Should I go against the grain...

[Spudmaster]

Ok- company car up for renewal...
Bit of background- 1x2yr old and a Labrador = estate... Love driving- sold my Caterham 2 years ago to accommodate financial change of fatherhood (secretly saving for next one).
Currently have C220d 'amg' Merc estate company car. To be fair, not a bad vehicle, but not exactly fun. Driving about 25-30k pa- 35 mile round trip daily commute on half decent country roads- most of the rest on A and M roads.
merc up for renewal... So narrowed replacement to 2x options 520d and a6 ultra- both auto. Have had both on long demos, and actually quite impressive.
However, the whole company car thing is as much about image, status and all that b@llocks... Found myself on the Skoda website and specced up a VRS diesel estate... Chuck a shed-load of options at it, and for £33k I can have a pretty decent car that might be capable of putting a smile on my face. Factor in that it is a 'band' lower than my grade and I will be paid £100 difference each month... So, factoring the extra pay and lower BIK tax, (mildly specced up 520d at £40k) and I reckon I will have an extra £150 net each month in my pocket = £5k + over the 3 years. Plus, I reckon it might be quite satisfying to not be a 'corporate sheep'... Spoke to our fleet manager today to request a demo and he simply laughed... All the more reason to go against the grain IMO...
Actually also quite tempted to go for the new Scout... Same engine as VRS + DSG plus 4wd would actually be quite handy... Only thing is- is it a bit 'retirement Central'.... (I'm 38...)
So, in summary, is inverted snobbery the way forward- and crucially, will a VRS octavia be more satisfying than a520d to run...?
Thoughts welcome...

[Dave Hedgehog]

i would definitely go with the biggest fun factor, and if that means the skoda so be it

[Blayney]

As long as it's not in a taxi colour get it done. BMW/Audi options too boring.

edit - also the extra cash is too much to ignore IMO.

[rallycross]

Can't you just take the money as in a car allowance and buy something worth having ?

[Welshbeef]

Well worth testing.

Id also say try the Exeo Seat its a nice car too/Skoda Superb Estate.



Guess the other thing to consider is the drivers seat - can make a massive difference in comfort. Also the level of lot you have/might prefer one over the other.

[Bill]

How much will you save with a Dacia Duster?

Nothing wrong with the Skoda IMO.

[AGK]

VRs in Meteor Grey would look the tits.

[Rawwr]

Yes, a VAG diesel as a company car is highly unusual. You'll really stand out. Fight the machine, brother!

[Welshbeef]

What about a Bluemotion 1.6ltr Diesel Passat Estate? Plenty big enough and those front seats are really comfy a 1/3 cheaper than the vRS to boot plus less BIK as CO2 lower plus lower list price win win.

[anonymous-user]

Really serious point here, although not glamorous: Try to get one on a loan and do a 3-4 hour drive in it if you can. We have a Skoda Octavia as a pool car in work and nobody ever wants to use it as the seats are absolutely crippling after a couple of hours. I am only 33, have never had any back or neck problems and regularly drive 5 hours in a 1995 MX5 and yet it took me a couple of days to get rid of the pain from driving that car. I am not alone in finding this as many of my colleagues have had the same feedback. It certainly isn't the effortless experience of a long drive in a 5 series!

Seems odd considering so many minicabbers live in the things, but it could make you despise the car if you're stuck with it for 3 years.

Edited by dme123 on Friday 12th September 23:01

[Welshbeef]

dme123 said:

Really serious point here, although not glamorous: Try to get one on a loan and do a 3-4 hour drive in it if you can. We have a Skoda Octavia as a pool car in work and nobody ever wants to use it as the seats are absolutely crippling after a couple of hours. I am only 33, have never had any back or neck problems and regularly drive 5 hours in a 1995 MX5 and yet it took me a couple of days to get rid of the pain from driving that car. I am not alone in finding this as many of my colleagues have had the same feedback. It certainly isn't the effortless experience of a long drive in a 5 series!

Seems odd considering so many minicabbers live in the things, but it could make you despise the car if you're stuck with it for 3 years.

Edited by dme123 on Friday 12th September 23:01

So true.

Also lumbar support is vital plus heated seats electric is great we have that on both our cars currently never had previously and its a very nice to have - wouldn't pay more for it though.

BMW do comfort seats in the 5 series they are amazing and so are the massaging and air cooled of the Mercs E class.


It might not be of any interest to you and he lesser car could be perfect but well worth investigating

[T0MMY]

One of my colleagues told me that you don't have to pay tax on your company car once it gets past a certain age (I think she said 5 years?). My initial thought was that she was talking out of her derriere but I wonder if it's true? Anybody heard that before?

[Welshbeef]

T0MMY said:

One of my colleagues told me that you don't have to pay tax on your company car once it gets past a certain age (I think she said 5 years?). My initial thought was that she was talking out of her derriere but I wonder if it's true? Anybody heard that before?

Rubbish.

Its a benefit in kind even if it was a a Silver ghost

[T0MMY]

Thought it was too good to be true. I did some googling after asking that though and there used to be a 25% discount or something for cars over 4 years old so maybe she was thinking about that?