The new tax bands mean buying a big new car is a bad idea. The ever-increasing fuel costs, at first thought, seem to compound the problem. But what all this means is that big cars are becoming unpopular, so once they leave the main dealer network, mostly at 3 years and older, they start to become cheap fast.
Older, premium brand vehicles that have tens of thousands of miles and years of life left in them are yours for the taking. Check out these three:
Volkswagen Phaeton
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VW luxury can be a bit tame in comparison to the indulgent interior of the BMW or Lexus. This is however a high quality saloon that can doesn't draw unwanted attention to its owner and will leave you feeling fresh at the end of a long journey.
Best used buy: 3.2 P is the only practical choice.
Used Car Expert price guide: £48,000+ when new, a 50,000 mile, 5 year old version is yours for just £15,000.
Mercedes CLK
A comfortable and stylish coupe or cabriolet. One of the most head turning cars you can buy on the used market, plus its built to do hundreds of thousands of miles.
Best used buy: 3.2 P.
Used Car Expert price guide: £30,000+ when new, a 40,000 mile, 5 year old version is yours for £15,000.
Honda Legend
A luxury saloon that thinks it is a sports car - handling that puts other luxury cars to shame. Only a small seller, yet very soft prices. It just keeps getting better...
Best used buy: 3.5 P.
Used Car Expert price guide: £35,000 when new, a 30,000 miles, 4 year old version is yours for £15,000.