Commuter car: new or old
Discussion
Interested in people's opinions or experiences.
I'll shortly be starting a regular 50 mile daily commute (25 miles each way) which is made up of mostly single carriageway A-roads with a little bit of country B/C-roads at the beginning and end of the journey. Naturally, any change in circumstance gives a perfect opportunity to genuinely consider what car will be best for the new journey. Having given it much thought, I'm torn between two quite opposing schools of thought:
Option A: To buy an older (2003-2006ish) larger saloon car, ideally - in true Pistonhead style - with more than four cylinders. I'm particularly taken with the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 AWD, but there are a number of others on my list, mostly with a V6. I could buy something for £1,500-£2,500 in great condition, which makes it fairly depreciation proof, and with the obvious benefit of a smooth V6 engine under the bonnet. Naturally, 25mpg, together with the likely maintenance expense of running an old 'premium' brand, are the downsides. My weekend car is a late-90s Jaguar XKR, so I'm not immune to these as it is...
Option B: To buy a brand new car designed for modern day commuting. Currently favouriting a top spec Skoda Fabia, which when specced up with the DSG gearbox and much of the option boxes ticked (adaptive LEDs, adaptive cruise, winter pack, panoramic sunroof, yada yada) does make quite an appealing 'sensible' prospect for a comfortable daily. I like the idea of a 5 year warranty and something with more modern conveniences. Provided I keep it 10+ years, which is a strong possibility, depreciation isn't something to worry about.
As an accountant, I have of course costed both options extensively, making suitable allowances for maintenance and so on. I'm satisfied that both options are likely to be of a broadly similar monthly cost. Option A clearly has heavier day-to-day running costs, but option B has much higher depreciation which wipes out much of the savings there. It simply comes down to whether I'd prefer to be in a spankers new heavily optioned hatchback, or an old but mildly more interesting saloon with a creamy V6.
So, Internet, which would you choose for a daily drive commuter mobile, assuming there's something more interesting kept for the weekend?
I'll shortly be starting a regular 50 mile daily commute (25 miles each way) which is made up of mostly single carriageway A-roads with a little bit of country B/C-roads at the beginning and end of the journey. Naturally, any change in circumstance gives a perfect opportunity to genuinely consider what car will be best for the new journey. Having given it much thought, I'm torn between two quite opposing schools of thought:
Option A: To buy an older (2003-2006ish) larger saloon car, ideally - in true Pistonhead style - with more than four cylinders. I'm particularly taken with the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 AWD, but there are a number of others on my list, mostly with a V6. I could buy something for £1,500-£2,500 in great condition, which makes it fairly depreciation proof, and with the obvious benefit of a smooth V6 engine under the bonnet. Naturally, 25mpg, together with the likely maintenance expense of running an old 'premium' brand, are the downsides. My weekend car is a late-90s Jaguar XKR, so I'm not immune to these as it is...
Option B: To buy a brand new car designed for modern day commuting. Currently favouriting a top spec Skoda Fabia, which when specced up with the DSG gearbox and much of the option boxes ticked (adaptive LEDs, adaptive cruise, winter pack, panoramic sunroof, yada yada) does make quite an appealing 'sensible' prospect for a comfortable daily. I like the idea of a 5 year warranty and something with more modern conveniences. Provided I keep it 10+ years, which is a strong possibility, depreciation isn't something to worry about.
As an accountant, I have of course costed both options extensively, making suitable allowances for maintenance and so on. I'm satisfied that both options are likely to be of a broadly similar monthly cost. Option A clearly has heavier day-to-day running costs, but option B has much higher depreciation which wipes out much of the savings there. It simply comes down to whether I'd prefer to be in a spankers new heavily optioned hatchback, or an old but mildly more interesting saloon with a creamy V6.
So, Internet, which would you choose for a daily drive commuter mobile, assuming there's something more interesting kept for the weekend?
I do 90 miles round trip and upped for a 6month VW Cc 5 years ago and part exchanged it last year. It had a DSG box and cost me nothing apart from servicing. Changed the brakes in year 5. Only part exchanged it because it was getting too small for our family.
It’s replacement, a brand new E220d wagon with the miles gradually ramping up on my 90 Mike commute in comfort
It’s replacement, a brand new E220d wagon with the miles gradually ramping up on my 90 Mike commute in comfort
Starjet99 said:
Interested in people's opinions or experiences.
