New car vs used car

IrishAlice

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice.

I'm interested in changing my car and I am interested in two in particular - Mercedes Benz A Class or the Renault Captur.

A second hand A Class will cost me around the same as a brand new Captur so I'm trying to figure out which is the better option - a second hand high end brand like Mercedes or a brand new regular brand like Renault.

I know secondhand cars are dependent on condition but I'm wondering if an older one in great condition would be a better buy than a brand new Renault.

Idbatterim

you likely save quite a bit if you imported from the uk...

bazz26

Renault Captur is going to be replaced by a brand new model very soon.

ednwireland

merc - high end hmmmmm depends which one they use the renault diesel engine now.

A second hand merc could prove costly for repairs etc, at least with a new car you would have a fairly decent warranty (I assume), plus if bazz26 is right about the replacement, then you might get a better deal on a new (older) model.

Philb76

Saw the brand new clio in Dublin the other day looked really well is that an option had a captur as a Rental car on holiday this year and liked it had the turbo petrol engine and went quite well

shamrock55

OmegaGene wrote: »

ive spent nothing extra having a merc in the past 2 years over other brands over the years
smaller engines are renault as far as i know and my mechanic said to avoid them at all costs

Those 1.5 dci engines are in nissans too and are excellent engines by all accounts

IrishZeus

I bought a new 171 Superb Combi Style.

18 months later I changed to a 141 BMW 520d.

It was a world of difference and couldn’t be happier. Personally I’d never compromise again just to buy new - I’d find a clean and well-maintained 3-4 year old car that ticks all the boxes and has most of its depreciation paid for by someone else.

CoBo55

Ninth post we got the BMW.. slow for boards, EV next...

IrishAlice

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies, re. the Mercedes it's either the A180 or A200 that I'd be interested in. Are they the ones that have renault engines? I never knew that.

I had heard from one dealership that the new Captur is coming out in April alright. I quite like the current model so would be happy enough with a 2019 model if I go that route. I presume if I waited until the new model comes out that there would be some saving on an old model?

shamrock55

IrishAlice wrote: »

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies, re. the Mercedes it's either the A180 or A200 that I'd be interested in. Are they the ones that have renault engines? I never knew that.

I had heard from one dealership that the new Captur is coming out in April alright. I quite like the current model so would be happy enough with a 2019 model if I go that route. I presume if I waited until the new model comes out that there would be some saving on an old model?

As far as I know those mercs have the same engine that's in the capture, I'd imagine you'd save a handy bit on the current capture once the new model is out, you'd be hoping so anyway

CoBo55

I'd go new myself.

Water2626262

The new might have better features (I.e. android or Apple play) than an older premium brand and there is piece of mind with the warranty because the merc could be a lemon. Depreciation on the Renault will be fierce though. Something like at least 30% of their annual regs are demos, pre regs, and hire drives. If the dealers can’t shift them you’ll struggle privately and trade in values will be very poor.

I drove a Captur for a few days and didn’t enjoy it. Felt very functional and no fun.

Boardnashea

Second hand all the way

grogi

IrishAlice wrote: »

I'm interested in changing my car and I am interested in two in particular - Mercedes Benz A Class or the Renault Captur.

A second hand A Class will cost me around the same as a brand new Captur so I'm trying to figure out which is the better option - a second hand high end brand like Mercedes or a brand new regular brand like Renault.

I know secondhand cars are dependent on condition but I'm wondering if an older one in great condition would be a better buy than a brand new Renault.

Mercedes A-Klasse is not a high end car. It is equally as good or bad as a Golf, but being MB will cost premium in maintenance...

On the other hand, buying a new car has huge emotional disadvantages. Firstly, you pull hair about new scuff marks. Every new mark on a new car hurts. But most importantly - what happens if you don't like it? There are hundreds of things you will not catch during a test drive, but might annoy the hell out of you. But you'll not sell it because it would be financially to unjustified, while with a used car you can move on without much loss. That's comfort.

I did own an equal amount of used and new cars - and it was always the used ones that did bring me more joy and happiness.

kirving

IrishAlice wrote: »

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies, re. the Mercedes it's either the A180 or A200 that I'd be interested in. Are they the ones that have renault engines? I never knew that.

I had heard from one dealership that the new Captur is coming out in April alright. I quite like the current model so would be happy enough with a 2019 model if I go that route. I presume if I waited until the new model comes out that there would be some saving on an old model?

