Need to buy a new Vehicle for work. Highways work.
Discussion
Hello PH.
So Started a new job yesterday and find my self in the position of being tasked to find and purchase a new vehicle for work.
Its a small consultancy that puts down those blackstrips on the road to count traffic and speed, We also put up temporary CCTV cameras to count traffic flows around junctions so we stop and work on the carriageway regularly.
Currently we use an E46 318 touring and were about at its capacity limits. Both in load and in comfort on long journeys as you can be in the car for most of the day travelling between different sites.
They used to have a liveried shogun but never replaced it until they got more staff in which is where I come in. If anything the Shogun was too big.
I honestly know nothing about vans or 4x4s, my experience of anything this size and weight was either old military 110 Defenders and my current RVR X3 (Evo SUV).
Autocar seem to do a good comparison of new pickups and 4x4s, so I have a small list I am going through Isuzu D-Max, Hilux, Navaras that sort of thing.
Got to be brand new for Tax purposes. budget is 25-35k inc chapter 8 livery and lighting.
Over to you PH. What do you have, What do you reccomend?
So Started a new job yesterday and find my self in the position of being tasked to find and purchase a new vehicle for work.
Its a small consultancy that puts down those blackstrips on the road to count traffic and speed, We also put up temporary CCTV cameras to count traffic flows around junctions so we stop and work on the carriageway regularly.
Currently we use an E46 318 touring and were about at its capacity limits. Both in load and in comfort on long journeys as you can be in the car for most of the day travelling between different sites.
They used to have a liveried shogun but never replaced it until they got more staff in which is where I come in. If anything the Shogun was too big.
I honestly know nothing about vans or 4x4s, my experience of anything this size and weight was either old military 110 Defenders and my current RVR X3 (Evo SUV).
Autocar seem to do a good comparison of new pickups and 4x4s, so I have a small list I am going through Isuzu D-Max, Hilux, Navaras that sort of thing.
Got to be brand new for Tax purposes. budget is 25-35k inc chapter 8 livery and lighting.
Over to you PH. What do you have, What do you reccomend?
Pickup's are great, but bouncy if your doing the miles. The comfiest by far (and I work for Ford) is the Nissan Navara. Best mile muncher out of them, from seats, to softer suspension, to a lovely smooth power unit (esp if auto).
Alternative, how about something like a Transit Custom DCIV (Double Cab In Van). They can be spec'd really well in Limited form, and drive like car. 6 seats, BIK of a commercial, like the pick up, and fit in your price budget really nicely. You can also have all the beacon packs etc included in the specification.
Or the other alternative, is a Merc Vito Dual Liner. Same idea as the Transit Custom, however I don't know the pricing on those, just had a few as company vehicles over the years, and quite enjoyed them.
Alternative, how about something like a Transit Custom DCIV (Double Cab In Van). They can be spec'd really well in Limited form, and drive like car. 6 seats, BIK of a commercial, like the pick up, and fit in your price budget really nicely. You can also have all the beacon packs etc included in the specification.
Or the other alternative, is a Merc Vito Dual Liner. Same idea as the Transit Custom, however I don't know the pricing on those, just had a few as company vehicles over the years, and quite enjoyed them.
If you're taking on this purchase as a personal contract I'd be wary, it's your first day in the job and they're asking you to spend £25k for up to 3 years without the security of them taking it over if they fire you?
If it's the company doing the buying and you're doing the sourcing, make sure it's a pool car for everyone, looking at what you're talking about you'll get slammed on tax if it's your own vehicle as well.
My vote would be an SUV of some sort, Volvo'ish maybe
If it's the company doing the buying and you're doing the sourcing, make sure it's a pool car for everyone, looking at what you're talking about you'll get slammed on tax if it's your own vehicle as well.
My vote would be an SUV of some sort, Volvo'ish maybe
andy-xr said:
If you're taking on this purchase as a personal contract I'd be wary, it's your first day in the job and they're asking you to spend £25k for up to 3 years without the security of them taking it over if they fire you?
If it's the company doing the buying and you're doing the sourcing, make sure it's a pool car for everyone, looking at what you're talking about you'll get slammed on tax if it's your own vehicle as well.
^^^ thisIf it's the company doing the buying and you're doing the sourcing, make sure it's a pool car for everyone, looking at what you're talking about you'll get slammed on tax if it's your own vehicle as well.
andy-xr said:
If you're taking on this purchase as a personal contract I'd be wary, it's your first day in the job and they're asking you to spend £25k for up to 3 years without the security of them taking it over if they fire you?
If it's the company doing the buying and you're doing the sourcing, make sure it's a pool car for everyone, looking at what you're talking about you'll get slammed on tax if it's your own vehicle as well.
My vote would be an SUV of some sort, Volvo'ish maybe
Company buying, I'm sourcing. Pool car not mine personally! No way I'm taking the tax for something that big.If it's the company doing the buying and you're doing the sourcing, make sure it's a pool car for everyone, looking at what you're talking about you'll get slammed on tax if it's your own vehicle as well.
