Thinking of changing my car -its a Toyota Avensis 2.0 Petrol auto T3-X. I posted on another thread about the Volvo V50/S40 and residuals but thats another story!
I had a look at VW's over the weekend. On paper the new Jetta looks good value for money, but then I sat in one and its too small for me-I'm a big chap and fit nicely into the Avensis. The Jetta which is basically a booted Golf is too small inside for me.
I had a gander at the new Passat and at first I wasn't really taken by it. I can't put my finger on it bit I didn't even sit in one. Went home to study more car magazines and in the end came to the conclusion that there isn't much out there better than my Avensis. So I went back to look at the Passat, sat inside and was a bit more impressed.
Anyone else feel the same about the new Passat? I just can't get excited about it!
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I've only looked at the new Passat in a showroom but my impression is that it has less space than the old one, especially in the back. I'm 6'5" but I could sit comfortably in the back of the old Passat estate, even with the seat set for me to drive. Not so in the new one - there's much less legroom and the roofline slopes towards the back.
I share your liking for the Avensis - thoroughly well-sorted, in a way that suggests that while it may not fire the imagination, you won't spend much time cursing it either. Good diesels too, and the estate looks like a better load carrier than the Passat.
One VW you might try is the Golf Plus. The one time I travelled in one, I was amazed by the way it swallowed five substantial adults - including me in the back - although when I tried one later in a showroom I couldn't get the driver's seat far enough back for my legs.
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One of my customers has a 2.0 TDi DSG and he loves it having traded in a V6 X-Type. Doesnt like the cloth trim as it shows the dust very quickly but aside from that, loves it.
Best thing to do is try everything as sometimes theres something out there that isnt an obvious choice but turns out to be a good one.
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Best thing to do is try everything as sometimes theres something out there that isnt an obvious choice but turns out to be a good one.
Couldn't agree more. Allocate a day, book some test drives and try some back to back comparisons.
What are your priorities? Dynamics, interior quality, exterior styling, reliability, value for money, spec??
Cheers
DP
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Hi runboy, did the same myself a few months ago. Had a D4D Avensis T4-excellent, looking around found Bora/Jetta too small and Passat not appealing. On a suggestion from a friend I went to a Skoda dealer and eventually bought a Superb Elegance with every bell and whistle you coud want. A year old low mileage and saved over £7K. I am not small and some of my mates are 6'4" plus and 18 stone and they can have a dance in the back. The boot is so big you get an echo. Worth checking out if you like your space. Good luck. Concrete.
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Thanks for the early replies. I fancy a diesel, something a bit classy, good quality, not too worried about speed as a lot of driving is in town but equally I would want to be able to have some oomph to overtake when on the open road.
SWMBO does not like Skoda, no matter what I tell her. I do though. Not sure if I could replace an Avensis with an Avensis, albeit with a diesel engine. Had a look at the Verso 2.2d and I could go for that. Might get a better trade-in from my Toyota dealer. Not sure what a VW dealer would give me on a non-VW trade in.
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The word on Briskoda is AVOID the Superb with the 2.0 8V PD motor, they are having nightmare problems with the DPF and engines going into limp mode etc.
Models with the older 1.9 PD130 are fine, just the newer engine variants with DPF.
Know what you mean about the new Passat, I run a 4-year old B5.5 PD130 and it's an excellent car for me. I don't like the interior or exterior of the new one, so am staying put for now .... will consider the new Mondeo in the summer ....
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SWMBO does not like Skoda, no matter what I tell her. I do though. Not sure if I could replace an Avensis with an Avensis, albeit with a diesel engine. Had a look at the Verso 2.2d and I could go for that. Might get a better trade-in from my Toyota dealer. Not sure what a VW dealer would give me on a non-VW trade in.
What methods have you tried for getting her over the badge image? Have you tried some underhanded tactics like taking her to see several substandard cars ( ie cars that dont quite meet the space/class requirements ) and then taking her to Skoda just for a look and test drive.
Its worth a try and then once shes had a full experience of the Skoda, perhaps some room o change her mind? Just remind her that the Avensis is the worlds favorite minicab!
My ex wife hated the idea of buying a Hyundai Sonata but I found a lovely 2.0 CDX and bought it without her - it wasnt until I sold it that she said how much she liked it and wished it didnt have to go - she had got over her snobbery through experience and went on to seek out Hyundais when we were changing our cars!
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> at the Verso 2.2d and I could go for that. Mightget a better trade-in from my Toyota dealer. Not sure what a VW dealer would give me on a non-VW trade in.
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The Toyota 2.2 177 diesel is powerful and refined though lacks a bit of torque below 2000rpm though you wont really notice that coming from a 2.0 petrol, also the Verso is not very inspiring handling wise.
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