stroker
UberDork
8/10/21 11:33 a.m.
I'm probably way too early on this, but I might be getting an offer for a job with a significant commute--at least 90 minutes both ways. The good news is that I would expect a company car as part of the offer. IF (big if) I get some say in what car they lease, any recommendations? I'm 6'4" so I'll need something with enough room.
A very similar recent GRM thread resulted in a Tesla 3
Wait you mean getting paid mileage and then running an electric car? Brilliant.
Think big. You're worth it
When I think company car I think sedan and when I think sedan I think Tesla or Charger.
STM317
UberDork
8/10/21 5:57 p.m.
You can probably get decent deals on an Avalon soon since they were just cancelled. The hybrid model will knock down 43mpg all day while you float down the road in a disguised Lexus.
Cadillac CT6s seem like a lot of car for the money on the used market, but most company cars seem to be bought new and I doubt you could still find a new one anywhere.
I tend to borrow a 525 hp ND Miata for company use fairly often. I recommend it.
I'll toss out an unexpected one. 2021 Toyota Venza. Rides great, Hybrid, no one knows they exist so they're not crazy expensive. Basically the Un loved Avalon.
This won't help, but years ago my brother was given a blank check to buy a company car when he was an insurance adjustor. He came home with a Buick Grand National.
ddavidv
UltimaDork
8/11/21 6:21 a.m.
I've had company cars for years. I wouldn't expect much of a choice if they lease it for you. Only thing I typically get to pick is the color. Expect boring-azz sedan (I've had Sebrings, Fusions and the next one will be a Malibu) or a mediocre SUV (Patriot, Equinox, maybe a Forester).
I'll second the 1/2 ton pickup recommendation. "Suburban Dad" trim- crew cab, short bed, V6, and RWD (unless it snows where you are). The low depreciation pretty much eradicates the increased running costs, and they'll be comfortable for your size, plus able to carry 3 other grown adults comfortably and any quantity of day-to-day stuff in the tonnaeu-covered bed.
ddavidv said:
I've had company cars for years. I wouldn't expect much of a choice if they lease it for you. Only thing I typically get to pick is the color. Expect boring-azz sedan (I've had Sebrings, Fusions and the next one will be a Malibu) or a mediocre SUV (Patriot, Equinox, maybe a Forester).
If they typically have a fleet you might even be issued a car that they have from an employee who left the company, changed roles, etc.
Additionally, one thing to think about is that when you're driving that far (3 hours in a car every day *5 days a week means 100+ miles a day) that is going to drive up the lease payment having to purchase the additional miles required.
Model 3 for 35,000 mile/year use has a fast payback relative to even an inexpensive midsize sedan.
From the Pour one out thread, TRD Avalon, while you can still get one?
volvoclearinghouse said:
I'll second the 1/2 ton pickup recommendation. "Suburban Dad" trim- crew cab, short bed, V6, and RWD (unless it snows where you are). The low depreciation pretty much eradicates the increased running costs, and they'll be comfortable for your size, plus able to carry 3 other grown adults comfortably and any quantity of day-to-day stuff in the tonnaeu-covered bed.
V8, but otherwise nailed it.
ddavidv said:
I've had company cars for years. I wouldn't expect much of a choice if they lease it for you. Only thing I typically get to pick is the color. Expect boring-azz sedan (I've had Sebrings, Fusions and the next one will be a Malibu) or a mediocre SUV (Patriot, Equinox, maybe a Forester).
My dad's job gives him a price cap, and he can go get whatever he wants with the understanding that some of his travel will require delivering odds and ends to a job site. He bought a Honda Ridgeline. Fuel is reimbursed.
Where I work, we have a monthly stipend for use of a personal vehicle and fuel purchases are reimbursed. I can drive whatever I want, but a lot of my work travel requires 4wd. I drive an F-150. If I was getting paid by the mile, I'd drive something more fuel efficient for work and just have a beater truck for personal use.
I've had 3 company vehicles in the time when I was getting company vehicles. First was a Chevy Astro; turned that in and got a Chevy Venture; turned that in and got a Chevy Colorado crew cab short box. All were thoroughly competent vehicles for travel/ field use. All gave zero trouble for about 75,000 miles, and got about the same fuel economy in real world use. If the Colorado had been a full size pickup, with a decent bed (IIRC the bed on it was 4'6" long, which was too small sometimes) it would have probably been the best of the lot. The minivans were pretty good, though, too. My boss at the time has a succession of Equinoxes after they discontinued the Astros, and I recall him not liking the 'Nox very much.
Is this a gig that will involve impressing clients sometimes?
In reply to volvoclearinghouse :
We had 2-year leases and I had 2 Venture vans. The vans sucked but were great tools for my life.
Crappy ride and acceleration but they made my life awesome except that I was driving a minivan.
If they are leasing I would be looking at cars that have the best resale value as this keeps lease payments lower.
The way 911's are going you could almost have the lease company pay you to drive a 911. . .
Ok I am exaggerating a bit here but seriously you should be looking at it from the perspective of the company. You may be able to get into something quite nice s long as the depreciation is low.
Did a little looking and here is a list I found.
The top three are interesting. I was not far off in the 911 if you are only looking at the percentage of depreciation and not the actual cash amount.
Another couple lists I found
Top 10 Vehicles Having The Lowest Five-Year Depreciation:
- Jeep Wrangler (off-road SUV): 30 percent
- Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (off-road SUV): 31.5 percent
- Toyota Tacoma (midsize pickup): 32.0 percent
- Toyota Tundra (full-size pickup): 35.9 percent
- Toyota 4Runner (midsize truck-based SUV): 36.5 percent
- Porsche 911 (sports car): 37.2 percent
- Honda Ridgeline (midsize pickup): 38.1 percent
- Nissan GT-R (sports car): 39.4 percent
- Nissan Frontier (midsize pickup): 39.5 percent
- Subaru WRX (sports car): 40.0 percent
This is the list that will be a hard sell: I was surprised that the Volt was so bad.
Top 10 Vehicles Having The Highest Five-Year Depreciation:
- Maserati Quattroporte (luxury car): 72.2 percent
- BMW 7 Series (luxury car): 71.3 percent
- Nissan Leaf (electric car): 71.0 percent
- BMW i3 (electric car): 70.9 percent
- BMW 5 Series (luxury car): 69.2 percent
- Acura RLX (luxury car): 69.2 percent
- Ford Fusion Energi (plug-in hybrid): 69.1 percent
- BMW 6 Series (luxury car): 69.0 percent
- Jaguar XJL (luxury car): 68.9 percent
- Chevrolet Volt (range-extending electric car): 68.1 percent
In reply to dean1484 :
Thats interesting where did you get that info?
I had 11 years of company cars with a credit card to cover everything. We tracked personal miles and paid taxes on the cost of those miles. Everything covered by the company.
We all bitched about everything with the cars to the accountant and the owner pulled the plug and went to the "you own it all" and we pay you an allowance that doesn't cover the total cost.
Take whatever they offer.
In reply to dean1484 :
I suspect the Volt, Leaf and i3 all suffered from rapid evolution and obsolescence. The Maserati suffered from Italian.
In reply to Datsun310Guy :
The Venture wasn't a terrible van. I think it had the old 3300 or 3100 v6, so it moved ok. Mine had pneumatic rear air shocks, and an onboard compressor, which gave it fairly impressive cargo capacity. The rear windows popped out with a power motor, and the sliding doors were power and operated via keyfob.
At the time I was driving it, I was a single dude, so I'd had zero other minivan experience, but all in all I thought it was a right decent little hauler, and reliable as the sun.