From a kid's perspective, for all the vehicles I've owned (two motorbikes, a van and the current Mercedes), my dad lent me the money (still owe money on the Merc).
However, the van and the car are used as business tools and not primarily used as much for social and pleasure purposes, as most first cars (/van!). The motorbikes were though!
(although did a few months couriering on the second one though).
When I first started looking at a car for private hire use, I was thinking of getting a new BMW 525iSE
, as about a year or so ago, there were some imported from Thailand with £15,000 off list price.
Dad knows best though, and told me to buy a second-hand Merc - has that more luxury image. The W211 has that more elegant and luxury look, rather than the aggressive, tank-looking 5-series (that was his opinion).
The 320CDi engine was also his idea, I was going to go for the 220CDi because of the lower running costs. He gave his reasons, I'll be driving it all day every day, sometimes with a full load of people and their luggage up and down motorways, did I really want to be in a 2.2-litre diesel? The 3.2 will also be less stressed and makes a better value second-hand buy.
It would have been nice to be in a brand new car (BMW!
) but when being driven in the Mercedes for the first time by the dealer with 140k on the clock, it didn't feel like it at all. Turned over 190k yesterday and still feels as fresh and tight when I bought it.
So..my dad lent me the money, but the car is used for business (not for showing off to my mates!), although I do say it's my first car I've owned!
Generous parents!
