This way you as an entrepreneur will be warm for a long time to come
When they are fifteen years old, business driven cars have a (more) favorable addition regulation: as an entrepreneur you pay only 35% on the current value, which is of course much lower than the catalog value or new value. Because cars of that age are still far from the end of their tether these days, such a youngtimer is an attractive option for many self-employed people. After all, you drive generously for next to nothing.
Such a youngtimer is at least fifteen years old and therefore usually has a lot of experience. Costly garage bills are lurking. And despite the fact that these costs are deductible, a strippenkaart for the workshop is of course not a pleasant thought. That is why we are looking for a spacious sedan of up to 10 grand, which does not have more than one to one and a half tons of experience.
Mercedes-Benz E200 Kompressor Elegance – 2007 – 126,785 kilometers – €9,749
Business occasions that are thirteen or fourteen years old often have a milder price tag than their equivalents that have blown out fifteen candles. The latter are in fact officially yountimer and therefore interesting for entrepreneurs, because less addition. So: ask high, ask price high! Used cars from popular brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Volvo in particular suffer from this, but we have nevertheless found a potentially interesting exception, namely this Mercedes-Benz E-class.
Just under 10 grand and less than 130,000 kilometers of experience. On the other hand: import ex-Germany (is the odometer reading correct?), in our country since 2020 and since then already had four owners, and there is no mention of warranty. We have to make do with the photos, which show a distinguished sedan that is in excellent condition both inside and out. With the 1.8 with a mechanical compressor under the hood (184 hp/250 Nm) in combination with the Elegance version, this is almost the entry-level model (because that is the Classic). Still, you don’t have to bite a stick: electrically adjustable front seats, cruise and climate control, parking sensors all around, alloy wheels and alarm are on board, as well as a towbar that can brake 1,900 kilos.
The Elegance is more forgiving in terms of comfort than the harder, sporty Avantgarde and this better suits the character of the E – especially given the entry-level engine with a six-speed manual transmission. Calmly switching resistance delivers one smooth driving behaviour. The space supply is fine in both the front and the rear, the luggage space is nice and generous at 540 liters (but: no folding rear seats!). Build quality and materials used deserve praise, as does the layout of the dashboard – except for the steering stems. They are all on the left, which takes getting used to. Apart from that, such an E is a refined automobile on all fronts that undeniably exudes status: if you get ahead of the curve with this, you don’t have to explain anything. A matter of course that certainly does not apply to the last occasion …
Signaling
Brand Mercedes Benz
Type E200 Compressor Elegance
Construction year July 2007
Mileage 126,785
Asking price €9,749
Where to buy? Auto Oostra, Surhuisterveen
Technical data
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 1,796 cc, mechanical compressor
max. assets 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm
max. couple 250 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Luggage room 540 l
max. trailer braked 1,900 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1 in 12.2
0-100km/h 9.1s
Top speed 230km/h
All data according to factory specification
Saab 9-5 Sport Sedan 2.3t BioPower Vector – 2008 – 122,236 kilometers – €9,925
An alternative is a spacious youngtimer from a disappeared brand, so that it is less on the radar of business Netherlands. What about this Saab 9-5? Don’t all rush to Assen now; the Swede is from August 8, 2008, so still has to be fifteen! So a year younger than the above Benz, slightly less driven and a comparable engine in terms of power (the torque is a bit more attractive). The T-898-FV comes fresh from Belgium (more certainty in terms of odometer reading because of Car-Pass), knew two owners there who, according to the provider, always took this sturdy travel car to the brand dealer for maintenance.
The ‘BioPower’ refers to the fact that this 9-5 is suitable for ethanol and ‘Vector’ to its generous equipment: beige leather interior, xenon lighting including headlight washers, seat heating, navigation system, electrically folding exterior mirrors, extensive audio system plus much that the E also has on board. Add to that the fantastic seats in the spacious interior and you see: so far it is nothing less than the Mercedes. The latter is undeniably more modern in terms of (dashboard) layout and the materials used are even higher quality.
Despite the fact that the engine powers are comparable, the German comes across as a bit more relaxed, the Swede a bit sportier. The E has rear-wheel drive, while the 9-5 fires all the power to the front wheels, so that its sportiness can sometimes turn into a somewhat restless driving behavior. Another point is the supply of parts in the long term. In the short term it is not too bad: the car has just had a major service, including four new tires, while there is a (possibility of) warranty here. If we then look again at the longer term, experience shows that a Saab will never get old and ordinary. Something we cannot immediately say about Mercedes-Benz (and the other German premium brands) …
Signaling
Brand Saab
Type 9-5 Sport Sedan 2.3t BioPower Vector
Construction year August 2008
Mileage 122,236
Asking price €9,925
Where to buy? Autohuis24, Assen
Technical data
Engine 4-cyl. in-line, 2,290 cc, turbocharged, ethanol-capable
Max. assets 136 kW/185 hp at 5,500 rpm
max. couple 280 Nm at 1,800 rpm
Luggage room 500 l/nb
max. trailer braked 1,800 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1 in 11.2
0-100km/h 8.3s
Top speed 230km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Hyundai Sonata 3.3i V6 StyleVersion aut. – 2008 – 73,757 kilometers – €9,995
But maybe you don’t care about status at all. In that case, this Hyundai Sonata could be an option. In terms of prestige, this South Korean cannot compete with the Saab and – especially – the Mercedes-Benz, and also in terms of overall refinement, the 56-GSX-4 will carry the red lantern, but, as said, if you care about status, then this occasion is the most rich.
Also applies to this large cart: do not immediately head for Kortenhoef, because the car was registered on August 30, 2008. Never again after that, because indeed: this youngtimer has had only one owner who has not even covered 74,000 kilometers with it! Must have belonged to someone older who undoubtedly drove and maintained it accurately. Nevertheless, it is a pity that there is no mention of warranty. In fact, the stated price is so take it away.
This 4.80 meter long sedan pampers its occupants with plenty of living space and luxurious amenities. Just about everything that was possible in 2008 in terms of safety and comfort is there (comparable to the 9-5), but navigation is missing, for example, as well as a 5-star score in the EuroNCAP crash test (because: one less). The cabin is rather gloomy black, the leather used on the smooth side and therefore offers little support in fast corners.
Now you will think that the vowels are not pulled out of the street with this South Korean, but under the hood is a thick V6, good for 233 hp. That power source is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. This undoubtedly guarantees a healthy thirst, but if we see the modest mileage and the rates that Hyundai uses compared to Mercedes-Benz and the Saab specialist, it would not surprise us that this used car is the cheapest to maintain.
Signaling
Brand Hyundai
Type Sonata 3.3i V6 StyleVersion auto.
Construction year August 2008
Mileage 73,757
Asking price €9,995
Where to buy? Used car dealer ‘t Gooi, Kortenhoef
Technical data
Engine V6, 3,342 cc
Max. assets 171 kW/233 hp at 6,000 rpm
max. couple 308 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Luggage room 523 l/na
Max. trailer braked 1,700 kilograms
Avg. consumption 1 in 9.9
0-100km/h 7.7s
Top speed 230km/h
All data according to factory specification
Which of these virgin youngtimers suits you?
Just three little experienced young timers, this Mercedes-Benz E-class, Saab 9-5 and Hyundai Sonata. The latter has never been able to break pots in the business sector, but if you don’t care, you have a spacious car. For more status you have to go to Saab and – especially – Mercedes-Benz. What would your choice be? Or rather an A6, 5-series, C6, XF, S80 or name them all. We’d love to hear it!
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl