Company car for around €28K - Advice

Berty · 01-11-2009 6:11pm #1

Im looking for suggestions for a company car for 2010 and have around €28K( I think ) to spend.

As mentioned already I might be getting a 2.0 TD VRs Octavia but in case that falls through what can others suggest?

Must be Diesel.

VolvoMan · 01-11-2009 6:18pm

You'd get a very nice Volvo S40 or V50 with a lot of equipment for that price. Other than that, I can't think of another car that would better the Octavia for value besides maybe an Exeo, but you probably wouldn't want the same car again.

CharlieCroker · 01-11-2009 6:20pm

I'd imagine you'd pick up a mondeo for that money. Not the most original suggestion but a lovely car to drive, good spec in zetec, massive space and comfortable for those that spend 8 hours a day behind the wheel.

Dont discount it just because its a Mondeo, they're popular for a reason.

Seillejet · 01-11-2009 6:23pm

Is the vehicle being a diesel the only stipulation they put on you?

If it is Im very envious. In 07 I had €24,000 and it could not be more than a 1.6 litre, had to be new and had to be a saloon. I got a VW Jetta from a motor dealers in Tallaght. Very happy with it and sort of went with that after having an Avensis as it didnt look too much like a company car.

Berty · 01-11-2009 6:26pm

CharlieCroker wrote: »

I'd imagine you'd pick up a mondeo for that money.

The only Mondeo I would consider is a Titanium X Sport from the UK(don't sell the specific one here)

media?id=1011758576

Irish Mondeo - Not a chance because they do not look as nice as the X Sport

Seillejet wrote: »

Is the vehicle being a diesel the only stipulation they put on you?

Must be 2010

colm_mcm · 01-11-2009 6:32pm

Legacy boxer diesel. you'd get a high spec one for that money. there's a revised model out next year but theyre doing good deals on the outgoing ones.

CharlieCroker · 01-11-2009 6:32pm

not gonna get a titanium x sport for that money.

TBH, i'd be going for the VRS so. Get one with cruise control (dunno if its std) and you'll have a great mile muncher that looks the part too

Berty · 01-11-2009 6:34pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Legacy boxer diesel. you'd get a high spec one for that money. there's a revised model out next year but theyre doing good deals on the outgoing ones.

Checked that out and although the spec is good and probably get one for around €24k there is something about the back of it thats puts me off.

CharlieCroker wrote: »

not gonna get a titanium x sport for that money.

TBH, i'd be going for the VRS so. Get one with cruise control (dunno if its std) and you'll have a great mile muncher that looks the part too

X Sport in the UK landed here for €25k. Titanium here is €27k without the sport and looks very different.

Cruise is standard on the VRS.

colm_mcm · 01-11-2009 6:41pm

Perhaps the estate is worth considering?

Drummerboy08 · 01-11-2009 6:41pm

VRS takes my money. The Legacy would be very, very tempting though.

BTW, have you checked to see if your employer has any problem with buying from the UK? In my experience, certain employers will have a preference for certain dealers.

Seillejet · 01-11-2009 6:52pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Perhaps the estate is worth considering?

If he is no longer considering family planning

Berty · 01-11-2009 6:55pm

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

BTW, have you checked to see if your employer has any problem with buying from the UK? In my experience, certain employers will have a preference for certain dealers.

Unsure. I have not asked but considering the UK Vat is lower and would already have been paid on all the UK cars Im looking at and are all either over the 6000kms or 6 months threshold there shouldn't be an issue.

I dont know if they have ties to dealers as they only have two cars on the books currently and both were both in Bandon Volvo(where the owners live) and as the office is based in West Clare I think its open to suggestion.

Drummerboy08 · 01-11-2009 7:04pm

Berty wrote: »

Unsure. I have not asked but considering the UK Vat is lower and would already have been paid on all the UK cars Im looking at and are all either over the 6000kms or 6 months threshold there shouldn't be an issue.

I dont know if they have ties to dealers as they only have two cars on the books currently and both were both in Bandon Volvo(where the owners live) and as the office is based in West Clare I think its open to suggestion.

