Should I use my 911 as a business car?

[jpbecker]

Hey Guys,

I've just been given a £5k pa car allowance in addition to a 15p per mile mileage claim. Logically I would use our Merc C class for business purposes, but my wife loves using it for her work and doesn't want to drive the 997 every day with our 16 wk old daughter. I've been considering buying a third car for business purposes, but to save costs, I am wondering whether or not to use my 997 which is a 54 plate with 23k on the clock. My car allowance conditions say must be fit for purpose and be able to carry 3 people. Obviously the 3rd person would have to be a midget, so not sure about this part! Plus could give a bad impression to clients, some people say 'you get paid too much etc'!!

Question is would I get killed on residual values or would costs be less than having a third car and suffering losses and expenses on a third car? Been thinking about something like a 2yr old BMW 3series or Merc C saloon of similar vintage. I'm planning on keeping the 911 for a long time so I'm not too worried about putting miles on it or using it.

Business driving is mainly rural so no London traffic.

What do you think guys?

Jason.

 

[Dylan1]

i would think always going to be less cost than having another car in addition

 

[Julio Geordio]

If you're not worried about putting miles on it, then it's a no brainer! I use mine every day, and however cr*ppy a day I've had, it always feels good getting in to it. And I've never had anything but positive noises from colleagues and clients, it often being a bit of a talking point with the latter.

Mind you. it does of course depend what you do for a living. If you're a salesman on behalf of "Ocean Finance" or one of their ilk, flogging overpriced mortgages to people already up to their ears in debt I guess it may not go down too well. But if you move in "professional" circles I doubt very much it will be a problem. Do it!

 

[944psi]

This thread on Pistonheads springs to mind....

Could you not use the merc when you knew you had to carry non-midget passengers and use the 997 the rest of the time?

Phil

 

[jpbecker]

Julio,
I am an Aerospace Engineer, working as an Account Manager for an Aerospace technology company. I mainly deal with senior Defence Clients.

 

[snarf]

ORIGINAL: jpbecker
Julio,
I am an Aerospace Engineer, working as an Account Manager for an Aerospace technology company. I mainly deal with senior Defence Clients.

Before I retired I worked for BAE Systems and there were always a few very nice cars in the employee car parks at Farnborough.

 

[Julio Geordio]

Mon dieu, you move in circles where decent engineering is appreciated. Don't even know why you started this thread.

 

[jpbecker]

Julio, you would be surprised! I took the car to a meeting once, avoiding the usual hire car,
driving from Farnborough to Yeovilton and loved every minute of it[] hid it right out of sight but unfortunately, the chairman saw it and asked me about it in front of everyone just before the first item on the agenda. His words were, 'you must be paid too much' and shook his head (he drives a TVR). I must admit later, people said 'well done' great choice etc.

 

[Tony M]

There are two schools of thought on the question of using your 911 as a business car.

There are clients that will see you as succesfull and be pleased to deal with you.

There will be clients that are jealous of your success.

Sort out which are which and keep the 911 hidden from the jealous ones and flaunt it to those that appreciate success[]