£20 to £30k car.. 5 years old.. least depreciation?

[aruck]

Going to be looking for a new car in the new year so started daydreaming already!... maximum 5 years old (company rules)... Budget of between £20k and £30k... just wondering what people think is the wisest place to spend the money? Which cars are depreciating the least?

At present Im fancying a 2007 335 M Sport Coupe or a 2005 Carrera 2. I notice that once the mileage gets up on the Beemer the price can drop as much as £7k which is alarming! I assume the Porsche should hold its value quite well? I am a bit concerned about how much it might cost to service/maintain however as being circa £30k outlay that would be a stretch for me.

Any advice? Suggestions?

Cheers,
Adrian

[Doofus]

Surely if you get a 2005 911, you'll have to sell it almost immediately, because it'll be over five years old...

[aruck]

Doofus said:

Surely if you get a 2005 911, you'll have to sell it almost immediately, because it'll be over five years old...

I should be able to get away with it as long as it has been regularly serviced. Strange rules I know!

Edited by aruck on Tuesday 5th October 08:06

[rsv gone!]

When were the last of the CSLs made? Probably the safest place for the money.

[Dr Jekyll]

Doofus said:

Surely if you get a 2005 911, you'll have to sell it almost immediately, because it'll be over five years old...

Interesting point though. Would it be cheaper to buy a brand new car every 5 years, a 1 year old every 4 years, or maybe a 3 year old car every 2 years?

[excel monkey]

What kind of annual mileage will you be doing?

Do you need usable back seats?

[braddo]

Lotus Elise/Exige will be amongst the slowest depreciators.

[aruck]

excel monkey said:

What kind of annual mileage will you be doing?

Do you need usable back seats?

At present I would imagine circa 15k miles as a minimum. I did 21k last year.

Back seats are preferable.

[kambites]

The car that depreciates least will generally be the one that's cheapest in the first place, since even the difference between the best and worst cars isn't huge. So if you're worried about depreciation, I'd just buy a cheaper car and use the rest of the money for something else.

[Mermaid]

rsv gone! said:

When were the last of the CSLs made? Probably the safest place for the money.

All made in 2003, but some registered in 2004. Not really suitable for the kind of annual mileage the OP has in mind.

An Audi RS4 from 2007 with 30k miles would be in his budget.

[Mermaid]

Mermaid said:

An Audi RS4 from 2007 with 30k miles would be in his budget.

something like this, though this is 2006 & 36k miles but with a warranty.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1959796.htm

[aruck]

Mermaid said:

An Audi RS4 from 2007 with 30k miles would be in his budget.

Hadn't thought about that. Did ponder an S5. Only issue with either is the circa 20mpg stated which will no doubt mean circa 15mpg in reality!

[harryowl]

tvr t350?

[ManOpener]

aruck said:

Mermaid said:

An Audi RS4 from 2007 with 30k miles would be in his budget.

Hadn't thought about that. Did ponder an S5. Only issue with either is the circa 20mpg stated which will no doubt mean circa 15mpg in reality!

According to an owner on here, nearly 30mpg is possible on the m-way.

[Simon Bags]

Mermaid said:

rsv gone! said:

When were the last of the CSLs made? Probably the safest place for the money.

All made in 2003, but some registered in 2004. Not really suitable for the kind of annual mileage the OP has in mind.

An Audi RS4 from 2007 with 30k miles would be in his budget.

Do some research on the RS4, fabulous car but has some major issues.

[Mermaid]

aruck said:

Did ponder an S5.

That's a good place to be doing 15k+ miles per annum with quattro etc. A Diesel version probably better for the high mileage.

[aruck]

Simon Bags said:

Do some research on the RS4, fabulous car but has some major issues.

I imagine maintenance and servicing costs being a major one of them!

[aruck]

Mermaid said:

A Diesel version probably better for the high mileage.

Don't think I can bring myself to get a diesel! ;0)

[Simon Bags]

aruck said:

Simon Bags said:

Do some research on the RS4, fabulous car but has some major issues.

I imagine maintenance and servicing costs being a major one of them!

Plus major failing of the DRC system, on all of them. Audi will honour the repair but only up to 5 years old or 75K miles. After that, £1600.00 per time to repair, you're on your own.

[aruck]

RS4 is out then!