New member & new car

[Julian Scott]

Hello

I’ve been given this forum as a good place to ask an car quandary. I hope that’s acceptable.

I’m on garden leave to start a new job in September. My old job provided me with a company car (Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio) that I have had for just under 3 years, and I get to keep it until my garden leave ends in August.

New job has no such scheme, so I need to buy a car.

I’ve set myself a £60,000 budget and will likely buy the car cash. Happy to look at new or used, but probably used. It is also the family daily driver with 2 kids (11 & 13) and ageing parents (early and mid 70s), plus it is the only car in the household.


Tempted by a 4x4 to make ferrying bikes and family crap around, but open to saloon as we’ve managed with a saloon for the last 10 years. I also don’t want a dull car. I’m also stuck with sky-high and volatile prices at the moment.

Really tempted by a V8 before they become obsolete, especially as with cashflow not being a major issue, I’m not overly concerned with fuel costs, plus new job will be WFH 4 days per week. I do need it to be reliable though, this is firstly our family transport, so nothing too old. Really wanting to limit it to under 3 years so I get at least a bit of manufacturers warranty which I can then extend.

I’d love a Range Rover, couldn’t be a V8 on that budget unless too old. Possible slightly older RRS SVR. X5 or X6 50i. Maybe just get towards a SQ8. Also have impure thoughts about the f-Pace SVR.
Or saloon, maybe early M5 Competiton or go Q-car and the M550i. The RS6 would be a bit pricey I think.

I could go sensible for a couple of years and get in to a Discovery or even new Defender, but it could be an expensive short-term if prices correct over the next couple of years.


An outside option would be to see if I can buy the Alfa from my firm’s lease company, but not sure that would be realistic.

Or even more outside the box, my wife has her own business that I am also a director of, but she doesn’t (cannot) drive. I could look to lease a Tesla/BMW i4/Taycan through her company and really use the EV tax.

But I don’t know whether I’m ready to drop into electric just yet.


Sorry for the thesis like question, but I’d be open to any ideas. I usually love new car time but with prices being crap, I’m stuck this time.

Thanks

Julian

[Miserablegit]

Lease the taycan through wife’s company and buy yourself a sailing boat.
Lease costs offset against tax so win win

I’d take an Alfa “Quattro formaggio” over a taycan any day but if you need a sensible car and can use the tax breaks then it makes sense.

Edited by Miserablegit on Thursday 21st April 14:23

[twing]

Hello! Do you know Neil Chambers?

[swisstoni]

If you get a Range Rover, best ensure they have the optional automatic side-steps.

Would be important for loading older folks.

[Scrump]

Welcome to PH. The EV lease idea via the company could be quite cost effective.

I totally understand wanting a big engined ICE car while you still can.

[Glenn63]

I’d be looking at c63 estate/ glc 63 for some v8 naughtyness. Could probably squeeze into an e63 for that budget.

[samjlevy]

I’d go for the Taycan with the extended battery, they are sublime to drive. I have an F90 M5 and for me the Taycan is much better suited to UK roads, I find the M5 too harsh and mines a non-comp car, a competition is even stiffer, unless you can stretch to an LCI so late 2020 onwards as they fitted dampers from the M8 which cured the jarring ride and is a much better everyday car.

I’ve just put a deposit down on a Taycan GTS, the M5 will be going.

[LankyFreak]

twing said:

Hello! Do you know Neil Chambers?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say go & have a good look at the Maserati Levante you'll get one with 3/4 years of Warranty still on it & they're a cracking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202242...

Now if you want a V8 SUV then I'd be looking for one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...

They're well over budget but an absolute riot.

[Julian Scott]

Miserablegit said:

Lease the taycan through wife’s company and buy yourself a sailing boat.
Lease costs offset against tax so win win

I’d take an Alfa “Quattro formaggio” over a taycan any day but if you need a sensible car and can use the tax breaks then it makes sense.

Edited by Miserablegit on Thursday 21st April 14:23

I only need as sensible as the Alfa, but have also done the alfa, and whilst mine has been faultless, I'd be nervous about carrying it on privately for too long.

[Julian Scott]

twing said:

Hello! Do you know Neil Chambers?

No? Should I?

[Julian Scott]

swisstoni said:

If you get a Range Rover, best ensure they have the optional automatic side-steps.

Would be important for loading older folks.

Thanks, good tip

[Julian Scott]

Scrump said:

Welcome to PH. The EV lease idea via the company could be quite cost effective.

I totally understand wanting a big engined ICE car while you still can.

Yes, bizarre world where a Porsche is the sensible choice.

[Julian Scott]

Glenn63 said:

I’d be looking at c63 estate/ glc 63 for some v8 naughtyness. Could probably squeeze into an e63 for that budget.

Do love an AMG, E63 estate could be a lot of fun.

[Julian Scott]

samjlevy said:

I’d go for the Taycan with the extended battery, they are sublime to drive. I have an F90 M5 and for me the Taycan is much better suited to UK roads, I find the M5 too harsh and mines a non-comp car, a competition is even stiffer, unless you can stretch to an LCI so late 2020 onwards as they fitted dampers from the M8 which cured the jarring ride and is a much better everyday car.

I’ve just put a deposit down on a Taycan GTS, the M5 will be going.

Thanks - good tip.

Looking around, it would be a pre-LCI at that budget I think.

[Julian Scott]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say go & have a good look at the Maserati Levante you'll get one with 3/4 years of Warranty still on it & they're a cracking car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202242...

Now if you want a V8 SUV then I'd be looking for one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...

They're well over budget but an absolute riot.

That second Levante does look the biz.

But never heard of the jeep. 6.2 HEMI? Jeez..... A lot of want.