What company car 7-seater?
Discussion
Bear with me.....I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I'm going to get a company car. Basically I pick what I want from a list and I have to pay contributions if it's over a certain amount, but I have some constraints - it has to be from one of the following manufacturers and no more than 160g\km CO2.
Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes, Mini, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, and Volvo.
I'm keeping my current car as a weekend toy so my company car has to be something as different as possible (i.e. I have a 2 seater with no boot space and nowhere to put anything) - so I'm looking at a 7-seater so I can cart around the family, take trips to the skip and not be bothered where I park it. I'm happy to run an oil burner though I'd like it to be at least semi-good, the Renault Grand Scenic has caught my eye and as an example the top spec 1.9dci requires £50 contribution and £80 tax per month and I don't really want to pay too much more than that so the list price can't really climb much higher (about £23k).
I know nothing about people carriers\buses - what's the best of breed around that list price? S-Max? Galaxy? And I am better paying more for a bigger engine, or loading it with toys (I won't be doing many miles in it).
Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes, Mini, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, and Volvo.
I'm keeping my current car as a weekend toy so my company car has to be something as different as possible (i.e. I have a 2 seater with no boot space and nowhere to put anything) - so I'm looking at a 7-seater so I can cart around the family, take trips to the skip and not be bothered where I park it. I'm happy to run an oil burner though I'd like it to be at least semi-good, the Renault Grand Scenic has caught my eye and as an example the top spec 1.9dci requires £50 contribution and £80 tax per month and I don't really want to pay too much more than that so the list price can't really climb much higher (about £23k).
I know nothing about people carriers\buses - what's the best of breed around that list price? S-Max? Galaxy? And I am better paying more for a bigger engine, or loading it with toys (I won't be doing many miles in it).
It depends on who you want to sit in seats 6&7; if those seats are for adults or kids 12 and older, you'll want a full-size MPV, in which case you will struggle to find anything around that CO2 figure other than "ecomotive/bluemotion" type cars - I'm thinking VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra here (which is an old model about to be replaced), Ford Galaxy do an eco version but might be stretching the budget a bit. The Ford does have folding seats, if that's important for you.
If not, then Ford s-max is best of the smaller cars otherwise Citroen Grand Picasso, Peugueot 5008 or Renault Grand Scenic, probably in that order, although Citroen and Peugeot are much of a muchness.
If not, then Ford s-max is best of the smaller cars otherwise Citroen Grand Picasso, Peugueot 5008 or Renault Grand Scenic, probably in that order, although Citroen and Peugeot are much of a muchness.
Can you opt out?
We have an S-Max and I hate it:
The steering wheel is set very slightly to the right. The gear ratios are awful (2.2d with the 6 speed manual) until you get to 3rd when it kind of works, until you discover that 6th only pulls above 60. And the torque steer is distinctly unpleasant.
The ride is awful, again until you're on a fast A-road when it does at least handle ok. Just as long as there aren't any roundabouts when the aforementioned torque steer ruins any enjoyment.
And the interior build (particularly the plastic cubby doors/flaps) is pants, the seats are too firm and if you're tall the A pillar(s) create a huge blind spot.
I was quite impressed with the Berlingo as simple, honest transport but wasn't prepared to take the hit on the depreciation front. That and the fact the biggest engine is a 1.6
Do you really need 7 seats or would an estate do?
We have an S-Max and I hate it:
The steering wheel is set very slightly to the right. The gear ratios are awful (2.2d with the 6 speed manual) until you get to 3rd when it kind of works, until you discover that 6th only pulls above 60. And the torque steer is distinctly unpleasant.
The ride is awful, again until you're on a fast A-road when it does at least handle ok. Just as long as there aren't any roundabouts when the aforementioned torque steer ruins any enjoyment.
And the interior build (particularly the plastic cubby doors/flaps) is pants, the seats are too firm and if you're tall the A pillar(s) create a huge blind spot.
I was quite impressed with the Berlingo as simple, honest transport but wasn't prepared to take the hit on the depreciation front. That and the fact the biggest engine is a 1.6
Do you really need 7 seats or would an estate do?
Thanks for the replies....
It doesn't have to be a 7 seater but it'd mean I can use it for all occasions (i.e. long runs to the airport carrying 5 people, 4 suitcases and a pram, or a day trip to the seaside with 7 people and light luggage - I want it to be as different to the car I has as possible, my wife has a good sized saloon for everything in between).
I think it'll be down to the S-Max or Grand Scenic by the looks of things, thanks for the input people, I'll probably take both for a test drive and see which I like.
Anyone got any more feedback on either of these 2, either good or bad? I've read reviews but I guess I'm after a long term view on either.
Bluebarge said:
If not, then Ford s-max is best of the smaller cars otherwise Citroen Grand Picasso, Peugueot 5008 or Renault Grand Scenic, probably in that order, although Citroen and Peugeot are much of a muchness.
Citroen and Pugs aren't in my list so that rules them out.iggletiggle said:
Would a vw touran suit?..
7 seats, 1.9tdi 105ps engine is fairly low co2, not as bloated as other 7seats (as it is smaller) but maybe worth a look?
I thought about the Touran, but I think it's at the end of it's life and I'd have to keep the car for 4 years as per the rules of my company car policy, so I'm in 2 minds about that.7 seats, 1.9tdi 105ps engine is fairly low co2, not as bloated as other 7seats (as it is smaller) but maybe worth a look?
Bill said:
Can you opt out?
Do you really need 7 seats or would an estate do?
Yes I can opt out, but the cash isn't massive and by the time I get taxed & NI on it I'd be lucky to buy and run a brand new Fiesta so the car seems the sensible optionDo you really need 7 seats or would an estate do?
It doesn't have to be a 7 seater but it'd mean I can use it for all occasions (i.e. long runs to the airport carrying 5 people, 4 suitcases and a pram, or a day trip to the seaside with 7 people and light luggage - I want it to be as different to the car I has as possible, my wife has a good sized saloon for everything in between).
I think it'll be down to the S-Max or Grand Scenic by the looks of things, thanks for the input people, I'll probably take both for a test drive and see which I like.
Anyone got any more feedback on either of these 2, either good or bad? I've read reviews but I guess I'm after a long term view on either.
Edited by itz_baseline on Friday 11th June 21:15
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