>>That's a reasonable pint MJW, but if I keep the car for several years, well a 10 year old
>>Laguna is worth nothing. Trade it now and get some value back.
That's man maths. There is no logic at all in what you say. Because you will end up having traded cars more frequently, you will have paid more to dealers.
You paid £5,800 for a 5-year old car. You'll get, what, £3,800 for it in px. If you keep it five more years until it's worth £500 then it will have cost you £660 per annum (£3,800 - 500)/5 in depreciation.
Alternatively, you buy a different five-year-old car for £6,800, getting your £3,800 back. Say it's worth £1,000 in five years time. (Problem is, it will be costing you more than £5,800 as those Gooners are cheap. Alternatively, you're buying a 6-year-old car for £5,800). So although it's worth more in five years time, it'll cost you more today.) Annual depreciation is £1,160 (£6,800-£1,000)/5.
Of course, this analysis ignores your hoplessly unreliable Gooner. But so does your analysis.
It's your money, spend it if you like! ;) But don't claim it's the logical thing to do.
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