More often than not, the choice of a car is not just a matter of financing the vehicle purchase, but there’s also the need to meet social expectations. If you work closely with a palette of large clients, you won’t consider anything less than a luxury car, which is the perfect vehicle to display both professionalism and style. However, luxury cars are not as affordable as small city cars. Additionally, it can be difficult to decide between a brand new luxury car and a second-hand car, which has had at least one owner before you. The advantage of choosing a brand new car is that you know exactly what you get. Unfortunately, without appropriate financing, it can be tricky to buy a professional looking luxury model. Ultimately, choosing a used car can be risky in terms of reliability, safety, and security. So put yourself in the shoes of a young Millennial manager looking for the best vehicle to make a positive impression when meeting clients, without breaking the bank. How can he afford his luxury car?
Choose a reliable make
Needless to say, you shouldn’t be looking at buying a brand new car if your budget can’t support the cost. Thankfully, there are car makes that have established a reputation for reliability, which reduces the risks of high maintenance and repair costs on used vehicles. In other words, choosing a reliable luxury car such as a used Audi A1, gives you the best of both worlds, aka an aesthetic vehicle without breaking the bank that keeps its performance in the long term. Audi, which was once described as a “sinkhole of service problems” has improved its reliability rankings. It’s now the top-ranked European brand.
A luxury car that holds its value for longer
Admittedly, you might want to think of your luxury car purchase as a long-term investment. In other words, you need to ask yourself what will happen to the car when you don’t want it anymore? Thankfully, you can find luxury cars that keep their value for a long time. This will allow you to make a profit still when you sell your car, assuming that you take good care of it. Indeed, Audi vehicles have a high resale value – or re-resale value – due to their low depreciation score and their high reliability. Other luxury brands that resell profitably are Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.
Check it’s not a scam
Finally, a little reminder of how to avoid issues when buying a used vehicle, even for luxury brands. Pay close attention to the mileage, as a low odometer might be a sign of tampering with the car. If you’re buying from a private seller, check the RWC as well as the registration. Indeed, cars that are not roadworthy or not registered will require additional administrative checks before you can drive them safely. It’s not a good option if you’re looking for an immediate transport option. Last, but not least, control the Vehicle Identification Number that is etched onto a metal plate on the engine and the chassis. Both VINs should match!
The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a good second-hand luxury car, you could pick an Audi for their reliability and low depreciation. Lexus and Mercedes-Benz also hold their value for long.
