Low cost car for work.

Theophany

Theophany

Theophany

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Evening chaps,

I've been shopping around for a car that can reasonably be had for sub £5,000, gets decent mileage (both mpg and til scrap), has a bit of tin around it, is fairly cheap to insure and can be serviced properly, inexpensively. Something that isn't pig ugly and has a bit of grunt would be ideal, though not critical.

My thought is to go for something Japanese - for example a Honda CRV or Accord. Annual mileage will probably be 20-30,000 and my employer will reimburse me 40p per mile plus the price difference between fully comp social insurance and business use insurance.

Initially I had considered something like an '02/'03 plate 3 Series or C Class but should something go seriously wrong I imagine I'll be shafted. The reason I'm leaning towards Japanese is the relatively low maintenance costs.

For insurance, 23/M/4Y NCD/full UK manual licence, no points, no accidents, totally clean (haven't driven for a year, so don't have 5 years NCD). Four figure premiums are an absolute deal-breaker.

Any pointers or experience would be welcomed!
 
The crv (petrol) only does circa 25mpg, not sure if the diesel is in budget or if its got the dpf in the older shaped car but it still wouldn't be ideal.

The accord is a good car but again find one without a dpf, they also have niggling problems.in diesel form - petrols are much better. If you really want japanese how about a petrol mazda 6? Otherwise the likes of the mondeo and octavia are worth looking at
 
They break really quite often - with your mileage it should in theory have time to regenerate but they are just a liability

All it does is reduce the emissions, doesn't help the way the car drives in the slightest. Watch your mileage payment too as that will only be for 10k miles
 
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Theophany said:
Without a DPF? Shouldn't the DPF improve economy and reduce the sootiness of a diesel?
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DPF is worse for fuel economy as is creates a large backpressure in the exhaust, but does remove a good portion of soot and is pretty much required for getting newer cars through emissions requirements, so cars from the middle half of the decade will likely have them.

Perhaps a Skoda Octavia TDi? You might get a Mk4 Mondeo TDCi for the money.

I liked driving the accord 2.2 Diesel, the engine's pretty good too.
 
rodenal said:
Watch your mileage payment too as that will only be for 10k miles
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Well, they may still pay him that beyond 10k but he'll then have to pay tax on it.

He can also claim tax relief on the difference up to the 45p approved rate for those 10,000 miles but whether it's really worth the effort is questionable.
 
DaveyD said:
DPF is worse for fuel economy as is creates a large backpressure in the exhaust, but does remove a good portion of soot and is pretty much required for getting newer cars through emissions requirements, so cars from the middle half of the decade will likely have them.

Perhaps a Skoda Octavia TDi? You might get a Mk4 Mondeo TDCi for the money.

I liked driving the accord 2.2 Diesel, the engine's pretty good too.
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I hadn't looked into the Octavia, but I've seen them around and they look to be very tidy cars. My godfather has the Accord Aerodeck which must be 10-15 years old and he raves about it, hence my interest in it for the reliability.

Kenai said:
Well, they may still pay him that beyond 10k but he'll then have to pay tax on it.

He can also claim tax relief on the difference up to the 45p approved rate for those 10,000 miles but whether it's really worth the effort is questionable.
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I'll have to look into the arrangements in more detail as I'm not 100% on what they are as yet, I'm just assuming a safe position based on the current tax legislation.

p1RATE said:
Celica?

an 02/04 3 series for 5k should be alright, just get a 4 pot as they will be the cheapest to fix,
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Saw a Celica today, 03 plate, very nice looking car but I would have to get over my Toymota prejudices :p

4 pot = 4 cylinder, right?
 
p1RATE said:
They are simpler so easier to work on,
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Are they? Thats interesting. I was under the impression that, say, a 2003 318i would have both Valvetronic *and* VANOS wheresa of course a 2003 320i has only VANOS. I can see nothing particularly 'simple' about the N42 engines when compared with the 6 pots. The rest of the car - ie the electronics, the DSC system, etc etc, remains the same irrespective of engine choice. What am I missing?

My view is that none of the BMW's meet the OP's criteria.
 
Something Jap or a Mondeo, something large and comfortable as you're doing a fair few miles, that mileage and that budget won't see you driving without seeming like you are fixing it or spending money on it every other month.

Check you 40 ppm, our reduces to 12 ppm after 15k however iirc you can claim back the difference in from HMRC
 
maccapacca said:
Something Jap or a Mondeo, something large and comfortable as you're doing a fair few miles, that mileage and that budget won't see you driving without seeming like you are fixing it or spending money on it every other month.

Check you 40 ppm, our reduces to 12 ppm after 15k however iirc you can claim back the difference in from HMRC
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I suppose the corollary questions then are should I be looking at leasing (of which I am not sure what kind of relief I can get) or a hire purchase on a newer used car (again, not sure what relief I can get).

I did take a very brief look at leasing and the mileage limits for a personal lease put me off a bit. That and the fact that at least in a purchase I will have the car at the end of it (or the option of a guaranteed future value or p/x).
 
You're better off buying the car if your company has no age limit (given you're getting the hmrc mileage rates i'm assuming you've no car allowance therefore it's none of their business) as you'll at least have something with some capital in it at the end of the day.

Leasing / pcp etc will be more expensive but it's your call whether you think it's worth it, if thinking about going down this road then you'll need to check the costs with the appropriate mileage included and I would personally look at the shortest term possible (2 years say) with no maintenance
 
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