Keep Audi S3 for bigger mileage - or get a dreaded diesel?
Discussion
I'm starting a job soon that will see my annual mileage go up from about 7,000 to 20,000+. I expect at least 13k miles will be on business, even if I take the train a lot.
I will have a pay rise and expenses that should allow me to just break-even on my current car - a nicely spec'd 2010 Audi S3. Essentially, I shouldn't be out of pocket from doing the miles but there wouldn't be any contribution to the fixed costs of owning the car.
Additionally, we're a one car family at present and I may need to fund a second car to keep my wife and little ones mobile during the week. I've been considering something like a Citroen C1 or similar £100pcm lease-deal econobox, with this in mind.
I think I'd enjoy doing the miles in the S3, but £10k p/a full running costs (even before a second car) make me pause for thought:
Depreciation (2012) £4,000
Fuel (28mpg, £1.34 ppl) £4,400
Insurance £600
Tyres x 2 £300
Service, breakdown cover £0
Car tax £250
I know that most of the above costs would be reduced by going for an older diseasel, but I'm keen to have some fun while motoring and don't want anything needing higher maintenance.
Plan A is to see how it goes with the S3. Am I mad?
I will have a pay rise and expenses that should allow me to just break-even on my current car - a nicely spec'd 2010 Audi S3. Essentially, I shouldn't be out of pocket from doing the miles but there wouldn't be any contribution to the fixed costs of owning the car.
Additionally, we're a one car family at present and I may need to fund a second car to keep my wife and little ones mobile during the week. I've been considering something like a Citroen C1 or similar £100pcm lease-deal econobox, with this in mind.
I think I'd enjoy doing the miles in the S3, but £10k p/a full running costs (even before a second car) make me pause for thought:
Depreciation (2012) £4,000
Fuel (28mpg, £1.34 ppl) £4,400
Insurance £600
Tyres x 2 £300
Service, breakdown cover £0
Car tax £250
I know that most of the above costs would be reduced by going for an older diseasel, but I'm keen to have some fun while motoring and don't want anything needing higher maintenance.
Plan A is to see how it goes with the S3. Am I mad?
Let the wife drive the S3 and you have a cheap diesel?
Might slow down the devaluation of the S3 due to lower mileage, while saving on fuel, but you still have it there for your fun drives?
Cheap older diesel saloon to get you about cheaply with the space of a bigger car when needed, perhaps.
Might slow down the devaluation of the S3 due to lower mileage, while saving on fuel, but you still have it there for your fun drives?
Cheap older diesel saloon to get you about cheaply with the space of a bigger car when needed, perhaps.
Edited by PainTrain on Sunday 8th January 01:19
Is the s3 bought or on lease?
If its yours I'd consider LPG conversion if you find the fuel costs too steep for the mileage you end up doin and you intend keeping it a few years.
If its lease you may be able to exchange earlier than intended and get a diesel if needed, mileage would also need to be considered if this s the case.
Or just do as you plan and keep it as is for now and see if you do the mileage you expect to.
If its yours I'd consider LPG conversion if you find the fuel costs too steep for the mileage you end up doin and you intend keeping it a few years.
If its lease you may be able to exchange earlier than intended and get a diesel if needed, mileage would also need to be considered if this s the case.
Or just do as you plan and keep it as is for now and see if you do the mileage you expect to.
If you're not being given a car allowance then the rate per mile should be fairly high to compensate. 53ppm wasnt unheard of in my last job
Saying that though it may work out cheaper for the company to give you an allowance and a lower ppm as this goes on, time will tell I guess
Dont forget to go up to business class 1 on your insurance
Saying that though it may work out cheaper for the company to give you an allowance and a lower ppm as this goes on, time will tell I guess
Dont forget to go up to business class 1 on your insurance
Doing 20k p.a. on British roads these days is miserable enough without giving up a car you clearly like for one you think you won't. If you're going to spend that long behind the wheel, you want something you like.
As above, try some of the better diesel offerings - you might be impressed.
Otherwise, find a way to keep the Audi. Perhaps pick up a cheapish mk4 tdi Golf to use alongside the S3 and split the miles between them, with the OH using whichever you're not?
As above, try some of the better diesel offerings - you might be impressed.
Otherwise, find a way to keep the Audi. Perhaps pick up a cheapish mk4 tdi Golf to use alongside the S3 and split the miles between them, with the OH using whichever you're not?
Gruber said:
Doing 20k p.a. on British roads these days is miserable enough without giving up a car you clearly like for one you think you won't. If you're going to spend that long behind the wheel, you want something you like.
As above, try some of the better diesel offerings - you might be impressed.
Otherwise, find a way to keep the Audi. Perhaps pick up a cheapish mk4 tdi Golf to use alongside the S3 and split the miles between them, with the OH using whichever you're not?
This is good advice.As above, try some of the better diesel offerings - you might be impressed.
Otherwise, find a way to keep the Audi. Perhaps pick up a cheapish mk4 tdi Golf to use alongside the S3 and split the miles between them, with the OH using whichever you're not?
Make sure you don't give up something you love as a PH just for economy, you'll only be back in the classifieds in a couple of months time (having wasred good money buying and selling cars)!
A cheap diesel golf or Merc to alternative with the S3 would be a good compromise.
But a mapped 120d would be 'nearly' has good fun and get you more like 50mpg. That way you'd actually make money from your car allowance. Mr brother has a 123 and says its not amazing on ful, not too different fom my old 335d.
Personally I think, the buy you misses a mkiv Golf tdi, and then split he mileage, is the best idea. Driven sensibly though the S3 will get mid 30's anyway.
Personally I think, the buy you misses a mkiv Golf tdi, and then split he mileage, is the best idea. Driven sensibly though the S3 will get mid 30's anyway.
Edited by Oli. on Sunday 8th January 09:45
What about a nice cheap Skoda Fabia VRS, with a re-map, or a MK4 GOLF TDI 150. They're dirt cheap these days, very economical and you'll be amazed how quick they are in real world motorway situations. My old chipped 130 TDI Audi A3 could keep up with most things in the typical 70-100 MPH top gear squirt situation, which for business use, is normally all you need anyway...that way, you can keep your S3 and enjoy it for special occasion drives. Dont really see the point in swapping a decent S3 for an expensive 123d, if you say you need to buy a second car anyway!
I'm doing similar mileage in an old E36 328i, which will return similar MPG to your S3, and its fine, cost wise. I spent a week doing it in a 330d and the £10 cost saving wasn't worth the piss poor drive compared to the 328i. If you're spending that long in the car something fast and comfy will be MUCH more appreciated than something cheap, trust me.
Thanks chaps. I like the idea of alternating cars, but there are some restrictions.
The work mileage rates are based on cc's - it's much more attractive for over 1500cc (40p per mile versus 22p), so I'd be using the S3 or a 1500cc+ second car for the claimable miles.
The fixed costs of any second car are quite high, so I was considering something like an ex-hire VW Fox / C1 etc (c.£5k) or a very cheap new car on a lease deal. These sorts of cars are all below 1500cc, so I'll extend my search to 1500cc+ diesels (the Renault 1.5 DCi springs to mind).
The work mileage rates are based on cc's - it's much more attractive for over 1500cc (40p per mile versus 22p), so I'd be using the S3 or a 1500cc+ second car for the claimable miles.
The fixed costs of any second car are quite high, so I was considering something like an ex-hire VW Fox / C1 etc (c.£5k) or a very cheap new car on a lease deal. These sorts of cars are all below 1500cc, so I'll extend my search to 1500cc+ diesels (the Renault 1.5 DCi springs to mind).
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