Do they not consider leasing, or even buying straight from a Fleet Co.? We often get a lot of discount off of cars, so they *could* be cheaper than a dealer. Makes more sense from a financial point of view to lease.

Anyhow, as above, the VRS gets my vote, unless you could find a Mondeo Titanium Sport. Although for that price you could probably find 318/320d in the UK, assume they'll let you go over there for it.

Berty · 01-11-2009 7:11pm

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Do they not consider leasing, or even buying straight from a Fleet Co.? We often get a lot of discount off of cars, so they *could* be cheaper than a dealer. Makes more sense from a financial point of view to lease.

I asked him about Leasing and he said that because of the massive financial investment in the company they will put the purchase of the two new vehicles(other guy as well) in with the same finance package from the bank.

Drummerboy08 · 01-11-2009 7:20pm

Berty wrote: »

I asked him about Leasing and he said that because of the massive financial investment in the company they will put the purchase of the two new vehicles(other guy as well) in with the same finance package from the bank.

Fair play. Not many places do that!

EPM · 01-11-2009 7:45pm

VRS! Or if that fails a run-out Legacy. Nothing can touch either for the money unless you bought used

alexmcred · 01-11-2009 9:29pm

New mazda 3 2.2 150ps Diesel listed as 26,625 on their website.

Lex Luthor · 01-11-2009 9:48pm

another one here for the legacy estate....

here's one I got recently...you know you want one...;)

got it for a 500 under your budget

GERMAN ROCKS · 01-11-2009 9:52pm

citroen c5
opel insignia
both new fresh designs on the market

bazz26 · 01-11-2009 9:54pm

Honda Accord 2.2 Dtec from the UK.

Berty · 01-11-2009 9:55pm

alexmcred wrote: »

New mazda 3 2.2 150ps Diesel listed as 26,625 on their website.

Too Small - Hatchback

Sport SE / 150ps is not available as a Saloon Mazda 3

Lex Luthor wrote: »

another one here for the legacy estate....

here's one I got recently...you know you want one...;)

got it for a 500 under your budget

Im not sure if I can bring myself to drive an estate just yet.

Berty · 01-11-2009 9:57pm

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

citroen c5
opel insignia
both new fresh designs on the market

Citroen - Dont Like

Opel Insignia SRi or Elite only but overpriced at that level.

bazz26 wrote: »

Honda Accord 2.2 Dtec from the UK.

I have a Titanium colour ES GT on my list but that goes back to the "Will they let me have a UK car" issue.

EPM · 01-11-2009 9:57pm

saloon so? You seemed sold on the octavia though...in blue?

Berty · 01-11-2009 10:00pm

EPM wrote: »

saloon so? You seemed sold on the octavia though...in blue?

Saloon. Yes, but I know the VRs is a hatchback but its a big car. The Mazda 3 in my opinion is not.

Im sold on the Octavia but like I said this thread is to find out what I could consider if the VRs falls through.

EDIT Sorry yeah in Race Blue. What else?

EPM · 01-11-2009 10:04pm

look at the Legacy saloon though...i fancy the new grey on the octy...mfsw is def only on dsg though. Checked with the old fella earlier

Berty · 01-11-2009 10:14pm

EPM wrote: »

look at the Legacy saloon though...i fancy the new grey on the octy...mfsw is def only on dsg though. Checked with the old fella earlier

Ah I see

Non DSG

media?id=1012463933

DSG

EPM · 01-11-2009 10:17pm

Parking sensors seen on the bolero? That's class!

Berty · 01-11-2009 10:20pm

EPM wrote: »

Parking sensors seen on the bolero? That's class!

Sweet. Im still more impressed with the SD card Slot. Now if only my Tom Tom SD card would work in there.

What is the common price difference between DSG and NON DSG?

