Entry level exec car
Discussion
Alright Gents,
In the market for an entry level executive 5dr. So far researched in depth the A4/320D/C220D; Also considered a CRV.
Reason for the upgrade from the current money sink rust bucket Astra is a new fairly long commute as well as a promotion at work so I'm looking for something with 60mpg+ that will do so with a decent interior trim level and some niceties like cruise control/leather seating. After a long 12hr day at work I want something comfortable for the 50 miles home, mix of motorway/30-60mph winding country roads.
For insurance reasons also probably below 2.2L. Initially 15k miles but that may well drop off to closer to about 10k in the 2nd/3rd/4th year of any deal although I doubt you can negotiate to reduce the mileage allowance later on? Ideally probably no more than £400/month.
This would likely be on a lease although I have looked into PCP/bank loan from the manufacture direct/brokers/autocar and am very keen to hear to any guidance/suggestions/advice about the most cost efficient/sensible/smallest personal exposure way to get the motor. I'm not sure I particularly want to own the car at the end for two reasons, firstly having to find a fairly large amount of capital to pay the balloon payment, and secondly what risk would I have paying a decent wedge for a depreciating asset with the economic uncertainty that's going to ramp up in March 2019 with the Brexit deadline.
C220D seems to come out on top at the moment in terms of mpg and lease cost. What's the catch? (other than the ugly boot!)
What would you guys recommend/go for?
Cheers!
In the market for an entry level executive 5dr. So far researched in depth the A4/320D/C220D; Also considered a CRV.
Reason for the upgrade from the current money sink rust bucket Astra is a new fairly long commute as well as a promotion at work so I'm looking for something with 60mpg+ that will do so with a decent interior trim level and some niceties like cruise control/leather seating. After a long 12hr day at work I want something comfortable for the 50 miles home, mix of motorway/30-60mph winding country roads.
For insurance reasons also probably below 2.2L. Initially 15k miles but that may well drop off to closer to about 10k in the 2nd/3rd/4th year of any deal although I doubt you can negotiate to reduce the mileage allowance later on? Ideally probably no more than £400/month.
This would likely be on a lease although I have looked into PCP/bank loan from the manufacture direct/brokers/autocar and am very keen to hear to any guidance/suggestions/advice about the most cost efficient/sensible/smallest personal exposure way to get the motor. I'm not sure I particularly want to own the car at the end for two reasons, firstly having to find a fairly large amount of capital to pay the balloon payment, and secondly what risk would I have paying a decent wedge for a depreciating asset with the economic uncertainty that's going to ramp up in March 2019 with the Brexit deadline.
C220D seems to come out on top at the moment in terms of mpg and lease cost. What's the catch? (other than the ugly boot!)
What would you guys recommend/go for?
Cheers!
£400/month gets you into quite a lot of different cars. But if it's just a tool to get to/from work and you don't plan on keeping it why not go cheaper and save yourself some money? Does it really have to be an "executive" car
Golf GTD for £280/month?
https://www.contracthireandleasing.com/independent...
Golf GTD for £280/month?
https://www.contracthireandleasing.com/independent...
How many miles do you do a year?
Do you have to have a new car?
Rather than thinking 60mpg which will be the norm (60mpg will be achievable on the Motorway) it'll be 45-50mpg in the real world.
If used is an option then you can go to town with your options plus the money saved can go on the little bit of extra fuel you'll be using plus you have something to sell once you're ready for something new:
Entry level Exec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
But rather than go for the entry level I'd go to the next size up they're usually better equipped:
XF
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
E Class
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
525d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Do you have to have a new car?
Rather than thinking 60mpg which will be the norm (60mpg will be achievable on the Motorway) it'll be 45-50mpg in the real world.
If used is an option then you can go to town with your options plus the money saved can go on the little bit of extra fuel you'll be using plus you have something to sell once you're ready for something new:
Entry level Exec:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
But rather than go for the entry level I'd go to the next size up they're usually better equipped:
XF
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
E Class
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
525d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Thanks for the replies guys.
