No that's contract hire. PCP is an alternative purchase method that let's you leave your capital elsewhere instead of commiting to a depreciating asset. Like a rental property or stocks and shares.
you do speak A LOT of sense, my M40i was £499 p/m, but when I added tax, insurance, petrol, running costs, and EXCLUDING depreciation (which would be a big chunk), it was about £790 p/m! Having sold (to fund kitchen reno), I am taking breath with just the Cooper S in the household (not a bad little car) until things settle downSo you say you cant afford to run two vehicles but you can afford to crystallise the depreciation on new and nearly new cars by swapping after 6 months or so. Excuse me if I find that an odd statement
RSQ3 depreciation - minimum £8k I would have thought so more than a grand a month.
BMW - think that was over a grand a month?
RS5 and S5 before that - did you escape with less than a grand a month?
I run an RS4 - and a 5 year old Mini. The Mini costs peanuts - £30 a year road fund, £250 insurance, miniscule servicing and repairs and of course it lowers the variable costs on the RS4 as miles in the Mini mean less in the RS4. I own it outright which helps but I reckon it costs me net (allowing for fact its more economical than the RS4) less than £200 a year plus depreciation. But as I have no intention of swapping it, that can largely be ignored.
You are going to buy an A5 diesel, lose another £6k plus over next 6 months and then start the journey again. You are probably paying well over £1k a month for your "habit" of swapping too often, if you could stick with something for a while (even by running a second car) you would reduce your overall costs....
The RSQ3 isnt costing you £600 a month by the way, that might be your finance payment but its going to be well over a grand a month if you choose to swap so often...
Yep, if you pay the balloon.
congrats, enjoy...let's see if you last out the the year as you say ;-)Well, the final verdict!
After much back and forth -
I know this will be met with many mixed feelings (although it’s me buying and driving it) I finally decided on the new A3 Saloon TDI 150; Edition 1; comfort & sound pack, pano roof, 2021 - 70 reg.
Now for the why?
I did deliberate a lot on this, and after getting rid of the RSQ3 to webuyanycar it left me with a clean slate. As mentioned before I wanted to stick with Audi as happy with the brand, features, functions etc and just need to change to a diesel for a while. I did consider a Mercedes 250e shortly but soon went back to Audi.
The A5 was going to cost £38k
An A4 Avant was going to be £34k
The A3 I’ve gone for is £30k
The A5 I ultimately ruled out on price combined with the lower engine power, heavy‘ish car, front wheel drive, and top end money for what the dealer is asking. When I put this into webuyanycar for an idea on current sale value it returned £32k so already £6k overpriced imo.
The A4 Avant was just too long imo, and whilst is ticked the boxes on power, Quattro and price I just didn’t look at it and think “wow, I love the look of that” I was left feeling that I wanted more..... matrix lights, comfort and sound, and other features the A4s were are all lacking. When I put this into webuyanycar for an idea on current sale value it returned £30k so priced about right for a dealer.
Ultimately the A3 gives me a high spec, smaller car to suit the lower powered engine, diesel for miles, and priced imo right for the car with better residuals at the moment. When I put this into webuyanycar for an idea on current sale value it returned £29k surprisinly!
I know it’s not to everyone’s taste. I did a 360 myself after ruling it out, but regardless it’s the final decision and now reserved for collection prior to month end.
Technically it's yours as the V5 has you name on it, legally it belongs to the Finance company until all the payments and final balloon amount is settled.
I buy a house every 4 years on average , Yes money makes money , just dont really understand the modern way of car buying, I will stick to what I know, To old to change now.Just imagine how much richer you could be if you speculated to accumulate (also almost a Yorkshire man - Dad brought up in Cudworth...)
Take your house. Assume its gone up in value? Imagine instead of putting your cash into vans and a car you had borrowed that money and put the cash into another house - or shares. More capital gains, passive income.
Money should make money.
All I can say, is “thank you world” for PCP!!!
I know what you’re saying, but 5k miles to use pretty much all the oil?
Well - Here we go again!
To no-ones surprise (those that know of me) its time to trade again. The A3 has been in ownership now for 5 months, which by my history is waaaaaaay too long to own a vehicle for!
I know this isn't the right thread for it really but I wanted to update on previous comments and observations of my ownership.
The Spec:
A3 Edition 1
White with black surrounds (privacy glass etc)
Pano Roof
Then everything expected on an edition 1 (Electric memory seats, heated seats, Matrix LED headlights, wireless charger and Android Auto, 12" displays etc etc)
The problems:
Like anything new, I understand there are issues but usually you expect these to be fixed.
Firstly the boot. It would take several attempts to close it, and when I say several I'm on about up to 6 times slamming it to get it to latch. Audi didn't know what to do, they said the newer models since this launch have different boot struts but didn't know how to go about fixing it. After a couple of weeks of them speaking to senior Audi technicians elsewhere I finally had this fixed, new struts and now working perfectly as it should. What was funny is they also told me they have had a load of these come in with this issue with no prior knowledge on how to fix! It amazes me, it really does....
Then the MMI. Rebooting, crashing, SOS errors, logged out, logging in and so forth. It has been through factory resets, I have spent hours onto the MMI team and ultimately found out - wait for it - there is NO FIX! When you get the right person they acknowledge there is no update or software fix available for this yet (its been a year since reported on other vehicles) and as such people are rejecting their cars. Whilst most of the time for me it works fine, I do find on long journeys my reboots up to 4 times per trip. A couple of weeks ago the SOS warning, so no use of phone or maps etc, then after left overnight locked its never come back.