EPM · 01-11-2009 10:25pm

Before price reductions about 2k i think. And higher tax too afaik

EPM · 01-11-2009 10:27pm

There's also a cheap chinese version of the VW mfd available that will give sat nav and sd card slot. Loads of happy customers on seatcupra.net. Check out the mk2 Leon section for more info. It'd fit the octavia

Heroditas · 01-11-2009 10:51pm

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

citroen c5
opel insignia
both new fresh designs on the market

Don't they cost more than the OP's limit?

ninty9er · 01-11-2009 10:57pm

When is the Exeo due

:p

EPM · 01-11-2009 10:58pm

ninty9er wrote: »

When is the Exeo due :p

I sooo would...but he's driving one already:D

Berty · 01-11-2009 11:05pm

ninty9er wrote: »

When is the Exeo due :p

I think it was due in 2005 when my car was released by Audi.

A step in the wrong direction for me.

Berty · 01-11-2009 11:06pm

Heroditas wrote: »

Don't they cost more than the OP's limit?

Not necessarily considering there would be no trade in. Only the Elite version of the isignia would come in above the 30K mark.

ninty9er · 01-11-2009 11:45pm

Is a monthly car allowance possible meaning you could put an extra few grand with it and own the car...giving more variety of options and also flatrating fuel expenses and removing tax implications.

Drummerboy08 · 01-11-2009 11:51pm

Heroditas wrote: »

Don't they cost more than the OP's limit?

You might squeeze a 2.0CDTi 160ps SC with a plus pack for your budget if you bargain hard.

A very nice car. Not too far away from an SRi either. Still has 18" wheels, front fogs, cruise, etc etc. I dont think you'd get an SRi though. There isnt that much margin in the Insignia, and very little discount from Opel too, considering its a new model to the market.

ninty9er · 02-11-2009 12:16am

Might be another "step in the wrong direction" but I always reckon the top end of the C segment is better than the mean of the D.

Focus Ghia saloon with leather, bluetooth and sat nav in 1.8 Duratorq 115ps is listing at €27,200 with metallic. There's plenty of wriggle room too I'd imagine.

Though the 136 bhp diesel available in the S40 can be got in the Focus in the UK.

Drummerboy08 · 02-11-2009 12:20am

I'd still take the Octy VRS over a Focus anyday. Or a Legacy.

Mr.Boots · 02-11-2009 12:57am

Octavia any day.
Enjoy spinning the wheels in 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th.....

Biro · 02-11-2009 4:37pm

Mr.Boots wrote: »

Octavia any day.
Enjoy spinning the wheels in 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th.....

Nothing enjoyable about that. Average FWD chassis and narrow powerband is the result of that, not raw power.

Berty · 02-11-2009 4:43pm

Following my visits to a number of car delearships today I can say that the Octavia is winning on price and spec.

The best price on an SRi Isignia is €28,400

The best price on an SE S40 is €29,000 SE LUX €30,500

The Volkswagen guy is still waiting on his Passat prices, due wednsday and said I would be best off going for a Bluemotion Highline for my spec. 1.6 Diesel engine "Oh but its still 105bhp".

Now can somebody explain this to me because my 05 Passat 1.9TDi was 105bhp. There must be some sacrifice here to make a 1.6TDi do 105bhp.

Biro · 02-11-2009 4:44pm

Berty wrote: »

Saloon. Yes, but I know the VRs is a hatchback but its a big car. The Mazda 3 in my opinion is not.

You can't have an opinion on something that's measurable!
The Mazda 3 saloon is longer and taller than the Octavia with a longer wheelbase. The Octavia is 14mm wider, which is the width of your baby finger.
The Mazda 3 hatch is 104mm shorter than the Octavia, by virtue of the non-saloon looking boot that the Octavia has. Unless you need the boot space, the Mazda would be the more entertaining car on a twisty road with a better engine.
I'd also sooner the Insignia. Better car than the Octavia, but it would need to be seeing as it's in the class up.

Berty · 02-11-2009 4:51pm

Biro wrote: »

The Mazda 3 hatch is 104mm shorter than the Octavia, by virtue of the non-saloon looking boot that the Octavia has. Unless you need the boot space, the Mazda would be the more entertaining car on a twisty road with a better engine.
I'd also sooner the Insignia. Better car than the Octavia, but it would need to be seeing as it's in the class up.

