What company car should I choose and what is my Touran Sport worth?

**Matt B** · 22-01-2007,10:01 PM

I’m after the thoughts of anyone out there on two things

One: I am going to choose a company car in the next two weeks, and have narrowed it down to three cars.
Two: I have my own car to sell (I have been getting a car allowance to buy my own for the last five years but the perk is almost up!)

I am on my fourth VW; previous ones included a Passat 1.8 Sport in metallic yellow (what was I thinking!) a Passat 1.8T Sport, and a Passat Estate V5 (nightmare reliability) the car I have and will soon need to sell is a Touran 2.0TDI (136bhp) Sport March 2004 in Maui blue with sports suspension, 82K, FSH, recent cam belt and excellent condition inside and out. What do you think I should put it up for (or expect to get?)

The next one and much more fun is choosing my company car; it has to be a diesel for tax reasons and a decent size as I have two young children. I have narrowed it down to three: A new shape Passat Estate 140TDI Sport, an A4 S line and a Volvo V50 SE Sport, I have £23K P11D value so this will get me a Passat with full leather and front and rear parking sensors. The Passat is a big car which would be fully loaded with features. A Volvo V50 SE Sport has everything too but is much smaller (looks good but doesn’t get great reviews) The A4 was always the car I wanted but in Avant S line guise. The problem with the A4 is that I reckon to get an S line I will have to go to a saloon (the size may be a problem) and will have to drop to the 1.9TDi 115bhp engine. The A4 S line looks a lovely car but I’m not sure if the lack of space, features and power will make me regret it quickly. As it stands the Passat is the favourite (even though I was determined to try something else for a change) I suppose I have VW in my veins now (I did convert my father-in-law, brother in law and best friend to new VW’s!!)
In case anyone mentions it I have had a quick look at the A3 sportback, Saab 9-3 Wagon and Alfa, I like the A3 but it is a space thing, especially when I am used to Passats and a Touran, which by the way the Touran has been a really good car, I would recommend one to anybody (but I fancy a change!)

Matt

**MalcQV** · 23-01-2007,08:49 AM

Sounds like you have answered your own question. The Passat because it seems like the only VW/Audi with the space you need.
Do like the new Passat but again have not been in one.

You mention the Saab and the Alfa.

Saab first. I have never been in one but really like the way they look. Not sure on Saab dashboards though, they are apparently styled around aircraft instrumentation ???

The Alfa 159 Sportwagen is something else. I do like Italian cars and think the 159 is one B E A Utiful looking car. I do have an issue with reliability of past Alfa's, Italian electrics from my experience is hopeless, but that is old Italian cars not new

(though when I look on this forum you would think VW's are not so good either

).

Alfa have been trying to improve their dealerships in the UK as they have not been the best. Assuming the dealer network is improving this is a cracking car. The other downside to Alfas is the re-sale value will not be as good as the VW/Audi and as it sounds like you own the car but have an allowance from your company, you may want to consider this. However the 159 is new so it may behave better than the 156 (which I also like).

I looked at a second hand 156 instead of the Passat, and TBH think it looks far better, but the reliability (and my missus, I already have one old Italian car) put me off a little.

Good luck with your choice, but most of all enjoy it, I love buying a car myself.

**donthaveone** · 17-01-2008,06:54 PM

You could try £7500 for your Touran and hope.

**dansansome** · 17-01-2008,07:07 PM

i think he may have sold it by now...

**Ben** · 17-01-2008,08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Matt B

I’m after the thoughts of anyone out there on two things

Legs, i'm cleared to reply....

Firstly ask if the A4 is available in the estate.
can you add to your fund out of your own pocket.

if the answer to the above is no then get the passat.

**RickT** · 17-01-2008,10:16 PM

just noticed that this thread is 12 months old and the member has not been online for 4 months...

I would of gone for the Passat 2.0TDI 140 anyway...

Rick

**Clinterous** · 19-01-2008,12:01 AM

Having experienced a similar dilemma before, I went for a diesel Honda Accord.

I almost went for a 1.9 tdi A4, but the Accord won it on its bigger cc and lower emissions.

With a bigger cc, I could reclaim a higher pence per mile, yet the accord engine was more frugal than the Audi. The Accord emissions were lower, thus lower taxable benefit.

My two penneth say, don't forget to see how each model affects your tax.