Older premium car or newer car with lower running costs?

Hello, which do you think is best - to buy a new car around €21,000 or €22,000 with low tax or five-year old Lexus IS petrol or BMW 3 Series petrol for around €14,000 - €15,000 with high tax?

In other words is it better to drive a high quality car that has already suffered most of its depreciation, but has high running costs over a new car with low tax and low running costs, but maybe higher depreciation?

 

Jerome O'Connor (Wicklow)

Feb 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Jerome,

I have been on the wrong side of buying 'cheap' premium cars and thinking that I was very clever and to be honest it isn't that clever at all. Once things start to go wrong with some of the German models they can end up costing you an arm and a leg. That might not necessarily be the case with the Lexus IS, which, despite all the bad press the company has had of late, are incredibly reliable. 

However, if you are at all worried about running costs then there is a lot to be said for buying something new, say like an Opel Astra and getting three years of free servicing.

Come back to us if you need some help choosing.

Complete Car Adviser