Don't make me do it...

[havoc]

I need to sell the ITR!

I don't want to...and every drive reinforces that, as has this month's evo. But we've got a new baby and work are pushing hard for me to get a car compliant with the car-allowance they're paying me (which is hard to argue against, to be fair).

Now, while Becs' Golf ticks both boxes individually, it can't be used for both as work need to see me using the car they're paying for...and of course she needs it.

Finally, we've not got space for a 4th car (NSX is staying...tough choice between the two Hondas but that's the call). Certainly not to own. Driveway for two, plus 1 in the garage. Plus would I really drive 3 different cars...and then there's the extra maintenance, washing them all, etc...


So the options are:-
- Sell the ITR, get a 330i or Focus ST (possibly FD2, but they seem difficult to sell on). This is the current plan, both are 'better' cars (as all-rounders) than the ITR and I shouldn't be worrying so much.
- Sacrifice the car allowance - £250/mth after tax, keep the ITR, manage with 1 'family car'*. Seems rather silly, even though a 4y.o. 3-series or Focus ST will lose 2/3 of that in depreciation each month.
- Get a company car (A3 TDi Sport or similar) and try and persuade Becs we can have 4-cars in the short-term. But then I'll lose the £250 a month AND suffer £100+ a month car tax. And still not drive the ITR that much. Seems even sillier.

So go-on, what would you do? What have I missed, idea-wise? Or should I stop moaning and be grateful I can keep the NSX? (Which I should)






* Works for 9 months until Becs goes back to work and I need a car which I can pick the little'un up from nursery in.

[havoc]

HF - aiming high with the ITR - black, a/c, original unmolested UK car with FHSH and a file full of receipts. So I figure high 4's, even though the rear arches need doing.

I agree it sort-of IS a family car, and I can get baby seats (albeit it's tricky enough getting an adult into the back, let alone reaching in with a small child), but if the only way of keeping it is to sacrifice the car allowance then it seems a little silly, IYSWIM. As a daily-driver it's compromised enough, as an occasional 'family car' it's probably too far.

I guess I should be able to buy another one in the future if/when things change, and a change to a rwd I-6 machine can't be all bad, eh?


David - I'm after something involving, not merely ballistic pace while being bored silly. Hence why I'd prefer an n/a petrol engine if possible (getting increasingly difficult without accepting 20mpg...). Plus I don't do the miles to need a diesel.

[havoc]

AL - tempting, but sacrificing £250 a month seems silly, and I think work would still frown upon it.

John - agreed...in this instance though not sure how long this job's going to last - there's a possible internal job on the horizon which is better (been on the horizon for months though), otherwise I'm probably not there for the long-haul.

I think the answer is "be sensible for a bit, then get another 'teg if/when circumstances permit". Not the answer I want, but probably the right one.