Why are people so plate/age obsessed?
- Thread starter Justintime
- Start date
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
You are in for a nasty shock if you think you will get back what you paid in 2 years time! All the offer is doing is eroding the residuals...
Associate
Well, I'm well a truly in the "old car" camp. I don't see any issue with people buying new cars either though.
A few of my work mates are running under 3 year old cars on lease schemes and are more than happy.
I like to work on my own cars and tend to end up buying something as a wreck and spending 12 months totally rebuilding it. Not always the most cost effective solution but I end with something I know inside out that should last a good few years.
It also gives me the opportunity to run cars that I wouldn't be able to afford from new.
I realise this doesn't apply to the majority though! Am also looking at a private plate for my current project too, so I'm not sure what that says
A few of my work mates are running under 3 year old cars on lease schemes and are more than happy.
I like to work on my own cars and tend to end up buying something as a wreck and spending 12 months totally rebuilding it. Not always the most cost effective solution but I end with something I know inside out that should last a good few years.
It also gives me the opportunity to run cars that I wouldn't be able to afford from new.
I realise this doesn't apply to the majority though! Am also looking at a private plate for my current project too, so I'm not sure what that says
[TW]Fox;18696393 said:
Right now, to buy an 18-24 month old car costs almost the same as buying a brand new one - we're talking about 1k difference at most.
At the end of March the VAT Free offer finishes - adding approx. 20% to the cost of these cars new.
Allowing for a 20% depreciation over the first 18-24 months why do you feel that my car won't be worth more or less what I've paid for it?
It's moot anyway - as I plan on keeping this new car 4-5 years.
But lets say the car was to cost me £20k, after 31st March the same car would cost £24k.
So allowing a 4k drop in value in say 12-18 months time should mean my car is still worth what I paid for it.
[TW]Fox;18696393 said:
So if his new car now costs the same as an 18 month old model does are you really saying that he would be better off buying an old one? Which will be worth more in two years? Poor residuals or no poor residuals, it'll still be worth more than an older car.
Hiding the age of the car is the same thing though. The purpose is to cover up the fact the car is old. In reality no one looks at a 335i and thinks 'cracking car' and, having then seen the 56 reg, changes their opinion to thinking it's crap.
Going out and spending huge figures on silly 3 character plates however is the very definition of pretentiousness. Actually I think ostentatiousness is the word I'm looking for.
My butler sorts the starting bit.
Soldato
This really. Before I seriously started looking at budget in my current car search, I had a look at new and 1 year old Octy and Yeti prices. You would be mad to buy either used now. I know that Yetis come with few months wait but brand new (you would be 1st registered owner) prices at drivethedeal.co.uk have been £1k+ cheaper than the cheapest used Yetis I've seen.
Not quite as drastic for the Octavia but there's still a waiting list.
Edit: Anyway it's takes a lot of maintenance spend per year on an old car before it hits the amount you would normally see on depreciation for a new one.
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Well shes trading in for a Fiesta 1.4 Auto titanium trim i think, better choice imo.
Soldato
Nippy & comfy car over a new crap shopping cart any day. As good as some supermini's like a fiesta are, they are still nowhere near as comfy as a larger car and I don't like flooring constantly to get up to speed.
Soldato
Yes, that's the OP's point. He's talking about his mum, and the general public, not someone who posts on a motors forum.
Caporegime
totally true.
Most non car people automatically associate newer with better.
Just as in the same way that a nice shiny new energy efficient fridge freezer is better than a possibly slightly grubby and non efficient 4 year old one.
Because buying a car is just like buying a fridge isn't it ? you want a car, you go down to VW dealer, find something you can afford, and buy it. Simples ...
Seriously the reaction of my sister in law when my brother in law took a few weeks to find a 2nd hand car was hilarious. She honestly could not understand why he didnt just buy the first car he saw that he could afford. She went mental at him and had a proper domestic. No ammount of talking from me, her sister or her dad could persuade her otherwise. Some people just don't understand cars and never will. Its like trying to teach old people to use chip and pin. Some will get it, others will just point blank refuse and close their mind to it adamant that " its too modern" and "i can't understand it" etc..
Soldato
THIS, althoug that engine is only available in the Polo GTI.
I have a 1.2 SE Polo, it is woefully underpowered but has a sweet interior and good MPG. So it gets the job done whilst I save up for something abit more powerful.
Caporegime
the 1.4 TSI with DSG is the same in the Skoda VRS and Polo GTI
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Skoda-Fabia-1.4-TSI-180-vRS/249751/
Soldato
I know that is available in other cars but I was talking about the Polo specifically.
No need to try and try and prove me wrong
Caporegime
I was more wondering what you knew that i didnt
Soldato
I hired a 1.4 new-shape Polo whilst on holiday and I must admit I was very impressed with it.
I haven't driven any other latest-generation small hatchbacks but I would hazard a guess at the Polo being difficult to beat?
I haven't driven any other latest-generation small hatchbacks but I would hazard a guess at the Polo being difficult to beat?
Firstly, cars do not depreciate 20% in 18-24 months. Nothing even remotely close to that. Try 40%.
Secondly, right now isn't in 18-24 months time. Massive incentives on new cars affect future values, as does supply and demand. You will get somewhat of a boost as the offer was temporary, but to expect a car will only depreciation by 20% over 18-24 months, I don't believe, is going to happen.
I'd like to revisit this in 16 months. I have set a reminder on my calendar
EDIT: Also, curiously, what was your RRP cost including the 20% discount but excluding optional extras?
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