Wing mirrors do not fold in properly on the drivers side. Audi said "this is a unique characteristic of the vehicle that this side doesn't close properly or fully and therefore not a fault". Now whilst this is true, all do the same on these A3's it was enough and still enough to annoy me.
Finally - Oil. The car had only covered 5k miles, I had to call out Audi assistance as the warning popped up for low oil and to stop. After a top up all been fine since, but it burnt oil like it shouldn't have. In addition, now on 8k miles I'm being prompted for an oil change. This isn't even a year old, in fact the car is only 8 months old from new so not impressed at all for a car that should be 20k miles or 2yrs before this is required.
The build:
Naturally this is no RSQ3 or my previous RS5. You can see the cheapness in comparison. This is not to say the A3 is cheap as such, others perhaps wouldn't notice, but it is cheap in comparison. Even those not having owned an RS would see the downgrades in materials now used. Simple things like looking into the boot and the holes in the back of the seats where there are no screw covers, various bits like this dotted around that appear unfinished. The interior of the main cabin whilst nice is just cheaper, plasticy, so whilst nice looking in most respects its just not the same Audi brand I'm used to (and this goes back to my pre RS days).
What now?:
The market has changed a lot. I lost £5k on my RSQ3 which is now worth £5k more had I have kept it and put all the miles I do on it - madness!! But that's the market today. I also know, this means whatever I buy now is likely to cost more..... but with that..... I'm currently thinking:
RS5 - 2021
Mercedes AMG CLA 45S - 2021
Two quite different cars I know.
I want to try and drive the RS5 first. I remember my 2019 RS5 had next to no throttle lag on it which I loved. My RSQ3 had a huge throttle lag on it (I know you had to drive around this but not ideal for a quick unplanned 'need to get going'). I don't know if this is a change in the Audi setup on newer cars, or just the engine of the RSQ3?
I don't know if anyone owns the new RS5 to advise? If so it would be really helpful!!
I was saving for the new RS3, but with my current A3 MMI issues (and no fix after a year) and many unhappy people the new RS3 will suffer exactly the same!!! I know this will eventually be fixed, but for now its the RS5 or Merc CLA45S (yes the S version, not the normal) which I need to choose from.
Personally I think we are way off electric as a Country. Wife’s sister has a Tesla model 3 and refuses any long journeys in it after her experience a few weeks ago and nearly breaking down. Chargers not working all over, stopped at 4 stations and couldn’t charge, other than work journeys she now refuses to use it otherwise as doesn’t trust the infrastructure.
Perfect, £20k and a small bank loan will get you in a Fiesta ST with performance pack, or the Puma equivalent if you fancy more of a SUV. You can even get another in Kermit Green.
GLC 43 or GLA 45? Son in law had a GLC 43 and now has a C43, bit firm and noisy for me these days..... I suspect a GLA 45 would be the same, although it does get favourable write ups....AMG GLC 45s pulled out of car park last night. Did look and sound very good tbf
Exactly what the neighbours think about any of the 43s SIL has had....Sorry, the 43…it was head turning noisy
Funnily enough neither am i! New one is touted as much more of a sporty SUV, and slated as a straight rival for RSQ3....
They do also close by saying this.....
Hey mate,
Hey mate,
No matter how many times I read this I can’t figure out if this is serious or not!?
Just any Ford full stop (for me) is a massive no no…… I’d feel an old man in a chav racer car
Personally, after owning an SUV I wouldn’t go back (unless an updated RSQ3 lured me in!). I’m just more of a saloon person, always have been. Even if I ended up one day with the new RS3 (once issues fixed & more readily available in a year or so) I’d always opt for the saloon over a hatch any day.
I agree, I’ve had an RS5 but everytime I look at them I just want one! Yes I know - until I get one and then start thinking about ‘what’s next’ but I’d be the same in any car. I’ve ruled out the Merc, comments in general (even the RS5 forum) just say don’t do it and with not much else taking my fancy I’ve paid a deposit. I did however bump into an old friend yesterday who wants me to visit him on Sat and discuss the Porsche Taycan, I’m going to see him but don’t feel the car is for me……. So come next week I should be picking up the RS5 to see me through Xmas. It’s a 2021, white (yes same old colour AGAIN, I’m a creature of habit, and it’s the carbon black edition with C&S)
I know it wouldn’t be everyone’s choice but for now it’s the one jumping out at me
Nar, I make a decision and once decided just do it! That way I can’t change my mind lol.
Nope…. she doesn’t know!****** hell, so you are chucking a wedge at a car you had before that you might only keep 5 months, you must have an understanding other half!
I mean I fully understand the desire for a white, carbon black edition RS, you just need the proper one with an estate back
Ford comment - they make really good cars, generally, if you can look past the badge. And given you only keep them whilst they are fun I reconed a fun hot hatch with a manual box might keep you entertained a bit longer.....
I'm not a fan of the Taycan, and you will struggle to get one in next 12 months if you want new.
Haha, very true!
My list of colours was more what I wouldnt have - no black, no grey, no green, no white..... then I saw it and it had to be white!
Will upload more once I’ve cleaned it my way! The dealership clean is rather basic let’s say…. Who else expects food remains within the rear armrest when spending £70k!?Stunning
