Opinions please - new repmobile purchase

Borzoi

Starting a new job next week and getting a company car with it (woot!) Company have said "an Avensis or Mondeo or similar"

I drove a poverty spec Avensis for the last company, and found it the most boring dull car. I would prefer the Mondeo, better lines etc. However what about exploiting the "or similar" option.

From the company's perspective the requirement is 4 doors (minimum), diesel, phone kit, and I would insist on cruise control.

My preference would be for an estate over a saloon, but would consider SUV - especially if that had 4WD - I live in a rural location, so for the odd snow and icy day.

So far I like the look of the Accord and the Mazda6, not having driven them. I dislike the Passat and Insignia - having driven both. The Skoda Superb is another consideration.

The company is prepared to buy now or wait till Jan 1, so I'm tempted to see what pre-regged deal I could get form some forecourts.

Any thoughts or guidance fellow Boardsies?

Odyssey 2005

Skoda Superb for me. If you need 4wd that's available also. I got good deals on straight deals recently on them

Idbatterim

the new mazda 6 looks gorgeous and has received great reviews, I believe the new mondeo is out in 2014...

GTE

Superb Estate diesel with DSG would be my next car consideration. That said, I need to wait till they are a few grand used so I shall bide my time =P

MuppetCheck

Have they got a budget in mind? If you can only swing a basic one then all arent going to be overly nice. The spec/engine options can swing one car over another very easily in that class.

Borzoi

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Have they got a budget in mind? If you can only swing a basic one then all arent going to be overly nice. The spec/engine options can swing one car over another very easily in that class.

They haven't specified - but I would estimate 28-30K

Tea 1000

I'd go Mazda 6, but you mightn't get it with your budget. If you didn't like the Passat you'll hardly like the Superb.

corkgsxr

Accord or subaru legacy.

R.O.R

Couple of things to consider when weighing up a pre-reg demo against a brand new car.

You, as the driver, are subject to BIK on the original market value of the car, so if you get a great deal on a pre-reg at say €30k, you may well be paying BIK on €38k (for example).

If the car is for at least 60% Business use, and has emissions of under 156g, then the company can reclaim 20% of the VAT on the purchase. This will probably only apply to a brand new car, as there are very few used cars in Ireland that are VAT qualifying. VAT qualifying cars are usually only ex. rental or ex. fleet - pre-registered demo's aren't (or if any are, I've not found any).

I did figures for a driver on a selection of cars - all 4 or 5 door though, no estate's or SUV's, but should give an idea of what new cars you are looking at.

I've organised them in order of total cost of ownership (figures are over 3 yrs / 135k) to take in to account predicted purchase cost, maintenance, tax, tyres, predicted resale value and fuel usage (based on published combined consumption figures), and all reclaimable VAT.

Mondeo Graphite 1.6d 115ps 5dr Manual 25,295
Insignia Hatch S 2.0CDTi (130PS) ecoFLEX S/S 5DR 27,930
Avensis D-4D 125 (2.0) Terra Saloon 27,025
Passat Bluemotion 1.6Tdi 105 4dr 27,833
Superb Active 1.6TDI 105HP 27,115
Mondeo Graphite 2.0d 140ps 5dr Manual 26,595
Mondeo Zetec 1.6d 115ps 5dr Manual 28,295
Avensis D-4D 125 (2.0) Aura Saloon 28,060
Insignia Hatch SC 2.0CDTi (130PS) ecoFLEX S/S 5DR 29,730
Superb Ambition GL 1.6TDI 105BHP 29,365
Superb Active 2.0TDI 140HP GLT 28,615
Passat Comfortline 1.6Tdi 105 4dr 30,323
Superb Ambition 2.0TDI 140HP GLT 30,865
Mondeo Zetec 2.0d 140ps 5dr Manual 29,595
508 Active 1.6 Hdi 115 bhp Bluetooth , R Park Sensors Fold Mirrors 28,955
Passat Comfortline 2.0Tdi 140 4dr 33,213
508 Active 2.0 Hdi 140bhp Bluetooth, R Park Sensors Fold Mirrors 30,555
New MAZDA6 2.2D (150PS) Sport 32,420
Accord 2.2 i-DTEC ES 4dr Saloon 33,745


Cars are all standard specification, including metallic.

Biggest question though is why is the company even considering tying up thousand's of Euro's in an asset, rather than using the money for the course of their business? Leasing would surely be a better option? (but I may be biased :pac:).

Nothing really jumping out from that list. There is a cheaper Mazda 6 due for next year.

Borzoi

Wow ROR - great post! Very informative.

I imagine the car will be leased, the company also operates a small van fleet, which again I presume is leased.

Drummerboy08

Borzoi wrote: »

Wow ROR - great post! Very informative.

I imagine the car will be leased, the company also operates a small van fleet, which again I presume is leased.

In which case it needs to be new....

cmurry

I bought a 2 yr old new type 170bhp skoda superb 2.5 years ago.
lovely to drive; especially motorways.
great room, great boot.

but; long list of component failures, and its still under 150,000 km.
Each of these is a separate visit to garage & cost.
dpv regeneration had to be done twice; then a throttle controller replaced.
replaced coolant pump.
oil cooler leaked, so both engine & rad had to be flushed out, and new oil cooler fitted.
clutch pedal sticking - spring to be replaced.
E2,000 and counting.

So, do not get a skoda unless you plan to change your car before the warranty runs out.
If you are changing within warranty period, get the superb; it really is a nice car.

Casati

R.O.R wrote: »

Couple of things to consider when weighing up a pre-reg demo against a brand new car.

You, as the driver, are subject to BIK on the original market value of the car, so if you get a great deal on a pre-reg at say €30k, you may well be paying BIK on €38k (for example).

How do revenue work out the original market value- do they simply look at the SIMI price list, or do they allow for cash discount? Also if you add extras to the car, do you have to pay BIK on the cost of those extra?

Drummerboy08

Casati wrote: »

R.O.R wrote: »

Couple of things to consider when weighing up a pre-reg demo against a brand new car.

You, as the driver, are subject to BIK on the original market value of the car, so if you get a great deal on a pre-reg at say €30k, you may well be paying BIK on €38k (for example).

How do revenue work out the original market value- do they simply look at the SIMI price list, or do they allow for cash discount? Also if you add extras to the car, do you have to pay BIK on the cost of those extra?

Retail price inc extras less 10% is a good guide for OMV.

1jcdub

The new Mazda 6 six I'd a beautiful car and the enjoying is suppose to be a cracker. Economical quick and quiet. I'd already tend to lean towards the vw fold in general but the Mazda would tempt me. My only down side in moving to Mazda from vw I'm my opinion would be the radio / media player. It's not a patch on the units in the vw.
The mondeo is getting old and being replaced in the next 12 months. Engine is noisy etc. Toyota is boring. Accord is nice but the Mazda is more comfortable and has a better engine. Insignia small enough inside and the engine is very noisy and chatters, plus it's getting old now even with the revised styling coming out.
Enjoy making the choice :-)

MuppetCheck

You'd definitely want to avoid the mafia OP.