Company Cars

[Phage]

The new job comes with a company car.
But I can only choose from a list of fairly dull 4dr cars.
Soooo, what does the combined automotive might of Hexus recommend ?

I'm allowed
Audi A3 to lower A5
Any BMW 1-series but not 3-series
Merc C-Class
VW Passat Golf
Various Volvos, Fords etc.

I hardly know most of these vehicles. What to do ?

[Bagnaj97]

What sort of journeys is it for? What are you after - fun, fuel economy, space etc?

[Phage]

It's 40miles to work. A combination of green lanes and motorway blast. This will be 90% of the mileage. The rest will be footling about town, shopping and the odd weekend away.
It's all about the fun of driving, there'll be a few days with kids and stuff but I'm all about performance.

[scaryjim]

Audi would probably get my vote, but I know nothing about cars

[Phage]

This is my problem.
When does Zak check in ?

[TeePee]

The new Audi A4 is a very close rival to the 3 Series.

[Moby-Dick]

Any one series ?

135i M Sport then

[TeePee]

Any one series ?

135i M Sport then

Is the correct answer...

[finlay666]

Is the correct answer...

This

IIRC The C Class is pretty good, the A5 I think it depends on options (isn't it a 2 door?)

[Phage]

It's the A5 Sportback. 4dr not a bad looker.
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/a...mary/25717-13/
The C-Class gets a slating, although it's got oomph.
http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/m...ummary/25753-2
I can get a couple of M 1-series, I'll have to check if I can get that one.

[TeePee]

I would reject the C class, it's a let down compared to the older CLK, especially the CLK550.

[Tumble]

You'll have to take into consideration the amount of tax you'll pay as well - I know someone has an A6 estate, full fuel allowance etc and it's a £35k car, which demands about £400 a MONTH in tax..... Personally I'd look at the VWs or Fords - the VW CC (not the Passat CC, it's an all new one apparently) looks VERY nice, or you could go for the boring old Mondeo option, but lots of toys and not so hard on the pockets.

[Smudger]

Is the Focus ST on the list?
What about a big diesel-engined Audi A4/A5? The 2.7 or 3.0 should give you decent enough poke, but decent fuel economy on the motorway as well...

Edit: I mean big as in the size of the engine, not the size of the car...

Ooh, what about the Golf GTI?

[ajones]

I've had company cars for year, and having been bitten in the derrier for tax I just look at the CO2 numbers these days. You'll be surprised at the spec of car you can get if you just choose the more emissions-friendly end of the spectrum.

If you like 3-series, go for a Mondeo

[Phage]

Googling Fords, and VWs as we speak. Thanks all
Much appreciated.

[hnosyalnif]

My dad has recently had a similar choice (although less scope because the company only allows diesels and good fuel mileage). He had the choice between the Volvo V50, Audi A3 Estate, Passat/Golf and a couple of others. He went for one of the high spec diesel Passat's, seems to come with lots of kit whilst being economical and relatively cheap to run. That being said he hasn't actually got it yet but will probably get it in September once the new plates come out.

Getting to the stage where I'm looking at a small car for myself as well (going to be driving up and down to Wales from Scotland a couple of times a year as I'm going back to Uni). Looking at getting a Diesel A3 but trying to find a good one for not too much money is a little bit of a challenge. Going to be looking at some others as well but suggestions welcome (but I'll create a new thread at some point so as not to hijack this one).