There aren’t many auto brands synonymous with luxury in the manner that Bentley has achieved. Mercedes and BMW once associated with a wide range of high end luxury vehicles have somewhat tarnished that cache as they have journeyed into the entry level luxury zone in an effort to sell more cars. The entry level Mercedes CLA has an MSRP of $32,400.00 and BMW’s entry point is $33,150.00 for their 1 Series. Bentley’s entry-level model starts at $246,000.00 so it’s easy to see why many argue that both these German brand images have been watered down if you were to judge solely on price. That argument gets even stronger if you look at what a used version of either German entry-level car currently sells for. You’d be delighted to know that it’s pricing is on par with a similarly aged Honda Accord and that’s not a knock against Honda.
So let’s do the math. A slightly used car defined as a two year old with an average depreciation rate of 15% per year leaves an entry level Bentley still priced at no less than $172,000.00 and that is clearly not “affordable” unless we are talking “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” so how is a Bentley affordable you ask?
The current entry level Bentley is the Bentley Continental GT, otherwise known as the Bentley Coupe or Bentley GT. It debuted here in the US as a 2004 model and was an instant hit with the upper class, celebrities and rich athletes. It didn’t hurt that the car was and still is gorgeous. Bentley is unlike its parent German company who changes body styles every four to five years hasn’t changed the body much since it debuted in 2004. There have been evolutionary changes but if a 2004 was parked next to a 2016 the same look is essentially still there. You’d probably be able to tell which one was the newer model as there have clearly been changes but it’s still unmistakably the same car.
Let’s go back to the math. That means Bentley has produced thirteen model years of the Bentley Coupe since 2004. So there’s some rich guy who only leases his toys and loves the Bentley Coupe who has gone through four GTs and is working on his fifth assuming they were all three-year leases. That’s a nice life being able to say this is my fifth GT. Being rich isn’t everything but it’s a high-class problem I’d like have. Any vehicle even in limited production like the Bentley GT that has been produced for thirteen model years will offer you a chance for an incredible find and nothing less than good value. When I do a national search on one of the auto sales sites it shows almost 300 listed for sale ranging from new 2016’s to the launch year of 2004.
These cars when bought new can be used as daily drivers as they are that good and dependable, but realistically most weren’t used in this manner. These cars mostly get limited use as a weekend toy or some “garage queen” and even for the ones that are used more frequently they are still only accumulating low annual miles. Luxury vehicles also tend to be leased at a higher rate than non-luxury vehicles and that impacts the miles put on these cars as well. It is not uncommon for a standard lease on a GT to limit you to less than 10,000 miles per year. I’ve seen leases for a Porsche 911 only allow for 6,000 miles annually and I am certain Bentley leases are similar.
Here’s the great news. When I did a national search and found close to 300 up for sale I was astonished to find that there were 2005 model year GTs that had low miles ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 with asking prices that also had wide ranges. I was shocked to see asking prices in the mid $40,000.00 range and certainly many that were higher. These cars offer great value but I want to be clear you know what you are getting into before you fall in love and start picturing yourself rolling down the boulevard and being mistaken for some celebrity or another one of those rich assholes.
Here are the things to consider:
A ten-year-old car regardless of the make is still a ten-year-old car. It doesn’t mater if it’s Japanese, German or American time has no country allegiance and it is undefeated. Engine and suspension components wear and you need to have any car you are considering taken to a Bentley dealership for a pre-purchase inspection.
These cars have TWELVE cylinder engines! See my first bullet!
Where will you get the car serviced? Is there a Bentley dealership in your area or can you find an independent specialist that will service the car?
What are the mandatory servicing requirements? How often will this car need to be serviced and what does that entail and how much? As an example some Ferraris require a full service every 3-4 years and depending on the model could cost in excess of $5,000.00. This isn’t a six cylinder Ford or four cylinder Honda.
How many miles will you put on this car annually?
How will you be using this vehicle? Weekend toy or driven more frequently?
How far back are you going? Which model year are you choosing? That’s important because most banks and credit unions will fund used cars but the older they are the higher the interest rate. It won’t be easy (but not impossible) getting financing for a 2005 as it is over ten years old.
Generally speaking these cars have been great cars to live with. It is a classic GT and what I consider the gentleman’s sports car. This is a “grown man’s” car, “Fast and Furious” need not apply although the “GT Speed” is it’s high performance twin and will run with just about anything. This car is elegant with beautiful lines and an amazing variety of interiors and exterior colors. They’ve killed plenty of trees and cows to make ensure these interiors are lavish and unquestionably high-end luxury.
The pricing quoted here was based on the 2005 model year, as I wanted you to understand the range where these cars start. You can obviously spend a lot more and if convertibles are what you desire bring more money. If your budget is $50,000.00 or three times that amount you now know you don’t need 2016 money which is $250,000.00 for MSRP new. There’s a Bentley for your budget and it starts at around $50,000.00. Yes, you can afford a Bentley now you just need to decide what year, what color and where you will purchase.