It looks like $25k gets you one of these with 100k miles or less from around 2005-07.
How reliable are they? I know regular running costs are going to be expensive but what are the chances of having one for a year or two, putting maybe 5k miles on it without having an unexpected large bill to spoil the fun?
Seductively gorgeous, but high maintenance. You should only get into a relationship with one with your eyes wide open.
I thoroughly enjoyed my '91 Turbo R.
It's a Bentley. All repair bills are large. 
Belts and hoses, $500. Flush and fill the hydraulic system, $300. Radiator, $1000. Seat computers, $800. Parts were nonexistent in the USA. Everything had to come from England. Any breakdown out of town meant an expensive tow bill back home so I could order parts.
That made me unwilling to drive the car anywhere but locally. But the paint on mine was immaculate so I was also unwilling to drive it to the grocery store or park in in a parking lot for fear of door dings and the other stupidity that happens there. So it mostly sat in my shop where I still worried about scratching the paint every time I walked past it.
I traded it away for a 1926 REO T6. Much simpler and I don't worry about scratching the paint too much.
It was fun while it lasted but I don't miss it.
So my recommendation is to do it. I've been tempted myself. I bet the W12 is awesome as long as it's running. But do it with your eyes wide open.
"What could possibly go wrong?"
It's a mid 00s Volkswagen, not a Toyota.
There's also some hose that regularly breaks that is practically an engine out service to get, I forget the specifics.
Parts shouldn't be too bad as they are shared a lot with A8s and Phaetons. Body parts are likely quite expensive.
Maintained they are actually pretty decent to about 100K. But the trick is finding a cheap one that has been maintained.
You are talking almost engine out for a starter replacement which WILL happen. 5-10K for suspension failures and upper control arm replacements which has already happened at 45K miles and will happen again soon. Stupid complex electrical failures if you have any water intrusion.
My uncles supersport went 150K with darn near nothing but maintenance items, but Bentley considers all of the above maintenance. You have been warned. In some ways spending 70K on a used 4.0TT Spur with lower miles may be the cheaper option even with depreciation. FYI this is all based on you doing your own work as well, shop hours are brutal at least in SoCal. Like Ferrari or worse.
^^^ I recently re-read an Octane magazine buyer's guide that said pretty much that.
It's a heavy, fast car so it's hard on brakes, bushings, and tires. Also it has a lot of ECU modules and water ingress is a problem so make sure it was garaged its whole life.
Post 2007 models are supposed to be better built.
I posted one that had been listed for $15k some time in the last year but can't find the thread now. I can't imagine there's many cheaper buy-ins for a 198mph capable car, but I also don't think driving it is going to be cheap. I still have an eye out from time to time, they're a pretty amazing deal for what you get but the risk is high.
So and this is me and my money/budget talking.
You want to spend money on a 2015+ and you want the flying spur. If you can get the SPEED even better. There was a issue with the oil return mesh on the pickup that likely has already been addressed on any car you look at. You want the flying spur because the owners tend to be wealthier and actually use the cars. The flash money never wanted the 4 door and well I think it drives better.
You can find them in the 45-55K range with sub 60K miles in good colors. But they go fast because they are kind of under rated. I personally think this will be cheaper even with depretiation over mainaing a 100K+ mile GT that WILL need work on purchase.
Run for your life before your wallet bursts into flames..............................
Thanks for the responses, a good variety of answers there. The W12 is a big part of the attraction so even though the later V8 is likely a better car it's not really what I'm looking for. I'm in So Cal so hopefully water intrusion shouldn't be as much of an issue. I would plan on doing any work on it myself. Anything specific about the post '07 that is better, or just generally a bit less troublesome?
I missed the "GT" part and got excited to see some 6¾L action
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