Car allowance of 6K what car

[mr2turbogts]

I have been offered a position with a new company, part of the deal is a car allowance of 6k

The office is around 20 miles from home, with frequent site visits (various Distances).

I already have a E46 m3 as my toy car, so not after anything expensive.

Can anyone recommend a suitable car for this commute, ideally I would like to spend less than a Grand on the car.

I have looked into getting a Ford Puma 1.7 which looks to be a good shout. Ford Mondeo, A4 all seem ok just a bit dull, can anyone recommend/advise the best route to go down?

Thanks

[Petrol Only]

It's dull. Like really really dull. But a petrol almera would be a cheap reliable option.

[X5TUU]

does it need to be a certain age, as I have worked for places where the allowance was only payable on it being a certain age (i.e. less than 7yrs old) or it must be covered by a standard AA policy (i.e. under 12yrs old [or it used to be])?

[mr2turbogts]

No they have said as long as it works and I don't keep phoning up saying the cars broken down.

I am thinking it quite a well paid job and turning up in a <1k car is that a good image?

[750turbo]

If you have been given a £6,000 allowance, I would be surprised if there were not various stipulations put in place surely?

Will your employers be happy with you arriving on a customers site in a snotter?

[IanCress]

Is this £6k a year / £500 per month? Your employers would probably expect you to turn up in something respectable, especially if you're meeting clients. Some companies will put a limit on saying nothing more than 6 years old and no 2 seaters.

Edit: You could easily lease a diesel Focus for around £200 a month and still have £400 a month left over. Doesn't have to be anything exciting when you've got an M3 for weekend use!

[anarki]

Lease a vw up! for around £100 a month. Pocket the rest of the allowance.

[andy-xr]

Previous company of mine used to insist on 3 years and under for having the full allowance under 5 years for 70% allowance, and if you wanted to run something over 5 years old you werent going out of the office. Also, they had rules of 4 seats, must be clean and presentable, and customers must be able to get in and out easily, for meetings etc

I never really had a customer in the car, but I ran over a period a Vectra, Mondeo, Passat, 5 series, 3 series and went back to a Mondeo. Most were on a PCP and I changed them before the term ended.

I think now, if I had those guidelines pushed on me I'd ask for a company car instead and swallow the extra tax. 2-3 year finance terms suddenly arent great if you find yourself out of work or any part of your situation changes

Current company is more relaxed, run what you want, no car allowance, expense everything

[mr2turbogts]

IanCress said:

Is this £6k a year / £500 per month? Your employers would probably expect you to turn up in something respectable, especially if you're meeting clients. Some companies will put a limit on saying nothing more than 6 years old and no 2 seaters.

again when talking about this, they said I could use the M3 or get a run around, 2 seater, soft top not bothered as long as it works.

I would like to make a good 1st impression though.

[softtop]

regardless of the value, you know what it looks like when you turn up in a snotter. You personally also look like you are not doing well and that is then the view of the company, spend the money, all of it and get yourself into something representative of the money you are being given. Some companies expect with such a payment comes a level of self responsibility and this action would not be in keeping. Why not bank all of the money and drive the M3? Put this towards the depreciation as it is a capable car and ok for work

[mr2turbogts]

softtop said:

regardless of the value, you know what it looks like when you turn up in a snotter. You personally also look like you are not doing well and that is then the view of the company, spend the money, all of it and get yourself into something representative of the money you are being given. Some companies expect with such a payment comes a level of self responsibility and this action would not be in keeping. Why not bank all of the money and drive the M3? Put this towards the depreciation as it is a capable car and ok for work

This is what I feared/thought maybe the case.

Call me anal, but I'm not wanting to use the M3 as a work horse, its my weekend/fun car and if I start using it as a daily it will lose its magic

[billy939]

I think it depends on what sort of job and industry it is IMO.

If I were you I'd lease a high end diesel Focus - Titanium etc, then pocket the change. It would look professional but not flashy, would be well equipped enough and have enough shove to make travelling to meetings painless.

A more interesting option would be maybe leasing a GT86? A bit more fun to drive but still good on fuel and look professional enough.

Buying a snotter does not give the right impression at all, but of course this is without knowing your job role or company.

[sherbertdip]

mr2turbogts said:

Can anyone recommend a suitable car for this commute, ideally I would like to spend less than a Grand on the car.

So really what money your been offered and what you already drive is all show off and bks, what you are looking for is recommendations on what car can you get for a 20 mile commute for £1k or less.

Buy a bicycle and get fit!

[mr2turbogts]

Job and industry is a quantity surveyor in the construction trade, so the car will be going on a building site from time to time.

[mr2turbogts]

sherbertdip said:

So really what money your been offered and what you already drive is all show off and bks, what you are looking for is recommendations on what car can you get for a 20 mile commute for £1k or less.

Buy a bicycle and get fit!

Well that's Helpful

[Muzzer79]

At our place, you have to have a car suitable for seating 4 people in comfort, less than 3 years old, "suitable for purpose" and clean, presentable, regularly serviced, etc.

No convertibles, no sports cars, nothing too 'flash'

I see this as fairly reasonable. I would not be happy turning up to my clients in a £500 snotter and I can't think of many things less professional than having a breakdown on route to a client due to my st car....

Don't forget, this means you're taking home circa £350 pcm tops, as the £6k is taxable.

If you have a toy you're keeping and are really not bothered, buy a Focus or Golf. Your allowance will cover that.

[Muzzer79]

sherbertdip said:

mr2turbogts said:

Can anyone recommend a suitable car for this commute, ideally I would like to spend less than a Grand on the car.

So really what money your been offered and what you already drive is all show off and bks, what you are looking for is recommendations on what car can you get for a 20 mile commute for £1k or less.

Buy a bicycle and get fit!

Bit harsh. I don't see a willy-waving tone in any posts...?

[billy939]

Then with a car allowance of £6k I would get on the best lease deals thread and see what takes your fancy. Buying anything outright for that money is generally going to look a lot 'less' than something new.

That's a fairly good amount of money so just see what you'd like to be in everyday and go for it.

[mr2turbogts]

The general response is a <1k is probs not the best car to get, and I think you guys have made me realise I might look a bit cheap turning up on my first day in a shed.

I'll have a look into leasing, however within the allowance I have to cover insurance and maintenance + its taxable so it may look good face value, but after all that its not a great deal.

[markiii]

diesel landy?