Recent models age well ?

[Whitey]

Guys

Father has been looking at new cars - initially Audi/BMW/Volvo

We have looked at and dismissed value for money cars like Kia/Toyota/Hyundai/usual suspects - as this car will be a 'treat' rather than necessity.

Ford didn't even cross his radar !

Today had a look at the new SEAT Leon and was quite impressed.

Anyhow, back to the question in mind.

How do people think a new SEAT will compare to say a 3 year old Mercedes C class in 10 years time (the car will see him into retirement).

I have a feeling that although initially nice, a Hyundai would suffer plastic leprosy both inside and out ?

Or should he do the sensible thing and get a Golf ?!

Budget between £10-20k

Cheers

Chris

 

[SilverSaloon]

10 year old SEAT = old banger?
13 year old Mercedes = classy, older vehicle.

 

[Whitey]

Trying my best to keep him away from diesel as well as he'll not be doing half as many miles - persuading him to get a C63 didn't get very far !

 

[vealige]

The new leon is a nice car but I would prefer a golf over one really depends what model you are after because most poverty spec models whether its a mercedes or Toyota are crap, then it depends what you want from a car as well comfort, fun, economy, space etc... choice is endless really.

 

[edstrom76]

I'm heavily biased but I reckon the current (FL) C-class will age very well. The fact that they are solidly built cars helps long term ownership too. If he is after a car that's meant to tide him over for 10+ years, I would definitely be looking at a 1-2 year old Merc C-class over a brand new Seat - there's just no competition. There's plenty of FL petrols in budget (£15-20k) on AT etc.

 

[Oli]

I was very impressed with my C320 CDI that was 3 years old but one would still be in budget for you, would get a decent 350 now I would think.

 

[Whitey]

C350 Elegance ?

 

[SamW]

If its a 'treat' it must be a German in some way, MB or BMW.

The VAG family are all boring IMO and I wouldn't feel happy getting an Audi, which is fundamentally a 'posh' Seat/Skoda/VW.

I think he's doing a wrongun not considering Ford, they make fantastic cars and are worlds apart from the Korean new kids. Plus they have tonnes more charisma than any Volvo.

Just my opinion

 

[Whitey]

^ in the same way, you wouldn't treat yourself to a new Ford ?

 

[wemorgan]

I like how the Alfa Romeo Giulietta looks, or maybe a Citroen DS4.

I suspect that the Golf would be the better car, but it looks very bland and would not be my choice for a 'treat' car.

 

[SamW]

A new Ford with all the gadgets and toys, new exciting engines, and a healthy amount of style, then yes, I would call it a treat.

You could say the same about any of the marques you initially mentioned but I thought it would be worth highlighting than its not a bad idea to consider the manufacturer as popular as Ford, especially when consider (IMO) lesser brands such as Seat or the Koreans.

 

[Whitey]

So if we forget the term 'treat' as any change of car is a treat, what about the 'in ten years time' thing ?

Current Focus ST vs C350 (for aguments sake) ? The Mondeo is getting E class size now ?

Chris

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Will a 13 year old Mercedes be rusty?

I think Audis age very well, take the A4 introduced in 2001, still a crisp looking design today.

Golf is the very safe bet, tremendous car that is classless and always smart, whatever the age if looked after.

 

[wemorgan]

If we're talking bread and butter type cars then I think the Civic is hard to beat.
Proven reliability.
Renowned VTEC petrol engines.
Clever design.
Affordable.

 

[W2--]

Well if you look at Ford/Toyota etc, they look a little depressed after 5 years let alone 10 years.

A Mercedes/BMW will still look and feel decent after 10 years.

 

[Charles Morgan]

As a regular buyer of 10 year old plus cars I will always go for the minimum amount of gadgetry as it is that that will go wrong. I can't see myself buying any of the current BMW or Mercedes range 10 years on.

Mind you I wouldn't get a Seat / VW / etc either. It would most likely be a Honda or a Toyota.

 

[HB]

Buy a Golf mark 7. Recent Mercs can only dream of its build quality. We have 12 Mercs within our immediate family and our Golfs laugh at them.

 

[John Jones Jr]

car will be a 'treat' rather than necessity.


Budget between £10-20k

Cheers

Chris

The world is his oyster to a certain degree, well on choice anyway. But, for a ten year period the easy answer is get something new and under 2.0lt. My vote off the top of my head would be something like the new Honda Civic @17k. Yeah, yeah I know

Having said all that a 'treat' to me would be big engined & petrol! A used C350 might be just the ticket?

 

[bolide]

Ironic that his "treat" will start off by funding huge amounts of depreciation in the first year if he buys a new car...

Why do people plan to buy cars to last ten years? Is it a sensible approach? Wouldn't he better off buying a three-year-old Golf now and the same again in five years time?

Or why not buy something like a convertible with a folding steel roof and get the best of both worlds? the Mazda MX-5 and BMW 3-Series spring to mind

I think buying a new car now in the expectation of his circumstances not changing in ten years, and the car being viable for that period, is unwise

Nick Froome

 

[Oli]

I like how the Alfa Romeo Giulietta looks, or maybe a Citroen DS4.

I suspect that the Golf would be the better car, but it looks very bland and would not be my choice for a 'treat' car.

It's probably a bit small compared to the other cars mentioned but I really like the DS3.