Company car allowance problem - the Maser has to go!

[macaroni]

Help!

I get a company car allowance, which enables me to fund the Maserati.
However, due to reasons too complex to worry about, come September 1st, the car I use for work has to meet several criteria; Driver/Passenger airbags - check, ESP - check (I think?), EuroNCAP rating of 4 or above - ARGH!

The car gets checked too, so I can't just register my wife's Alfa Giulietta and use the Maserati.

My options seem to be - buy as cheap a car with a 4* safety rating as possible and keep the Maserati or sell the Maserati and get a fully-funded company car, possibly an Alfa Giulia with a cheap 4* car in the interim.

Any suggestions, a) what I should do as I am torn and b) to an interesting, but cheap 4* rated car? I'm thinking Alfa 159, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, or c) a decent new car, as nothing floats my boat!

I know it's daft to ask such things on an internet forum, but I love my 3200, but worry it might cost too much to run without the car allowance.

Antony

 

[Almichie]

3200's don't have ESP so your out of luck on two counts.

 

[davy83]

ESP is electronic stability? The ESR in the 3200 does regulate the engine and dabs the brakes to get the car straightened up, is that not what is needed. NCAP is not some thing you can fix however! serious dilemma there.

 

[Trev Latter]

The problem with the 159 is that they're getting on a bit now and finding a decent one will be a task. That would be my personal choice, however. I'd love to have another 159 as a daily to sit along side the 3200. We also have a Giulietta, but it's not a patch on the 159, especially in the looks department.

A bit left field from your stated options, but what about a Volvo V40 R design?

 

[macaroni]

I was looking at the specs posted on this site and ESP was mentioned, however yes, I can't give it a 4* safety rating!

Can't go for a Volvo V40 R design...my boss has exactly that, in black. Looks good though.

My other thoughts were new Mazda 6 or Citroen C5, but when all is said and done, they are big family cars.

I have looked at loads of 159s, but didn't really get me excited.

 

[MAF260]

I bought a 159 ti about a year ago and it's way better than I thought it would be. It took me a while to get the latest, lowest mileage 2.4 ti I could find, but it was worth the search as it was formerly a HR Owen demonstrator and so is fully loaded. For the money I think there's little to touch it. It's my daily driver - it looks great, is fast, comfortable and handles remarkably well. I can't think of what I could replace it with when the time comes.

 

[EXCF350]

The car gets checked too, so I can't just register my wife's Alfa Giulietta and use the Maserati.

Is your wife allowed to drive your company car?
If so, why not get rid of the wifes car and replace it with another Giulietta on your company scheme and then she can drive your company car and you keep the 3200

 

[macaroni]

I read that as "get rid of the wife"!

Might work, but they check the cars we use, if not lease cars, regularly for a) abuse of the system and b) roadworthiness - tyres, lights etc.

 

[macaroni]

I brought an A5 into the mix and had a ride in a mate's 2.0tdi sportback and was thoroughly underwhelmed.
German leather looks like vinyl, some interior plastics were surprisingly cheap looking and the stereo controls are just bizarre.
Seemed to go OK and handled tidily, but most cars do nowadays.

I also had a look in new TT3 Ultra, with it's so-called amazing interior...really?

They just don't do the nice wrap-around interiors like Italian makers. 159 still the favourite, but I'll keep looking...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...lfa-romeo-159-sw-2-4-jtdm-lusso-sport/3216144

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...romeo-159-1-8-1750tbi-ti-4dr--200-bhp/3173642

 

[Andyk]

That 2nd one looks bloody stunning...

 

[macaroni]

Well after much wrangling with the HR dept, and a stay of execution, it has been decided I will lose my car allowance at the end of the year unless I get a car that complies with all their criteria.
I thought I had got away with it, but with the oil industry on it's knees, any cost-cutting measures that can be made, will be.
So, with a very heavy heart, I have started prepping my car for sale (new tyres, alloys refurbed etc) and will be sticking it up here in the next few weeks.
This is especially galling as it is running better than ever, with no warning lights, no knocks or bangs, nothing.

Looks for a sad face smiley...
Found one.

 

[StuartW]

Sorry to hear that but I hope you're back in the fold soon

 

[MAF260]

Sorry to hear that. GLWS - it's a great car; I used to own it!

 

[macaroni]

I used to own it!

I'll be using that fact as a selling point in the ad!