The Octavia has more prescence(VRs especially) than a Mazda 3. Whether or not that is opinion is neither here nor there but simply my mind telling me so. My brother has a Mazda 3 and I don't like it at all.

RE Boot: I do need a large boot because it is a company car and I would be carrying a load of crap most of the time.

The interior of the Insignia felt very plasticy(sp) with a very cheap feeling dashboard. I did drive the Insignia SRi 130PS 6 speed manual and it felt rather good. I actually drove the SC when it first came out and thought I felt a lot of lag in 1st and 2nd but the SRi was smooth.

My dealer does not have a VRs so I have not driven one so the Opel wins on that argument.

The VRs looks better than the Opel in my opinion.

Which would I prefer? Insignia Elite!

What is a comparable in between car for me? Octavia VRs.(which has Bluetooth and the Opels do not costing €425 extra and the car is also over €2K more)

Drummerboy08 · 02-11-2009 4:58pm

I'd be spending the extra few quid and getting the 160ps Insignia Berty. IMO, its a much nicer car than the Octavia, although not as quick. Tyres are also fairly pricey, at around 175 quid a corner.

Just a heads up - there is a 1000euro dealer reg bonus for November, so make sure the Skoda dealer knows this would be for Jan 2010 and not for now. He could be factoring it into his price, and may lead to complications down the line!

Berty · 02-11-2009 5:04pm

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I'd be spending the extra few quid and getting the 160ps Insignia Berty. IMO, its a much nicer car than the Octavia, although not as quick. Tyres are also fairly pricey, at around 175 quid a corner.

But the Insignia is already €2.400 more than the Octavia at that so the 160PS would make it €2,900 more.

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Just a heads up - there is a 1000euro dealer reg bonus for November, so make sure the Skoda dealer knows this would be for Jan 2010 and not for now. He could be factoring it into his price, and may lead to complications down the line!

I think you may have to explain this a little more to me if you could.

Drummerboy08 · 02-11-2009 5:07pm

Basically its more discount offered by Skoda on any car registered in the Month of November. They did it for Sept too.

It goes to the dealer, but most of em should/will pass it on to the punter.

I was speaking to the dealer we buy Skoda's from last week and he says he doesnt know if it will continue into Dec/Jan. I'll keep an eye on it wither way, because I've a few quotes out for Skodas.

Berty · 02-11-2009 5:10pm

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Basically its more discount offered by Skoda on any car registered in the Month of November. They did it for Sept too.

Then again this car would not be registered until January so the dealer would not be getting this anyway so I assume he has not factored this into the price.

He said by mid week he will have full specs and prices so you never know it could be extended.

Most dealers are saying people are coming in looking at used cars but new cars are a little thin on the ground so possibly Skoda Ireland will recognise this and make changes accordinly.

Darsad · 02-11-2009 5:14pm

To compare the Skoda and the Subaru on spec is one option but i would recommend taking a test drive in both especially on a wet greasy day and there will be only one winner . Torque steering front wheel drive vrs sure footed all whell drive i know which i would prefer!

Berty · 02-11-2009 5:17pm

I always thought there was a Subaru dealer in Limerick City but I drove up and it turned out to be a Daihatsu dealer with a big sign on the door which was hand written. Salesman 087 XXXXXX
Serviceman 087 XXXXXXX

Hard times ahead.

The nearest Subaru dealer by the website is Puckane in North Tipperary. Middle of flippin' nowhere.

Lex Luthor · 02-11-2009 8:18pm

Darsad has a point...as soon as I drove the legacy, I was sold and I looked at all the family size cars in estate form...only one that came close and was actually better was the 2.4 159 but its not a proper estate so I had to pass, very reluctantly. The scooby boxer diesel is so smooth aswell....just drove up to Donegal today, almost 4hrs in the saddle and it was a breeze...the heated seats came in handy aswell this morning.

If you are swaying for the Octavia....do yourself a favour and spec the DSG..

Company car for around €28K - Advice

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