The thinking with 'entry level exec' was as I'd be spending so much time (potentially 100 miles a day 18 days a month) in it, especially after long 11+ hour work days when I'll be knackered, I'd want something with the comfortable more premium trim you'd get in an 'exec' motor. In that regard I'm afraid the Golf wouldn't be much of an upgrade above the 1.8 Astra I have now.
The thinking with 'entry level exec' was as I'd be spending so much time (potentially 100 miles a day 18 days a month) in it, especially after long 11+ hour work days when I'll be knackered, I'd want something with the comfortable more premium trim you'd get in an 'exec' motor. In that regard I'm afraid the Golf wouldn't be much of an upgrade above the 1.8 Astra I have now.
No reason they should be too much - they will have the same engine. mpg will basically be identical in the real world and you’ll be sat in a much nicer place.
The trim quality and refinement moves up a level once you’re out of the repmobie class - remember the C class and 3 series compete in the Mondeo sector and are built and priced appropriately.
There is a clear step up when you go to the next class - go and look at some, you might be surprised.
They depreciate heavily initially so getting a three year old car with a lot of life left in it will save you a ton of cash and get you a nicer car, or if it really must be new hold out for a killer lease deal which are quite common on these.
The trim quality and refinement moves up a level once you’re out of the repmobie class - remember the C class and 3 series compete in the Mondeo sector and are built and priced appropriately.
There is a clear step up when you go to the next class - go and look at some, you might be surprised.
They depreciate heavily initially so getting a three year old car with a lot of life left in it will save you a ton of cash and get you a nicer car, or if it really must be new hold out for a killer lease deal which are quite common on these.
carburettoricing said:
Thanks for the replies guys.
The thinking with 'entry level exec' was as I'd be spending so much time (potentially 100 miles a day 18 days a month) in it, especially after long 11+ hour work days when I'll be knackered, I'd want something with the comfortable more premium trim you'd get in an 'exec' motor. In that regard I'm afraid the Golf wouldn't be much of an upgrade above the 1.8 Astra I have now.
Fair point, but don't forget comfort and refinement is relative. What Astra (model, age, etc) do you have at the moment? I went from a Mk1 Focus to a Mk3 Focus and the refinement of the Mk3 is light years ahead of the old model. I do 50+ miles a day and could happily do more. So when you say you have a rust bucket old Astra, if it is 2 or 3 generations old then something like a new Golf will feel like a massive step up, and could well be enough comfort.The thinking with 'entry level exec' was as I'd be spending so much time (potentially 100 miles a day 18 days a month) in it, especially after long 11+ hour work days when I'll be knackered, I'd want something with the comfortable more premium trim you'd get in an 'exec' motor. In that regard I'm afraid the Golf wouldn't be much of an upgrade above the 1.8 Astra I have now.
A petrol 2007 Astra Life 1.8
I'm doing an experiment at the moment keeping the revs low trying to see how much I can get out of a tank. I'll be amazed if it notches past 350 miles. Doing 100 miles a day in it would kill me.
Been thinking about Chatltjr's advice and definitely thinking about buying second hand and whether to save up outright or go PCP/bank loan. The problem with that higher class of car is most seem to be 3.0L. I will be in the high risk insurance group as I'm 23 so not sure I could stretch to the insurance for motors like that; A 2.1/2.2 three series came in at £1400 which is just about bearable on monthly payments.
I didn't realise leases on the second hand cars were so prevalent, I've only seen PCP/PH which were daft at >9% APR. I've have a look now, thanks mate.
I'm doing an experiment at the moment keeping the revs low trying to see how much I can get out of a tank. I'll be amazed if it notches past 350 miles. Doing 100 miles a day in it would kill me.
Been thinking about Chatltjr's advice and definitely thinking about buying second hand and whether to save up outright or go PCP/bank loan. The problem with that higher class of car is most seem to be 3.0L. I will be in the high risk insurance group as I'm 23 so not sure I could stretch to the insurance for motors like that; A 2.1/2.2 three series came in at £1400 which is just about bearable on monthly payments.
I didn't realise leases on the second hand cars were so prevalent, I've only seen PCP/PH which were daft at >9% APR. I've have a look now, thanks mate.
Edited by carburettoricing on Tuesday 27th March 11:59
tallpaul26 said:
If nobody is ever going to sit in the back, why do you need such a large car?
