Ok, since you are asking. My friend claims mileage on his work related trips. Contract dictates car must be less than 5 years old. So any Omega is out of the question.
So he decides to buy above car as per above plan. That works out to a cost of £5.46 per day over the first 4 years. No MOTs to worry about. Breakdown cover included for the first 12 months inc european recovery. Reasonably spacious hatch, smells nice as opposed to a 12 years old banger Omega like mine. Doesnt drip oil or leak from the sunroof like mine. Doesnt need to spend hours on an internet forum looking for help to sort out a variety of problems. In return he gets 50ppm as business mileage.
Could you suggest an alternative? That isnt more than 3 years old (otherwise he would have to change his car in 2 years time). Could he rent a car for £5.46 a day? He could perhaps lease but I dont think he would save much if any at all.
Some things work for some people. Just because you prefer to curtail your expenditure on your car does not mean every one has to follow the same path in life. People can choose what they want to buy and at what price. Not everyone wants to have an unreliable 12 year old banger and get their hands dirty every weekend.
My best mate has just purchased a 911 GT3 RS. No finance involved. But he is happy with the car/price/maintenance costs etc. Just because I cannot afford the same car does not make his purchase wrong in any way or form.
Of course not. If somebody wants a Porsche gt3 then bloody go for it I say. But, I'd also still say, don't buy new. As said by the guys previously, "unless it's a business decision" type of thing.
Arguably given our roads he'd still be better off with an omega for example, but if you have the passion for a car and the cash, damn right.
I disagree. Why should you not buy new if you can get a good deal (as per LD's post above, there are deals to be had), can afford it and want the luxury of a new car?
Do you buy second hand gifts for your family for Christmas? What about left overs from your local chippie for breakfast? Second hand pacifier for your baby? Or even used undergarments and shoes off ebay (they are there if you look)?
People have different priorities and disposable incomes. So just because the OP likes running a 10+ year old car, driving extremely slowly to save fuel and getting his hands dirty on the weekend does not mean the rest of the world has to follow suit. In fact be thankful that some people do spend money on new cars that enables you to pick up a used bargain 10 years down the line.