Seems like most people would pay the £1k per year to drive a vRS. I've a while to think about it, and will have some test drives during that time. Particularly keen to have a run in the new Mondeo.

One other point that cropped up today is that my son will be 17 in a year or so, and the company car will have immediate family members insured to drive. 

But with what excess? Remember 20 years ago the excess was £500 on a my dads 405.... I expect it'll be at least double that, in which case is it really viable?

But with what excess? Remember 20 years ago the excess was £500 on a my dads 405.... I expect it'll be at least double that, in which case is it really viable?

 

 No excess as far as I'm aware. Will check though.

By the sounds of it, that £1000 per year, includes the sale of the vRS? If so, it really depends on the spec of the new car, as that isn't a massive amount of money considering. You've already said the Mondeo is less than 1k, and the Mondeo class is the only one that comes close to the size of the Octy. The Focus is a Mini in comparison. So would this £900 per year which you quoted for the Mondeo, put you in a similar specced car than you are in right now? If not, then that £900 becomes obvious. Id at least want cruise control climate control, and a similar powered engine. A 150hp plus diesel in your and my case. Without knowing afew things, I couldn't fully say what I would do though.

1- Does this £900- 1000 include the sale of the vRS, or is this £1000 purely savings on running costs? Seems highly unlikely it is just running costs, so as mentioned before, assuming it is including sale of the Octy, it isn't that large a deal.

2- Does the £900 put you in a similar specced and engined Mondeo?

3- You say £1000 per year, but based on how many years? Because if it includes the sale of Octy, that 1k per year will only be for a certain number of years.

 

One thing I can say for certain, out of all the cars you mentioned, I would only consider the Mondeo, and then only a 2l diesel with Cruise, Climate, Sat Nav, auto dimming rear view, auto lights and wipers etc.

I haven't driven a Vauxhall for a long time, but was massively put off when I was unfortunate enough to have Astra's as hire cars years back. Everything ive read since hasn't made me want to drive another Vauxhall. The Focus is just a reshaped Mini nowadays (size wise), and the interior looks awful.

One other point that cropped up today is that my son will be 17 in a year or so, and the company car will have immediate family members insured to drive. 

 

You really need to check this out.  My last company car insurance policy stated that drivers had to have held a licence for at least 2 years - i.e. no teaching your kids to drive in it, or letting them drive it until they've got some experience.

Quit your job and put your son up for adoption.  Then take the vRS out for a B-Road Barnstorm and remind yourself why you bought it....

 

Ludicrous to even think of selling.  You made a great choice in buying a vRS, don't make a moronic one by selling it 8,000 miles later.

Sorry the more I think about it the more I think you'd definitely be doing the wrong thing selling the car now in favour of a CC.

My reasons.

You've lost several K in a matter of weeks in early depreciation. You may just have well gotten a suitcase with the cash in and burnt it; seeing how little use of the car you've had.

Just my opinion but sounds to me that none of the options the company will be offering will be as nice as the vRS so you'd be smoking the several K and moving the vRS to end up with argably lesser (though company funded) car.

Claiming business mileage at 40p/mile will go quite some way to cover the cost of using the car for work purposes. If you get a CC but no fuel card you'll be able to claim business mileage relief but likely at a much lower rate on account of the fact they are funding the car.

If ultimately you are comfortable with/can rationalise the already huge loss on the vehicle then sure moving to a CC isnt going to be a big mistake....I know however I couldnt rationalise it myself.

By the sounds of it, that £1000 per year, includes the sale of the vRS? If so, it really depends on the spec of the new car, as that isn't a massive amount of money considering. You've already said the Mondeo is less than 1k, and the Mondeo class is the only one that comes close to the size of the Octy. The Focus is a Mini in comparison. So would this £900 per year which you quoted for the Mondeo, put you in a similar specced car than you are in right now? If not, then that £900 becomes obvious. Id at least want cruise control climate control, and a similar powered engine. A 150hp plus diesel in your and my case. Without knowing afew things, I couldn't fully say what I would do though.

1- Does this £900- 1000 include the sale of the vRS, or is this £1000 purely savings on running costs? Seems highly unlikely it is just running costs, so as mentioned before, assuming it is including sale of the Octy, it isn't that large a deal.

2- Does the £900 put you in a similar specced and engined Mondeo?

3- You say £1000 per year, but based on how many years? Because if it includes the sale of Octy, that 1k per year will only be for a certain number of years.

 

One thing I can say for certain, out of all the cars you mentioned, I would only consider the Mondeo, and then only a 2l diesel with Cruise, Climate, Sat Nav, auto dimming rear view, auto lights and wipers etc.

I haven't driven a Vauxhall for a long time, but was massively put off when I was unfortunate enough to have Astra's as hire cars years back. Everything ive read since hasn't made me want to drive another Vauxhall. The Focus is just a reshaped Mini nowadays (size wise), and the interior looks awful.

In answer to your questions;

1)The £1000 per year is the difference between running the vRS or paying CC tax. So if I sold the vRS I'd save £1k per year and have the capital from the sale as I own it outright.

2)No. It'd be a lower power (so CC tax is less), but I can spec it how I'd like.

3)For three years. Wouldn't keep the car any longer as it'd be out of warranty.

 

I'd have the Mondeo too I think. Interestingly, auto car claim the new model isn't out until April, yet you can already buy one. Some for sale on Autotrader.

Sorry the more I think about it the more I think you'd definitely be doing the wrong thing selling the car now in favour of a CC.

My reasons.

You've lost several K in a matter of weeks in early depreciation. You may just have well gotten a suitcase with the cash in and burnt it; seeing how little use of the car you've had.

Just my opinion but sounds to me that none of the options the company will be offering will be as nice as the vRS so you'd be smoking the several K and moving the vRS to end up with argably lesser (though company funded) car.

Claiming business mileage at 40p/mile will go quite some way to cover the cost of using the car for work purposes. If you get a CC but no fuel card you'll be able to claim business mileage relief but likely at a much lower rate on account of the fact they are funding the car.

If ultimately you are comfortable with/can rationalise the already huge loss on the vehicle then sure moving to a CC isnt going to be a big mistake....I know however I couldnt rationalise it myself.

I appreciate I'll have lost money on the car already, but its a mute point really. I've lost that money whether I keep the car or not, so what really matters is what happens from this point onwards. The decision really is whether I want to pay the premium to keep the vRS.

Well considering the 1k is just the difference in running costs, that changes everything in my mind. The Mondeo is just as good as the Octy, so I say get rid of the Octy straight away. Yes you have lost a lot of money on it, but with the company Mondeo proving cheaper to run, get as much money as you can for the Octy (ie sell it now), then start saving straight away.

 

Half the capital from the Octy I would put by, saving it until you may need to buy your own car again, and the other half chuck into the mortgage. Then the savings every year can also be saved to increase your new car fund. It'll no doubt be needed one day.

 

All I would say is make sure you are happy with the Mondeo over the Octy. Nobody knows that answer except you. Try the Mondeo, and if for you it is just as good, or better (not everybody wants the fun factor of a vRS) then go for it.

I appreciate I'll have lost money on the car already, but its a mute point really. I've lost that money whether I keep the car or not, so what really matters is what happens from this point onwards. The decision really is whether I want to pay the premium to keep the vRS.

In fact you've paid the premium already buying it new with options of your choice. You could lose £8k in one go to save £3k over 3 years. Yes, you lose the money whether you keep the car or not, but if you keep it the money isn't lost its the cost of having that car and getting use/pleasure/work from it.