iuchabar

We have all just been 'forced' to opt OUT of our company car scheme if we do less than 10k company miles per year.... the car you buy has to be less than 3 years old, "of a quality commensurate to your role" (whatever the hell that means), we get £200 a month allowance towards it, and everyone got 2 months notice of their cars being taken away WITH NO CHANGE TO T&C's OF EMPLOYMENT.
It's tough times in business, companies are shafting staff on these sorts of things to try and claw back some bottom line profits. Try buying a Saab 95 Vector or equivalent on £200 a month...
I guess it's a case of better to have a job than not... but it is taking the pee.

Bealescooby

iTrader: (36)

if i had to choose off ur shortlist it would be the Honda Accord
You get quite a decent spec and there real nice to drive with lots of room

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

The union are looking into it but HR say that it's all been agreed with them already. It's another cost cutting exercise and the way I see it is that they are effectively reducing our salaries by placing limitations on the mileage. We all had to reapply for our jobs last year in a 'reshuffle' but our contracts remained the same so I'll look into that side of things.

I will definitely look into the legalities as it interests me but I fear that we're shafted.

stilover

With you there. I had to sign a new contract last month. I've had to agree to work more hours for the same money, thus taking an effective pay cut. This is on top of the 0% pay rise I got last year, and the 0% pay rise I'll receive this year.

New Boss is wanting to stamp his authority by shaking things up.

That's why I'm in the early stages of looking into setting up my own business and ******* off.

Matteeboy

I guess a 320d isn't on the list then? The 20d unit seems soooo much nicer than the 18d one even though they are the same engine block.

What a bugger though.

I remember interviewing for a sales job - I had a mk3 Gti 16v Golf at the time and was told I'd have to sell it as it was "better" than the manager level car. They'd give me a Fiesta. I fecked that right off!

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

No 320's

We spent the afternoon test driving the Skoda Octavia vRS and I have to say it put a smile on my face. It's not as quick as my Scoob but for a diesel that manages a combined MPG of around 50 it was none too shabby. The acceleration for a diesel was quick, it was very torquey and pulled well uphill in all six gears on the motorway. The steering felt sharp and responsive and there was no oversteer whilst nailing it on a series of bends into a roundabout although the salesman did poo his pants

The interior is nice, the seats are lovely, it has an ipod connection gizmo and an SD card reader in the touchscreen head unit and stacks of room for my handbag in the passenger footwell The boot is capacious considering it carries a full size spare and it the white one shows up the red calipers better

I liked it, it made me smile and for me, that is the whole point of driving. It's not up there in my dream garage but I doubt there's a much better compromise between size, speed, economy, low emisssions and price out there in car world. Well, certainly in our company car world. I think it's the ONE

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Oh and I know a nice man who will remap it from 170 standard to about 200, which is nice

Will

Matteeboy

Get the Octavia then - what power is the diesel unit? Assume 170bhp?

rookymatt

iTrader: (15)

I was looking at highh spec A3 diesels a few months back (was going to defect to the other side but i changed my mind) The salesman said the fastest 4pot dielsel available was the pd170 (170bhp) it drove very well with torque coming out of the wazoo, however, i was forever wishing it had another 1000 rpm!
Returned 37mpg for the weekend i had it (test drive) and that was with me driving like i was being chased by satan himself!!
Not bad, not bad.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Yep, 170bhp. I'll get it mapped obviously

This is pretty much how it will look:

Matteeboy

Cool - I like it!

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

I actually like the look of the estate version better - I like sporty estates - but it's not on the list

Still, I think the re-modelled front end is nice, it looks pretty aggressive and has Audi style LED daylight running lights

NotoriousREV

Not a bad choice given the list. I'd still resolve the issue of the annual mileage being too low for you to commute to work, never mind use the car personally (for which you are paying tax for the privilege).

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

We're in chats with the union about the mileage. As far as they're concerned it wasn't something that they agreed to and but something that HR have pushed through quietly.

mamoon2

Nice, I like it!

But just to mentioned, you very unlikely to get 50mpg combined. I've got the 170 tdi Leon and you've gotta do 60mph on the motorway to get 50 mpg. I average 40mpg combined and 44mpg on a motorway trip taking it easy.

Matteeboy

I think it's similar with many diesels.

Astra was supposed to do 50mpg combined - it was more like 40.
Bimmer is meant to do 40ish - my long term average is around 32mpg.

NotoriousREV

Yeah, seems about right, our Civic averages low 40s, supposed to do low 50s.

Matteeboy

Does anyone know of any cars that get better than quoted mpg?! I can't think of any.

I guess most mpg tests are done under controlled conditions and probably on rollers?

rookymatt

iTrader: (15)

What about the vw bluemotions??

MMT WRX

Not so bad, get that Viper stripe on and maybe nail a scoop to the bonnet

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm....scoop, yes, I'll see if I can nick one off of an old Nova. We could call it a Skobaru

The union have basically said we're to take it up the jacksie as far as the private mileage thing goes or take the liveried vehicle option. Which is nice

Looks like the Skobaru is go then...

stilover

What's so wrong with a liveried up car? At least everyone will know you didn't actually spend your own dosh buying a Skoda.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

It'll be a van, not a car, and that means we'll still have to fork out for a car to do the 18k miles to and from work in a year, plus all the associated running costs. We wouldn't be able to use the van for private use so would still need two cars. Even with running a company car and paying for each mile after 18k it still works out cheaper to have the company car which we can use for the journey to and from work.

As if that that would worry me! I drive a Scoob, my car image is already shot to pieces We both drove it, liked it and are pleased with the quality and kit it comes with. It's not my first choice of car (a Veyron ) but it's the best choice for us at this time.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Well, it's ordered. Only three months to wait now...

Matteeboy

Cool - I reckon you'll love it!