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September 2011 Let's all cheer up! There are some top cars around

Maybe it’s seasonal but the press seems to be full of doom and gloom on just about any topic you care to mention; the car industry’s no different. Even in the coverage of Jaguar Land Rover’s outstanding investment in UK manufacturing, there was still room to poke at a depressed market and lower new car registrations.

I’ve noticed that there isn’t a great deal of reporting on residual values or the relative strength of the used car market, though, nor of the exceptional value of some cars which most of us would have deemed well beyond our budgets when they were new just five or six years ago.

While buyers of new cars seem to march inexorably towards diesel models, those doing low mileage and with a bit of imagination can reap the spoils – usually provided they’re prepared to opt for the petrol-version of something whose first owner took the hit of all the depreciation. There are some seriously wonderful cars abound.

For less than the cost of a new diesel Audi A1, for example, how about a 3 year-old A8 Quattro? A 2007 BMW 6-series for the price of a new MINI One – take your pick from coupes or convertibles, petrol or diesel and if you’re prepared to opt for the V12, the choice is exceptional.

Want off-road capability? A Porsche Cayenne could be on the drive for less than the price of a new Fiesta. For true petrolheads, these are gifts and none of them have galactic mileage either.

The first owners have taken a hiding on depreciation and admittedly, the running costs won’t be comparable to a brand new car but for buyers, these are tempting propositions – pop a private number plate on them and the neighbours would think you’d won the lottery. Of course, a luxury car for supermini money turns straight back into a luxury car when it develops a fault, but with an extended manufacturer warranty as part of the negotiation or a service plan to help with regular maintenance, buyers can help protect themselves should the dashboard light up.

Granted, it won’t be for everyone but when times are hard, don’t we all look for a little indulgence now and again?

By Tim Heavisides, Group CEO of Car Care Plan Holdings.

This article originally featured in Car Dealer Magazine.

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