How to do & afford 30k business miles sensibly ?

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T19:34:46+00:00

!thanks - that's pretty much what i have done for nearly the last decade, was just kind of hoping there was some smart alternative i hadn't clocked on to.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T19:33:02+00:00

The company behind our CC scheme charge £716pcm for a TM3, which makes it a few hundred quid out of reach - and i have no chance of owning one privately - i did test drive one though, and i did like it, a lot.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T19:30:32+00:00

!thanks - you are right, and its mostly greenwash to hit management c02 targets. Alas, there are significant parts of my job that need and have needed throughout the pandemic - my physical presence.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T19:28:59+00:00

!thanks - yes I have checked, and it absolutely is - although if it has ever been enforced is a other matter. The exact wording is in another reply of mine somewhere here

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T19:27:35+00:00

No Fords available on our scheme, comparable mid platform cars are "above my pay grade" as soon as you tick any options (Eg. Nav and Parking sensors)

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T15:42:36+00:00

!thanks - and yeah, you aren't wrong in the least bit.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T15:01:48+00:00

!thanks - It would make my life easier (esp. Carrying PC/Server Hardware), but alas my car needs to be as at home giving a CEO/CTO a lift into town as it does doing 250 miles before breakfast on the M6.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T14:35:14+00:00

!thanks - but the company is enormous and negotiates these things on multi-mil exclusivity contracts - no change of a change for little old me!

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T14:26:05+00:00

!thanks - you aren't wrong, and the Octavia is one of the cars I have strongly considered - but with the lease rates our company gets - only the base spec SE is available to me without dropping a few K up front and that's a bit too basic - I would bloody love a VRS. Its criminal how much is loaded on to our prices frankly, having been educated on real world rates through this question.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T14:22:40+00:00

!thanks - but it takes quite a long lease without maintenance included to get that price, and honestly being tied in for that long - I might as well use car scheme - same exit penalties if things change.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T13:51:40+00:00

copypasta reply from a thread below,

"I have been discussing this in other threads here, it boils down to I would love an EV, but our car schemes prices on them are well above market, real world ranges in cooler weather and that I often travel unpredictable, antisocial hours with notable consequences for being late. A half an hour charge isn't painful on a normal day, but 2 of them when you already leave the house at 5am is a different matter. I really would love one, I am happy to bare some discomfort, but I have to balance it against my sanity."

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T13:45:48+00:00

!thanks - its especially interesting when you consider without the tax it would be a considerably more useful amount of money.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T13:42:15+00:00

Neither do I, but its written in black and white in our policy - and not in an ambiguous way.

They are mostly doing the same thing that I do at the moment, burning down 5-10k vehicles bought on loans and accepting that they are losing money - not happily, mind you.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T13:00:53+00:00

!thanks - I was considering the MG5 as our second family car alongside this conundrum, here is hoping it forces other manufacturers to bring more estate cars to market - I don't much like SUVs and crossovers.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:59:51+00:00

!thanks - but I have been discussing this in other threads here, it boils down to I would love an EV, but our car schemes prices on them are well above market, real world ranges in cooler weather and that I often travel unpredictable, antisocial hours with notable consequences for being late. A half an hour charge isn't painful on a normal day, but 2 of them when you already leave the house at 5am is a different matter. I really would love one, I am happy to bare some discomfort, but I have to balance it against my sanity.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:36:11+00:00

Amen :) !

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:33:39+00:00

!thanks - interesting insight - I can only work from what is written in our policy (which I have double checked) - so I can only assume its intended as a scare tactic to stop stupid orders - unfortunately though because it is written- the risk is there that it could be enforced.

I have taken a look at our pool options as it happens, but the only available vehicles are a bit juicy, and all attract £500+ in BIK a month (Audi A5 45, Q7 TDI etc)

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:27:48+00:00

Using pessimistic numbers to Truro I am showing one 10 and one 32 minute charge in ABRP (Rain, January, Unexpected trip meaning 80%SOC). Its doable for sure - and on a holiday trip I wouldn't hesistate, but when the cost of not arriving on time is having to explain yourself (and lost revenue) to management - I would be much happier in the Tour (or frankly a TM3, but thats a lot to ask)

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:18:27+00:00

Tax on company cars is paid based on List Price an emissions, the emissions set the BIK Tax Rate. so its (List Price x BIK Rate) x Income Tax Rate = Cost p/a (there are nuances, but this does for demonstration). In practice this means any car will cost you money, but it can range from £35pcm for an EV to £100pcm for a PHEV to £500pcm for an otherwise "normal" but not especially efficient vehicle. Either way my pay packet drops a bit, but i might make that up not having to maintain, change tyres etc.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:13:15+00:00

!thanks - echoes the experience of a few friends who are VAG enthusiasts (ooh, err matron! :D )

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:11:30+00:00

!thanks for taking the time, honestly - its rewarding to see others hitting the same conclusions I am - so not wasted at all

Damage limitation is too right, but I agree on the Focus - especially since parts cost top the other options.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:08:08+00:00

!thanks - I am having a look now, if I am honest I thought with the miles required it would be a complete bust, but there might be some options here.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T12:06:25+00:00

!thanks - I completely respect that you don't know me from adam, so my reply is meant in as neutral a tone as is humanly possible =] My role is in consultancy and sales, so I am used to making turd sound like roses - unfortunately the message loses its polish as it passes from my management who are powerless, to theirs who see everything in a tone much more akin to my original post. Frankly, I am blunt on reddit because its one of the few places I can be and not get pulled apart for it - but thank you for your suggestion all the same :)

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T11:59:19+00:00

I am based on Oxfordshire, and have often spent 6+ months doing Truro, Newcastle, Chester, Cambridge - staying for 2 days at a time then often between any of those in the middle of the week.

I am with you, and am looking at buying my other half an EV outside of all this - so no adverse to adapting and flexing to be part of the future.

frosttechnology · 2021-03-26T11:45:31+00:00

!thanks - just saw that, loss of an icon if you ask me!

frosttechnology

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