Retiring need a car

[Sogra]

So just about to retire but have had a company car for the last 40 years (not the same one😂).

So the question is all of a sudden I am going to have to fend for myself so which car to get

Could buy new but unlikely that I need that or if honest want to spend that kind of money

Will use for local going to the shops kind of things and also for going on holidays to mostly France.

Realistically fuel consumption and repair bills need to be a consideration but also not ready to go really bland

I have a classic car so that covers some of the fun aspects

Did have a look at 2012 Jag XKR but really don’t know what I want

Had over 43 company cars to date as early in my career worked in dealers so car got changed every few weeks

Not sure where to start so any suggestions

[Doofus]

What company cars have you had over the past ten years, and what did you think of those?

[Sogra]

Doofus said:

What company cars have you had over the past ten years, and what did you think of those?

Jaguar Epace AWD petrol
BMW 520D M Sport
BMW 520
BMW 320D MSport
BMW 320 can’t remember models
Jaguar X Type 2.0D sport

All very functional were being comfortable for high miles and being restricted by a car list. Probably covers 12 years to give a better picture

Off these these the BMW 520s were probably the best although the E Pace has been decent

[Equus]

You want THIS ONE.

None of the other 453,343 cars currently for sale on AutoTrader will come anywhere close to meeting your needs.

[Sogra]

Equus said:

You want THIS ONE.

None of the other 453,343 cars currently for sale on AutoTrader will come anywhere close to meeting your needs.

Was so hoping that it was going to be a Maserati or similar

I think you have kind of nailed it. That is probably what I need but not what I would want. Am I really destined for no fun until I die.

[Nomme de Plum]

Sogra said:

Was so hoping that it was going to be a Maserati or similar

I think you have kind of nailed it. That is probably what I need but not what I would want. Am I really destined for no fun until I die.

Determine what you need it for a likely annual mileage and typical trip profile.

Remember you will be paying RFL, insurance and maintenance.

Don't buy new and do not be put off by a reasonably high mileage used car.

I'm retired and bought a Merc C class hybrid so £10 RFL . It was less than 2 years old but had over 50K miles. My annual mileage is now less than 3K so, haven't put much on it. It's been rock solid too. Now i no longer need an estate so it will be replaced very soon.

Evs are superb but are still a bit pricy even used. Very cheap top run though so worth a try.

Is there an option to get your company car on the cheap?

[OutInTheShed]

If you don't have a strong opinion of what you want, just buy something reasonable until something comes along which you like.

If you have to ask what to buy, you aren't inspired enough yet.

[Nomme de Plum]

OutInTheShed said:

If you don't have a strong opinion of what you want, just buy something reasonable until something comes along which you like.

If you have to ask what to buy, you aren't inspired enough yet.

For most people buying and selling used cars is a mugs game and an easy way to lose money.

Not everyone has a huge bank balance or pension so choosing wisely is essential. Head over heart every time.

[stevemcs]

What’s the budget

[Sogra]

Nomme de Plum said:

Determine what you need it for a likely annual mileage and typical trip profile.

Remember you will be paying RFL, insurance and maintenance.

Don't buy new and do not be put off by a reasonably high mileage used car.

I'm retired and bought a Merc C class hybrid so £10 RFL . It was less than 2 years old but had over 50K miles. My annual mileage is now less than 3K so, haven't put much on it. It's been rock solid too. Now i no longer need an estate so it will be replaced very soon.

Evs are superb but are still a bit pricy even used. Very cheap top run though so worth a try.

Is there an option to get your company car on the cheap?

You make a really good point re the mileage as a high miles car will be reasonable after I have had it a few years

Can buy the Comcast from the leasing company but don’t think they do us any favours

[Sogra]

stevemcs said:

What’s the budget

Probably keep under £20k but seriously considering selling my motorbike so possibly £24k

Anything more just seems like tying money up and until I fully have a handle on what not working looks like just want to be cautious

Work currently pay for the car, the phone, broadband, home phone, healthcare so I am not completely sure yet what I want in a number of fronts

[Sogra]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That was going to be my next company car 330e MSport, order is speced but have now decided it’s time to hang up my boots.

[Doofus]

Sogra said:

Off these these the BMW 520s were probably the best although the E Pace has been decent

Well there you are then.

[Nomme de Plum]

Sogra said:

You make a really good point re the mileage as a high miles car will be reasonable after I have had it a few years

Can buy the Comcast from the leasing company but don’t think they do us any favours

It also matters if you are a 1 or 2 car family. If it's a single car then it probably needs to be big enough for longer trips if you do them regularly. If not go small and hire for the odd long trip much as you might do when overseas.

The issue with larger cars of course is running cost, They are just a bit more expensive to run.


IMO booted cars are a bit of a pain and a hatchback is much more useful.

Edited by Nomme de Plum on Saturday 8th July 12:01

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say if you want a fun steer that's reliable without massive runniing costs I'd find it hard to look past the Kia Stinger 3.3TT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305137...

Sticking with the Jaguar theme the 3.0 V6 S is a great steer with sensible running costs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

Somewhere in the middle of those is the Alfa Giulia Veloce 280, they're reliable good on fuel & a nice place be as well as a good (the two above would still edge it for me) steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307039...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306279...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301123...

CLS400:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305177...

Audi S8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206146...

Leftfield, you'll have to do your checks (Vcheck) but this could be a great buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301283...

[Nomme de Plum]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say if you want a fun steer that's reliable without massive runniing costs I'd find it hard to look past the Kia Stinger 3.3TT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305137...

Sticking with the Jaguar theme the 3.0 V6 S is a great steer with sensible running costs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

Somewhere in the middle of those is the Alfa Giulia Veloce 280, they're reliable good on fuel & a nice place be as well as a good (the two above would still edge it for me) steer:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307039...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306279...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301123...

CLS400:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305177...

Audi S8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206146...

Leftfield, you'll have to do your checks (Vcheck) but this could be a great buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301283...

There seems to be little consideration of running cost and total cost of ownership and should something major go wrong the bill would be horrendous.

For many of us retired people theses things matter.

[Belle427]

Could you stretch to a nice V6 F Type?

[trevalvole]

One initial step to cut down the list could be to determine whether a diesel would be suitable for your pattern of use. Probably need to consider the length of your local journeys (to clear the DPF) and your overall mileage (to determine whether the extra complexity is worth the fuel savings), plus any ULEZ considerations.

[ZX10R NIN]

Nomme de Plum said:

There seems to be little consideration of running cost and total cost of ownership and should something major go wrong the bill would be horrendous.

For many of us retired people theses things matter.

Stinger & Alfa Giulia running cost are very sensible no worse than any modern 1.6-2.0T.

Even more so the Stinger as it'll still be in warranty & you can buy a service plan for it, so total cost of ownership can properly be factored in.

Also those small engined cars aren't massively cheaper to repair if something major goes wrong.

It also depends on the individual's retirement income.

[biggbn]

Pick something with a Lexus badge of you're buying with your own money. I know I'm somewhat of a broken record with these suggestions, but it's a no brainer. An RC coupe, a GS, an IS, lots to choose from