It's not a problem that they share an engine per se. Developing an engine from scratch costs hundreds of millions of euro. Often, the only cost effective way for this cost to be recouped is for the design to be shared across manufacturers.

Mercedes don't manufacture enough cars with 1.5 diesel engines to warrant designing their own, and have a long standing partnership with Renault-Nissan to share development of certain things.

Modern cars share literally hundreds of part between brand - and that's great. When you can offset the R&D costs over more cars, they're cheaper and more reliable.

If you buy a petrol A-Class, or go to the 1.8 diesel, it will be a Mercedes engine (not that that's any guarantee of reliability either). Don't buy a diesel however unless you do the mileage, and journey types that suit it.

The A-Class was far more popular in the UK, and it would be very well worth your while looking there. It's *very* easy to import a car.

grogi wrote: »

Mercedes A-Klasse is not a high end car. It is equally as good or bad as a Golf, but being MB will cost premium in maintenance...

Not really, my last E-Class basic service cost €10 more than a Golf, and to be fair to the dealer they didn't add a euro extra over the fixed price cost.

But I fully agree with the rest of you post. If you don't like a new car, or have to change because you got a dog, or kids, or took up surfing, then a second hand car allows you so much more freedom and peace of mind.

voluntary

IrishAlice wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice.

I'm interested in changing my car and I am interested in two in particular - Mercedes Benz A Class or the Renault Captur.

A second hand A Class will cost me around the same as a brand new Captur so I'm trying to figure out which is the better option - a second hand high end brand like Mercedes or a brand new regular brand like Renault.

I know secondhand cars are dependent on condition but I'm wondering if an older one in great condition would be a better buy than a brand new Renault.

A class depreciate really nicely. They look good so they keep value. You lose very little in 3 years time going a second hand. With Renault there's a different story. With A class consider that you pay a premium for the look/brand. With second hand you get way more value for the buck with a Golf than A-class so it really depends what you're looking for.

2011abc

Anyone got the ‘best answer’ to the wisest time to buy conundrum eg buy at 18 months old sell at 3 or 4 years old ? Buy at 2 sell at 4 etc ?( And the perennial Irish favourite -Buy new ‘run it into the ground ‘

Mooooo

Depends on each person. Last 3 cars here were changed because they stopped up, have a 13 year old Passat now. Paid off a while but repair costs slightly higher. Keeping any car for 3 or 4 years will have depreciation costs but cost to change will obviously be lower than the car kept for 10 years. If doing a lot of mileage maintenance costs become more of a factor so perhaps from new is the safer bet but if lower mileage more bang for your buck would be buying used.
Have often wondered via man maths buying a used luxury car 5 years old and keeping long term as do low mileage, i.e. a 6 series etc, but talk myself out of it as could get a new or near new regular car for the price or else money ends up being used/ needed elsewhere and end up saying cop yourself on on both fronts! At least carzone allows you to window shop without annoying anyone

Heres Johnny

Yeah used for me all the way. The cars I like are too expensive new to justify it and they lose their value so quickly. My uncle is a multi millionaire and he buys used too, e class Merc e200 for his last 3 cars but he always ends up in a slightly used one, maybe a year old when he gets it. He buys all his staff brand new company cars but not himself

Lantus

bazz26 wrote: »

Renault Captur is going to be replaced by a brand new model very soon.

And?? Every car gets facelifted every 2 to 3 years and updated every 6 or so. And what of it?

If its some mythical drop in value I'd love to see data that supports that. I'm considering the outgoing octavia as an upgrade without concern.

DaveyDave

I'd go secondhand. Get yourself a nicer car for the same money. Reg doesn't matter as long as it's looked after and mileage is low. I got my Golf new 2 years ago as I liked the updated spec of the facelift, if I was looking for a car now I'd have no issue getting a 2 year old model.

pippip

Lantus wrote: »

And?? Every car gets facelifted every 2 to 3 years and updated every 6 or so. And what of it?

If its some mythical drop in value I'd love to see data that supports that. I'm considering the outgoing octavia as an upgrade without concern.

There's always a drop in value when buying a new car that is about to be updated. The data is the drop in price the dealers offer at the end? You're not telling me the Octavia you're about to buy is the same price it was when it was first launched? if it is you're being screwed and need to negotiate more!

