Lease hire or whatever it's name is?

[Norretal]

Originally Posted by tonupkid

If you find yourself dwelling to much on the running costs for your S8, take it out for a spin.

Oh I'm in no doubt I've made the right choice, I may wince at the mid teens MPG at times but I get a real buzz every time I drive it, and that thrill hasn't faded in nearly two years of ownership. I'm in this "relationship" for the long term

[Glync]

I looked at leasing an S8 earlier this year as there were some really good offers about. And when you take into account depreciation it was a clear winner. Also the best price i was offered for a brand new one was £58k bog standard from £81k so it gives you a clear insight into why they fall so heavily in the first year. That was from an Audi dealer not one of the discount shops.
But i like to own my cars so tend to buy them second hand and know whatever happens its mine. I have gradually built up over the years and try to move them on every two to three years.
Imho the A8 is a superb buy secondhand and offers great bang for your buck, thats said you will always loose money but chose to drive a top class motor.
I couldnt put up with some of the other stuff on offer everyday, i have given it a go and regretted every minute. So much so my Mrs always says, just get another A8, she knows i will be moaning otherwise
That said some of the contract lease deals offer a reasonable cost to get yorself into a brand new motor i guess. Hence why pcp has also allowed many folks to get into new motors ....i have just never been able to convince myself of its benefits. I bet the majority are now on those deals and delaers get bonuses on repeat business which those schemes encourage.
I suppose its like most things in life you make your choice and pays the price i am and always have been car mad so i also justify the cost as being my interest or hobby :
Cheers Glyn

[tonupkid]

Had mine almost 6 years and I'm in the throes of getting a garage built so I can keep it rather than replace it. Its depreciated about £12 - 16k and I've done 55k'ish miles with very little expense.

[snapdragon]

Is it a vat 'fiddle'?
If a dealer sells to a subsidiary that claims the vat back and then leases out, they claim back £12k on an A8 class car and then the government makes the vat on the monthly payments instead at a relative trickle until the vehicle is no longer vat qualifying and is sold.
S8 for £480 a month?
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/audi...system-2252041

[Goran]

Sounds really good at £13k ~ £14k over 2 years. But you don't keep the car is that right?

I know its not comparing like-for-like as the lease is for a brand new car. Looking at the depreciation estimates, it seems cheaper to get a 4 year old car for £25k and own it outright. In the same time span two x 2 year leases would have cost £26k and you have no car at the end of it.

On the other hand if you are only considering a brand new car, lease does seem much better value.

[Adrian E]

You have to think of it on a 'cost to change' basis - renting for 2-3 years new vs depreciation if you owned it from new, vs those of us who tend to buy at 2-4 years old and keep for several years.

In real cash terms the latter is probably less expensive overall but the potential for a big bill on an expensive motor is that bit more real....

One thing to note ref PCP deals is that bog basic spec is the way to go - any options are basically written off financially within the lease period. So best go for a really high spec car in standard form

[Singh]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

You have to think of it on a 'cost to change' basis - renting for 2-3 years new vs depreciation if you owned it from new, vs those of us who tend to buy at 2-4 years old and keep for several years.

In real cash terms the latter is probably less expensive overall but the potential for a big bill on an expensive motor is that bit more real....

One thing to note ref PCP deals is that bog basic spec is the way to go - any options are basically written off financially within the lease period. So best go for a really high spec car in standard form

Great advice, Adrian. Summed up well.