i just graduated from university and am now looking for jobs. I have interviews lined up for the next few days one of which would pay be around $300/month for a car. That being said, either i can buy a company car, or buy a MINI. I would love a MINI, but i would hate throwing on the miles doing lots of highway driving with stone chips galore. What do you think? Buy a MINI, enjoy it, get the **** kicked out of the resale value, or just get a different company car and not worry about it?

DChap

 

buy the mini. I drove a company car for 6 years and would have killed to get 300 a month and pick the car I want to drive vs driving what they gave me.

Don't get me wrong a company car is a sweet deal if you can get it but if they offer just the money take the money.

IMHO.

 

take the money and get a MINI. who cares if the resale value goes down from dings,chips etc. That's going to happen with any car. At least the MINI will still have a higher resale.

 

If I read your post right, it sounds like the company will give you $300 a month towards your car if you use it as a company car. Is the alternative them giving you a company car? If not, consider this. You are going to take a hit on resale value for any car that you buy and use as a company car, so why not buy something that you like?

 

i agree. when i had a company car it sucked something fierce. having the luxury was one thing but i would have killed to have something more interesting than a Ford Focus. it was super lame for that reason. on the bright side you have a choice in this.

if they are basically making your monthly payment for you. the car is free to you anyway so when you sell it... if you do... it's almost all profit anyway. also call your accountant you should be able to lease a car and write it off altogether on your taxes. WOOT. let them make your insurance payment for you.

 

Buy the Mini. I don't have the "company car" option but I do travel a lot for work.....sometimes 4-5 hours each way in a day. I've made these trips on an un-fun car (the Chevy Prism that got me through law school and into my first few years of practicing) and I've made these trips in the Mini - the trips are not only more bearable but are actually FUN in the Mini. I really look forward to my work travels now because I enjoy driving my car.

 

If you are the only one who will be in the company car, get the one you will love being in! (The MINI, I assume! ) If they are already paying you some money, there you go for paint repairs and dings.

If you are hauling clients around, better go for the company image and the car they want you to drive.

Good luck with your interviews!

 

With the Mini you will save on gas vs using another car. Go for the Mini.

 

Miles & scars on a Mini give it character.

 

thanks all for the advice and the luck... gonna need it. I'll definitely will let you know what happens.

 

Take the $$$ and the MINI. What is a MINI for --driving and in all kinds of situations. If you have to work (as most of us do) make it as much fun as possible. I made a mistake with my Audi TT. It bacame a "trophy " car. It is 7 1/2 years old and only has 14,000 miles on it. Buy the car you want and drive the wheels off it.

 

My employer does not provide an auto, but I drive a lot for meetings of all types. It is so much more fun when driving my MINI.

 

A Mini is like a fine sewing machine. The more it is run the better.

 

I currently have a Audi A4 as my company car. I have a Mellow Yellow MCS on order as my personal car and I am looking at replacing the A4 with either a Clubman or Cooper

I mean why not?

 

Another factor is how many people your company car will have to transport. If more than two, a MINI seems kind of small.

 

do you have to take many samples or supplies with you might pay to look at a clubman

 

if the company is offering 300 per month there taking most of the depreciation hit. after all there paying most of the payment!
I drive 15 miles each way to my shop everyday and sometimes i wish it were longer since i got the mini.
theres nothing like being on theroad in a car you enjoy driving. Go for it and enjoy the ride!

 

The only reason I could see not getting the MINI is if you'll have to shuttle more than one passenger and/or lots of luggage. Even then the Clubman may still be a viable option.

Then again I'm only 2 years into undergrad, so what do I know?
Congrats on the job, it sounds awesome!

 

job not mine yet, interview in 8hr 10m and counting....I should be sleeping but can't....arrrrrrrr

 

Did you read the motoringfile article on cold start rattle? I would drive the company car until that problem has been resolved.

 

I got a car allowance for my new job. Covers 3/4 of my car expenses. It's a taxable benefit so I get the write off the portion that I drive for work. I keep a log book too. I would suggest a MINI Cooper for the gas mileage. No regrets. I mostly drive in the city though for short trips. I don't know how comfortable the MINI would be for road trips.

 

Would also depend upon what type of job. Are you in sales? Carry alot of crap around? As much as I like my mini, if it were a sales job, I probably wouldn't go the mini route. I'd drive something that a broad segment found appealing, even a Buick if my client base was such. If I needed to carry a lot around and mini was an option, I'd go the clubman route. Seems from what I read to have a slightly more refined ride which I'd want for extended time in the car.