Thinking about taking a company car. Only really looking for cars with low BIK. So far have thought about diesel Minis and weedy versions of TDI Audi A3s.
What else is there thats not too mundane.
It would effectively be the 2nd car so size etc not critical
|
|
Recent turbo petrols have low emissions and do not suffer from the 3% BIK charge for being a diesel. So VAG cars like a turbo petrol A3 may be cheap too.
|
116d, 118d, 120d, 318d, 320d.
There is a new eco 320d coming soon with 163bhp, 360nm and as I recall 119 g/km.
EDIT: Econetic Fiesta.
Edited by cheddar on 19/01/2010 at 21:21
|
The new 320d ED has amazing emmissions of just 109 g/km 13% BIK and £35 road tax along with 163bhp. Surely the car to have if you are a company car driver.
www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/models/320dED/0,,1156___sit-bm...v
|
|
The Audi A4 for example in 136PS 20 TDIe trim also has BIK of 13%.
|
|
|
|
Recent turbo petrols have low emissions and do not suffer from the 3% BIK charge for being a diesel. So VAG cars like a turbo petrol A3 may be cheap too.
Well I reckon you've set a trap by asking about "best"... there are probably as many opinions as there are users on here. So start by thinking about what else is important to you (build/design/brand/handling/ride etc) and whether you'll be doing enough private miles for the fuel cost to be an issue too. If you do a long commute like me a diesel is a no-brainer, but if not then agree petrols are much more worthy of consideration.
Anyway, we've been choosing company cars recently so it's an issue that's occupied us too. The PUC cost (basically and additional charge each month if you get something a bit posher) can make a huge difference to monthly running cost. Also, BIK is a function of both emissions and list price so you could take a higher BIK with a lower list price. Anyway, a few suggestions might be
Fiesta or Focus 1.6TDCi (but higher list prices now may deter)
Fiat Bravo 1.6 diesel (think HJ liked the engine in that)
Volvo C30/S40/V50 Drive 1.6 diesel
Golf/Passat with Bluemotion tech
Kia Ceed 1.6 diesel (thought the 110hp engine was a cracker)
New Prius?
We needed a family-sized car, and SWMBO had a reasonable allowance, so we've gone for an A4 with the 2L TDIe 136 engine - much cheaper than an equivalent Mondeo on her scheme. A fair bit cheaper than the bog-standard A4 TDi 143 too.
|
Thanks for the input so far. I had overlooked the 1.4TSI engine, so will follow that up. It would replace a Honda Jazz, by way out general guide. Looking for something a bit more with it whilst i'm south of 40, rather that the pensioners favorite (but i do still like the Jazzy one!)
i like fords but seems to me the numbers don't work for them anymore in many car schemes - i guess the residuals/list price is the trouble. if you want a mondy/foci/fiesta get a 6month old one from motorpoint is probably the best bet.
Volvo c30 - thats left field, will have a look at that!
Edited by nick1975 on 19/01/2010 at 22:05
|
|
|
There are plenty to choose from - probably without resorting to bluemotion / econetic / greenline / hybrids either.
Assuming it'll be leased the costs will depend on residuals so the term of the lease will be important and since I prefer a shorter lease (you're taxed on a new car so why not have one ?) then 'premium' brands tend to be cheaper - BMW, Audi, Mercedes or perhaps VW from the mainstream on my company's scheme. Volvos, Toyotas, Saabs (RIP) and Hondas are more expensive as are Fords and Vauxhalls over short lease terms (due to depreciation).
BMWs seem the least compromised to me - 143 / 166 / 177 / 200 PS engines all with sub 130g CO2 outputs in cars you can enjoy driving. From more mainstream brands I'd look at the Golf VI in both 1.4TSi and 2.0CR Diesel forms for a cost / performance compromise.
|
There are turbo petrols on the way from Ford.
The 2.0T 180PS engine in the A5 is good for BIK
|
Out of curiosity I recently did a BIK calculation on the new Prius III, compared with my current Mondeo 2.0 diesel, which has been my company car for 2 years.
In 2009 / 10, I'll pay £2,094 BIK (40%) on the Mondeo, and I've averaged 42.5mpg in the 2 years I've had it.
The Prius would be £902 at 40%, or £100 per month less tax. I'm intending to test drive one and see if it fits my needs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