A Mk7 Golf with adaptive cruise control is the perfect motorway car. Go for one with non-sport suspension and 16" alloys and it will be quiet, comfortable and effortless to drive over long distances.
I suspect that the OP is wanting a car that looks the part with his promotion - let's face it, if we all had a Golf sized car, life would be pretty boring. Personal choice and all that!A Mk7 Golf with adaptive cruise control is the perfect motorway car. Go for one with non-sport suspension and 16" alloys and it will be quiet, comfortable and effortless to drive over long distances.
Ive just started a lease on an Audi A6 as some decent deals about now as its the outgoing model. Yes, I could have got a (another) Skoda but for a few ££ extra I get an Audi with a decent spec. On octavia, Mondeo, Insignia etc would all have done a similar job, but personal choice steered me to the Audi.
Spend an hour or 2 getting insurance quotes on moneysupermarket (or similar) for a range of cars.
I imagine you'll be pleasantly surprised as the more exec and larger engined you go, the cheaper the insurance can become as they are less likely to be crashed by a young person etc.
A Lotus Exige and Aston Martin are cheaper for me to insure than a 320i.
I imagine you'll be pleasantly surprised as the more exec and larger engined you go, the cheaper the insurance can become as they are less likely to be crashed by a young person etc.
A Lotus Exige and Aston Martin are cheaper for me to insure than a 320i.
B9 Audi A4? Some great leases on them still. My 1.4 TFSI petrol gave me an indicated 500-500 miles range during my stop/start short commute. I wasn't actually getting that mind, but certainly shows it's potential. On a long run to Oban in Scotland from Manchester and back, i was getting well over 600 miles. I can only imagine what the 2.0 diesel would get in comparison!
Thanks guys. Definitely taking Herb's insurance comparison advice.
I've found a C200D in SE trim, new. 6+35, with 15k miles it's roughly £245/m and roughly £1450 up front. £360 admin fee. 72mpg and over 36 months the 3 year warranty would cover it for the non-renewables.
As I said earlier it wouldn't likely be doing 15k in years 2/3/4 but I think it's better to bite the bullet and pay an extra tenner month for the worst case scenario rather than get battered by overmileage fees.
Just mentioning this as via some fag packet maths I make the TCO excluding insurance to be about £10,400 over 3 years which seems to be quite good compared to other lease deals on various motors from hatchbacks to saloons I've found.
I've found a C200D in SE trim, new. 6+35, with 15k miles it's roughly £245/m and roughly £1450 up front. £360 admin fee. 72mpg and over 36 months the 3 year warranty would cover it for the non-renewables.
As I said earlier it wouldn't likely be doing 15k in years 2/3/4 but I think it's better to bite the bullet and pay an extra tenner month for the worst case scenario rather than get battered by overmileage fees.
Just mentioning this as via some fag packet maths I make the TCO excluding insurance to be about £10,400 over 3 years which seems to be quite good compared to other lease deals on various motors from hatchbacks to saloons I've found.
ZX10R NIN said:
Go for the XF/E Class/A6/5 series these will be a much more comforting (less road noise comfier seats etc) place to be over long days & journies.
Not sure I agree totally....I’ve had a 2012 BMW 520d (SE suspension) and did 80k miles in it. I now have a 2015 C220d, again, comfort not sport suspension. The C class is far more comfortable. NVH is similar but the suspension is much more comfortable (probably due to no Run Flats).
I drive mostly A Roads and have averaged 56 MPG over the past 30k miles in the C Class. The 520d was circa 45MPG
Edited by A900ss on Tuesday 27th March 18:13
culpz said:
B9 Audi A4? Some great leases on them still. My 1.4 TFSI petrol gave me an indicated 500-500 miles range during my stop/start short commute. I wasn't actually getting that mind, but certainly shows it's potential. On a long run to Oban in Scotland from Manchester and back, i was getting well over 600 miles. I can only imagine what the 2.0 diesel would get in comparison!
Some good deals on the A5 with that 1.4 TFSI engine, I’ve linked to an SE, but Sport and Sline are good value at the moment too. https://www.contracthireandleasing.com/independent...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff