What to buy? 28k miles a year on a car allowance. - Page 1 - Car Buying

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What to buy? 28k miles a year on a car allowance.

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Alfa Pete

Original Poster

472 posts

255 months

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Sunday 1st September 2019

I currently have a company Golf GTD which goes back in December.
I will instead be getting a car allowance which equates to around £600-650 a month net (combination of tax saving/ net cash alternative / mileage allowance) to cover depreciation or lease,Insurance ,Road tax, breakdown cover and maintenance.
Only stipulation on the car allowance is that the car I get gas to be replaced at 4 years old and has 4 or more doors.
For my own requirements I want a hatch or estate something that handles well, (not keen on SUV type things) does over 45 mpg ,can accommodate my ever growing teenage kids in the back , has a reasonable size boot but the I don’t want a barge .
Strongly trying to resist the urge to just get another GTD ( or Golf R line diesel )as it’s been such a good all rounder.
Currently also thinking along lines of Seat Leon FR , Skoda Octavia VRS, Mazda 3 Sport, Honda Civic Sport and although possibly at the top of my budget 320d touring.( Had a 320ed saloon before.)
Budget is up to 18k if I use my savings or around £450 a month if I lease/pcp.
If I buy outright I’d probably look at a low mileage car around 2 years old so it’s already well into its depreciation curve and run it for two years then repeat. Aware that my mileage kills resale enough as it is.
The other scenario I considered was to buy the cheapest car that’d meet the job for work then buy a fun car for weekends for 3 or 4K........??
Seen some excellent lease deals on the Leon and been offered a reasonable one on the last of the available GTDs.
If I were to lease I’d go 2 years as I wouldn’t want to be tied into anything longer than that.
Obviously if I did pcp I’d have the option to settle so better flexibility .
Paying cash the car is mine and my savings are earning bugger all anyway but I sacrifice some liquidity.
The choice is quite big , in a way it’s way easier just getting a company car but I no longer have that choice.
What would you buy and how’d you finance it?

Edited by Alfa Pete on Sunday 1st September 14:45

Edited by Alfa Pete on Sunday 1st September 14:46

ZX10R NIN

30,525 posts

154 months

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[news]

Sunday 1st September 2019

I'd say go down the two car route & go for a low mileage car that'll eat the miles up & then get a fun car.

508 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Insignia Elite

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Infiniti Q50

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

All the above will be comfortable places to while away 28k & then leaving you a healthy budget to get a Megane RS/370Z/MX5 etc.

Alfa Pete

Original Poster

472 posts

255 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 1st September 2019

ZX10R NIN said:

Interesting choices to consider but was thinking buy at 2 years old run it for two or 3 years old run, then replace.

Not keen on saloons as I will often want to put a bike in the boot.

Also thinking about what is the best mileage to buy at?
If I bought a car now whatever the mileage I’m going to add 60k in 2 years so will probably get into expenditure beyond routine services and tyres.

Now on 75k my Golf has had 3 services , a set of pads and discs, aircon regas and a brake fluid change , tyres at every 20k on the front and at 50k on the rear which is ok ,so think I’d rather start at 20k miles or less.

But you’ve got me thinking.......

What if the budget was 12k on the everyday car and 5k on the fun car?

Edited by Alfa Pete on Sunday 1st September 14:58

ZX10R NIN

30,525 posts

154 months

[report]

[news]

Sunday 1st September 2019