Which Company Car?

Cybergangster

Cybergangster

Cybergangster

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Joined
11 Jun 2004
Posts
1,332
Location
Aotearoa
I'm currently running around in a 2010 Fiesta which I inherited from my predecessor. It is up for replacement in March and I've been given a budget of $40,000 (roughly £20k). I haven’t been paying attention to motoring trends lately so I really draw a blank thinking about I want to drive. I’d prefer to give half-decent answer when asked what I want head office to pick up.

I’d prefer something good looking and fun to drive. Maybe even a little unique…

The NZ market is fairly saturated with South East Asian imports. But we do have our share of European and American branded stock as well.

What would you suggest?
 
Almost nobody here knows much about the NZ car market, how much things cost over there or how company car tax/lease schemes work, so I'm not sure what you are expecting to get bar a bunch of random car names many of which will either not be available at all or won't meet your requirements.

Is this not a question best directed at an NZ car forum?
 
I've lurked in Motors for a while and value the opinions shared here. Some suggestions might not be applicable. But at least they'll offer some direction. I've yet to find a local forum that offers the breadth of background and experience of Overclockers.

But I can simplify the question. Pretend I still live in London; what car would you suggest for around £20k?
 
Still doesn't really help, because NZ has different imports and domestic markets. You also have oddities like needing a separate permit/license to use diesel.

Do you have a diesel permit? Do you want a small or large car? Etc etc etc...
 
Diesel is an option. No permit required here. Most of my driving is city based with the occasional rural run. Commuting isn't an issue. I just want something fun that doesn't make me look an idiot suggesting it to the boss.

I'm thinking of something like a Ford Focus, Golf or Honda Civic. I really haven't a clue as to which is the better of those 3 apart from how different they'd look parked in the driveway...
 
Cybergangster said:
Diesel is an option. No permit required here. Most of my driving is city based with the occasional rural run. Commuting isn't an issue. I just want something fun that doesn't make me look an idiot suggesting it to the boss.

I'm thinking of something like a Ford Focus, Golf or Honda Civic. I really haven't a clue as to which is the better of those 3 apart from how different they'd look parked in the driveway...
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I don't think those cars fit your own criteria of "fun and unique"!
 
paradigm said:
Really? I thought you needed an RUC "distance license" if you own a Diesel car.
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When you pay your car tax here, you also purchase your distance licence for diesel vehicles. But then you also pay significantly less tax at the pump for diesel. Diesel engines in private cars are not as common here, but I can see they are still an option with most new vehicles purchased.

mccarf said:
I don't think those cars fit your own criteria of "fun and unique"!
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Which brings me back to the purpose of my original question - what would you suggest?
 
Cybergangster said:
Which brings me back to the purpose of my original question - what would you suggest?
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I'd drop the "unique" requirement.

Cars are only unique for two reasons. 1) because they are trash, or 2) because they are exotically expensive.

You can't afford a 2), and you don't want a 1).
 
Disagree slightly with the "unique = rubbish" thing really, there's plenty of good stuff that people will always say "ooh, I'd like one of those but I need x/y/z" and for other people x,y,z doesn't matter. An Astra is a solid car that's everywhere for a good reason, doesn't mean its comprehensively better than say, a Volvo C30. I'd agree that popular stuff is often popular for good reason though.

Anyway, maybe I'm misreading it slightly given the Focus/etc. but the first thing that sprang to mind was a Toyota GT86? A quick google suggests its $46k list price, no idea if you'd be able to find one in budget?
 
I'm probably misleading you with the unique tag. I'm not looking for something exotic. I just don't want to be driving just another Toyota, Mondeo or Ford Falcon as seems to be the default option for company cars.

The GT86 on the other hand is probably a little too sporty.

I'm going to have a look at a new Impreza and Golf GTi and see if they make a good impression.
 
$40k will get you a 2009 Golf GTi with 45,000 kms on it

or a 2012 Falcon XR6

or a 2011 Impreza WRX

If it were my money I'd be going for the XR6 (and probably will at some point soon, as a second car). It's not worth paying so much over the odds for perceived 'flash European' cars like the Golf because you'll get less car for your money. On the flipside you have a huge range of Japanese variants which are comparatively dirt-cheap here versus the UK.
 
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But... a Falcon is so boring on the inside! I got to share this beast on a trip down to Invercargill a while back. It was fun behind the wheel. But my even my old Escort LX had a better interior...

The Golf is off the table too. Like you said, too pricey for what you get here.

I admit, I forgot all about the WRX. I might have to have a closer look there.
 
The Golf will have a nicer interior as neither of the other two are renowned for having amazing (or even decent) interiors. I would have the WRX or the XR6 over the Golf every day though. The WRX is a good car but it's not great and I say this as a massive fan of everything Subaru. The styling doesn't appeal to everyone, the wheels look diminutive when seen in the flesh, the mileage is still awful, but it's fun (lowercase 'f') to drive.

The Falcon also has its issues - commonality being something that may bother you - but it's Fun (uppercase 'f') to drive. Power is either the same or very close but I find it a more engaging car to drive and a nicer cabin to be in.

A testdrive will quickly give you an idea of your shortlist I'd have thought.
 
Cybergangster said:
But... a Falcon is so boring on the inside! I got to share this beast on a trip down to Invercargill a while back. It was fun behind the wheel. But my even my old Escort LX had a better interior...

The Golf is off the table too. Like you said, too pricey for what you get here.

I admit, I forgot all about the WRX. I might have to have a closer look there.
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Isn't that the model first introduced in 2000, it was replaced by a far better car years ago.
 
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