There are certain industries where just providing your staff with a car isn’t really enough. Construction and property development for example, means travelling not just up and down the motorway but also driving around building sites, in all weathers.
Farmers and associated industries can have similar needs, although its unmade tracks rather than building sites that they need to deal with. Security firms may not need to go off road that often, but often need powerful, commanding machines with good visibility of the road.
Let’s face it, we all like our creature comforts too. So this month we are looking at large 4x4s.
Why buy?
Large 4x4s are effectively luxury cars with sophisticated suspensions and small tractor wheels. This means they are immensely expensive new. However, Used Car Expert’s unique average mileage figures show an interesting opportunity for the used business buyer. For the first three years of life, these premium ‘Jeeps’ are bought by the wealthy private buyer and used for low mileage. They also happen to be very well maintained in most cases. The, around M.O.T. time, they are cast aside for the newer, better model. Which is when we shall pounce, and like all the other buyers of these cars at 2-3 years old, really start to pile the miles on as we get some work done in them.
Land Rover Discovery
One of the most handsome 4x4s, which routinely seats seven in a well finished cabin. The best off road capability obviously but also very relaxing on motorway cruises. It’s not cheap new though.
Audi Q7
Not just for posing, this is a proper off-roader and a huge one at that. A clever seven seater that is expensive to buy and run. Petrol V8s are least sought after; diesels most wanted. Interior space is surprisingly small because of the flat floor that hides the 4x4 drivetrain.
BMW X5
The first of the sports 4 x4s and probably still the best. Very practical and very refined; a sort of high rise 5 series. V8 petrol models falling rapidly in value and worth buying because mpg is not that different.
Hyundai Sante Fe
A capable 4x4 and MPV alternative in 7-seat format. Luxury, reliability and now good looks. All at great prices. It’s just a question of whether you can live with the brand.
Which one should I choose?
Land Rover Discovery
There isn’t really a choice here. There are hardly any of the Discovery’s big petrol units on the market. It’s all about the 2.7 diesel. The HSE is the spec to have.
Audi Q7
MPG is pretty poor on both engines compared to the others here. The 4.2 petrol delivers 21and the 3.0 diesel gives just 27. The petrols sold so few new that depreciation stays small, so diesel is the only way to go: cheaper to buy and run.
BMW X5
The 3.0 litre engines come in petrol and diesel and are just 8 mpg apart at 22 and 30 mpg respectively. But the petrol is much cheaper to buy. However, the 4.4 litre petrol is even cheaper and delivers rich and smooth power for the loss of just another 2 mpg. You can really take your pick with the BMW.
Hyundai Sante Fe
If you do low mileage, take the 2.7 litre petrol engines, because they are so much cheaper than the 2.2 diesels. But with a 10 mpg difference, do your sums first, because it won’t take that long on the Motorway for the diesel to pay for itself.
What sort of price should I pay?
Flicking through the 4x4 pages of the Used Car Expert magazine, looking just at the depreciation and average mileage figures, there is a clear pattern for most of them. These cars all show admirably small depreciation and low mileage for the first couple of years, because there are not that many on the market.
But then the cars registered in either 2007 or 2006 suddenly enter the market with a double-digit chunk of depreciation and a step up in mileage. Taking all the factors into account here are the top picks and recommended prices:
|
Make & Model
(2006 year cars)
|
Fair price
(2006)
|
Depreciation
(and mileage)
2006
|
Depreciation
(and mileage)
2007
|
|
Land Rover Discovery 2.7 HSE
|
£23,042
|
15% (31,960)
|
6% (12, 600)
|
|
Audi Q7 3.0 TDi SE
|
£28,162
|
11% (33,880)
|
9% (23,813)
|
|
BMW X5 3.0 SE
|
£24,016
|
20% (33,598)
|
14% (20,743)
|
|
Hyundai Sante Fe VGT GSI
|
£11,828
|
13% (16,573)
|
11% (12,618)
|
Our choice
While the Audi looks good, it’s just too expensive for what it can do.
For a fledgling business, the 5 year warranty and price make the stylish-looking Hyundai a sensible choice.
But when the time comes to grow, the brand image won’t help your business get to the next level, so its got to be the Land Rover Discovery. It is the most consummate performer off road and of the premium brands, its the best value on the used market.
The BMW X5 is your alternative pick if on road performance is slightly more important.
For more used car buying advice, prices and depreciation news, fault checks and more, visit www.UsedCarExpert.co.uk