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Posted

What happens if you don't buy a newer car and carry on using the one you've got?

I'll probably be invited to seek alternative employment.

Posted

I've tried a Mondeo of the same age, good to drive and comfortable with a massive boot. Yours looks a superb buy. I've had three Fords as company cars in the past, and though they were all good, I could never bring myself to part with my own cash for one. Same goes for Vauxhalls. 

 

I know what you mean, but I guess it depends how much of your own money you are talking about.

£25K+ on a Mondeo is a bit salty, but I like to think that were I in the position to have a new company car, I would seriously consider one, over a similarly priced, but not specced, German offering.

 

Usually, badges win, in the company car park, though.

 

I am coming round to the Dacia idea. ;-)

Posted

I know what you mean, but I guess it depends how much of your own money you are talking about.

£25K+ on a Mondeo is a bit salty, but I like to think that were I in the position to have a new company car, I would seriously consider one, over a similarly priced, but not specced, German offering.

 

Usually, badges win, in the company car park, though.

 

I am coming round to the Dacia idea. ;-)

I don't care about the badge nor where the car's made. I've just never bonded with Ford or GM cars. 

Posted

Reading this thread made me appreciate what happened this morning.

 

I'd been asked to collect a visitor to work at the airport (it's on my way in) in my own car which is 12 years old and has 110k on the clock.

Said visitor is picked up and as we leave the airport he asks "what engine is in this one?"

I responded with "three litre petrol" expecting OMGMPG noises but got "excellent, I bet it really goes".

Turns out he's had sporty BMWs in the past and misses them when he drives his current year old diesel company Audi.

He spent most of the journey complementing my car and when we got to work he spent several minutes inspecting it with a big grin on his face. 

 

I don't think companies need to buy into this new car nonsense.

Company car age limits in particular make no sense to me. I'm going to have to either take a company car not of my choosing and pay the taxman for the privilege, or pay thousands for a car that will cost more to insure and be a lot less comfortable (and maybe even less reliable) than my present car. It's going to be a sad day when I have to part with mine, but I can't keep two cars. 

Posted

Sell the Merc on here then at least it stays in the AS hood, rather than it being driven off never to be seen or heard of ever again.

  • Like 2
Posted

My company has a similar policy but fortunately they don't enforce it.

Surely if you buy a 6.5 year old car you will be right back to square one in six months time when you are again not compliant with policy?

Posted

I think Sanderos are ace, but not for ploughing up and down the motorway. 

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Posted

£25K+ on a Mondeo is a bit salty, but I like to think that were I in the position to have a new company car, I would seriously consider one, over a similarly priced, but not specced, German offering.

 

Usually, badges win, in the company car park, though.

 

 

£25k on a values-dropping-like-a-greased-anvil DMF munching horror is not a 'bit salty' it's fucking ridiculous. I totally agree about the 'badge winning car park' bit, and I'm not a fan of a lot of German cars, but the only similar sized car worse than a Mondeo is a Passat.

Posted

Talk to the fleet manager. He will usually be the one who has to look at the car details even if some other department actually collects them.

 

The age requirement is usually only there is a misguided effort to ensure you drive something safe........there is so much bollocks written in comics like Fleet News about duty of care and the infrence that anything old is automatically poorly maintained and dangerous.

 

A sensible fleet manager will realise your cheirshed Merc is far likely to be well maintained than a lot of the car allowance run stuff......most of them just want to pocket as much of the allowance as possible without spending on any maintenance.

Posted

Depends on how flexible the company is.  If you need something newish though I'd just go for a dci Dacia Sandero, you should still be able to get one with a bit of spec for your budget and if you buy something five years old are the company going to insist you replace it the moment it hits 7 years old. 

 

Not exciting I know but I'd go for the Dacia in your position.

Posted

I know the Prius is seen as spawn of satan at the moment but if you can ignore all of the specious eco bollox they are marketted with, have a look. They are technically very interesting with their electric transmission, they are good on gasoline in day to day driving and they are very relaxed but SLOW and confused by corners. Nothing you wouldn't get used too though.

