Hi all
It's been a little while since I've been on....busy racking up the miles! After your quality advice last time around, I opted for an Accord i-CDTI in sport trim, which has been pretty good. Delivered at the end of March this year, it's now covered just over 35,000 miles with no issues to report, other than rubbish paint quality. Anyone looking to cover serious miles should give one a look!
However, a bolt from the blue email came through on Monday this week, offering me a new job....and a new car! Budget is up to £25k, mileage will be about half what I have been doing. Kind of dont want another Accord...Having spent many hours in one this year already, I fancy a change!
Current thoughts are wide and varied! Originally started looking at the new Octavia VRS TDi, although the other half (the wonderful, talented driver and beautiful PoloGirl*) has threatened to leave me if I get one. Just been looking around at the various websites - Passat, Saab 93, A4....no Mondeos!!
Any thoughts? Chances are I'll be doing a few exhibitions, so might have to go for an estate.
[*who also has her own edit button now... PG]
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If it were me I'd go for the A4 Avant. I had a 2.5 TDi and it was the best car I have had in 35 years. I don't have many regrets in life but one of them is being seduced by a good deal to PX it for a Mercedes B-class which is unbearably noisy (though otherwise a good car). The A4 2.0 TDI is good too.
If there isn't enough room for your exhibition gubbins in an A4, the Octavia will fill the bill excellently. I haven't tried the new 170 bhp TDI but both the 140 bhp version and the petrol vRS were very impressive. PoloGirl is a fine one to talk - she told us all on the forum about going for a Fabia vRS, then changed her mind - a lady's privilege of course. (The poet Virgil memorably said 'A fickle and changeful thing is woman always' - I like the way he said 'thing' !)
I presume the Passat with the same engine would do well too. There have been quite a few threads on the forum saying how unreliable modern Saabs are - a pity as they used to have good name.
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Re estate I would look at the 3 Series, 320d Sport Touring perhaps, X-Type 2.2d Sport estate, or perhaps an A4 Avant though the any 4cyl VAG TDi will seem rather unrefined after the Honda. I have driven an Avensis 2.2 T180 which is a fine car though does not really feel like it has 177bhp and lacks torque slightly below 2000 rpm, very refined though.
You says no Mondeos though depending on when you would order why not get over your prejudices and consider the new 2007 Mondeo which is likely to be a step ahead of anything else you have mentioned dynamically and at the very least on par in build quality terms.
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He's keeps threatening to get a Golf GTTDi too, and he's not allowed one as it will be better than mine!
There are good logical reasons behind me telling Andy he shouldn't have a Skoda Octavia. It was fine for me to have a Fabia vRS as I am in the kind of industry where knowing about cars and knowing value for money are respected more than having a flashy car. However, in Andy's industry it's all about the car you drive as a status symbol, and he's going to playing with people who have the A4s, A6s, 5-Series etc etc. A Skoda just isn't going to cut it, much as I'd like him to have one because I get to drive it too! I don't think a 3 Series is serious enough - I've always viewed it as an entry level rep car.
My vote goes to the Accord Tourer, but he's not keen.
Definitely no Mondeos. Oh and must have room for a big muttley rescue dog (what he failed to mention was that the new job means that I wont be trekking to the midlands all the time as he is moving down here..and that means we can have a dog!)
I have a feeling you may have all just got a glimpse of what is commonly known as woman logic - sorry!
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Definitely no Mondeos. >>
Quite right! There are people people who detest the idea of being labelled as 'sensible' ;-)
I drive an estate, but.....if you are new to driving an estate, you have to get into a new frame of mind that says that they are not at all secure for leaving anything in of any value at all.
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However, in Andy's industry it's all about the car you drive as a status symbol, and he's going to playing with people who have the A4s, A6s, 5-Series etc etc.
With respect PG that is total carp, Andy is successful and has acheived a promotion 100% because of him and not the car he drives*, the only effect a car can have in business is if it implies bad taste, for instance turning up at a corporate golf day in a metallic purple Micra.
I don't think a 3 Series isserious enough >> Definitely no Mondeos. >>
So you are both prejudiced, well it is potentially your loss.
*perhaps the woman on his arm though not the car he drives ;-)
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Clearly tongue in cheek doesn't travel well on a forum!
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To be fair, I totally agree with you Pologirl, like it or not, image IS important, and people in this country DO judge you by the car that you drive. I don't know what industry Andy's in but from what you're saying it sounds like it's one where a badge like Skoda simply won't cut it, I can totally understand it.
It's all very well people on a forum saying that a Skoda is as good as an Audi, but in the big bad real world people don't think like that!
