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!
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.
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
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.
It's not so much wanting a premium badge but having found a few C classes for similar prices or even cheaper than an S90 or Skoda Octavia/Superb it's an absolute no brainer.
No problem with hatchbacks, really not arsed about premium badges and I have been thinking I might look a bit daft as a 23 year old in a massive long Mercedes but the price is a no-brainer for what you get and compared to how much petrol an 11 year old astra will get through to achieve 1500+ miles a month the extra cost of getting a new more efficient, more comfortable motor (minus insurance!) will actually be quite small, relatively.
The problem with leases is they obviously want you to use a dealer for the annual service which will be a few quid; They want a rather silly 60 quid a month extra for the maintenance package too so I'm planning to visit a Merc dealer to see if they can match the broker offer of £250/month for a PCP/lease and throw in Merc's official 27 quid a month maintenance cover. Also, obviously, to test drive it.
If it doesn't work out I'll keep looking
No problem with hatchbacks, really not arsed about premium badges and I have been thinking I might look a bit daft as a 23 year old in a massive long Mercedes but the price is a no-brainer for what you get and compared to how much petrol an 11 year old astra will get through to achieve 1500+ miles a month the extra cost of getting a new more efficient, more comfortable motor (minus insurance!) will actually be quite small, relatively.
The problem with leases is they obviously want you to use a dealer for the annual service which will be a few quid; They want a rather silly 60 quid a month extra for the maintenance package too so I'm planning to visit a Merc dealer to see if they can match the broker offer of £250/month for a PCP/lease and throw in Merc's official 27 quid a month maintenance cover. Also, obviously, to test drive it.
If it doesn't work out I'll keep looking
Edited by carburettoricing on Tuesday 27th March 23:06
Edited by carburettoricing on Tuesday 27th March 23:06
Went with a C220D in the end.
£275/m for 18k miles p.a. and AMG floor mats, a brilliant price and only £50 more a week than running the 11 year old Astra so a no brainer decision. Looked into the Lexus and the cheapest came in at £3000+325, the Merc was £1700+275. Simply a great deal very luckily perfectly timed for the end of the tax year/last quarter of FY 2017.
62mpg real world driving home the other day
Thanks for your help and suggestions guys.
Now with regards to keeping the exterior glistening but more importantly for my strict lease terms imperfection and swirl free
does a pressure wash rinse/pro-kleen snow foam/ pressure wash rinse/microfibre cloth dry cycle sound ideal or would there be a better way? Living down country lanes it gets caked easily so I'd be spending a fortune at a valet/detailing place every month, I'd rather invest in the equipment and carefully wash it every week myself.
Cheers
£275/m for 18k miles p.a. and AMG floor mats, a brilliant price and only £50 more a week than running the 11 year old Astra so a no brainer decision. Looked into the Lexus and the cheapest came in at £3000+325, the Merc was £1700+275. Simply a great deal very luckily perfectly timed for the end of the tax year/last quarter of FY 2017.
62mpg real world driving home the other day
Thanks for your help and suggestions guys.
Now with regards to keeping the exterior glistening but more importantly for my strict lease terms imperfection and swirl free
does a pressure wash rinse/pro-kleen snow foam/ pressure wash rinse/microfibre cloth dry cycle sound ideal or would there be a better way? Living down country lanes it gets caked easily so I'd be spending a fortune at a valet/detailing place every month, I'd rather invest in the equipment and carefully wash it every week myself. Cheers
Edited by carburettoricing on Wednesday 18th April 16:58
Edited by carburettoricing on Wednesday 18th April 16:59
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