[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Wills2

People also need to include the deposit they paid, no point in saying it's 5% of income when you blasted in 10k at the start.

But if you have saved that £10k up whilst paying it before so you only have a 10% commitment, isnt that judging it wrong if you then include it?

Totally irrelevant though as I think the point has been made - a decent three series is going to be a bigger percentage for most, and that might tip people over the edge...

My current car was a treat for me after a tough couple of years. My next car is also likely to be cheaper as I try and get my finances the best they can be ahead of retirement to give me most flexibility I can. Well I say that now, lets see what the year end brings (end of June for my company - although they somehow manage to put off paying bonus until December!)

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

But if you have saved that £10k up whilst paying it before so you only have a 10% commitment, isnt that judging it wrong if you then include it?

Totally irrelevant though as I think the point has been made - a decent three series is going to be a bigger percentage for most, and that might tip people over the edge...

My current car was a treat for me after a tough couple of years. My next car is also likely to be cheaper as I try and get my finances the best they can be ahead of retirement to give me most flexibility I can. Well I say that now, lets see what the year end brings (end of June for my company - although they somehow manage to put off paying bonus until December!)

I think it is relevant, no point in claiming parsimony on the monthlies if you threw 10k away at the start, the cake is the same regardless of how you slice it.

I think it's good practice to amortise the deposit into your monthly to get a true figure of the overall outlay.

My next car will be a cheap lease sub £350 a month on a 24 month deal I'll just take whatever decent car is available won't be bothered about spec etc..I did that before with an Audi A6 allroad and that was £292 per month inc the deposit and you can't go wrong at that.

[R0B]

This was a thought stirrer. Just checked and it's 9% of my take home and 8.5% if I chuck in her small income (from my company, coincidentally...)

Have to say though, it's probably the last time I'll do a pricey motor. We are moving house shortly which has caused us to asses finances which are all very positive but when you see that big fat direct debit a few times a week for a few weeks, while dealing with the IFA etc, it does stand out as a lot of money for a kid carrier.

Being able to afford and wanting to afford is yet another level-up on the age ladder I reckon.

[JustChris]

I spy tough times ahead for BMW. Many of us 'enthusiasts' on here seem to have decided to take a step down in the next car change.

The public will only take so many price rises. There comes a point where despite monthlies you have to say "£40k+ for a top 1 series!!? £50k for a well spec'd 320D!!???" ....and people will vote elsewhere with their wallet.

For many of us on here there is a growing clamour of 'I CAN afford it...but just don't WANT to'

[teaston]

Originally Posted by JustChris

I spy tough times ahead for BMW. Many of us 'enthusiasts' on here seem to have decided to take a step down in the next car change.

The public will only take so many price rises. There comes a point where despite monthlies you have to say "£40k+ for a top 1 series!!? £50k for a well Alex's 320D!!???" ....and people will vote elsewhere with their wallet.

For kids of us on here there is a growing clamour of 'I CAN afford it...but just don't WANT to'

But does the OTR price matter when most people lease/PCP?

Checking lease prices an X1 18d SE is similar monthly price as an X3 20d M Sport for example!

And a 118d Sport is same monthly as a 420d GC M Sport!

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by teaston

But does the OTR price matter when most people lease/PCP?

Checking lease prices an X1 18d SE is similar monthly price as an X3 20d M Sport for example!

And a 118d Sport is same monthly as a 420d GC!

It matters to those who don’t do that level of research and reckon that they can afford a say £20k car because that is what they currently drive and are happy with payments.

I think there will always be those who can afford but drift to a “don’t want to afford” status. They will be replaced for a time by those that can’t really afford but want to who will probably move to can afford and want to over time - before the cycle starts again.

Who knows, generation rent might be a good thing, they can only afford to rent houses so they also rent cars...

[aquazi]

Originally Posted by JustChris

I spy tough times ahead for BMW. Many of us 'enthusiasts' on here seem to have decided to take a step down in the next car change.

The public will only take so many price rises. There comes a point where despite monthlies you have to say "£40k+ for a top 1 series!!? £50k for a well Alex's 320D!!???" ....and people will vote elsewhere with their wallet.

For kids of us on here there is a growing clamour of 'I CAN afford it...but just don't WANT to'

Although i am not loyal to BMW (last car was an Audi) i doubt very much i will go new on PCP next time (although a tesla lease is tempting me!) prob downsize in the value and go S3/ golf R or equivalent.

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by teaston

But does the OTR price matter when most people lease/PCP?

Checking lease prices an X1 18d SE is similar monthly price as an X3 20d M Sport for example!

And a 118d Sport is same monthly as a 420d GC!

I was seriously considering a Mondeo estate or a Superb estate last time, something big enough to chuck my dogs in the back of. However on the versions I wanted (granted the Titanium X Mondeo and 276bhp Superb) the monthlies were about £100 a month more than I'm paying for my 440i and the deposit was bigger.

