New job 20k miles car allowance + mileage what car?

[Octocon13]

I’m starting a new job soon where I’ll be receiving a (small) car allowance of around £400 a month plus mileage allowance at the full rates.

Looking for the best way to get into a suitable car. Lease / PCP / Loan etc.

Currently have a 21 plate Tucson Manual - it does around 45mpg average and costs me around £250 a month. I really want an auto for the mileage I’m doing but not sure what car would fit the bill? Would electric work for me?

Pretty open to suggestions but needs to be a nice enough place to spend a lot of Time and have a boot suitable for a dog on the weekend!

Look forward to suggestions

[covmutley]

20k miles is going to make a pcp or lease expensive.

With the dog requirements, an e350 E class estate, 3.0 XF estate would be on the list.

I do similar miles and just picked up a 2013 audi a8 to replace a polestar 2. Polestar was great, but the audi is unbelievably good. Honestly can't say how impressed I am. I just need it to stay reliable though... fingers crossed!!!!!

[ZX10R NIN]

If the Tucson works in every other way then just get an auto version, or go for the Kia version.

I'd suggest getting a personal loan to make up the difference between your current Tucson & your upgrade.

Diesel Hybrid Tucson:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411196...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411216...

Sportage:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410034...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412077...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411266...

DS7:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411076...

[maz8062]

Do nothing. Keep the Tuscon and see how you get on - it'll mean you're £150 up (less after tax of course) but it'll give you time to figure things out for real. If you change, EV would work but you must be able to charge the thing at home or it'll be a PITA and expensive. Diesel would work best for that mileage.

[MOMACC]

I have been in a similar employment situation.

My advice is stick with what you have and be sure the job is going to be long term.

Get past your probation and then start looking for something else.

I drove a 1.5 2021 Ford Kuga manual on my 130 mile daily commute, it did the job perfectly for the time that I had it including visiting clients at the other end of the country.

[Robertb]

Might it make sense to get a PHEV on salary sacrifice if possible?

[Octocon13]

covmutley said:

20k miles is going to make a pcp or lease expensive.

With the dog requirements, an e350 E class estate, 3.0 XF estate would be on the list.

I do similar miles and just picked up a 2013 audi a8 to replace a polestar 2. Polestar was great, but the audi is unbelievably good. Honestly can't say how impressed I am. I just need it to stay reliable though... fingers crossed!!!!!

The PCP being expensive and residual value dropping are key considerations. Ideally I’d buy something cheaper pay it off and pocket the mileage payments and allowance to pay for any repairs. I’m just not sure on vehicle requirements I.e think it needs to be a certain age

[Octocon13]

MOMACC said:

I have been in a similar employment situation.

My advice is stick with what you have and be sure the job is going to be long term.

Get past your probation and then start looking for something else.

I drove a 1.5 2021 Ford Kuga manual on my 130 mile daily commute, it did the job perfectly for the time that I had it including visiting clients at the other end of the country.

Sticking to what I have is likely the best option for now, I am just considerate that the manual might get tiresome quickly.

[Octocon13]

Robertb said:

Might it make sense to get a PHEV on salary sacrifice if possible?

I’m hoping that my company will be introducing this at some point so yes definitely a consideration.

[Octocon13]

There’s also the possibility of a company car - I think it’s pretty much a Lexus ES. as far as I know / I’m being advised it’s likely more beneficial to go for the allowance? It’s the first job I’ve had where I get a car so still not sure what the best option will be

[Jimjimhim]

It depends on where you're driving as to if/when a manual gets tiresome, but I would stick with what you have for now while you figure out what's best to get. Something like a Mondeo estate might work well.

[7 5 7]

Cheapest petrol Segment D car (Mondeo/Insignia/Avensis etc) - basically, a rep classic!

Petrol, as it is cheaper currently at the pumps, and also maintenance costs will be significantly lower in the grand scheme things with less to go wrong on paper.

Then take the allowance and pocket it, can you do that?

[Simon_GH]

Toyota Avensis estate petrol hybrid. I had a chat with someone recently who is doing the thick end of 1000 miles a week in one - shuffling stock between sites across the UK. It does diesel-like mpg whilst remaining quiet and avoiding any potential diesel taxes / restrictions.

[therams]

72 plate Tesla model y

approx £450 a month from somewhere like car360

get a less than 10p per KW electricity tariff

250 miles real world range, more in summer

will cost you £25 a month ish to fill up. zero road tax.

[anonymous-user]

therams said:

72 plate Tesla model y

approx £450 a month from somewhere like car360

get a less than 10p per KW electricity tariff

250 miles real world range, more in summer

will cost you £25 a month ish to fill up. zero road tax.

Is that a PCP deal? With 20k miles a year?

[Jimjimhim]

therams said:

72 plate Tesla model y

approx £450 a month from somewhere like car360

get a less than 10p per KW electricity tariff

250 miles real world range, more in summer

will cost you £25 a month ish to fill up. zero road tax.

I'm not saying it wouldn't work out cost effective, but he might need a wall charger so would need to add £1000 to those figures.

[RayDonovan]

Presume £400 is pre tax (what's your band?) and you mean 45ppm?

The mileage rate is something that catches people out so worth being 100% right..

[Octocon13]

RayDonovan said:

Presume £400 is pre tax (what's your band?) and you mean 45ppm?

The mileage rate is something that catches people out so worth being 100% right..

Yeah correct - pre tax and is definitely 45p up to 10 and 25p thereafter.

[RayDonovan]

Cool

How is the current car financed?

[therams]

MrBig said:

therams said:

72 plate Tesla model y

approx £450 a month from somewhere like car360

get a less than 10p per KW electricity tariff

250 miles real world range, more in summer

will cost you £25 a month ish to fill up. zero road tax.

Is that a PCP deal? With 20k miles a year?

Yeah. Dealer is called car360. Don’t think I can link to it on here but will show with a google search