I'll shortly be starting a regular 50 mile daily commute (25 miles each way) which is made up of mostly single carriageway A-roads with a little bit of country B/C-roads at the beginning and end of the journey. Naturally, any change in circumstance gives a perfect opportunity to genuinely consider what car will be best for the new journey. Having given it much thought, I'm torn between two quite opposing schools of thought:
Option A: To buy an older (2003-2006ish) larger saloon car, ideally - in true Pistonhead style - with more than four cylinders. I'm particularly taken with the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 AWD, but there are a number of others on my list, mostly with a V6. I could buy something for £1,500-£2,500 in great condition, which makes it fairly depreciation proof, and with the obvious benefit of a smooth V6 engine under the bonnet. Naturally, 25mpg, together with the likely maintenance expense of running an old 'premium' brand, are the downsides. My weekend car is a late-90s Jaguar XKR, so I'm not immune to these as it is...
Option B: To buy a brand new car designed for modern day commuting. Currently favouriting a top spec Skoda Fabia, which when specced up with the DSG gearbox and much of the option boxes ticked (adaptive LEDs, adaptive cruise, winter pack, panoramic sunroof, yada yada) does make quite an appealing 'sensible' prospect for a comfortable daily. I like the idea of a 5 year warranty and something with more modern conveniences. Provided I keep it 10+ years, which is a strong possibility, depreciation isn't something to worry about.
As an accountant, I have of course costed both options extensively, making suitable allowances for maintenance and so on. I'm satisfied that both options are likely to be of a broadly similar monthly cost. Option A clearly has heavier day-to-day running costs, but option B has much higher depreciation which wipes out much of the savings there. It simply comes down to whether I'd prefer to be in a spankers new heavily optioned hatchback, or an old but mildly more interesting saloon with a creamy V6.
So, Internet, which would you choose for a daily drive commuter mobile, assuming there's something more interesting kept for the weekend?
There are some nice options if you look to spend up to 8k you can get a good mix of modern & with sensible running costs as well as sensible depreciation:I'll shortly be starting a regular 50 mile daily commute (25 miles each way) which is made up of mostly single carriageway A-roads with a little bit of country B/C-roads at the beginning and end of the journey. Naturally, any change in circumstance gives a perfect opportunity to genuinely consider what car will be best for the new journey. Having given it much thought, I'm torn between two quite opposing schools of thought:
Option A: To buy an older (2003-2006ish) larger saloon car, ideally - in true Pistonhead style - with more than four cylinders. I'm particularly taken with the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 AWD, but there are a number of others on my list, mostly with a V6. I could buy something for £1,500-£2,500 in great condition, which makes it fairly depreciation proof, and with the obvious benefit of a smooth V6 engine under the bonnet. Naturally, 25mpg, together with the likely maintenance expense of running an old 'premium' brand, are the downsides. My weekend car is a late-90s Jaguar XKR, so I'm not immune to these as it is...
Option B: To buy a brand new car designed for modern day commuting. Currently favouriting a top spec Skoda Fabia, which when specced up with the DSG gearbox and much of the option boxes ticked (adaptive LEDs, adaptive cruise, winter pack, panoramic sunroof, yada yada) does make quite an appealing 'sensible' prospect for a comfortable daily. I like the idea of a 5 year warranty and something with more modern conveniences. Provided I keep it 10+ years, which is a strong possibility, depreciation isn't something to worry about.
As an accountant, I have of course costed both options extensively, making suitable allowances for maintenance and so on. I'm satisfied that both options are likely to be of a broadly similar monthly cost. Option A clearly has heavier day-to-day running costs, but option B has much higher depreciation which wipes out much of the savings there. It simply comes down to whether I'd prefer to be in a spankers new heavily optioned hatchback, or an old but mildly more interesting saloon with a creamy V6.
So, Internet, which would you choose for a daily drive commuter mobile, assuming there's something more interesting kept for the weekend?
Infiniti G37
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009013...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102169...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166...
GS300
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101268...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012287...
CLS 500 now these are 3mpg worse off in the real world than the 350 but much more reliable
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102088...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101168...
S Type 2.5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008272...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...
3.0 XF Premium Luxury
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010285...
R36 Passat
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011156...
Hybrid options:
Infiniti M
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102169...
GS450h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012157...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101077...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102048...
Don't discount a good 3.0d either:
E280
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012287...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102179...
E320
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202005229...
CLK320cdi Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010245...
Jag_NE said:
Get rid of the XKR and buy an M4. You will be better at maths than me but a new-ish M4 has sensible running costs coupled with only one set of overheads (tax, insurance, service etc).
