Bentley CGT - 04/05, 40k mls, £40-45k - ok or steer clear???

[S1M VP]

Hi all .... thoughts & help please !!! (search hasn't really helped)


I want to buy a nice car to replace the Jag STR, mainly for using most days going to work and back.
My office is 3 miles from home, whilst I do a weekly trip 40-50 miles each way to our other office.

I have a AM Vanquish, which I intend to keep and I do use it once or twice a week ... so started looking at 'sensible cars' such as Range Rovers & RRS Sports, Cayennes etc initially wanting to spend say £22-25k to avoid high depreciation.

Must Haves:

- Be good reliable, solid car
- Happy motorway cruiser for longer journeys, with some oomph when needed
- Seat me, the mrs and our 4yr old in confort
- Fit my golf clubs and large electric trolley in boot

I've gone from a diesel RRS to a merc CLS, to an M5, to a FFRR, to an XK ... but then as I was searching the classifieds I saw that Bentley CGT's can be had for £35-45k now, with 40k miles and FSH

XK is very similar in size to the Vanquish
RRS nice but interior not a patch on the FFRR (06 Supercharged)
Merc CLS bit too rep mobile
M5/M6 are very bland inside
Jag XF ok but don't light my fire
Quattroporte heard reliability can be an issue
Porsche Cayenne Turbo, maybe but prefer interior of RR
Bentley - can get the clubs in fine but is it too similar to the Vanquish?


So, whilst any ideas and suggestions would be much appreciated, I am really keen on finding out what you guys think a 04/05 CGT with FBSH and 'say' 35-50k miles and c.£40-45k would be like to own with regards to ..

Reliabilty?

Big Bills?

Are these cars ok at this price, or should I steer well clear?


Deliberately buying this end as I don't do finance and prefer not to throw it away on depreciation.


Thanks for any input - especially hoping to hear about experiences from those who've been tempted by similar cars.

(and before I get told to search, I have. One thread useful with gearbox issues, fuse box damp etc ... other one useless as everyone started on about depreciation and never answered the OP questions, hence trying to get some really infomred and honest opinions).

Some examples below:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2912275.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2751319.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2657706.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2766840.htm

[awg454]

Hi I have had mine nearly 2 years now its a 54 plate,apart from tyre pressure sensor fault and a high level brake light fault in the first 2 months I have had no other problems,I was undecided when i bought it,they always seem to get negative comments on here,but it is a really good car.

[ack0]

Well with the Vanquish my perfect garage would have to contain the Range Rover (not Sport) as that would do everything else you need.

With the Bentley the CGT is a bit too close to the Vanquish for me-have you considered the Arnage Red label?

Fantastic proper car and great value now

[Markymark69]

Go for it, apart from the stupid tyre sensor problem and a new head unit under warranty iv had no problems, iv had a few of them now.

Get a Bentley warranty.

[S1M VP]

awg454 said:

Hi I have had mine nearly 2 years now its a 54 plate,apart from tyre pressure sensor fault and a high level brake light fault in the first 2 months I have had no other problems,I was undecided when i bought it,they always seem to get negative comments on here,but it is a really good car.

OK thanks ... thats a bit more reassuring! ... tend to only get to hear about the bad bits

[S1M VP]

ack0 said:

Well with the Vanquish my perfect garage would have to contain the Range Rover (not Sport) as that would do everything else you need.

With the Bentley the CGT is a bit too close to the Vanquish for me-have you considered the Arnage Red label?

Fantastic proper car and great value now

I have looked at Arnage's but being a young 34, they will be ideal in a few years time, a bit too 'distinguished gentleman' for me at the minute

[POORCARDEALER]

S1M VP said:

ack0 said:

Well with the Vanquish my perfect garage would have to contain the Range Rover (not Sport) as that would do everything else you need.

With the Bentley the CGT is a bit too close to the Vanquish for me-have you considered the Arnage Red label?

Fantastic proper car and great value now

I have looked at Arnage's but being a young 34, they will be ideal in a few years time, a bit too 'distinguished gentleman' for me at the minute

Get an Arnage T, they are a more aggresive looking car

[Markymark69]

POORCARDEALER said:

Get an Arnage T, they are a more aggresive looking car

But they dont drive 1/2 as well.

[POORCARDEALER]

Markymark69 said:

POORCARDEALER said:

Get an Arnage T, they are a more aggresive looking car

But they dont drive 1/2 as well.

No they are a more antiquated drive, but have presence that the GT/GTC doesnt have.

[mrobin33]

S1M VP said:

I have looked at Arnage's but being a young 34, they will be ideal in a few years time, a bit too 'distinguished gentleman' for me at the minute

I had an Arnage for five years before I considered myself old enough for a Continental. Each has a definite role to play.