In the current economic climate, it doesn’t make sense to over extend your finances on new cars and they could even set the wrong tone with customers. But impressions count and cars have an impact on staff morale, so you need to choose used cars wisely for your business. Here are Used Car Expert’s top picks:
Why buy?
We have looked at year 2007 cars because they are a year off M.O.T., will still look and feel new, but the worst of the depreciation has been paid for by the previous owner.
Saab 9-3
The Saab is a premium brand with amazingly comfortable seats; ideal if you or your staff spend a lot of time out visiting clients. Equipment levels are high on Saabs, with leather, sat nav and air con found in most models. These things matter to staff.
Audi A4
The brilliant Tdi engine is both enjoyable to drive and very thrifty. Most of the Audi’s are expensive, but ex-fleet models, with slightly high mileage are good deals.
Mercedes C-Class
No car will reflect success and quality on your business quite like a Mercedes. The new-shape C-Class looks like an E-Class but for a lot less money.
Jaguar X-Type
If you think a premium German brand may not reflect your company image, then buy British. The petrol X-Types are not in the league as the other three for driver experience, but they are seriously cheap and better than a standard Vectra or Mondeo.
Which one should I choose?
Based purely on depreciation, these are the cheapest specification of each model in question right now:
|
Year
|
Make
|
Model
|
Spec
|
Depreciation %*
|
|
2007
|
Saab
|
9--3
|
t Aero
|
46
|
|
2007
|
Audi
|
A4
|
TDi
|
36
|
|
2007
|
Mercedes
|
C-Class
|
C320 CDI Elegance
|
35
|
|
2007
|
Jaguar
|
X-Type
|
V6 Sovereign
|
32
|
* Last 12 months
What sort of price should I pay?
If you are going to bargain with a dealer, these are Used Car Expert’s target prices:
|
Year
|
Make
|
Model
|
Spec
|
£
|
|
2007
|
Saab
|
9--3
|
2.8 t Aero
|
14,600
|
|
2007
|
Audi
|
A4
|
2.7 TDi
|
15,000
|
|
2007
|
Mercedes
|
C-Class
|
C320 CDI Elegance
|
15,500
|
|
2007
|
Jaguar
|
X-Type
|
3.0 V6 Sovereign
|
17,500
|
Our choice
Executive cars are not the cheapest on fuel, but the Saab is particularly thirsty. The Jag isn’t cheap enough for what it is. The Mercedes is slightly more money than the Mercedes and only does 38 to the Mercedes’ 40 MPG, so as it’s the company chequebook that we are using, it has to be the Audi.
.jpg)
For more used car buying advice, prices and depreciation news, fault checks and more, visit www.UsedCarExpert.co.uk