o/h's mini comes in at 17k. new car prices are a bit of a rip off at the moment, but i'm lucky at the moment as my business vs the current climate is doing okay.
I know it's a lot to pay, but for me it's worth it. For the first time in my life i'm getting a car spec'd how I want it and I know the only person to have driven it is me
In real terms, the car is only costing me 10k,
and I'll get something that'll still give me a decent trade in value in a year or two.
I've always been against the idea of buying a car off the forecourt brand new due to the losses you make, but the 3 years of no hassle with MOT and warranty covering everything is something I think is worth it now I can finally afford it.
I'm an ex-bmw driver, but there is no way I can justify the costs of getting one of them new, or even a couple of years old at the performance/spec I want.
And when there is a car as much fun as the 197 to drive and I have the cash, why not go for a 200 and enjoy it. I like the fact it's not a turbo and a nice tuned engine, I've had turbos in the past and paid silly money for a gasket change ( mates scooby is in for an engine rebuild at the moment for 3500) so I'm more than happy to have a well tuned engine that'll run and run. I do around 150 miles a day in the 197 and love the way it handles the motorways and backroads, plus traffic jams, lol.