It's a strange old world sometimes.

[Marksw76]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

they can only afford to rent houses so they also rent cars...

I'd say this is exactly where it's all heading, in affect it's not unlike the whole 'subscription' model for everything these days...

Good news for the dealerships, guaranteed servicing, finance etc
Options for all kinds of other upsells and subscription services
Manufacturers can keep jacking up the price of new cars because nobody pays the OTR price anyway
Make the upfront payment cheaper, the monthlies more expensive, more ££ overall

New cars will become like houses. A mortgage is one of life's expectations, a PCP will become the same sadly, unless you want to drive around in a 20 year old Skoda Estelle...

The scary thing about all of this is that it's yet more liabilities being supported by a (sometimes) single monthly income

[Broncho]

The Mrs wants her own car and being honest we probably need 2 cars, we’ve managed with one for a while now but it can be difficult at times, this would take our % of net income to around 10%, I think I’m comfortable with that.

[stefan4]

wholly s**t, £650 for a 3 series! glad I jumped on the m3 band wagon last year.

but as others, theres no right or wrong, theres many many other things id rather sacrifice to have a nice car, sky TV for one!, I also look at my car as a hobby so I also factor that in. plus I've worked my nuts off and reward my self with a nice car.

[Cootie]

I’d echo some of the sentiments on here. Having moved across to a Golf R estate post my 335d, which saves me a few quid as well as being more practical with 2 young kids I’m in a bit of a dilemma re the next car. I’d really like a Guilia QF and could afford it, but I’m actually thinking I’d rather have £400 extra a month in my pocket to do stuff with the family, have nice meals out etc, plus with the kids the opportunity to take a couple of hours for a blast by myself is few and far between. That and the spectre of speed limiters is increasingly make me think less is more so to speak. Must be getting old!! 😂

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Cootie

I’d echo some of the sentiments on here. Having moved across to a Golf R estate post my 335d, which saves me a few quid as well as being more practical with 2 young kids I’m in a bit of a dilemma re the next car. I’d really like a Guilia QF and could afford it, but I’m actually thinking I’d rather have £400 extra a month in my pocket to do stuff with the family, have nice meals out etc, plus with the kids the opportunity to take a couple of hours for a blast by myself is few and far between. That and the spectre of speed limiters is increasingly make me think less is more so to speak. Must be getting old!! 😂

Getting old! You know plenty good roads on your doorstep with low likelihood of a camera!

[Mani59]

Great read and topic!

For me, I think I am very much alone in that I've always paid cash in full for mine. Yes I know it's not the best way of doing things now with PCP / Lease, etc, but that's what I have always done.

Having said that, I do read with great interest about these PCP deals on PH, especially that Megane 280 one!

[Cootie]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Getting old! You know plenty good roads on your doorstep with low likelihood of a camera!

I know, but a cheap hot hatch may fulfil that brief rather than needing an Alfa QV. Plus I always get the opportunity to go out as a passenger in some interesting stuff that will make whatever I get feel a bit ordinary 🤣

[goodbyalfa]

Originally Posted by Cootie

I’d echo some of the sentiments on here. Having moved across to a Golf R estate post my 335d, which saves me a few quid as well as being more practical with 2 young kids I’m in a bit of a dilemma re the next car. I’d really like a Guilia QF and could afford it, but I’m actually thinking I’d rather have £400 extra a month in my pocket to do stuff with the family, have nice meals out etc, plus with the kids the opportunity to take a couple of hours for a blast by myself is few and far between. That and the spectre of speed limiters is increasingly make me think less is more so to speak. Must be getting old!! 😂

Do it... Love that alfa every time I see one. Half a Ferrari engine too...

[Wills2]

It's about 36k to rent one over 48 months at 10k pa.

[TouringPleb]

This was online today from my local dealer. It's 'only' a 320i and it doesn't state the mileage, but maybe the start of more realistic pricing?

[Cootie]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

This was online today from my local dealer. It's 'only' a 320i and it doesn't state the mileage, but maybe the start of more realistic pricing?

Perhaps it’s just me but that still feels ‘rich’. Perhaps the days of the cheap deals we’ve seen over the last few years are gone, but I’d still be wanting a 330i for that sort of money.

[Bryans69]

Originally Posted by Cootie

Perhaps it’s just me but that still feels ‘rich’. Perhaps the days of the cheap deals we’ve seen over the last few years are gone, but I’d still be wanting a 330i for that sort of money.

Agree. Six months ago I 'only' paid £12k more for a pretty well spec'd 540i touring

[Cootie]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

Do it... Love that alfa every time I see one. Half a Ferrari engine too...

Completely agree re the appeal of them. Don’t need to make a decision until tail end of the year so will see how a few things play out at work and then see whether Head or heart wins...

[Broncho]

What is worrying is that I spend a greater percentage of my income on red wine than I do my car