First company car - Your thoughts please

Master Skooter

Master Skooter

Master Skooter

Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2002
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Somerset
[Edit: Skip this first post about diesels....scroll to #8, looking to be either an Octavia or a Golf, petrol :)

Hi

I'm looking for my first company car and have shortlisted a few.

The budget: Max £200/month, 3 year lease, 6 months up front, exc VAT/servicing etc. Has to be black in colour. Was suggested I find something under 100g/km CO2. Appriciate this isn't a huge budget.

I don't tend to do many motorway miles. The majority will be usual day to day driving, fast A roads, but most would be towns/cities with the usual amount of congestion. So I don't need anything fast, but don't want something that's not a chore to drive.

I've found the following which fit the above and includes black paint:

Skoda Octavia SE L (16”)
Monthly cost - £194.90
Insurance group – 14E
1.6L, 5 Speed, 1855KG, 110bhp, 250Nm/184 lb-ft
0-60 – 10.6, top speed 122 mph
P11D - £21,570, CO2 - 99g/km
BIK - £733/61
Fuel Capacity – 50 litres
Combine fuel consumption – 74.3 MPG

BMW 116d EfficientDynamic Plus 5dr (16”)
Monthly cost - £194.99
Insurance group – 15E
1.5L, 6 Speed, 1885KG, 114bhp, 270Nm/199 lb-ft
0-60 – 10.4, top speed 121 mph
P11D - £22,655, CO2 - 89g/km
BIK – £725/60
Fuel Capacity – 52 litres
Combine fuel consumption – 83.1 MPG

VW Golf Match Edition BlueMotion-Tech 5dr Man (16”)
Monthly cost - £198.03
Insurance group – 12E
1.6L, 5 Speed, 1800KG, 110hp, 250Nm/ 184lb-ft
0-60 – 10.1, top speed 121mph
P11D - £22,245, CO2 - 99g/km
BIK – £756/63
Fuel Capacity – 50 litres
Combine fuel consumption – 74.3 MPG

Ford Focus Titanium X Nav (17”)
Monthly cost - £196.45
Insurance group – 15E
1.5L, 6 Speed, 1900KG, 120bhp, 270Nm/199 lb-ft
0-60 – 10.5, top speed 120 mph
P11D - £23,540, CO2 - 99g/km
BIK - £800/66
Fuel Capacity – 50 litres
Combine fuel consumption – 74.3 MPG

They all come with all the basic extras I'm after. I've test driven an Audi A1 so know what the VAG 1.6 diesel engine (in the Golf/Skoda) is like and it was ok. I've not driven a new Ford, but it doesn't seem a bad car on paper. I'm thinking the Skoda may be a bit too big, currently leaning towards the Golf or the BMW.

Thanks in advance :)
 
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I would do absolutely anything to avoid the vag 1.6tdi - it's horrible.

The engine in the focus feels much more acceptable day to day despite having similar bhp, haven't driven a diseasel 1 series for a long time

Fair to say none of them are going to be particularly enjoyable, I'd dprobably decide based on kit
 
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The Focus will probably be the most for your money. A lot of the cost in BWMs and VWs is the badge, Skoda is getting that way too :/

Ford's engines always have good low down power, so you don't need to rev the nuts of them to get the most from them. Which is why they can feel nicer.
 
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Does it have to be diesel, the VAG 1.4 petrols are a much more enjoyable engine compared to the frankly horrid 1.6 diesel. Diesels arent particularly suited to local driving anyway. Can you get a Volvo V40 within your budget?
 
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Yea I'd avoid diesels as well unless your doing LOADS of motorway miles. You can get small petrol engines with pretty high mpg now (with petrol also being cheaper). Plus they are cheaper to service etc. The problem is the government's scewed emissions ratings (which lean in favour of diesels) might mess your options up :/
 
Thanks for the replies.

I tested the A1 1.4 petrol after the diesel and it was a lot nicer to drive. I'll check with my boss and see if I can get a petrol. With the sort of driving I'll be doing I can't see the diesel being a great deal better on economy.
 
Had a quick look for petrol equivalents, the Ford was over the budget even with the 1.0L engine and the BMW is diesel only:

Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI 150 SE L (16”)
Monthly cost - £198.30
Insurance group – 20E
1.4L, 6 Speed, 1255KG, 150bhp, 250Nm/184 lb-ft
0-60 – 8.1, top speed 136 mph
P11D - £20,685, CO2 - 118g/km
BIK - £744.66/62
Fuel Capacity – 50 litres
Combine fuel consumption – 55.4 MPG

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Safety, functionality, comfort:
12-volt socket in luggage boot
2 reading lights in front
8 speakers (passive)
Additional reflectors (door area)
Antenna for AM/FM reception, "diversity"
Anti-theft alarm system, interior monitoring, backup horn, and towing protection
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
Center armrest in front
Center console
Climatronic with impact pressure control, CFC-free
Colour Maxi DOT trip computer
Controls for radio and telephone
Cruise control
Digital radio reception
Direct tire pressure monitoring system
Disk brakes in rear
Driver Alert System
Driver and front passenger airbag with knee airbag and front passenger airbag deactivation
Electric interface for external use, AUX-IN jack, USB (iPod-capable)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Exterior mirrors, power-folding and power-adjustable/heated
Folding trunk cover
Front fog lamps
Front head restraints
Glove compartment cooling system
Halogen twin headlights
Headlamp washer system
Headlight range adjustment
Hill start assist
Intelligent light assistant with high beam control
Key for locking system with remote control
Luggage compartment lighting
Manual height adjustment for front seats
Manually adjustable lumbar support in front seats
Modular transverse matrix (MQB) drive select (Charisma)/selection of driving profile
Mud flap in rear
Navigation system - Standard
Power windows with comfort operation and circuit breaker
Radio remote controlled central locking operated from inside and safe securing
Radio Standard
Rear armrest with 2 cupholders
Rear parking sensors
Rear window wiper and washer system with intermittent control
Seat trim covers in Alcantara/leather
Separate daytime running lights with automatic headlamp activation and Coming Home feature
Service interval prolongation
Side airbag in front, with curtain airbag
Side and rear windows in heat-insulating glass
Start/stop system with regenerative braking
Storage compartment package 1
Storage compartments in trunk
Tailgate/trunk lid release from inside (electrically)
Telephone preparation for mobile phone with WLAN (BT interface)
Three rear head restraints
Tool kit
Visual and acoustic seat belt reminder, electric contact
Washer fluid level indicator
Windshield in heat-insulating glass
Windshield wiper intermittent control with light/rain sensor

