New company car time... Toyota Corolla hybrid

Bryan

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My company car is due for renewal in 6 months time and they've asked me to start making a decision on a replacement. The list they have provided via Lex autolease is dire. Literally the only thing on the list that wouldn't cost me any personal contribution and has a very low BIK tax rate is the new Toyota Corolla Hybrid Touring Sport estate. I can only get the 1.8 engine though - if I wanted the 2.0 litre engine I would have to supplement it by £35 per month on top of the tax.

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Does anyone have one of these with the 1.8 engine? Are they really as bad as the reviews make out? Is the 2.0 litre really worth the extra?
 

Gavlar

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Theyre a lovely place to sit, ive driven a 1.2T but id imagine its the same underpinnings as a Prius

Be prepared for pure hatred/abuse on here though because its not German
 

Bryan

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Bryan
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I've had a Tiguan for the past 2 and half years and it has cost me more than £200 a month in BIK tax. I've had enough of that - I'd rather have more take home salary and sacrifice the car. Plus my work make you pay back the extra supplement if you leave - so if I left 1 month into getting the new car and I've ordered the £35 I'd have to pay £35*35 (£1225) before I could leave.
 

Odhran

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Think these look really well. I’ve nothing more to add other than that
 

davyk31

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That does look good. They aren't the cheapest option as regards benefit in kind tax but depends on what's on your list. Think they are over the magic 50g figure for CO2.
 

Bryan

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A bobby basic Ford Focus 999cc hatchback requires me to pay £56.40 contribution per month on top of the BIK. The prices are crazy but I think they're being effected by the weak exchange rate and CV19.
 

impact

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Haven't seen the estate version in person but the hi spec hatchbacks are surprising good looking motors. Defo not the duer corolla of old.
 

Christopher

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friend got the 2.0 hybrid in black estate. great looking car.
he took us mountain biking the other day in it. not as big as passat/a4/etc but ok. nice place to sit.
 

Coog

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Be prepared for pure hatred/abuse on here though because its not German

What a load of cobblers :joy:

Far more abuse directed towards German stuff on here than from the fan bois.

Anyway, I had one of the previous non hybrid versions as a rental about a year or so ago. Was disappointed when I was given the keys to a corolla but actually I thought it was rather good. The only issue I can recall was I think it was CVT, which wasn't great for tramping on but absolutely fine for sailing about in. Interior and build quality, etc was good.
 

Bryan

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Yes the CVT box is the concerning part. I've never had one of those before except on a 1997 Ford Escort but never actually drove this on the road at any speed.

The price has now gone up already and the free 1.8 engine model is now over £13 personal contribution per month as well. I think I'll just have to leave this until things die down a bit and hopefully prices return to normal.

EDIT and the 2.0 model has now jumped to over £60 personal contribution per month. It seems the virus is effecting everything.
 
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gary87

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Yes the CVT box is the concerning part. I've never had one of those before except on a 1997 Ford Escort but never actually drove this on the road at any speed.

The price has now gone up already and the free 1.8 engine model is now over £13 personal contribution per month as well. I think I'll just have to leave this until things die down a bit and hopefully prices return to normal.

EDIT and the 2.0 model has now jumped to over £60 personal contribution per month. It seems the virus is effecting everything.

I think company car tax is going up regardless if it is a hybrid or not and going down for full electric in the new tax year?
 

Bryan

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I think company car tax is going up regardless if it is a hybrid or not and going down for full electric in the new tax year?

These prices I'm quoting have nothing to do with company car tax. My company has an allowance of (I'm guessing) £500 per month if the monthly lease goes over this then you have to pay what they call a "personal usage contribution" (PUC). This means that the montly rental of the Corolla has now gone up - not the tax. The annoying thing is the rental is being quoted over 85k miles and I will only be doing more like 60-65k miles in 3 years and they will not change this despite the fact that this would help with the monthly rental charges and PUC. Anyone else have this issue?
 

Bryan

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No not for field based staff. We have to choose something from the list plus I carry a lot of kit around all the time in the boot so have to pay more for a larger car as a result.

I would rather have an allowance and get my own car because company cars are not what they are cracked up to be any more.
 

JamieG95

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My other half picked hers up on Monday evening, took it into work and gave it a clean today.

it’s rather nice, a very nice place to sit and waft about in. The seats are fantastic, plenty of tech too. Wouldn’t ask the gearbox to do anything in a hurry but ordinary driving it does very well.

I think it looks great, miles ahead of the previous Auris!

1F6AF94F-ADAC-4BD9-9405-AB60057A3797.jpeg
 

Bryan

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Still trying to decide on the new car. With everything that's going on I haven't been able to have a test drive in the Corolla.

It's now down to two candidates; Toyota Corolla estate hybrid 2.0 design model (auto) or the new Seat Leon 1.5 150BHP estate FR model (manual). The Toyota will cost me £11 per month personal contribution (on top of BIK tax and everything else) but the Seat will be about £46 a month on top of taxes and whatnot. I really like the Seat - much more stylish than the Toyota and it's in the VAG stable but the Toyota is auto and I've been used to the DSG for the past three years.

4_seat_leon_2020_stationary_front_side.jpg


So... Toyota or Seat?
 
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wes

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Mate in work just got a GR sport edition corolla estate its thinks its a 2.0 hybrid, a nice looking motor havent drove it tho
 
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