Thanks for all the feedback guys. Much appreciated.
Bit of a mixed bag, but I kind of expected that.
I can't believe everyone has been ignoring your thread Streety, I reckon everyone has been a bit like me - bit nervous to make the first suggestion because they know they'll immediately be jumped upon.
Leon FR+ = Best value for money, looks amazing in Speed Blue with a few bits of black trim added for style (Cupra mirror caps and bumper insert, Cupra R rear spoiler). Either engine okay, good deals to be had on petrols but Diesels depreciate less and are popular. Currently come with full spec, xenons, nav, bluetooth etc.
1 Series = Pig ugly, good engines. Rear wheel drive you either love or hate.
Alfa = Looks nice (from most angles), my mate who knows about such things says the engines aren't as charismatic as they could be. Will either be a dream or nightmare to own and probably a nightmare to sell on again. Good choice as a company car if someone else is paying the depreciation, however if so that means you're stuck with it for the lease term!!
Golf = It's a Golf forum so that means we all bought Golfs, for better or for worse (worse in Gilly's case but he only rents his!!!). Expensive, crap spec as standard but we all bought them for a reason......
Welcome BTW!
Thanks for the welcome.
I really like the Leon FR+. The problem is, as I will be spending my own money on the car (not my companies) I keep on thinking that, if I'm going to spend that much money (approx. £25K) I may as well try and stretch to something I really want. If I went for the Leon I think I may always wish that I had just stretched that little bit more for the Golf.
I am probably in the minority but I like the look of the new BMW 1 Series (sport). But its rear wheel drive and I have heard these are a nightmare in the snow/ice, so will defo need a decent set of winter tyres = more money
Alfa = Bit of gamble, like you have said! Don't think I have the balls to gamble that much money!
The Golf. The lead times are shocking, but it is not a major issue for me, as I can come back to England and order it in advance of me returning. Also, I have seen some people on here mention that the MK7 GTI/GTD probably won't be around until 2014. If so, then it won't be out of date for a couple of years from the time I get it.
Love my GTI, I love the ride, I love the sound, I love its looks. Would I spend £30k+ on a new one? Not on your life.
I think there are better nearly new cars out there for less such as:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201128401714612/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-from/25000/model/s4/make/audi/postcode/rg141uu/page/1/quicksearch/true/radius/1500?logcode=p
Jim
But you could buy this GTI, the same age as that car for £8k less.
Thanks Mike. Looking on Autotrader, all the nearly new GTI/GTD's are still pretty expensive, but that one seems very reasonable. I am no car expert/mechanic though, so I think I would be more comfortable buying from a main dealer than pivate and you always pay more for that "privilege".
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Some thinking and test driving to do.
Oh yeah, one final question,
does anyone know the latest approximate lead time figure? Is 9 months about right? If I do go for a new one, then I think I need to start thinking about it fairly soon.
Thanks again.
