Car for wife

[_V_]

Wife wants a replacement car. She like the idea of a convertible to catch some rain in.

Question. Does it make more sense to buy a very nearly new common persons car like a Ford or Vauxhall (e.g. Astra Twin Top) or a Merc SLK (new shape) or an even older Merc SL that's a few years old and probably has 50+K miles on the clock?

Does the intrinsic quality of a Merc or even a Porsche make up for the higher miles and age of the car?

[The Lone Gunman]

and I thought you were going to tell us how you go tthe swap of a lifetime.

[_V_]

[Clippy]

Wife wants a replacement car. She like the idea of a convertible to catch some rain in.

Question. Does it make more sense to buy a very nearly new common persons car like a Ford or Vauxhall (e.g. Astra Twin Top) or a Merc SLK (new shape) or an even older Merc SL that's a few years old and probably has 50+K miles on the clock?

Does the intrinsic quality of a Merc or even a Porsche make up for the higher miles and age of the car?

Definitely - they tend to age better.

Example

[Ardesco]

I'd go for something second hand but still under warranty. Wouldn't go for an Astra, or something like that.

That being said I prefer my 9 year old A4 to a lot of the cheap new cars on the market, it has all the bells and whistles I need and i'll never have another car that doesn't have climate control (just dial in a temp and leave it forever, wonderful stuff)

[sasguru]

Definitely - they tend to age better.

Not between about 1995 and 2005, they don't. Merc had huge QC problems after the Chrysler merger. The old 80s ones are bombproof. Google it.

[DimPrawn]

Definitely - they tend to age better.

Example

The Chesil speedster is not a Porsche. It is a fibre glass kit car replica with a VW Beetle engine.

[Xenophon]

They might start making DeLoreans again. Not a soft-top and arguably one of the worst cars ever made, but I have a soft spot for them.

[Clippy]

Not between about 1995 and 2005, they don't. Merc had huge QC problems after the Chrysler merger. The old 80s ones are bombproof. Google it.

Agreed.

I still think this plays on peoples minds when evaluating a new Merc today.

The Chesil speedster is not a Porsche. It is a fibre glass kit car replica with a VW Beetle engine.

Yes, noticed that after I posted but couldn't be arsed to amend it.
Still a classic design.

BTW, what's the name of the French company that makes replicas of Speedsters with all the latest technology in them? I think it begins with P (not Peugeot).

[lilelvis2000]

Not between about 1995 and 2005, they don't. Merc had huge QC problems after the Chrysler merger. The old 80s ones are bombproof. Google it.

Once they unload chrysler things should get better. Why did they even bother to merge a crap car company with a great one. Reminds one of BMW and Rover.