Daily car for £10k that won't depreciate?
Discussion
hooblah said:
New job means that I will be commuting 100 miles a day. Mostly m25. Need a comfortable daily with cruise control. Would like something that will hold its value or will appreciate. Budget is around £10k. Got no idea what to get so suggestions would be appreciated.
That’s 24k miles a year just commuting....all cars will depreciate massively if you are putting that level of wear on them. I’d focus on buying the thing least likely to break if keeping your costs under control is your primary objective. I'm not sure it's possible, to be honest. That adds up to 25K miles a year?
You could look for a 5-7 year old 3 series, A4, C-Class etc with an unusually low milage, so by the time it's 10 years old it has "caught up" to the average for it's year? But going down this route exposes you to mechanical and repair costs which re potentially bigger than depreciation.
You could look for a 5-7 year old 3 series, A4, C-Class etc with an unusually low milage, so by the time it's 10 years old it has "caught up" to the average for it's year? But going down this route exposes you to mechanical and repair costs which re potentially bigger than depreciation.
I was running a '98 e class. The seats gave me terrible back ache. I really don't want to go back to bangernomics as the amount of hassle I had with it was unbelievable.
I may eventually end up moving closer to work, so the mileage would be cut down considerably. Possibly less than 10k a year.
Perhaps I'll look at spending around £5k and change when I eventually move. So based on that criteria, what are the recommendations?
I may eventually end up moving closer to work, so the mileage would be cut down considerably. Possibly less than 10k a year.
Perhaps I'll look at spending around £5k and change when I eventually move. So based on that criteria, what are the recommendations?
hooblah said:
New job means that I will be commuting 100 miles a day. Mostly m25. Need a comfortable daily with cruise control. Would like something that will hold its value or will appreciate. Budget is around £10k. Got no idea what to get so suggestions would be appreciated.
You're deluding yourself if you think you're going to buy a car & add 25k to a cars mileage & it not depreciate what you need to do is buy the best/most comfortable car to do 25k a year in.Expect to lose money set yourself a sensible budget & you can get yourself a very reliable comfortable car to spend time in.
Your best bet is something German, generic desirable spec and buying and selling privately. From my experience, taking a car from 40-60k miles is best for minimal depreciation without going for higher mileage. The other option would be one with just over 100k to <130k, again this should minimise the depreciation.
I've had experience doing both of these, first with a 325D coupe bought for £9.5k on 96k miles, sold again just over a year later with 110k for about £9k (both private). It's generally better not to take one over the 100k barrier though, they're cheaper to buy once on the other side.
Second was a 330i. Bought on 45k for £13,250, sold a year later on 60k for £12,500. Again, buying/selling privately. Bonus as it still had extended warranty remaining that transferred with the car.
Both of these involved a bit of luck, lots of knowledge of the car and getting the right one. Always go for M Sport/S Line etc in black/white with black leather and sat nav. Bigger engines preferable, as are option wheels that stand out. These options don't really add much value but they make it much easier to shift when you're done. Downside of this method will be the hassle/stress of buying and selling every year, and the probability of encountering a lemon at some point. I'm not the only one that's done this though, so it's definitely possible with these cars!
I've had experience doing both of these, first with a 325D coupe bought for £9.5k on 96k miles, sold again just over a year later with 110k for about £9k (both private). It's generally better not to take one over the 100k barrier though, they're cheaper to buy once on the other side.
Second was a 330i. Bought on 45k for £13,250, sold a year later on 60k for £12,500. Again, buying/selling privately. Bonus as it still had extended warranty remaining that transferred with the car.
Both of these involved a bit of luck, lots of knowledge of the car and getting the right one. Always go for M Sport/S Line etc in black/white with black leather and sat nav. Bigger engines preferable, as are option wheels that stand out. These options don't really add much value but they make it much easier to shift when you're done. Downside of this method will be the hassle/stress of buying and selling every year, and the probability of encountering a lemon at some point. I'm not the only one that's done this though, so it's definitely possible with these cars!
A Volvo S60 D5, they are cheap, really comfortable and go for ever. I have got a new job and I am having to do 120 miles a day. I used to do 14 miles a day. There is no point with me buying a new car so I will just rack the miles up on the S60. Currently on 127k and runs like a dream. I am also hoping to get my old work Transit connect van (54 plate) with 5k in it and I’ll rack the miles up on that. Then get a decent fun car/motorbike.
I'd say look for something like these:
CLK320cdi Sport (these have the added benefit of having Orthopedic Seats which is a nice bonus when you're doing the miles)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
CLK270cdi Avantgarde
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
CLK320cdi Sport (these have the added benefit of having Orthopedic Seats which is a nice bonus when you're doing the miles)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
CLK270cdi Avantgarde
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I don't have an issue with diesels. Petrols have a far higher chance of holding their value though.
Thanks for the clk links. Didn't realise they came with orthopaedic seats. However they're looking quite dated from the outside. Is there anything else that has orthopaedic seats?
I also stumbled upon Jag xf's earlier. They look like quite the bargain. I've seen them going for as little as 6k! Anyone had any experience with them?
Thanks for the clk links. Didn't realise they came with orthopaedic seats. However they're looking quite dated from the outside. Is there anything else that has orthopaedic seats?
I also stumbled upon Jag xf's earlier. They look like quite the bargain. I've seen them going for as little as 6k! Anyone had any experience with them?
Mileage is the key if you're going to be adding 25k to the car every year then you want to start with as low miles as possible whilst still retaining comfort & a low price, if you buy something with 12ok on the clock you're a lot closer to having to refresh the suspension etc which will add significantly to the running costs also if you're doing 25k a year the a diesel is the way to go & they'll depreciate at a similar rate but one will have cost you a fair bit more to run just in terms of fuel.
ZX10R NIN said:
25k a year the a diesel is the way to go & they'll depreciate at a similar rate but one will have cost you a fair bit more to run just in terms of fuel.
I disagreeFrom the Which August report: "Diesels is dying and a lack of faith in manufacturers is the final nail in the coffin"
When they tested the Claimed vs tested mpg for diesel guess which figure was higher?
ZX10R NIN said:
Mileage is the key if you're going to be adding 25k to the car every year then you want to start with as low miles as possible whilst still retaining comfort & a low price, if you buy something with 12ok on the clock you're a lot closer to having to refresh the suspension etc which will add significantly to the running costs also if you're doing 25k a year the a diesel is the way to go & they'll depreciate at a similar rate but one will have cost you a fair bit more to run just in terms of fuel.
I'll only be keeping the car for a year at the most so I don't think that applies here. The main thing is comfortable seats for my bad back. The w210 E class has terrible seats which made my back quite sore. 
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