HELP! choosing a company car!

phill · 8 Jul 2006 at 10:29

Budget of max £300 p/m

can choose from anything, http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/

just don't know what to get

Girlfriend wants me to get a convertable :/

Firestar_3x · 8 Jul 2006 at 10:32

Audi A4 Cabriolet

Nazbit · 8 Jul 2006 at 10:44

BMW 3-Series Coupe
320CD SE Coupe, LAST OF THE 'OLD' MODEL, FULL LEATHER, 17
Car is in stock in Mystic Blue metallic, Beige Leather, 17 Alloys, rate based on 3 + 23 10k miles p/a non maintenance. Enquire via the web site or telephone 0800 458 2395. Posted: 08/07/2006 09:57:05
Price: £299 per month

Audi A4 Cabriolet
2.0TDi A4 CABRIOLET from £299p.m!! 2-year contract!!! Delivered to your door. Visit our website www.nationwideaudicontracts.co.uk Posted: 08/07/2006 10:02:04
Price: £299 per month

Honda S2000
2.0i (240 BHP) 2 Dr Cabriolet Manual Price Includes Metallic Paint! This Vehicle is Based on Business Contract Hire Only! 12 Months 3 + 11 Payments 10,000 Miles Per Annum @ £316.99 36 Months 3 + 35 Payments 10,000 Miles Per Annum @ £293.99 Prices are Excluding Vat!! Maintenance quotes available on most offers Call: 0845 330 3545 or Click! Now
Ref:#004 Posted: 05/07/2006 20:42:41
Price: £293 per month

Ford Focus ST
Ford Focus
ST 2 2.5 3dr Including Metallic Paint - 36 months (3+35 payments) - 10,000 miles per year - Non-Maintenance.
Figures are inclusive of metallic paint, delivery within the UK and Road Fund Licence for the duration of the contract. Figures are exclusive of VAT. GayCar Limited is proud to be the UK and world's first gay car leasing company Posted: 08/07/2006 09:49:50
Price: £256 per month

Theres an awful lot of other cars you can have for that money, it all depends on what you want really. The ones above are obviously not all convertables, but then you said your girlfriend wants one, you didnt sound to convinced yourself

loltim · 8 Jul 2006 at 10:46

lol, no idea what sort of cars you like but if I had the choice it'd be the Focus ST.

phill · 8 Jul 2006 at 10:46

think i may go for a Z4

Firestar_3x · 8 Jul 2006 at 10:47

phill said:
think i may go for a Z4

Don't bother you will get the 2.0 for your money, not worth it imho.

blueboy2001 · 8 Jul 2006 at 10:53

How many miles will you be doing? All of those mentioned are 10k pa short term deals which are great, but the excess mileage charges on them will be very high. These deals are supported by the manufacturers to get a steady stream of low mileage, 12 month or 2 year old used cars back through their dealer network.

Oblivious · 8 Jul 2006 at 10:59

blueboy2001 said:
How many miles will you be doing? All of those mentioned are 10k pa short term deals which are great, but the excess mileage charges on them will be very high. These deals are supported by the manufacturers to get a steady stream of low mileage, 12 month or 2 year old used cars back through their dealer network.

Spot on

Dr House · 8 Jul 2006 at 11:00

blueboy2001 said:
How many miles will you be doing? All of those mentioned are 10k pa short term deals which are great, but the excess mileage charges on them will be very high. These deals are supported by the manufacturers to get a steady stream of low mileage, 12 month or 2 year old used cars back through their dealer network.

why would they want to do that?

blueboy2001 · 8 Jul 2006 at 11:15

Paras said:
why would they want to do that?

At the moment, most mainstream manufacturers are producing in excess of demand to keep the factories rolling. The most cost effective way to get rid of these cars is to dispose of them through trade channels like hire and leasing companies because vehicle turnover is much higher in these sectors. They sell them off cheap, often through their own finance subsiduaries and after 12 months/2yrs stick them through an auction. The best stuff will go through a closed auction only available for their dealers. This keeps the dealers happy because 12 month old/10k cars in good condition are a breeze to sell to private punters who want a car quickly, or don't want to buy a new one.

richolmes72 · 8 Jul 2006 at 11:22

Firestar_3x said:
Don't bother you will get the 2.0 for your money, not worth it imho.

The 2.0 litre is only slightly slower than the 2.2 (7.9secs vs 7.5) and being a 4 cylinder, will use less fuel.

imo, the 2.0 makes more sense than the 2.2. Of course, the 3.0 litre is a different matter.

Firestar_3x · 8 Jul 2006 at 11:23

Yes thats all good and well, but its a 4 pot you need a 6 port in that car, its then law, if you can't do it proper and all that lot

alexisonfire · 8 Jul 2006 at 11:24

1.8 audi a4 convertible?

OllyM · 8 Jul 2006 at 12:34

Two things to think about...

Maintenance or Non-maintenance?

What about company car tax? Petrol cars will hit you quite hard...

derfderfley · 8 Jul 2006 at 16:17

OllyM said:
Two things to think about...

Maintenance or Non-maintenance?

What about company car tax? Petrol cars will hit you quite hard...

And a couple more, since I'm just ordering a company car at the moment.

Emissions (company car tax is part based on this)
P11D value (company car tax is part based on this)

Mileage limits (how many miles do you do?)

[TW]Fox · 8 Jul 2006 at 18:56

I'd have the 320CD. Ok its not quite as exciting as a Focus ST or an Audi Cabrio but it's a brilliant all rounder and a good compromise between performance and company car tax. Handles amazingly well, very nice to drive, and won't be a base model with a gutless engine as the A4 surely will at that price.

Zip · 8 Jul 2006 at 19:09

RX-8s are in that price range

[TW]Fox · 8 Jul 2006 at 19:12

Zip said:
RX-8s are in that price range

You have no idea how company cars work do you

Zip · 8 Jul 2006 at 19:14

[TW]Fox said:
You have no idea how company cars work do you

Nope

I just checked the price braket on the site he was on and it was under it

[TW]Fox · 8 Jul 2006 at 19:16

Hmmm, just noticed Mondeo ST TDCi is in budget.