Blue
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It's all very well people on a forum saying that a Skoda is as good as an Audi, but in the big bad real world people don't think like that! Blue
Brand perception in what you buy is totally unrelated to how good you are at doing your job, in fact re a saleman a customer is more likely to turn you down because you support the wrong football team than because you drive a Skoda not an Audi.
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Clearly tongue in cheek doesn't travel well on a forum!
Can do, just needs practice ;-)
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> I have driven an Avensis 2.2 T180...
So have I, albeit briefly. The engine is very refined, although subjectively it didn't feel any faster than my 163hp Volvo D5. Lots of space too - I'm 6'5" and I could fit behind the driver's seat once it was set for my legs, which isn't much fun in the Volvo. Didn't like the seats, though - over-bolstered 'sports' things, presumably specified by the marketing department. The standard seats in the 2.2 150 felt more comfortable in the showroom - although I've not driven that yet - and I suspect that in most driving it won't feel much slower than the 180.
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I suspect that in most driving it won't feel much slower than the 180.
I suspect it will, the 180 produces 400nm torque and the 150 310nm, quite a difference, it may be that the 150 starts pulling at lower revs though.
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">Definitely no Mondeos<"
No, definitely not a Mondeo. Nasty things. Space, handling (for a tintop) and reliability .. well, the petrol is reliable anyway ;-)
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With a budget like that I'd go for a nearly-new Subary Legacy Spec B wagon (in Black) and keep a few quid left over to fund its thirst. That wwould possibly be the most fun it's humanly possible to have in an estate car full of exhibition gear (baring 50K V8 Audis, I'd guess) and just as reliable ande well put-together as the Honda.
At least give one a try to keep all us Legacy advocates happy . . . .
Davros
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Alfa 159. Beautiful and sure to drive wonderfully.
Why join the Wehrmacht when you can slip into the Carabinieri?
No-brainer (whatever that may mean).
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Can he afford an Alfa Brera (think that's how you spell it) on that budget? I might just marry him if he gets one of those....
.....all the more reason not to get one, I know!
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If I were you I wd make it worth his while PG.
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Is that a discounted £25k, strictly list or a guess based on a lease budget?
If it's a discounted figure (and the lease figures aren't bad either www.drivethedeal.com will do you a nice, debadged, solid black 520d SE Touring for £150 or so under that - maybe you can get yourself a heated steering wheel or something with the change.
Okay so it's a four-cylinder 5-series with cloth and a manual box but 0-60 in under 9s, 45mpg and 165 bhp aren't too shabby are they?
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Do the company pay for fuel? If they do then I'd have an A4 2.0T FSI S-Line. Engine of the Golf GTI, class of the A4, comfortable and as quick as the 3.0TDI and no more thirsty than the 3.0TDI. If they don't pay fuel a 2.0TDI 140 varient would be my choice. Don't get the 170. It's about as responsive as a supertanker below 2400rpm.
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Don't forget the A4 will be replaced next year.
Given a similar choice recently, I chose the Lexus IS and I'm deeply in love with it....
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Hmmmmmmmmmmm . . .. . . . .Alfa Alfa Alfa
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I'm sure he'll be back to answer you himself after the weekend, but I understand it to be a leased and fully expensed (ie including his private miles) car.
Latest news is he fancies the Passat estate.
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Latest news is he fancies the Passat estate.
Yawn.
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Latest news is he fancies the Passat estate.
>Yawn.
My feelings exactly, but I think he's been impressed by the amount of spec I've got on my Golf compared to what you get on an Audi.
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"but I think he's been impressed by the amount of spec I've got on my Golf compared to what you get on an Audi"
And you'd get more on a Skoda. If a VW okay and better specified than equiv price Audi then next logical step is a Skoda :-)
I know you don't want him in one but a lot of car for the money. Skoda or VW group cars for that matter not on our company list... but we use Leaseplan and they are owned by VW!! 12 months before my car for replacement but quite like the new Mondeo or even the S-MAX anyway. And my two VW's had many problems from delivery mileage.
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I'm sure he'll be back to answer you himself after the weekend, but I understand it to be a leased and fully expensed (ie including his private miles) car. Latest news is he fancies the Passat estate.
Very sensible go for the Passat estate, brilliant car.
If you get the Alfa, make sure you join the AA or RAC, you will need them!
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"I have a feeling you may have all just got a glimpse of what is commonly known as woman logic - sorry!"
Yes, that's exactly what Virgil was talking about, 2,000 years ago - nothing changes! But then, wouldn't life be dull without 'woman logic' !