Exterior:
Rear exhaust tailpipe (standard)
Tyres 205/55 R16 91V
Trims for alloy wheels
Black moldings
Body-colored exterior mirror housings and various add-on parts
16" Velorum alloy wheels

Interior:
Decorative inserts
Child seat anchor for child seat system ISOFIX
Chrome package
Door and side trim panel
Leather gearshift knob/handle
Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel
Textile floor mats
Hand brake lever handle in leather
 
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Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr (16”)
Monthly cost - £198.03
Insurance group – 15E
1.4L, 6 Speed, 1225KG, 125hp, 200Nm/ 148lb-ft
0-60 – 8.8, top speed 127mph
P11D - £21,240, CO2 - 120g/km
BIK – £807/67
Fuel Capacity – 50 litres
Combine fuel consumption – 54.3 MPG

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Comfort and convenience:
Air conditioning, manual
Automatic coming/leaving home lighting
Chrome plated light switch surround
Convenience pack
Driver's and front passenger's seat height adjustment
Dust and pollen filter
Easy entry sliding seats
Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
Front centre armrest
Front comfort seats with height and lumbar adjustment
Interior light delay
Lumbar support for drivers and front passengers seat
Mirror Pack
Rain sensor and automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror
Reading lights front and rear
Reading lights, front x 2
Rear centre armrest
Reflectors in all doors
Split folding rear seat backrest 60/40
Vanity mirrors, illuminated
Winter pack

Driver's assistance:
Battery regeneration
Cruise control
Dusk sensor
Electronic parking brake
Parking sensors, front and rear
Power-assisted steering
Start/stop function
Warning 'lights on' buzzer
Warning buzzer and light for front seat belts if unfastened
XDS - electronic differential lock.

Exterior:
Black front air intake and radiator grille with chrome trimmed inserts
Body coloured bumpers
Body coloured door handles
Body coloured door mirrors with integrated indicators
Front fog lights
Galvanised body
Halogen clear, range adjustable headlights with daytime running lights
Heat-insulating green tinted glass
High level third brake light
Rear diffuser, black
Rear screen wash/wipe with intermittent wipe
Rear window aerial
Tailgate with integrated rear roof spoiler
Twin exhaust tailpipes (not 85PS or 110PS engines)
Windscreen wipers with intermittent wipe and four position delay.

In car entertainment and communication:
Bluetooth telephone connection
Discover Navigation system (DNS)
Driver profile selection
Multifunction computer
Multifunction computer with 3.5" TFT screen
Speedo and rev counter.

Interior:
'Brushed Dark Silver' decorative inserts in dash and door panels
12v socket in luggage compartment
Bag hook in luggage compartment
Chrome-plated air vent surrounds
Cup holders, front x 2
Electric windows, front
Electric windows, rear (5-door only)
Front passenger's underseat drawers
Front seat back storage pockets
Glovebox - illuminated, cooled and lockable
Grab handles
Heated rear windscreen
Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
Holder for first aid box and warning triangle
Instrument lighting - white adjustable panel illumination
Leather trimmed three-spoke multifunction steering wheel
Load lashing points in luggage compartment x 4
Load-through provision
Luggage compartment cover, stowable
Luggage compartment light
Luggage compartment storage area
Remote central locking
Storage compartment in centre console
Storage compartment in roof console
Storage compartments in front and rear doors
Titan Black 'Zoom/Micro' Cloth
Variable boot floor, height adjustable and removable.

Safety and security:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Alarm with interior protection
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
Brake pad wear indicator
Child security lock on rear doors
Curtain airbag system
Disc brakes, front and rear
Driver alert system
Driver's and front passenger's airbags
Driver's and front passenger's whiplash-optimised head restraints
Driver's knee airbag ESC (Electronic Stability Control), including ASR and EDL
Electronic engine immobiliser
Front and rear side impact airbags
Height adjustable front three-point seat belts with tensioners
Isofix child seat preparation for two rear child seats
Mis-fuel prevention device (Diesel only)
Pre-crash preventive occupant protection
Three rear head restraints
Three rear three-point seat belts
Tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic

Service:
12-year body protection warranty
3-year paintwork warranty
3-year/60,000 mile warranty (whichever is soonest)
Volkswagen Roadside Assistance

Wheels and suspension:
Alloy wheels, 16" 'Dover'
Steel space-saver spare wheel
 
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The golf is a nicer car tbh but I'd probably take the Octavia for the increased power yet lower bik. They're still a decent enough car anyway
 
Get the Octavia. Much more power than the rest of the options and the petrol will be a lot nicer to drive than the 1.6 diesel.


Also, not sure where your company gets it's weight figures from....1800kg for a 1.4 Octavia!? :p
 
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