Car allowance......

CSK_423 · Post by **CSK_423** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:56 am

I've just accepted a position which entitles me to a car allowance hence the many threads about what to get next, this has been on the cards for a month or two and for obvious reasons the Elise will need to go

there is age/type restrictions on my choice of car. less than 5yrs old and semi practical.

How does everyone spend there's ie leasing, balloon payments, HP etc. ??? and what have you chosen to run

I have alot of colleagues who are in the same position and they range from merc. C class petrol's to a Vectra DTi's

I won't be doing any great amount of mileage but will be required to ocassionaly pop round Britain to visit various sites. I would imagine 15k/16k miles per year.

it's all up in the air, looked at 3 yr old S4's to new 530D's !!!!!!

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:46 am

A newer Elise/Exige

r055 · Post by **r055** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:48 am

try http://www.drivethedeal.com

A few people I know have said its the dogs, but never tried it myself...

ExigeKen · Post by **ExigeKen** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:47 am

It really depends if your company give you money every month and expect to see that you have a reliable vehicle with four seats etc or whetehr they will just pay a lease deal for you direct. I get an allowance which I use to pay the car loan on my RAV4 and have my Exige as my other car. Our company do not really check out what car you have as long as you travel when expected. I think that talking to other guys in your own company will give you the right pointers. In our company some people lease others buy personal choice really, there are benefits to both. My RAV4 is a very practical car with only one fault it only does 25mpg as it is permanent four wheel drive.

I hoep that you can keep your Lotus - good luck searching.

mrbennybennett · Post by **mrbennybennett** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:58 am

Company car is a Civic Type R - costs me an fortune in tax, probably should have got a diesel but that would be boring!!!!!

Post by ed » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:01 am

530D coupe is nice, A3 170 pd sportline is also good too.

id prob get a diesel myself to save on tax etc....

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:03 am

I'm not quite at the level for a car allowance in my company yet, but the staff I know that do have it tend to buy rather than lease AFAIK.

Could you not use the allowance for a company car and keep the Elise as a toy?

r055 · Post by **r055** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:32 am

in my old company, they used to stipulate that it must not be a soft top and have more than 2 seats, but they never really checked to be honest.

I've still not really made my mind up for what i want to do.
I take the allowance at the moment, but that obviously means that I shell out for servicing, tax, tyres, insurance etc.

I was doing alot of mileage last year that ruled me out of the lease cars as there was a cap on the mileage - something silly like 8k miles per annum. So i bought a nearly new vectra CDTI SRI 150 with 6k on the clock for something like £10k less than new price! I took out a personal loan which was way cheaper than any finance deal i could find and service intervals are 30k miles (although I am uncomfortable with that - get mine done 20k)
The Vectra's not the best 'drivers car' as clarkson will tell you, but I think its ideal for what i use it for. Anyway, i now have the liz if i want the 'perfect driving experience'!

Keep the Lotus mate - you know it makes sense!

Rag_It · Post by **Rag_It** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:56 am

ed wrote:530D coupe is nice, A3 170 pd sportline is also good too.

id prob get a diesel myself to save on tax etc....

A what Edward? Now given i have not read a lot of car mags this year, i dont think i am totally out of the loop, but WTF is a 530d coupe?!

Is one confusing his numbers and thinking how good a 330CD would be!!!

Awesome cars, infact a BMW 335i belted past me the other day at full chat, and it sounded on par and actually thinking about it even better than an M3 sounds. Can't wait to see the new M3 - i am sure there will be a few on here with order in the bank for them!

Dave

Post by ed » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:03 pm

another 10 points Mr H!
i did of course mean that 330d!

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:33 pm

ExigeKen wrote: My RAV4 is a very practical car with only one fault it only does 25mpg

I am averaging 38mpg ... Mind you mainly used for Edin - Livi runs.

james · Post by **james** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:22 pm

My Elise is bought with car allowance money, my company have no car restrictions.

The HR woman didnt know what the make of my question about cars that dont qualify - "err, as long as its a car I think" she said.

Mind you with the TVR's Caterhams, Marcos's and other Elises used by my colleagues, Im in good company.

However if there restrictions then I would suggest any BMW (apart from the ugly 1 series) IMHO.

r055 · Post by **r055** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:39 pm

james wrote:
Mind you with the TVR's Caterhams, Marcos's and other Elises used by my colleagues, Im in good company.

Any jobs going in your place?

CSK_423 · Post by **CSK_423** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:22 pm

Cheers for the ifo guys, appreciated.

just found a contact at Douglas Park BMW, so I'll be taking a trip out to see what they can rustle up

ExigeKen · Post by **ExigeKen** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:27 pm

Sanjoy wrote: I am averaging 38mpg ... Mind you mainly used for Edin - Livi runs.

How do you do that, the best I ever had is 30mpg