If you buy a new car in January and new model is released in March both would have the same reg but different prices. Now there's nothing wrong with that but the person who buys in January needs to get a knock down price.

bazz26

Lantus wrote: »

And?? Every car gets facelifted every 2 to 3 years and updated every 6 or so. And what of it?

If its some mythical drop in value I'd love to see data that supports that. I'm considering the outgoing octavia as an upgrade without concern.

Of course there is a difference but it might not bother some people. Old models always depreciate more because they have been superseded by a newer more up to date car with the latest tech.

Lantus

pippip wrote: »

There's always a drop in value when buying a new car that is about to be updated. The data is the drop in price the dealers offer at the end? You're not telling me the Octavia you're about to buy is the same price it was when it was first launched? if it is you're being screwed and need to negotiate more!

If you buy a new car in January and new model is released in March both would have the same reg but different prices. Now there's nothing wrong with that but the person who buys in January needs to get a knock down price.

Car depreciation curves are fairly static and stable. A dealer clearing all outstanding stock by discounting is not the same as that car being worth noticeably less when it's time to sell in the future.

Are not most second hand cars out of date older versions?

grogi

bazz26 wrote: »

Of course there is a difference but it might not bother some people. Old models always depreciate more because they have been superseded by a newer more up to date car with the latest tech.

I don't agree the older models depreciate more. They are simply cheaper through their whole life, starting at the significant discount at the dealership.

pippip

Lantus wrote: »

Car depreciation curves are fairly static and stable. A dealer clearing all outstanding stock by discounting is not the same as that car being worth noticeably less when it's time to sell in the future.

Are not most second hand cars out of date older versions?

Yes but the dealer is discounting because the new model is about to come out which you're saying makes no difference?

For the Op, it's the difference of buying a Captur now and new model coming out and if they want to sell within the next 2-3 years they are trying to sell a past model. Or wait a few months and buy the new model and in 2-3 years they're trading in a current model. The difference could be considerable and is a gamble depending on what the new model brings.

Some people see the benefits of buying a model at the end of its run as bugs are all sorted, but you're making out like no such scenario exists and it doesn't matter buying a model that's about to be replaced.

Lantus

pippip wrote: »

Yes but the dealer is discounting because the new model is about to come out which you're saying makes no difference?

For the Op, it's the difference of buying a Captur now and new model coming out and if they want to sell within the next 2-3 years they are trying to sell a past model. Or wait a few months and buy the new model and in 2-3 years they're trading in a current model. The difference could be considerable and is a gamble depending on what the new model brings.

Some people see the benefits of buying a model at the end of its run as bugs are all sorted, but you're making out like no such scenario exists and it doesn't matter buying a model that's about to be replaced.

If there is any data that shows the percentage drop in real terms then please forward on as it would be useful in getting a good deal. It isn't obvious in 2nd hand car prices as in you don't see huge drops in price in this manner. I would need to compile a large data set which may not exist in an easy to obtain format??

Buying a new car every 2 to 3 years isn't cheap by any means so claiming that your saving money doing that is a contradiction.

Saving towards a new car while paying nothing or little on a car loan may be better. Keeping a new car for 7+ years saves 'some' money.

Cars in general are money pits......

ShadowHearth

"New vs old" boards.ie topic is a can of worms like "finance vs paying fully", diesel vs petrol vs EV" topics etc. I don't think OP will get an answer, but it will make a spectacular read and drama.
There is no one right answer on this topic, as there are so many variables in it, that is unique in each case. Some posters will see OPs dilemma only through the own lense.

OP:

You planing financing or paying fully? If financing, you will get better deal with brand new car depending on Current deals, apr, scrapage. In some cases older cheaper car will cost you more in the end then using deals and finance cost.
You need reliability and can you afford be without the car in extreme cases? New car (lower end car) will have better reliability and warranty and running costs. Merc is still a Merc, which will be out of warranty and prices for service and parts will be higher. So you need to decide, which trade off to choose. You want fancier car, but potentially higher running costs or peace of mind and reliability, but less posh car.
In the end, you need to figure out what you want to drive and not someone down the line after you. If the car will lose extra 1k-2k eu value in 3 years, is that not a small price to pay for driving something you wanted and liked. Instead of be better off with 2k eu in 3 years, but you did not liked the car you had to drive every day for those 3 years.