Someone on here will have a hybrid soon, me if I can find a good mk1 Honda Insight. The current model Insight would be worth a look for you if it wasn't CVT only.

Posted

Someone on here will have a hybrid soon, me if I can find a good mk1 Honda Insight. The current model Insight would be worth a look for you if it wasn't CVT only.

 

Considering there are only about 2 of these in the country, I've seen three knocking about near me. One in the metallic blue, one in the dayglow metallic green/yellow and the other in a copper colour. I really like them.

 

I think the Prius gets too much stick too. I've driven one and it was fine, certainly a lot less annoying than a Peugeot 207, and most owners happily admit that no matter how hard they thrash them they can't get them to drop much below 55mpg.

Posted

Buy one of those wanky irish plates that people over here call 'Private plates' but are not age related, they usually read something like TAZ 4566 and are worth piss all, stick it on the Merc and tell new employer its a bizarre 2009 late plate madness C class behind the pikey plates??

Posted

Get an ex-military vehicle (estate car?) with a Q reg. If even the DVLA can't work out how old it is, your fleet manager doesn't stand a chance. Job done. :)  :)

  • Like 2
Posted

£25k on a values-dropping-like-a-greased-anvil DMF munching horror is not a 'bit salty' it's fucking ridiculous. I totally agree about the 'badge winning car park' bit, and I'm not a fan of a lot of German cars, but the only similar sized car worse than a Mondeo is a Passat.

And guess what I'm being offered?

Posted

Talk to the fleet manager. He will usually be the one who has to look at the car details even if some other department actually collects them.

 

The age requirement is usually only there is a misguided effort to ensure you drive something safe........there is so much bollocks written in comics like Fleet News about duty of care and the infrence that anything old is automatically poorly maintained and dangerous.

 

A sensible fleet manager will realise your cheirshed Merc is far likely to be well maintained than a lot of the car allowance run stuff......most of them just want to pocket as much of the allowance as possible without spending on any maintenance.

No fleet manager - company rules and outsourced provider. Its gone to the top but the answer is no! 

Posted

MG6 is an option I mentioned, and I'd love to hear from someone that's actually driven one. Are they really as bad as the reviews suggest?

Posted

What a pain in the arse,  but I suppose it's better than just being handed a silver Astra 1.3D and told to get on with it.

  • Like 2
Posted

sandero_range-price-Apr13-700x380.JPG

 

I believe this meets all criteria outlined.

 

Fuck look at this POS, If all cars looked like that I would never of learnt to drive and just walk everwhere.

Posted

What is the 1.9 diesel they use? Is it home made or bought in?

Posted

What is the 1.9 diesel they use? Is it home made or bought in?

 

It's the Kunming Yunnei D19TCi. Developed by a Chinese firm who are owned by SAIC. As things stand, it is the only thing that uses that engine so in future parts supply could be an issue, not least because MG6 diesel sales figures are barely over 100 so far. The TCi-Tech (Kettle-Series based, but seemingly improved in the important areas) is the engine to go for.

 

MG6s seem hit and miss based on what I've seen. Some people have had great ones whereas others have had all sorts of problems. Personally, I'd spend the money on a new Dacia Estate instead. Get the extended 7 year warranty and keep it until it is out of age or you change job to somewhere with a more enlightened policy on old motors.

Posted

Poor bloke going from driving a C class Merc to a Dacia everyday. Like having a cold Stella snatched away on a hot day and being handed a glass of warm piss instead.

Posted

Poor bloke going from driving a C class Merc to a Dacia everyday. Like having a cold Stella snatched away on a hot day and being handed a glass of warm piss instead.

What a great idea for an "Endurance" reality type show  - how low can you go? Might be funny to watch, but its happening to me!

Posted

What a pain in the arse, but I suppose it's better than just being handed a silver Astra 1.3D and told to get on with it.

Awesome. Guess what the company car is I'm currently waiting on being delivered?
  • Like 1

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