VW GTE - Experience?
Discussion
Hello,
I'm due a new company car shortly (hooray!) and I've been running through my grade and shortlisting cars.
I've reach that age in life where suddenly 0-60 and 'cool factor' are no longer high on my list of priorities for a company car. C02 and BiK tax are my new compass; with that, the VW GTE has flashed up on my radar and I'm keen to hear more about it.
I've read plenty of reviews, but I'd prefer to hear from people on here with real world experience and day-to-day life with the GTE.
The idea is that I should be able to get into work in the morning on just the battery (19 miles) and commute back on a mixture of petrol and elec; this is unless I can convince work to fit a charging point outside the office.
Sound reasonable? Does anybody have any comments or experience with the GTE?
I'm really just after something that will keep my tax low and is comfortable when I have to do a long drive.
Second question and one relating to anyone who has one as a company car. Is the taxed list price based on the full value of the car or the reduced amount based on the govt. subsidy? I pretty sure I've read that you get a £5k sub towards the car due to it being low emission; now I know I won't see that, but does it go towards the list price that the lease company pay or is it just lost in the ether?
Cheers
I'm due a new company car shortly (hooray!) and I've been running through my grade and shortlisting cars.
I've reach that age in life where suddenly 0-60 and 'cool factor' are no longer high on my list of priorities for a company car. C02 and BiK tax are my new compass; with that, the VW GTE has flashed up on my radar and I'm keen to hear more about it.
I've read plenty of reviews, but I'd prefer to hear from people on here with real world experience and day-to-day life with the GTE.
The idea is that I should be able to get into work in the morning on just the battery (19 miles) and commute back on a mixture of petrol and elec; this is unless I can convince work to fit a charging point outside the office.
Sound reasonable? Does anybody have any comments or experience with the GTE?
I'm really just after something that will keep my tax low and is comfortable when I have to do a long drive.
Second question and one relating to anyone who has one as a company car. Is the taxed list price based on the full value of the car or the reduced amount based on the govt. subsidy? I pretty sure I've read that you get a £5k sub towards the car due to it being low emission; now I know I won't see that, but does it go towards the list price that the lease company pay or is it just lost in the ether?
Cheers
oop north said:
Welshbeef said:
Does the i3 REX get into the co car list? 120 mile battery only then engine kicks in to charge the battery then you have in essence limitless range just refuel with petroleum.
120 miles is unlikely... Nearer 80 more on the cars, or 150 with a Rex Second question and one relating to anyone who has one as a company car. Is the taxed list price based on the full value of the car or the reduced amount based on the govt. subsidy? I pretty sure I've read that you get a £5k sub towards the car due to it being low emission; now I know I won't see that, but does it go towards the list price that the lease company pay or is it just lost in the ether?
(Oops lost the quote)
The taxable list price is before deducting the grant, sadly
Thanks for the responses. Not massively surprised about the tax value and subsidy, but I was quietly hoping.
We have a limited choice of hybrids cars on our list; Prius, Lexus and Leaf. The GTE stuck out as a nice comparison between hybrid/eco and hot hatch coolness.
We have a limited choice of hybrids cars on our list; Prius, Lexus and Leaf. The GTE stuck out as a nice comparison between hybrid/eco and hot hatch coolness.
sawman said:
OP, have you been over to www.mygolfgte.com ?
Very useful; cheers for that If your just using the car for commuting, and your daily millage is 40 miles, I would suggest you at least book a Leaf test drive.
Yes it doesn't look cool, Yes its not all that quick, but when your stuck in a traffic jam non of that really matters and your wonder how other drivers put up with a rattling petrol/diesel engine under the bonnet whilst you sit there in pretty much near silence - You can also quite easily listen in on other peoples phone conversations if that's your thing!!. My wife recently bought a Lexus Hybrid, she now prefers to use the Leaf for her commute, that's not a indication of the Lexus been a bad commuter car, more that the Leaf is simply in a different league in-terms of refinement and ease of use compared to any car with a petrol engine.
No idea how BIK tax works, but the Leaf will have lower list price than a GTE, and will be much cheaper to run interms of fuel/servicing/and probably insurance.
Yes it doesn't look cool, Yes its not all that quick, but when your stuck in a traffic jam non of that really matters and your wonder how other drivers put up with a rattling petrol/diesel engine under the bonnet whilst you sit there in pretty much near silence - You can also quite easily listen in on other peoples phone conversations if that's your thing!!. My wife recently bought a Lexus Hybrid, she now prefers to use the Leaf for her commute, that's not a indication of the Lexus been a bad commuter car, more that the Leaf is simply in a different league in-terms of refinement and ease of use compared to any car with a petrol engine.
No idea how BIK tax works, but the Leaf will have lower list price than a GTE, and will be much cheaper to run interms of fuel/servicing/and probably insurance.
Edited by gangzoom on Thursday 3rd December 17:59
gangzoom said:
If your just using the car for commuting, and your daily millage is 40 miles, I would suggest you at least book a Leaf test drive.
Yes it doesn't look cool, Yes its not all that quick, but when your stuck in a traffic jam non of that really matters and your wonder how other drivers put up with a rattling petrol/diesel engine under the bonnet whilst you sit there in pretty much near silence - You can also quite easily listen in on other peoples phone conversations if that's your thing!!. My wife recently bought a Lexus Hybrid, she now prefers to use the Leaf for her commute, that's not a indication of the Lexus been a bad commuter car, more that the Leaf is simply in a different league in-terms of refinement and ease of use compared to any car with a petrol engine.
No idea how BIK tax works, but the Leaf will have lower list price than a GTE, and will be much cheaper to run interms of fuel/servicing/and probably insurance.
Thanks for that. Yes it doesn't look cool, Yes its not all that quick, but when your stuck in a traffic jam non of that really matters and your wonder how other drivers put up with a rattling petrol/diesel engine under the bonnet whilst you sit there in pretty much near silence - You can also quite easily listen in on other peoples phone conversations if that's your thing!!. My wife recently bought a Lexus Hybrid, she now prefers to use the Leaf for her commute, that's not a indication of the Lexus been a bad commuter car, more that the Leaf is simply in a different league in-terms of refinement and ease of use compared to any car with a petrol engine.
No idea how BIK tax works, but the Leaf will have lower list price than a GTE, and will be much cheaper to run interms of fuel/servicing/and probably insurance.
Edited by gangzoom on Thursday 3rd December 17:59
Unfortunately I don't think an electric car will work for me as I occasionally do 200+ mile journeys. I would consider one as a private second car though in the future, especially if I can convince the OH to use it as her main car.
The Beaver King said:
Thanks for that.
Unfortunately I don't think an electric car will work for me as I occasionally do 200+ mile journeys. I would consider one as a private second car though in the future, especially if I can convince the OH to use it as her main car.
Might be worth looking at BMW i3 range extender - I am getting one (next week, hopefully) through my company. The battery and rex combined add to around 150-160 miles, and you can refill the petrol tank to get over 200. While I am not sure I will be able to reach the full 320-mile return journey in a day that I do once a month, I am going to give it a go!Unfortunately I don't think an electric car will work for me as I occasionally do 200+ mile journeys. I would consider one as a private second car though in the future, especially if I can convince the OH to use it as her main car.
oop north said:
Might be worth looking at BMW i3 range extender - I am getting one (next week, hopefully) through my company. The battery and rex combined add to around 150-160 miles, and you can refill the petrol tank to get over 200. While I am not sure I will be able to reach the full 320-mile return journey in a day that I do once a month, I am going to give it a go!
Is that the mark2 i3/ facelift one? If not then if you can hold off 12 weeks you will get one with the battery capable of 120miles not the current 72miles a massive improvement - also it is retro fit table but no doubt at significant cost. I am not waiting for something that hasn't been officially announced, that we don't know when it will come and will probably have to pay more to BMW for it when it comes (and there is some chance the grant will have fallen by then too). An will not have a range that jumps from 70 off miles to 120...
As someone that owns a Leaf, travelling at normal motorway speeds (70-80), unless you want to stop 3-4 times over your 200 mile journey. No EV apart from a Tesla will be able to make the journey, even the new i3 with a range extender.
Golf GTE is a great shout, I've had a quick spin round the block in one and they're great fun.
Check out Comcar and see what fits in with your BIK requirements.
Golf GTE is a great shout, I've had a quick spin round the block in one and they're great fun.
Check out Comcar and see what fits in with your BIK requirements.
I had a test drive of the GTE and loved it, I was very close to buying it. In fact I left the dealers saying that I'd contact them on the Monday to buy it.
I then had a little nosey around the BMW, completely unplanned. I bought the i3 REX.
I concede that an i3 is not for everyone, it has its niggles (I'm sure the GTE also does) and the range is more limited but I'm mainly pleased.
My main issue is actually with the Active Cruise, marvellous when it works but really annoying when it doesn't ... but I digress
I then had a little nosey around the BMW, completely unplanned. I bought the i3 REX.
I concede that an i3 is not for everyone, it has its niggles (I'm sure the GTE also does) and the range is more limited but I'm mainly pleased.
My main issue is actually with the Active Cruise, marvellous when it works but really annoying when it doesn't ... but I digress
oop north said:
I am not waiting for something that hasn't been officially announced, that we don't know when it will come and will probably have to pay more to BMW for it when it comes (and there is some chance the grant will have fallen by then too). An will not have a range that jumps from 70 off miles to 120...
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-i3-range-boosted-new-batteryGiven this is he 2016 model and Osbourne in his Autumn statement made no such change its not going to change until at least the Late March budget and frankly given the climate change drive we have it would be obsurd to remove it yet.
Also it will not be you paying more it will be the company you work for the GTE you talk about earlier is all about list price ie excluding the govt grant ditto i3/tesla etc everything is list price it's only if you privately buy it brand new will you get the discount. If you think it means lower BIK tax you've sadly been misled or do not understand how co car tax works.
I know all about car tax, thanks - I am an accountant and it's my company, so if it costs the company more it costs me more. My i3 is arriving next week with a massive discount on the contract hire rate because it's being delivered by 18 December. It's pretty well known in the i3 group that the deals are for built cars with delivery by the end of next week. The autocar article is full of rubbish (that has been re spouted by many others) and it looks like it will be many months before the new model (with prob no more than 20% more range) will be released... So I won't be taking your advice thanks 
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