New vs used Rolls-Royce Wraith: what are the top 3 differences?
Buy a pre-owned Rolls-Royce Wraith, instead of a brand new car, and you can easily pay R2.5m less. There are, however, good reason to forego that saving. One is the almost limitless customising options available at the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood in the UK.
Owners of Rolls-Royce cars often employ chauffeurs to take care of the driving, while they buy companies, smoke cigars and drink R20 000 whisky; or whatever it is billionaires do. But some owners prefer to do the driving, and in 2013 the company launched a car specially for them: the Wraith fastback coupé.
To make this wild child of the Phantom family drive less than a limo and more like a GT, Rolls-Royce shortened the wheelbase, widened the track and reduced its height by 50 mm. When Wraith received the Black Badge treatment in 2016, engineers added 70 Nm to its maximum torque output. This boosted it to 870 Nm, while maximum power from the 6.6-litre V12 remained at a gargantuan 465 kW.
If you have your sights set on a Wraith, does it make more sense to buy a new or pre-owned car? It is a question without a simple answer. Let’s consider three differences between these two options.
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1. After-sales peace of mind
One of the most compelling arguments for buying a car new, is the support the owner and the car receive from the dealer. “Owning a Rolls-Royce is an effortless pleasure, made even simpler by the high standards of aftercare that we offer,” Rolls-Royce Johannesburg says. “We will provide support and advice on all aspects of your motor car and a comprehensive four-year ownership package, including warranty, service and roadside assistance,” they promise.
The local purveyor of Rollers further states that when you buy a new Rolls-Royce, “your service and maintenance is covered by our service package for the first four years, regardless of the car’s mileage.” Additionally, every new Rolls-Royce is protected by a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty, which provides cover for almost any eventuality.
These are persuasive reasons to buy new, but Rolls-Royce does offers a Provenance pre-owned package. This gives the buyer a Provenance warranty, servicing and roadside assistance for up to two years. Still, these will not be as valuable as the after-sales care package on a new Wraith.
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2. Significant saving on the purchase price
This is to be expected, because the only ‘used’ Rolls-Royce more expensive than a new example, will be a highly collectible one. Like the 1912 Pullman Silver Ghost Limousine that sold for close to R125m. That sum dwarfs the approximate retail price of a new Wraith, which is R8.5m. According to a spokesperson from Rolls-Royce, the Black Badge Wraith’s price is “POA” (price on asking), because it is such a bespoke car.
Search for pre-owned Wraiths here on AutoTrader and you will find relative bargains. Want to save R2.5m on the purchase of a Wraith? Simply buy one for R6m.
3. Building your dream car
Customising a car to match your taste or whims to the smallest detail is part of the heritage and appeal of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and a handful of other ultra-luxury car companies. Buy a new VW Golf, and you can upgrade to bigger alloy wheels or leather seats. Buy a new Rolls or Bentley, however, and you can have the paintwork matched to the colour of your favourite evening gown, use a specific oak tree growing on your estate for the wood trim or create an in-vehicle tray for your hunting rifles or shotguns. As the saying goes, the only limits are your imagination and bank balance.
This does not mean you cannot execute some customising to #pimpmyrolls if you have bought a used specimen – but your options will be more limited. Serious bespoke features are best left to the craftspeople of Goodwood in England, and not Goodwood in South Africa.