Bye bye SL55 hello to a new way of car use

[DSLiverpool]

The SL went to the first guy who saw it, I'm a bit disappointed it didn't go to anyone here but it went via pistonheads so not too bad.

I can't get my dream car or even a semi dream car this year as I've invested in a lovely new website for the business instead so I have £15k +/- £x if I have to to fund a car for 2 years.

I've decided to slum it in a E500 cab (4 seats and convertible) and there are 3 on trader, only one at a MB dealer, one at a Bentley dealer and one at an indie.

I've called and asked how long £15k gets me in the car, an unusual approach but its exactly what I need to know, I'm not bothered if its £5k deposit and £10k over 2 years or the other way round but I am interested to see the answer and I have asked for an answer regardless of time in car.

Possibly they won't do it, maybe they will but I should find out soon - the SL goes on Friday.

 

[Peter DLM]

Ya, an E500 cab is an awful car to have to drive, I pity you immensely and hope you survive the ordeal without too much mental scarring. :bannana:

 

[DSLiverpool]

Actually this reads badly, "slum it in an E500" is tongue in cheek but I need 4 seats and its going to be my only car.

 

[Peter DLM]

I'd pick the Palladium Grey one with Distronic if you can get it for the same price/payment as the Blue one, else the Blue one it is

 

[DSLiverpool]

Sadly its a none starter a 2010 E500 cab at £34k is booked at £14k at 5 years old - its too big a gap to finance. Maybe consider a E350 and also looking at 640 / 650 BMW which will take 2 baby seats.

 

[wemorgan]

Am I missing the point by suggesting you buy a £15k car, take out a 2 year warranty, then sell the car after 2 years. You'll almost certainly have some equity in the car as well.

Or how about a 2 year lease deal? The sums are easy enough to work out what £15k gets you.

 

[A210AMG]

I'm confused.com also?

 

[developer]

As a slight aside - how did you get on with the Solomon plate?

 

[DSLiverpool]

Solomon plate best offer is £18k - I would prefer to keep it as I think it's worth more to the right Solomon so it will go on the next car.
-----
I've not mentioned buying a warranty ??? I thought I'd be prepared to throw £15k for the use of a car for at least 2 years, I thought in my untrained head a £35k used car could be "hired" like this, imagine a C63 costs new £19,500 to hire for 2 years on offer. However residuals for E500 cabs are so poor they want (inc interest) £25k to use it for 2 years when it's £35k before haggling to buy. Now this method will work on say an M3 cab of 2011 but I don't want one of them so it's back to options.
Imagine buying a car for £35k to lose over £20k in 2 years - terrible depreciation.

 

[wemorgan]

I mentioned the extended warranty as from previous threads you value peace of mind. So a car outside of OEM warranty but with an extended one would offer you that.

Obviously there are many ways of spending £15k over 2 years. Does it matter how it's done, whether it's new, nearly new or decidedly second-hand, as long as the £15k is capped?

Maybe I'm over simplifying it. But I'd decide on what car you want, E500 cab by the sounds of it, then it's a matter of of old the car has to be to match your budget.

 

[DSLiverpool]

I mentioned the extended warranty as from previous threads you value peace of mind. So a car outside of OEM warranty but with an extended one would offer you that.

Obviously there are many ways of spending £15k over 2 years. Does it matter how it's done, whether it's new, nearly new or decidedly second-hand, as long as the £15k is capped?

Maybe I'm over simplifying it. But I'd decide on what car you want, E500 cab by the sounds of it, then it's a matter of of old the car has to be to match your budget.

Yes your right but my man maths was out, the leasing company I use for our company cars can put me in a 250 diesel cab for 2 years for £16k so I equated a 3 year old e500 is doable but not so.

I'm having a rethink - cars hey.

 

[wemorgan]

If you're relatively flexible on what car you'll drive I'd call a broker and listen to what this month's special deals are.

BMW 640d cab is £597 +VAT (3+23), 10k/yr
BMW M3 cab £515

 

[BAZZER1]

Have a word with Gibby53 on here, he has a CLS500 for sale with apparently only 7,600 miles on the clock, its a 2006 model but with that mileage it must be nearly brand new.
Just a thought
BAZZER1

 

[DSLiverpool]

Have a word with Gibby53 on here, he has a CLS500 for sale with apparently only 7,600 miles on the clock, its a 2006 model but with that mileage it must be nearly brand new.
Just a thought
BAZZER1

Thanks but its not a 4seat convertible which is what I need.

One dealer has just called and I think they can do something I'm waiting on an email.

 

[bpsorrel]

Did I understand right, the 760 is going as well?

 

[DSLiverpool]

Did I understand right, the 760 is going as well?

Yes - I love that 760 but I simply don't use 2 cars, what prompted this was the SL was serviced last July and has done 500 miles since, it's a waste and the new owner collects on Friday.

The SL has cost £10k in depreciation over 2.4 years, the 760 I guess £5k in one year

Having the kids (twins of now 3.5 years) has changed my entire life which is obvious but more so than I guessed and a 4 seat cab covers so many bases

1, it's wafty like a 7
2, it's convertible like an SL
3, the kids and Missus can all come out with me al fresco

Add to this fixed costs of £15k for 2 years motoring (plus juice, insurance obviously) and it makes sense as a short term measure.

For info, I'm having a new DST site made entirely, the current one is bespoke and 7 years old but is visibly dated and inflexible. My new one in being coded in India on magento but managed in the UK, it will cost half the original site from 2006 and do more. If anyone wants info let me know but it's weeks away from going live so nothing to see.

 

[bpsorrel]

Yes, the cost of sites has dropped a lot! When I first started in web design in the late 90s I was charging (honestly!) 2 to 3 grand a time! Now, it's a fraction of that and the sites are better with more functionality! Progress eh!

Good luck with the new site!