In fairness to woman logic, if customers are going to see Andy's car and if this is going to make a difference to how they see him, then an Audi or a Passat beckons. Passat estates are now available with the 170 bhp TDI engine which I presume is the same as in the new diesel Octavia vRS - so as they're well within the budget, one of these souinds good if an A4 isn't roomy enough for the aforementioned gubbins.
One more thought for you Andy - you can get a Mercedes C-class estate (C200 petrol or C220 diesel) for £25k. A B-class like mine is under £22k: plenty of space with the rear seats down but it has height rather than length.
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A 4cyl VAG TDi will seem rather unrefined after the Honda and the 170 is apparently less refined than the 140.
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I don't want to sound picky or anything but if a car means so much (image and prestige wise) for your job then I really don't think a Passat is the way to go.
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Those are all great cars Avant. I'd go for a nice Skoda or Seat (although I think the new Seats are appalling looking).
But they've got a VW already. And my understanding is this is a wholly maintained company car.
What's wrong with a bit of passion in yr life? Alfa, unless you can think of a damn good reason why not. Or something utterly off the wall like a TVR.
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If someone else was paying, it would be Alfa all the way.
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"If someone else was paying, it would be Alfa all the way."
That was the opinion of one of my colleagues until the engine broke on her 156. She'd been slightly late with a service and Alfa said she'd not checked the oil frequently enough. As a result, Alfa wouldn't pay, the leasing company were out of pocket and she had to pay at least part of the cost herself. Given this (and at least one other engine failure in a pretty small fleet), anyone ordering an Alfa since has had regular contacts from the leasing company to ensure regular oil checks and servicing,
Having said that, things are getting better at Alfa and the 159 is a handsome car.
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Buy a nice specced up 159 - should be able to get the 2.4 diesel - 200 hp generally a reliable engine.
Treat it as your own car - check oil etc regularly - and when the time comes to change - I'll buy the car (at nice discounted price of course :)
I was speaking to a Fiat Alfa sales rep - enquiring about a facelift 156 diesel (especially the 2.4) - he mentioned they were selling all they could get their hanfds on - one 55 plate 2.4 lasted a couple of hours - before being sold.
Asked if the 159 had made much difference - and he said in his opinion it was over priced (especially the 2.4) - and wasn't selling that well as a result. People were buying a facelifted 156 - looks very simiar - at anything from 9k - 14k!
This may mean you get a discounted / specced up 159 2.4 at a good price.
Don't forget to save it for me though, sport alloys - biscuit colour leather and a decent colour preferred!!
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I though the 159 was over-priced when I was looking earlier this year.
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Thanks all, and sorry for the delay in coming back to you all!
Have pretty much decided on the side of the Passat, simply because it'll swallow all the kit I'm going to need occasionally, without being a Volvo V70!
Also, for the budget, I can get either the Sport or SEL version, and still have change enough for a few toys.
So, any thoughts on Sport vs SEL? 170bhp vs 140bhp? (is it *that* much quicker given its a tax band higher?)
Anyone actually got one?!
Cheers!
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Is an Audi A6 Avant out of the question?
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Andy, I think it's mainly a matter of the ride / handling compromise, and whether your priority is comfort (SE) or sharp handling (Sport). You'd need to try both.
I haven't tried a 170 bhp yet - they're new on the market - but one road test (of an Octavia) said they were less refined than the 140 but that the extra performance and torque were worth having. Again, it'll be subjective based on your test drive. It could be that the extra performance is all up the top end, in which case you may as well save on tax!
Either way it sounds like a good choice if an A4 won't swallow your gubbins.
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Anyone actually got one?!
More importantly have you driven one?
As I said above the 2.0 TDi will seem rather unrefined after the Honda and the 170 is apparently less refined than the 140.
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One of the guys I work with currently has the Sport model allbeit as a saloon - seems ok to me.
I've not been as impressed with the Honda diesel as I'd hoped to be honest. There's a noticeable difference in power when the air-cons switched off, and when you do switch it on, there's an alarming "clonk" as the compressor kicks in.
I had a 130bhp Sport trimmed 53 Passat (old style) at my last job which, while not especially exciting to drive, held its own in most places and was utterly reliable other than a faulty CD changer.
While I'm in love with the *idea* of having 170bhp, I know that I'm going to spend most of my time either queing on the M25, or sitting around 80mph - my sensible old age is tellingme that I just wont get any benefit from the extra power, other than a worse tax rating!
Would love an A6, but also need to factor in a move back to the south, and a substantial increase in mortgage! Not to mention keeping PG in nice meals, flowers etc ;-)
Spent some time looking aorund at lease deals, and have just had a chat with a guy at the southampton/poole VW dealer - seemed pretty helpful, so we'll see what happens from here!
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