That's not an option for me - the XKR is a lifer! The standing costs of the XKR are very minimal indeed - it only costs when I take it out! 
M4cruiser said:
Definitely option C.
A 7 year old 2.0 auto. Save a packet on depreciation. Engine new enough to be quite good on emissions and fuel.
I looked at this option and discounted it. When you do the sums properly, it's the worst of both worlds, really.A 7 year old 2.0 auto. Save a packet on depreciation. Engine new enough to be quite good on emissions and fuel.
Provided I keep a new (cheapish - about £18k) car for 10+ years, the annual depreciation is sensible. Clearly more than either Option A or C, but this is outweighed by the increased fuel and maintenance costs.
Starjet99 said:
M4cruiser said:
Definitely option C.
A 7 year old 2.0 auto. Save a packet on depreciation. Engine new enough to be quite good on emissions and fuel.
I looked at this option and discounted it. When you do the sums properly, it's the worst of both worlds, really.A 7 year old 2.0 auto. Save a packet on depreciation. Engine new enough to be quite good on emissions and fuel.
Provided I keep a new (cheapish - about £18k) car for 10+ years, the annual depreciation is sensible. Clearly more than either Option A or C, but this is outweighed by the increased fuel and maintenance costs.
Is it just a financial decision?
What happens if the old car needs work or stops working?
How flexible is your work and how disruptive would no wheels be? (Or would you use the XKR?)
I’m far more inclined to cars in the age bracket you’re talking about, but last year I ended my run of 10 year old commuters and bought a car just over 2 years old. I actually love it for what it is but I bought it to fulfil a function and convey my family safely and reliably, not for driving enjoyment (although it delivers that). But I’d had enough of weekend tinkering on not the toy car, unpredictable running costs and some problems not being properly resolved (and me not being prepared to continue to chase them).
So against my heart I’d go with the head on this one and say new (or preferably nearly new).
What happens if the old car needs work or stops working?
How flexible is your work and how disruptive would no wheels be? (Or would you use the XKR?)
I’m far more inclined to cars in the age bracket you’re talking about, but last year I ended my run of 10 year old commuters and bought a car just over 2 years old. I actually love it for what it is but I bought it to fulfil a function and convey my family safely and reliably, not for driving enjoyment (although it delivers that). But I’d had enough of weekend tinkering on not the toy car, unpredictable running costs and some problems not being properly resolved (and me not being prepared to continue to chase them).
So against my heart I’d go with the head on this one and say new (or preferably nearly new).
griffter said:
Is it just a financial decision?
What happens if the old car needs work or stops working?
How flexible is your work and how disruptive would no wheels be? (Or would you use the XKR?)
I’m far more inclined to cars in the age bracket you’re talking about, but last year I ended my run of 10 year old commuters and bought a car just over 2 years old. I actually love it for what it is but I bought it to fulfil a function and convey my family safely and reliably, not for driving enjoyment (although it delivers that). But I’d had enough of weekend tinkering on not the toy car, unpredictable running costs and some problems not being properly resolved (and me not being prepared to continue to chase them).
So against my heart I’d go with the head on this one and say new (or preferably nearly new).
I've made allowances for maintenance costs, and broadly speaking both options are similar (depreciation on a new car outweighed by the higher fuel and maintenance costs of an older car). Accepting of course some years maintenance and repair costs will be bigger than others! It is more of whether I'd prefer to sit in a new well-specced commuter car with modern convinces, such as LED headlights, adaptive cruise, Apple Car Play and so on, together with a 5-year warranty vs. something that is, in theory, a nicer steer but likely to go wrong more often at my own expense.What happens if the old car needs work or stops working?
How flexible is your work and how disruptive would no wheels be? (Or would you use the XKR?)
I’m far more inclined to cars in the age bracket you’re talking about, but last year I ended my run of 10 year old commuters and bought a car just over 2 years old. I actually love it for what it is but I bought it to fulfil a function and convey my family safely and reliably, not for driving enjoyment (although it delivers that). But I’d had enough of weekend tinkering on not the toy car, unpredictable running costs and some problems not being properly resolved (and me not being prepared to continue to chase them).
So against my heart I’d go with the head on this one and say new (or preferably nearly new).
I'm able to work from home - although much prefer to be in the office. I can use the XKR on occasion, but would prefer not to unless it was a last resort!
I think I'm leaning towards new.
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