What company car would you go for?
Poll: What company car would you go for?
Total Members Polled: 557
Discussion
Just got my co car list through, as above, plus can opt for a Vauxhall Insignia Exclusiv Estate, 130 bhp version.
What would you go for if it was you?
Keen to keep tax down a bit, but not too much. Above poll is in BIK tax order, obviously Prius being cheapest and Avensis being most expensive, and MPG roughly follows that rule too.
Initial thought is the Passat SE 2.0 TDI. Looks good and has plenty of kit.
However, i quite like the thought of a BMW. I'm no badge snob, having had numerous Peugeots before now, and a SEAT (as often called 'a poor poor man's Audi (with a poor mans being a VW)' by more than one person, but just like the thought of running one - even if it's not my own. Only issue is that the model above is potentially the outgoing model and i've not had the pleasure of picking up a new car since 2004, and NEW new would be good. So for now, the Passat is pencilled in with a comment that i'll review on starting (as it's a hire car for the first 8 weeks or so) as the list may change to include the new shape car.
Still, your thoughts would be appreciated!
What would you go for if it was you?
Keen to keep tax down a bit, but not too much. Above poll is in BIK tax order, obviously Prius being cheapest and Avensis being most expensive, and MPG roughly follows that rule too.
Initial thought is the Passat SE 2.0 TDI. Looks good and has plenty of kit.
However, i quite like the thought of a BMW. I'm no badge snob, having had numerous Peugeots before now, and a SEAT (as often called 'a poor poor man's Audi (with a poor mans being a VW)' by more than one person, but just like the thought of running one - even if it's not my own. Only issue is that the model above is potentially the outgoing model and i've not had the pleasure of picking up a new car since 2004, and NEW new would be good. So for now, the Passat is pencilled in with a comment that i'll review on starting (as it's a hire car for the first 8 weeks or so) as the list may change to include the new shape car.
Still, your thoughts would be appreciated!
P.S. My situation:
1. Normal commute will be 13 miles each way - mix of a and b roads and dual carriageway.
2. Work could send me a long way - it's a new job and i don't know yet. I reckon 200 or so miles a week on the road visiting sites.
3. Family wise - married with 3 kids under the age of 4. So, space is good. However, we have a Grand Scenic which the wife uses and can cope with that. So even the smallest on the list above, 1-Series?, Golf?, Focus? would do BUT a bit of space wouldn't go amiss as the Renault is a 1.6 petrol and is quite sluggish, so if we could use a company diesel car at weekend, obviously would perhaps be good. That's not to say we won't all fit in a 1-series. Eldest child is in a booster seat, and only tend to take a small fold up buggy with us these days, rather than a big double buggy.
1. Normal commute will be 13 miles each way - mix of a and b roads and dual carriageway.
2. Work could send me a long way - it's a new job and i don't know yet. I reckon 200 or so miles a week on the road visiting sites.
3. Family wise - married with 3 kids under the age of 4. So, space is good. However, we have a Grand Scenic which the wife uses and can cope with that. So even the smallest on the list above, 1-Series?, Golf?, Focus? would do BUT a bit of space wouldn't go amiss as the Renault is a 1.6 petrol and is quite sluggish, so if we could use a company diesel car at weekend, obviously would perhaps be good. That's not to say we won't all fit in a 1-series. Eldest child is in a booster seat, and only tend to take a small fold up buggy with us these days, rather than a big double buggy.
Ozone said:
Is there a cash option? 
Seriously though, probably the Golf.
Haha. Seriously though, probably the Golf.
Cash, yes. £5K. Less than my current allowance and after income tax on that, then insurance, tyres, RFL etc etc, it's soon down to something quite low. Basically, my current car, SEAT Ibiza Cupra TDI, 107k on it, is run on my current allowance and now that it's at that stage where clutches, belts, pumps etc start to go, the allowance is soon spent. I've recently been looking around though at newer stuff that would cost me more per month, but less to maintain initially.
Simbu said:
Go for whatever's cheapest and depending on the miles you cover, comfortable. I imagine the 116d would fit the bill on comfort and if it's the cheapest after the wagon of sacrilege, i'd be going for that.
The 116d is perhaps so.However, despite my current car being top of it's range when launched back in 2004, it's not exactly well equipped.
So, the Passat SE appeals as it has cruise control and DAB stereo - not deal-clinchers, but the CC would be handy to keep economy more even. Old shape 116d doesnt have CCC appears. Would like something with ipod connectivity too - which both have - and i know it's £100 or so at Halfords to get it fitted but this is a company car that may get taken off me at any point so i don't intend to fork out on any extras for it.
The 1 series will be far too small to ever use it for family duties...
Passat is a good option, massive boot, but it's only a saloon... And the S spec. Estate is sparse.
Go and try a new shape Prius, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I was.
Aside from being really cheap BIK, they have more rear legroom than anything this side of a 7 series and are very refined cruisers.
I'm currently hoping I can grab one myself, although a top spec. Megane appears to be the company preferred option.
Passat is a good option, massive boot, but it's only a saloon... And the S spec. Estate is sparse.
Go and try a new shape Prius, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I was.
Aside from being really cheap BIK, they have more rear legroom than anything this side of a 7 series and are very refined cruisers.
I'm currently hoping I can grab one myself, although a top spec. Megane appears to be the company preferred option.
What will your typical type of journey be?
Many VW diesels are on tremendous lead-times. I don't know of things have improved recently, but there are stories of people waiting almost a year for some models. We recently got a new Golf in the family (1.4 petrol Twist, bought from stock). I'm quite impressed by it and the Match was altogether nicer, but too much extra cost for us and lack of availablity meant we couldn't consider it anyway.
