Desperate for advice quickly...
Discussion
Hi All,
Thanks for reading
Ok so a quick outline.. i'm a new driver but get a free car from work which i need to choose by tomorrow without seeing then. I'm 30 & do an executive job, and have 2 little ones. I can afford to run any of the below so just a case of which car is best i guess. I'd prefer a 4 door and leaning towards auto but my knowledge of cars is pretty lame... i'd say i'm probably more comfort / interior luxury than speed but a good mix of both would be nice..
I feel myself like the cla220 amg or bmw 435 are likely the best fit but would love some input from people who know cars. Ages vary slightly but all within the attached list but none are more than 2 years old.
Thanks for reading
Ok so a quick outline.. i'm a new driver but get a free car from work which i need to choose by tomorrow without seeing then. I'm 30 & do an executive job, and have 2 little ones. I can afford to run any of the below so just a case of which car is best i guess. I'd prefer a 4 door and leaning towards auto but my knowledge of cars is pretty lame... i'd say i'm probably more comfort / interior luxury than speed but a good mix of both would be nice..
I feel myself like the cla220 amg or bmw 435 are likely the best fit but would love some input from people who know cars. Ages vary slightly but all within the attached list but none are more than 2 years old.
I'm sure you can afford to run any of them, but are you aware of the BIK and how much tax you'll pay. I don't know if you're a 20 or 40% taxpayer but whilst the 435 is a great car, it's going to cost a fortune in BIK tax. ( a combination of new list price (regardless of the car being new to you or not) and co2 emissions.
A quick google tells me the 435 they are offering will cost you £494 a month in tax from April as a 40% tax payer. That's nearly £500/ month in cold hard cash lost!! Why do you go to work, to earn money for you family or to swan around in a flash car?
A quick google tells me the 435 they are offering will cost you £494 a month in tax from April as a 40% tax payer. That's nearly £500/ month in cold hard cash lost!! Why do you go to work, to earn money for you family or to swan around in a flash car?
Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Sunday 5th February 09:14
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I'm sure you can afford to run any of them, but are you aware of the BIK and how much tax you'll pay. I don't know if you're a 20 or 40% taxpayer but whilst the 435 is a great car, it's going to cost a fortune in BIK tax. ( a combination of new list price (regardless of the car being new to you or not) and co2 emissions.
He quite clearly states he is 30 and in an executive role, so im sure he can afford the BIK. 435 is the only one i would personally choose out of those.
Edited by Bristol spark on Sunday 5th February 09:16
Bristol spark said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I'm sure you can afford to run any of them, but are you aware of the BIK and how much tax you'll pay. I don't know if you're a 20 or 40% taxpayer but whilst the 435 is a great car, it's going to cost a fortune in BIK tax. ( a combination of new list price (regardless of the car being new to you or not) and co2 emissions.
He quite clearly states he is 30 and in an executive role, so im sure he can afford the BIK. 
If there are small people involved, ditch the coupes for a start, you might even want to ditch the saloons too just leaving the hatches and estates. That should narrow it down a bit. Is parking an issue?
So leaving how much tax are you prepared to pay and how much practicality do you need.
So leaving how much tax are you prepared to pay and how much practicality do you need.
Bristol spark said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
I'm sure you can afford to run any of them, but are you aware of the BIK and how much tax you'll pay. I don't know if you're a 20 or 40% taxpayer but whilst the 435 is a great car, it's going to cost a fortune in BIK tax. ( a combination of new list price (regardless of the car being new to you or not) and co2 emissions.
He quite clearly states he is 30 and in an executive role, so im sure he can afford the BIK. TwigtheWonderkid said:
I'm sure you're right. But is he aware of it and does he want to pay that much? The Mini would cost him about £350 a month less. He could pay that into a pension and it would be grossed up to £583. Or use the saved £350 to overpay his mortgage, thus maybe saving tens of thousands over the next 25 years.
Yes but he would then have to drive a mini clubman, which will make him puke every morning when goes out of his front door....Having recently gone through a similar process the 435D seems utterly out of place compared to the other options on that list?
It's clearly the best car there from a PH point of view, you just need to decide whether the extra £150-200 a month in BIK tax and reduced MPG over all of the other options available is something you are happy to pay in return for the substantial increase in performance and kit.
I will say though that if comfort, practicality and a bit of luxury are higher priorities for you the 520D is a very good car. The only downside being I suspect it will be the F10 model that is currently being replaced.
I'm assuming you are basing your view purely on liking the way it looks?
It's clearly the best car there from a PH point of view, you just need to decide whether the extra £150-200 a month in BIK tax and reduced MPG over all of the other options available is something you are happy to pay in return for the substantial increase in performance and kit.
I will say though that if comfort, practicality and a bit of luxury are higher priorities for you the 520D is a very good car. The only downside being I suspect it will be the F10 model that is currently being replaced.
Mikeyblue said:
Not seeing much love for the CLA 220 amg sport listed which i'm really tempted with vs the 435. what puts you guys off it?
It's in no way comparible. Very small inside, FWD, average performance and not very good to drive (my wife had one for a weekend)I'm assuming you are basing your view purely on liking the way it looks?
Edited by SWoll on Sunday 5th February 09:35
a friend told me to go for the 5 series but i think those available lack spec Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff