Meant to be driven, for business?

[egp]

So, there are lots of threads here about how our Camaros are meant to be driven or be garage queens, depending upon your preferences.

My question is: would you rather drive your Camaro, and be reimbursed $0.51 per mile; or use a fleet car for business travel?

I drive to Wash DC at least once per month, and often twice per month, at 450 miles per trip. So it could be up to 10,000 miles per year. Not a lot, but certainly a lot more than I drive on a daily basis.

While I'd much rather drive my car, it seems silly to put the miles and wear-and-tear on it if I don't have to, and save it for other trips.

What do you do?

[mhood]

I'm self employed and my business bought my Camaro. When I have to drive to DFW on business, I drive the Camaro and park it in remote parking at the airport. Upside is that I really enjoy the driving (not the flying) portions of my business trips. Downside is that my precious car is in the body shop right now having hail damage that it got while parked at the airport fixed. But, it's my business car and I'll keep driving it when business calls.

[BowtieBelle]

I'd use the fleet car. Not as much fun, but it'll keep your car in better shape for longer. Plus, do they cover any road hazard stuff or damage to your car or does it go to your insurance? Something to think about.

[smokescreen]

I drove mine for business from Stafford, Va to Albany, Ga and other places (Charleston, SC, NJ, etc....). IMO..I would rather drive my car and be comfortable vice getting a rental or flying.

[10forty2]

I drive a company-owned vehicle for business and will continue to do so. One thing to keep in mind....if you're on their vehicle and you get in an accident, the repair costs go against their insurance.

[egp]

Thanks!! I wasn't even thinking about the insurance issue. Plus, the Penn State University fleet cars are late model Malibu/Charger/Focus that are well maintained and cleaned before every use, so they are pretty good to drive. Not as much fun as the Camaro, but acceptable for a business trip.

[stand-al0ne]

I use my company car Escape for everything - no point in driving in 30mph rush hour traffic where accidents are prevalent. I save the Camaro driving for the fun roads/ highways/weekends/ etc. Let her stretch her legs on the good stuff. Plus I only put about 500 mi/ month on my car now, so its helping to keep mileage nice and low when I sell it one day.

[mikeSS]

10k miles ???!! are you joking ? thats nothing. drive the camaro. also my dad drives 30k miles every year for business reasons. he drives a expensive luxury car because he feels if he is going to be driving a lot he wants to have a nice and comfortable drive.

remember at the end of the day its just a car.

[VTXrider]

Depends on what you plan for you Camaro.

If you plan to keep it for a while and you do not have a sentimental attachment to it. In other words you think it's a great car but you are going to own it for 5 or more years and then sell it and get a different great car. The take the camaro, they are paying you $5,100 to drive it, this is more than depreciation and maintenance. By the way, beginning July 1st the IRS raised the allowable reimbursement rate to 55.5 cent per mile, may want to run this by your company as they may raise your reimbursement to match.

If you are in the same situation as above but plan on keeping the car 4 or less years, I don't think what the are paying will cover the cost because of a higher depreciation hit. Take the fleet car.

In both of these I took top of the head number of years of ownership, actual may be a bit different but you get the idea.

If you think of this as a car you are attached to and want to keep indefinitely, take the fleet car.

[Jameg1011]

I drive my car for business about 30k miles a year. I dont have my camaro yet but i will be using that for business as well. Btw you get 55.5 cents per mile back as of aug 1st 2011 :P.

[iMONEY]

Originally Posted by mhood

I'm self employed and my business bought my Camaro. When I have to drive to DFW on business, I drive the Camaro and park it in remote parking at the airport. Upside is that I really enjoy the driving (not the flying) portions of my business trips. Downside is that my precious car is in the body shop right now having hail damage that it got while parked at the airport fixed. But, it's my business car and I'll keep driving it when business calls.

Same here. I drive it like the world's gonna end. I figure I'd paid a nice chunk for it. I'm going to get my use out of it.

[steel insane]

Originally Posted by mhood

I'm self employed and my business bought my Camaro. When I have to drive to DFW on business, I drive the Camaro and park it in remote parking at the airport. Upside is that I really enjoy the driving (not the flying) portions of my business trips. Downside is that my precious car is in the body shop right now having hail damage that it got while parked at the airport fixed. But, it's my business car and I'll keep driving it when business calls.

ALWAYS park in covered parking when using the airport. Costs a little more but well worth it.

Besides you can expense it...

[steel insane]

Originally Posted by iMONEY

Same here. I drive it like the world's gonna end. I figure I'd paid a nice chunk for it. I'm going to get my use out of it.

Like the Harley quote, ride it like you stole it. I'm with ya here...

[HufferSS]

Fleet car.....mileage reimbursement isn't even close to the true cost of those miles...especially if you drive a lot.