I hope this doesn't kick off a distracting debate, but bear in mind the beemer will be absolutely useless in snowy weather.
ETA - just saw your update on family. Forget the 1 Series.
Many VW diesels are on tremendous lead-times. I don't know of things have improved recently, but there are stories of people waiting almost a year for some models. We recently got a new Golf in the family (1.4 petrol Twist, bought from stock). I'm quite impressed by it and the Match was altogether nicer, but too much extra cost for us and lack of availablity meant we couldn't consider it anyway.
I hope this doesn't kick off a distracting debate, but bear in mind the beemer will be absolutely useless in snowy weather.
ETA - just saw your update on family. Forget the 1 Series.
Edited by Deva Link on Saturday 3rd September 23:39
VX Foxy said:
why golf over passat?
I thought it was an odd allocation of cars myself.However, looking at list price, Golf is only slightly cheaper to buy. I'd have thought the GT would've been comparitive to a Passat SE.
Shame i'm not a group above - would've been a Lexus CT200-H, Passat C and 320d that i'd have been pondering!
Richard-G said:
The Mondeo is a great steer and has acres of room, well built and the ones in my company have taken a beating and are still going strong. The bmw is a good option, but has little room
Very sparsely equipped and 'cheap' feeling in comparison to a Passat, though.Fords make little sense as company cars. Residuals keep lease prices high and high list prices mean higher BIK charges than the competition.
Let me throw this into the mix.
Work will pay me an extra £300 a year if i take one of the following:
- Prius T3
- Focus Estate Zetec 115
- Focus Titanium 115
- Passat S TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech
- Astra Exclusiv 110
- Golf Match 1.6 TDI 105
- Insignia ES 130 Ecoflex
- Golf Estate SE TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech
- Insigna Sport Tourer 130 Ecoflex
- Mondeo Zetec TDCI 140
- Avensis Tourer T2 D-4D
- Avensis TR D-4D
or £600 extra a year if i take:
- Fiesta Econetic 95 TDCI Zetec
- Polo Bluemotion 1.2 TDI (81 mpg!)
- Auris Hybrid T-Spirit
- Focus Zetec 115 TDCI
- Focus Estate Edge 115 TDCI
- Golf Bluemotion 105
- Golf Estate S TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech
- Astra Sport Tourer 95 Ecoflex
- Astra Exclusiv 110 Ecoflex
The above is obvious a cash benefit, plus lower car tax, PLUS above 2 bands are replaced ever 3 years, rather than every 4 which is what the cars in the initial poll are on. So cheaper to run and replaced more frequently, but (arguabley) not as good cars.
Work will pay me an extra £300 a year if i take one of the following:
- Prius T3
- Focus Estate Zetec 115
- Focus Titanium 115
- Passat S TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech
- Astra Exclusiv 110
- Golf Match 1.6 TDI 105
- Insignia ES 130 Ecoflex
- Golf Estate SE TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech
- Insigna Sport Tourer 130 Ecoflex
- Mondeo Zetec TDCI 140
- Avensis Tourer T2 D-4D
- Avensis TR D-4D
or £600 extra a year if i take:
- Fiesta Econetic 95 TDCI Zetec
- Polo Bluemotion 1.2 TDI (81 mpg!)
- Auris Hybrid T-Spirit
- Focus Zetec 115 TDCI
- Focus Estate Edge 115 TDCI
- Golf Bluemotion 105
- Golf Estate S TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech
- Astra Sport Tourer 95 Ecoflex
- Astra Exclusiv 110 Ecoflex
The above is obvious a cash benefit, plus lower car tax, PLUS above 2 bands are replaced ever 3 years, rather than every 4 which is what the cars in the initial poll are on. So cheaper to run and replaced more frequently, but (arguabley) not as good cars.
VX Foxy said:
Ozone said:
Seriously though, probably the Golf.
why golf over passat?OP you keep moving the goal posts!!!
Edited by Ozone on Saturday 3rd September 23:48
Pretty sure you'll not get cruise on all the cheaper cars, and on most you'll end up with wind down windows in the rear and aircon rather than climate.
However.... If you can live without cruise, the T3 Prius has climate and electrics all round. (yes, I've done more research than could be considered health for a PH poster)
ETA... And, if you get cash back, you'll get a Prius for just 500 quid a year if a higher rate tax payer, or pretty much free if lower rate.
However.... If you can live without cruise, the T3 Prius has climate and electrics all round. (yes, I've done more research than could be considered health for a PH poster)
ETA... And, if you get cash back, you'll get a Prius for just 500 quid a year if a higher rate tax payer, or pretty much free if lower rate.
Edited by VeeFour on Saturday 3rd September 23:52
VeeFour said:
Pretty sure you'll not get cruise on all the cheaper cars
Thanks, that's why i was sticking to the original band of cars that i can choose as a maximum.And thinking about it, £300 a year is only £25 a month, and the difference between the 140ps Golf and the 105ps Golf is only £10 or so - so very little.
Not the most inspiring list and an advert for taking the cash if ever there was one. However, if taking a car, I'd take the 140 Passat out of that lot (presume the SE in the poll is a saloon).
Surely the lower group cars would have you tearing your hair out if you had to drive them for 3 or 4 years. I had a 105bhp Golf Bluemotion for a few weeks and I'd really had enough of it by then. Several years would be really painful, well to me it would, YMMV.
Surely the lower group cars would have you tearing your hair out if you had to drive them for 3 or 4 years. I had a 105bhp Golf Bluemotion for a few weeks and I'd really had enough of it by then. Several years would be really painful, well to me it would, YMMV.
at least test drive one, they're surprisingly handy on the road.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff