£20k new car budget

[rjgreen4]

For company use doing about 40k miles per annum.

was thinking about one of these 2010 VAUXHALL INSIGNIA 2000 cc 2.0 CDTi SRi Nav [160] 4dr Auto

Aim to have less than 5k miles when i buy it, will be flogging it on at over 100k miles therefore residuals are irrelevant as its going to be run into the ground.

Obviously a diesel with the best possible spec and performance.

thanks

[garcon magnifique]

Obvious alternative is the Mondeo 2.2TDCi Titanium X.

Or, less obvious, Mazda6 2.2d Sport.

Both only available as manuals though.

You could also get a lightly used/demo 2010MY Octavia vRS 170 Tdi DSG/Manual.

However, for sheer durability the Insignia is probably your best option.

[garcon magnifique]

Another, slightly more leftfield, option would be a Citroen C5.

A mate has recently got one as a company car and absolutely loves it. Bloody huge, really comfy, and better quality than you might think. Not convinced on long term durability myself though.

[rjgreen4]

Obvious alternative is the Mondeo 2.2TDCi Titanium X.

Or, less obvious, Mazda6 2.2d Sport.

Both only available as manuals though.

You could also get a lightly used/demo 2010MY Octavia vRS 170 Tdi DSG/Manual.

However, for sheer durability the Insignia is probably your best option.

many thanks - quite surprised by how much i am drawn to the skoda!!!

[theduisbergkid]

Don't know much about 'em, but I guess they're pretty robust. Boot opening looks pokey. Out of interest, why chuck £20k at a new one when you can get a nearly new one for 1/3 less ? Especially if you're going to drive it to death ?

*awaits Cruiser's enthusiastic comments about Insignias *

[rjgreen4]

Don't know much about 'em, but I guess they're pretty robust. Boot opening looks pokey. Out of interest, why chuck £20k at a new one when you can get a nearly new one for 1/3 less ? Especially if you're going to drive it to death ?

*awaits Cruiser's enthusiastic comments about Insignias *

the cost is irrelevant as we will charge it out at 60p per mile which should easily cover the car cost + fuel and everything else.

was also looking at A4's as there are a few, however might opt for the better spec and performance of the Skoda, I just seem to be addicted to the 20" rims of the vauxhall

[garcon magnifique]

Don't know much about 'em, but I guess they're pretty robust. Boot opening looks pokey. Out of interest, why chuck £20k at a new one when you can get a nearly new one for 1/3 less ? Especially if you're going to drive it to death ?

*awaits Cruiser's enthusiastic comments about Insignias *

I think the idea is to chuck 20k at something that's under a year old with less than 5k miles on it - i.e. £20k on something that was circa £25k new. If I was doing 40k miles a year for the next 2-3 years in it I think I'd be doing the same in that budget.

Just thinking of other alternatives, there might be some decent deals to be had on nearly new Passats. A bit boring perhaps, but durable and worthy.

New shape Honda Accord is another (very nice looking) option, but I think there's more to be had for the money elsewhere.

[AudiPartner]

I know someone selling a MINT E30 M3 but I think its slightly over budget.

And perhaps not what you're after... lol.

What about the new passat, thats really nice. Oh perhaps over budget again.

I'm all out.

[rjgreen4]

I think the idea is to chuck 20k at something that's under a year old with less than 5k miles on it - i.e. £20k on something that was circa £25k new. If I was doing 40k miles a year for the next 2-3 years in it I think I'd be doing the same in that budget.

Just thinking of other alternatives, there might be some decent deals to be had on nearly new Passats. A bit boring perhaps, but durable and worthy.

New shape Honda Accord is another (very nice looking) option, but I think there's more to be had for the money elsewhere.

spot on - ref the above

, used to have a passat, put 70k miles onto it in 12 months, had problems with the dsg box and was off the road for 4 weeks, oil leaks into the radiator therefore requiring a new rad.

have to decide the car by monday

[Tipex]

Skoda Superb might be worth a look too.

Although I think i'd be looking at a slightly older Merc personally, as even with over 100k on it, it'll still be worth something when you chop it in, E280's are well within budget, and a great engine, and economical too, and an E class with 200k will be worth more than an Insignia/Mondeo with 100k.

[steelwind101]

What about a look in at the Accord I-DTEC Automatic? Nice car, well built and even at 100K on the clock when you sell there will be people who want to buy it.

[Tipex]

I'd avoid the Passat personally, we've been having problems with reliability, which seems to stem from poor oil pump design, resulting in knackered turbos, shortly followed by knackered engines.

[garcon magnifique]

Although I think i'd be looking at a slightly older Merc personally, as even with over 100k on it, it'll still be worth something when you chop it in, E280's are well within budget, and a great engine, and economical too, and an E class with 200k will be worth more than an Insignia/Mondeo with 100k.

There is that.

Plenty of 2007/8 E280s with less than 40k on the clock.

Why have a repmobile when you can have an executive taxi?

[rjgreen4]

There is that.

Plenty of 2007/8 E280s with less than 40k on the clock.

Why have a repmobile when you can have an executive taxi?

Oh my god - how good is that

2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS C200 CDI SPORT 4DR AMG SPORTS PACK LOW MILES

done deal - anyone know of any issues with the C class

[Tipex]

Oh my god - how good is that

2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS C200 CDI SPORT 4DR AMG SPORTS PACK LOW MILES

done deal - anyone know of any issues with the C class

We've not had any problems with our new shape C-class mercs, and so long as no-one wants to sit in the back, they are nice, just slightly cramped.

If company image is a considration, then everyone still thinks Mercs are properly posh, in fact, you couldn't buy anything with a better public image than a Mercedes.

I'd still go for an E-class personally.

[garcon magnifique]

I'd look for a C220CDI auto - the C200 is a bit weedy.

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Plenty of choice and interesting budget.

The Merc would be very nice but don't know about servicing costs / parts. It should be reliable but with the mileage you'll be running up something major / expensive could still occur.

Although new cars obviously take a hit on depreciation, you should get a full 3 years warranty and probably the chance of a cheap fixed price servicing deal too. For this I would be looking at a loaded Skoda VRS or similar. The Insignia and Honda would be on my list of consideration too. In your situation I would be looking to get everything covered running cost wise for peace of mind.

[Booster]

Don't forget that whatever you buy it for, you will pay company car tax on t]its new value irrespective of its mileage and age.

tax bollox.

\And tahts being kind. wait till after the new budget and we will be done over again.

[rjgreen4]

If the company bought the car could i buy the car from them via monthly payments over a 3 yr period and claim 40p and 10p for mileage etc?.

at the end of it sell the car back to the company and start again?

like the merc option v much

[mb]

I think you would have to buy the car as the 40p is for business use in a private car & you will start getting into benefits in kind/directors loans etc. if company finances the purchase.

Also don't forget the 40p caps out at 10k miles then goes down to 25p a mile which may spoil your maths.

[rjgreen4]

Car - C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY

50k miles would equate to the following

10k miles @ 40p = £4000.00

40k miles @ 25p = £10000.00

total = £14,000.00

Costs

Fuel

Combined @ 50.4 mpg for the bluemotion @ £1.25 per litre = £5637.15

Car cost £???????

Servicing £300 per annum

Insurance £566.00 (Quoted)

Tyres £600.00 (Pirelli P Zero Rosso 245, 40, 18)

Car Tax £155.00

Total costs = £7258.15

Total Available for the car = £6741.85 equating to £561.82 per month.

I think the maths are ok at the moment providing i do the mileage, i did 65k in the last 12 months.

any thoughts

[cruiser647]

I'd go for the Insignia. They are very nice and even with 100K on a modern engine, it's NOT run into the ground.

My 2000 Bora TDi is about to hit 200K miles next week. Nowt wrong with it!

Also, is servicing only £300 per annum? Is on one of those contract jobs then?

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

I've worked for previous employers who effectively purchase the car (payment taken at source) for you and you can claim the @ 40p rate. IIRC you can only claim 40ppm for the first so many '000 miles.

I think the company effectively own the car and will take it off your hands without penalty if you leave. Also if your company effectively own the car (ie registered in their as the keeper and insure it for you) then you have none of the usual concerns of if it get's stolen / damaged / crash etc. Not sure if this is the same type of scheme or not.

[rjgreen4]

I am amazed at how low CO2 rating is for the Blueefficiency models.

around 139 for the 170bhp version which is lower than my 140 tdi passat.

I have been looking at the new finance figures on the mercedes website and the E Class 220 seems to be the best options as the standard spec is very good and will cost around £450 per month if I was to buy it.

this seems to be within my budget based on the maths

[shao_khan]

Well this year i've had a Mondeo TDCi ghia (I think I didnt pay much attention tbh), PAssat R line TDi, Golf Estate DSG TDi and Insignia in spec you mention.

I hope and prey that I can have another insignia as it was a very big margin better than any of the other cars, TBH I'd put the Mundano above either VW as well.

I do between 40k and 50k miles pa and the insignia was a great cruiser. I will say my mates elite spec was better as the ride was slightly softer than my SRi model - not wallowy, but less bumpy.