Car, or taxy?

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Car, or taxy?

I am due to change my company car and two cars that have caught my eye are the Lexus IS220 SE and the new Toyota Avensis. I could have an Avensis TR 2.2 (150) diesel or the TR 1.8 petrol free or make a monthly contribution of £119.50 to upgrade to the Lexus (although, as I pay tax at 40%, this would only cost £71.70). I would be able to claim business mileage allowance back at 14p per mile for the diesel and 12p per mile for the petrol. I currently do around 15,000 business miles per year. Which one would you choose and is it worth paying a lot more for the more prestigious Lexus? I would also add that I am 6'4".

Asked on 14 March 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

I rather likes the Avensis 1.8 and actually preferred it to the others in
the range. It has a smooth yet gutsy engine and is very economical. See test and video test at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=361 But you need to know that Lexus has just managed to get the CO2 of the IS220d under 150g/km and this makes a big difference to your company's ability to write down its costs. Talk to the company accountant about how this might benefit you. It may bring the rate differential down.

Tags: company cars buying executive cars

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