Keep A8, or Brand new A4?!

[E.L.M.O]

Hey all!

I know this is a slightly silly question to ask on an 8 forum, but it has gotten me thinking more than I expected it to.

I had an interview today (all seemed to go well, its working for a travel agent who specialize in the Non profit sector) I would be doing business development and New Business.

The question has come up, if I did get the job (or any other that could see me in a similar scenario) They provide their Sales execs with brand new TDI A4s or provide the option to "opt out" and take the extra cash on your wage instead which means you have to use your own car.

Benefits of company car are
Brand new car
Insurance paid for
Road tax paid for

Or use the A8...? I didnt have the option at my last place because you didnt get the choice, you had to use your own motor, but now I have the choice Im not sure. The 8 is a great car, but its getting a little dated. If I sold it and took the company car I know I would miss it.

[A8L Chick]

Speaking from experiance, I would now never be without my own car. The grass always seems greener etc etc.

I would personaly take the extra wage, the A8 is a well respected car, regardless of age.

Just my opinion of course, and I am sure you will be happy either way.

Bex

[PsYcHe]

Company car also == More tax.

You pay based on the CO2 emissions and a percentage of the car's value.

http://cccfcalculator.hmrc.gov.uk/CCF0.aspx

Using a new 136HP standard A4 Diesel @ 25k (120g CO2) gives you a tax liability of about £1300/year (assuming no fuel card) which means your tax allowance goes down by 3250.

If you go with the SE Quattro 170PS @ 29k (145g CO2), takes that tax code down by a whopping 6 grand, meaning you would pay out nearly 2.5k extra (assuming you'd be on 40% tax).

I'd go with the allowance option.. If you get a decent accountant, they should be able to get you more money back at the end of the year too.

[Architex_mA8tey]

Well I Guess I'm in a position to answer here as I have a company car A4 2.0T S-Line and an A8 personal car but I'd still recommend the company car. A lot of it depends on your mileage and how many miles youve got on your 8 and what size engine etc, Miles per gallon on my A4 is still nearly double that of the A8 even though its petrol and the only thing I'd do different in retrospect would be to have had quattro on the 4 too as I find myself using the 8 more in the snow.
The A4 is 212bhp which is pretty spicy for a 2 litre.

I suppose another option is to do what I do - take the Company car then keep your 8 for smiles and weekend fun! best of both worlds and also the 8 will need less money spending on it so often as you wont run up so many miles in it

[E.L.M.O]

Originally Posted by A8L Chick

Speaking from experiance, I would now never be without my own car. The grass always seems greener etc etc.

I would personaly take the extra wage, the A8 is a well respected car, regardless of age.

Just my opinion of course, and I am sure you will be happy either way.

Bex

Hi Bex

Yeah I have had lots of company cars in the past. Passats, Vetras and Astras. I do prefer my own car, but it does put a smile on my face when I have a company car and a brand new tax disc arrives in the post from Head office! I think one of the lures of the company car is that its a brand new A4. If it was another vectra, Passat or Nissan I think I would be certain than my own car is the way to go!

Originally Posted by PsYcHe

Company car also == More tax.

You pay based on the CO2 emissions and a percentage of the car's value.

http://cccfcalculator.hmrc.gov.uk/CCF0.aspx

Using a new 136HP standard A4 Diesel @ 25k (120g CO2) gives you a tax liability of about £1300/year (assuming no fuel card) which means your tax allowance goes down by 3250.

If you go with the SE Quattro 170PS @ 29k (145g CO2), takes that tax code down by a whopping 6 grand, meaning you would pay out nearly 2.5k extra (assuming you'd be on 40% tax).

I'd go with the allowance option.. If you get a decent accountant, they should be able to get you more money back at the end of the year too.

Yeah company car does work out more expensive on tax, but even when you opt out you still get taxed on the car allowance you get given. I think its not as much though. If I opt out and keep the 8.. i really need to pull my finger out and finally get the LPG. I would also want to upgrade to a better head unit (currently RNS-D) so it would mean spending a bit on the old girl. Which off sets the fact that I am opting out and earning money on it. another plus for opting out is that I the revenue for what ever the cars worth (resale value) when I am done with it. Which you dont have with the company car.

Originally Posted by Architex_mA8tey

Well I Guess I'm in a position to answer here as I have a company car A4 2.0T S-Line and an A8 personal car but I'd still recommend the company car. A lot of it depends on your mileage and how many miles youve got on your 8 and what size engine etc, Miles per gallon on my A4 is still nearly double that of the A8 even though its petrol and the only thing I'd do different in retrospect would be to have had quattro on the 4 too as I find myself using the 8 more in the snow.
The A4 is 212bhp which is pretty spicy for a 2 litre.

I suppose another option is to do what I do - take the Company car then keep your 8 for smiles and weekend fun! best of both worlds and also the 8 will need less money spending on it so often as you wont run up so many miles in it

HA HA!
The Misses wouldnt let me keep both, especially as I have the Mini pick up for weekend smiles. I think I would be a lot more attracted to the A4 if it was quattro.. I like having the option to drive to a ski resort when the airports are closed and my flights are cancelled!

I think the best thing to do is keep the 8 for now, work my butt off and work my way up to director level! Then I can get a brand new 8! lol
Its not actually so ridiculous in this case, the role is available because the guy I would be replacing has been sent out to the US to run one of their new offices! Not bad career progression!

[Singh]

If your doing mega miles, I'd opt for the A4 without a doubt, or even better a 3 series. The 8 is a great car but you never know when big bills are looming (are you still on your original gearbox?) or when/where it may leave you stranded. With the A4 you will have warranties/replacement cars from Audi and lower everyday running costs. It will be less headache in the long run, if however you can afford to keep the 8 as a weekend/special occasion car then that would be ideal.

I'd opt for the 3 series over a front wheel drive A4, its a better drive. The BMW service in my experience is in another league to what Audi offer and then there is the fact BMW have enough faith to put an unlimited mileage warranty on their cars rather then the pesky 60k capped one that Audi offer. I know its a BMW but its hard to ignore what a fantastic product they put out, just my unbiased opinion.