There's enough stuff in the under 500 quid category to fill a couple of episodes, let alone raising it to under seven grand.

Well, the 'seven grand' thing wasn't an arbitrary number it was 'the least money you can spend to get a new car in the UK' so it's a reasonable benchmark. To be honest, you'd have to be mental or at least have more money than sense to buy a car new at the moment.

Jon

I meant that was the reason they didn't do loads of cars, just their personal choices.

But you did get the class of car that is available for that kind of money. I was amazed at the Bentley - though as they said, the running and service costs could bankrupt you very quickly.

A Mercedes for under £7K? Why not? If you find a good one, then I don’t see much of a problem.

That BMW that Richard got is the only model BMW that I'd part with my money for and keep.

Mark

I'm not entriely sure a couple of V12's, whatever the badge on the front, wouldn't bankrupt most people fairly quickly with current petrol prices.

Wow. It seems most people totally missed the point of that section of the show. *shrug*

Mark

I thought it was saying that the second hand market was a pretty good source for second hand cars. Look, if you are wiling to lob £7000 at a car, then you get an idea of the high-end cars that are available for that price. You will get a much better bargain if you aimed your sights a little lower.

They did show that you could get a good Scooby, RX8, etc for the money IIRC too

Just seen an advert for next weeks episode. It looks very good.

As an aside, I notice they're still using the Tron Legacy soundtrack quite extensively. Wonder if they can keep that up for 6 episodes....

I don't agree. You may get some cheaper to run cars, but as-described "super coupes" from prestige brands with absolutely EVERYTHING on them?? As Jeremy said, "why buy a new Mercedes?"

What more of a bargain could you get for aiming lower?

I’m thinking more about what I’d class as “family cars” - VWs, Skodas, Vauxhalls. If you can get a car like those featured in the programme for that price, the obvious leap is that you could pick up a more modest make/model of car in a similar condition, for a hell of a lot less.

Agreed. But more of a bargain? I think not.

And anyway, who wants a family car when you're watching Top Gear?

He's got a point you know - 'You can buy quite nice cars second hand' is about as close to actual consumer advice as New Top Gear has ever managed.

Jon