New car time

[Troll]

I've got the exact model of Jag you're looking at on a 14 plate. Pleasure to drive, plenty of functionality. Not as much fun as my Porsche was but a more complete car to drive. Had a 12 plate C class and that was nice too, but surely an E220 is a better comparison to the 5 series and XF? C class is XE and 320d competition. Test drove an E class and wish I'd got it instead of the C class with hindsight.

I went from a C class to an E class coupe and there is a bit more space, losing the B pillar is whoopy doop but other than that it's all a bit sameish


Don't really think you missed out that much on getting the C - all cars today are a tad bland
HTH

[sasguru]

Buying a low mileage one-year old from an approved used scheme manufacturer is probably a good compromise from a depreciating asset point of view. A 30K car will be about 20K after a year, so you don't get the big depreciation hit but still get 2 years warranty and the car will still be worth 10-15K after about 2 years, depending on the brand.

Although I didn't do that last time round, my do it next time.

[LondonManc]

I went from a C class to an E class coupe and there is a bit more space, losing the B pillar is whoopy doop but other than that it's all a bit sameish


Don't really think you missed out that much on getting the C - all cars today are a tad bland
HTH

The boot space was the big difference for me, especially when the back seats don't fold down. Might split my cash next time; Mondeo workhorse and fun sportscar rather than trying to find something that does both.

[Troll]

The boot space was the big difference for me, especially when the back seats don't fold down. Might split my cash next time; Mondeo workhorse and fun sportscar rather than trying to find something that does both.

Can't fault the boot space in either - amount of stuff we get in for the roads trips to Spain is staggering ,but I don't need to tote ski's or any thing else long as I would use my 4x4 for that - so spilt seat is a non issue

[darmstadt]

Mercedes Benz shareholders Wurst buffet bust-up mars Daimler AGM | Business | The Guardian

[AtW]

Problem is with renting is that you've never got an asset. You're paying the same each month (when you consider the deposit) and having a new car rather than buying a one-year-old car on HP and having a £10-15k asset four years down the line.

Also commercial rates of lending are much higher than mortgages, so "renting" a luxury car is crazy - buying outright available in all price ranges, find what you like and prepared to drive for 5-7 years and you'll be quids in.

[AtW]

Hardly sees a Merc, sees a few BMWs a day. Not sure what the longer term relative numbers are. You go on the aggressive though, always good to watch people blustering on assumptions, a bit like that chap in your avatar.

I had to fix a lot of things in my SL55, even though it was 5 year old, but still too many things over 18 months period, now it drives fine ...

[northernladuk]

The boot space was the big difference for me, especially when the back seats don't fold down. Might split my cash next time; Mondeo workhorse and fun sportscar rather than trying to find something that does both.

That's what I do. Cheap family hatch workhorse and two seater convertible for fun. Doesn't cost all that much more really but having the fun car more than makes up for it.

[WTFH]

That's what I do. Cheap family hatch workhorse and two seater convertible for fun. Doesn't cost all that much more really but having the fun car more than makes up for it.

If I had more parking that's what I'd do, car for the Wife (tm), work car for me, and a 4C for me and my dog.

[northernladuk]

If I had more parking that's what I'd do, car for the Wife (tm), work car for me, and a 4C for me and my dog.

The wife seems to be the weak link here IMO.