain basement car. Even the interior, if showing some signs of wear, still looks good, the wood in particular very nice. Imagine being sat in there (after some leather cleaner) having paid just eight thousand pounds.
The rest of the advert isn’t quite so encouraging. There’s no detail about the history (or indeed much detail about the car at all), and it’s a regular dealer rather than a marque specialist. Still, you can’t have everything when it comes cheap. You can ask questions, check it over, cross your fingers and pray…
Because quite clearly, any 6.75-litre Bentley is going to cost as much to keep going as a small island nation. Factor in some repairs that might be needed along the way and the potential is there for some spectacular bills. It’s hard to imagine this Arnage ever being worth a huge amount more either. Undoubtedly, then, this Arnage is one for the courageous (or anyone living near a Bentley specialist and ideally related to the owner). But it could be alright, or more than alright, and you’ll get to experience the majesty of a 6.75-litre Bentley for not much money at all. The same engine is in cars worth almost £200,000, plus this Arnage has a £3k running costs head start on the next cheapest. Which should see you through to the end of the year…
SPECIFICATION | BENTLEY ARNAGE RED LABEL
Engine: 6,750cc V8, turbocharged
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 400@4,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 616@2,100rpm
CO2: 456
MPG: 14.7
Recorded mileage: 116,000
Year registered: 2000
Price new: £140,000
Yours for: £7,995
The same money invested in illicit substances and ladies-of-the night might actually be less risky than this badly borked Bentley.
The only way it could turn out too good to be true was if it was actually some shed kit-car conversion of an Austin Montego, like those old "Ferrari" kit-converted MR2s.
But I want someone on PH to buy it and start a thread on it!
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