My vote would be an SUV of some sort, Volvo'ish maybe
TinyCappo said:
andy-xr said:
If you're taking on this purchase as a personal contract I'd be wary, it's your first day in the job and they're asking you to spend £25k for up to 3 years without the security of them taking it over if they fire you?
If it's the company doing the buying and you're doing the sourcing, make sure it's a pool car for everyone, looking at what you're talking about you'll get slammed on tax if it's your own vehicle as well.
My vote would be an SUV of some sort, Volvo'ish maybe
Company buying, I'm sourcing. Pool car not mine personally! No way I'm taking the tax for something that big.If it's the company doing the buying and you're doing the sourcing, make sure it's a pool car for everyone, looking at what you're talking about you'll get slammed on tax if it's your own vehicle as well.
My vote would be an SUV of some sort, Volvo'ish maybe
Having spent many years doing something similar, may I suggest the most car-like 4x4 you can find? What you need is ground clearance for stopping on verges, decent strong 4x4 tyres for bumping up and down kerbs, or climbing back over them from having stopped on the verge. Lots of crap in the verges too, and in winter 4wd will save you plenty. Rear visibility is a godsend. Looking vaguely police-ish will help on higher speed roads. But comfort is also key as you'll spend a lot of time driving around. Hilux is like a tractor. Capable but a dog on the road. I left mine at work every evening for 2 years as I'd rather have spent 2 hours in my alfa.
How comfy are new rangers? The old ones were agricultural but perfect for highways sites.
How comfy are new rangers? The old ones were agricultural but perfect for highways sites.
personally I wouldn't go for a pick up.
Too compromised IMO.
A decent sized estate or SUV would have enough room and be comfortable on long journeys.
Mondeo
Octavia
Superb
Insignia
Passat
Mazda6
etc...
Rav4
X-Trail
ix35
or even go for an MPV
Alhambra
Grand C Max
Chapter 8 means it needs to be a light colour doesn't it? plus all the reflective stickers on the back and double orange flashers on the roof.
I would put the flashers onto roof bars so they are easily removed.
Try somewhere like Drive the deal or else a business lease but cost will depend on how many miles it will do.
Too compromised IMO.
A decent sized estate or SUV would have enough room and be comfortable on long journeys.
Mondeo
Octavia
Superb
Insignia
Passat
Mazda6
etc...
Rav4
X-Trail
ix35
or even go for an MPV
Alhambra
Grand C Max
Chapter 8 means it needs to be a light colour doesn't it? plus all the reflective stickers on the back and double orange flashers on the roof.
I would put the flashers onto roof bars so they are easily removed.
Try somewhere like Drive the deal or else a business lease but cost will depend on how many miles it will do.
Thanks for all the replies guys.
Wont be showroom bashing at the weekend I have to source the thing for work so it will be coffee and biscuits in work time
Rangers on the list but whole life calc vs a D-MAX its not looking so good. The Navaras on the list after I tried a friends this evening Very comfy and great for long distance.
Anyone recommend a reputable whole life cost calculator?
Wont be showroom bashing at the weekend I have to source the thing for work so it will be coffee and biscuits in work time
GreatGranny said:
personally I wouldn't go for a pick up.
Too compromised IMO.
Chapter 8 means it needs to be a light colour doesn't it? plus all the reflective stickers on the back and double orange flashers on the roof.
Bit of a joke really this he regs say it has to be a Conspicuous colour! a white or silver car is not conspicous and certainly doesnt help its visibility in low light or fog conditions. Too compromised IMO.
Chapter 8 means it needs to be a light colour doesn't it? plus all the reflective stickers on the back and double orange flashers on the roof.
skip_1 said:
How about contract hire rather than purchase? Fully specced up medium van £110/week. A little more for a 4x4, but is a 4x4 really required if you were already on the 3 series capacity?
Were using a 3 series because it is surplus to requirements and is there. Its not suitable at all really and often grounds out. OpulentBob said:
Having spent many years doing something similar, may I suggest the most car-like 4x4 you can find? What you need is ground clearance for stopping on verges, decent strong 4x4 tyres for bumping up and down kerbs, or climbing back over them from having stopped on the verge. Lots of crap in the verges too, and in winter 4wd will save you plenty. Rear visibility is a godsend. Looking vaguely police-ish will help on higher speed roads. But comfort is also key as you'll spend a lot of time driving around. Hilux is like a tractor. Capable but a dog on the road. I left mine at work every evening for 2 years as I'd rather have spent 2 hours in my alfa.
How comfy are new rangers? The old ones were agricultural but perfect for highways sites.
OpulentBob! Nail & Head! Verges, kerbs, ground clearance and visibility both from the external and internal perspective are as important as comfort and the whole life cost. How comfy are new rangers? The old ones were agricultural but perfect for highways sites.
Rangers on the list but whole life calc vs a D-MAX its not looking so good. The Navaras on the list after I tried a friends this evening Very comfy and great for long distance.
Anyone recommend a reputable whole life cost calculator?
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