Time For A New Daily

[JC]

Aldi A1 in diesel format 

2 rollerskates in the family then

[SoundillusioN]

I'm sure a decent Skoda is in that list somewhere 
I wanted a new Tiguan as next motor!

I was thinking about an Octavia, especially since it was rumoured that the VRS with DSG would be on the list, it isn't. Probably a good thing, with it's dated engine and high emissions the TAX man would bend me over.  There are around 20 flavours available but none of them stand out as winner.  Plus, the current body is getting rather old hat now don't you think? I will probably end up loathing it rather quickly.

Tiguan not on the list. 

i would take the A3 but stay away from the toyota avensis as had oen as a company car for 4 years tried the new one and didnt like it just not for me but then again i did get offered a merc with a reduced tax rate haha 

Just had some bad news on the A3 choices after I questioned why many of the ones listed have higher CO2 and Power outputs compared to Audi's website figures.. It seems that many of them may be old stock.  Waiting to find out what's what as it isn't clear. 

Had the previous generation Avensis as a pool car for a while, it was OK but nothing I would want to commit to for four years.

Do you need a big family size car?
Your Mazda is family size, but if you don't need the space, go for the A3. If you need space you get a lot for your money with a Skoda Octavia  But I would say that.

I'd want an Audi personally.

I have found the Mazda's size very useful but not essential, it's size isn't why I chose it so it's replacement can be smaller.

Yep, A3 is the best of the lot. Golf is a bit dull I think, Bimmer looks fugly, Leon isn't as nice on the inside. Those would be top of my list, and worth a closer look I think. Wouldn't entertain even giving the French stuff a thought, Jap stuff just looks a bit cheap imo.

With you all the way I think but then at the moment it's not 100% clear which Golf its is, 6 or 7!?

I'm liking the look of the new DS5 tbh, if the diesel hybrid is on that list then it's got to be worth a look imo.

Surely he wants a car to drive, not a reason to inspect the service area of Citroen dealer premises?

Parents got a 170TDI A3 run out on the previous generation.

It's a very nice appliance, as is everything on that list.

Can you avoid the 1.6TDIs and go to the 2.0TDIs - I know I would.

For a company car I'd be tempted by a 1-Series from that list, TBH, on the basis it's RWD and could be specced with standard skinny wheels and tyres instead of optioned to hell with huge, wide wheels. 

Jimble, I had a look at one and thought hmmm, they look OK but then as DH says, I'm not sure it's the kind of relationship I'm looking for.   The first couple of cars I had from work were cast offs which always happened to be French.  The most memorable being a fat ass Megane that was just plain awful to drive and riddled with problems,  and a Citroen C4 which was almost as bad!  These two cars amongst others have totally put me off long term use. (unless somebody can convince me that times have changed)

Thomas, funnily enough it was the fact that there was an A3 170 on the list that got me thinking that there's still some old stock on offer.  Need more info on the others before I look any further.  I can go for 2.0 TDI's but trim level is lower and no S-Tronic options. hmmmmmm.  Plus CO2 is big deal for me this time round.  Over the next four years it's going to be tougher on the comp car driver in this respect. 

I do get drawn towards the BMW but something's telling me I'd regret it, just not sure what yet.

Aldi A1 in diesel format 

2 rollerskates in the family then

Bingo!

AUDI A1 DIESEL SPORTBACK 2.0 TDI S Line 5dr   

I don't need a massive car but this is just too small for my needs.                                                       

[VW BUSH]

What exactly do you use it for?
Do you do long repping runs or just commute to work and back?
How is your company vehicle expensed, do you claim for business miles only and fuel private miles etc etc?
 
My current favourite is the Mondeo 1.6D eco bollox, not quick but is nice and comfortable and gets 60mpg on the long run form London to Llanberis.
Its a company car so who cares what it is so long as it costs the least out of your own wallet, leaving you more money to do fun things with.
A3 is a nice car but back breaking over 400 miles in comparison to the Mondeo imo.

Avoid French unless you like driving 1 litre courtesy cars every few months

[Mikester]

Even if it was given to me as a company car i wouldn't have a new citreon. Would be in the dealer every week.

[JC]

can highly recommend the vauxhall ecoflex diesels 













 



















 






















 






















NOT 

[SoundillusioN]

What exactly do you use it for?
Do you do long repping runs or just commute to work and back?
How is your company vehicle expensed, do you claim for business miles only and fuel private miles etc etc?
 
My current favourite is the Mondeo 1.6D eco bollox, not quick but is nice and comfortable and gets 60mpg on the long run form London to Llanberis.
Its a company car so who cares what it is so long as it costs the least out of your own wallet, leaving you more money to do fun things with.
A3 is a nice car but back breaking over 400 miles in comparison to the Mondeo imo.

Avoid French unless you like driving 1 litre courtesy cars every few months

Even if it was given to me as a company car i wouldn't have a new citreon. Would be in the dealer every week.

My company insist that I drive a car they are responsible for.  I work for a company that has sites all over the country and I go to them all, but the regular ones are only 100-200 mile daily round trips.

For years I started with cr@p handed down cars that were uncomfortable and not pleasurable to drive.  For this reason it has to offer more than just value.  I went all out when I got to choose my first car and the Mazda 6 was a no brainer at the time.  Like the Mondeo, I could drive it forever. It was high spec, comfortable, quick, handled VERY well, practical and most importantly, reliable.

I'm one of very few people left with a "full" fuel card so includes personal mileage. I'm taxed the same amount every month based on an over estimated usage figure, the cars engine size, MPG and CO2 output.  It's pricey. Next four years projections say it's only going to go up, a lot.
(decent spec Vauxhalls and Korean manufacturers fail here). 

I've been told my mileage will be going up considerably this year.

No matter how clever and "stylish" French cars get, they still haven't got the driving bit right, therefore I'm out.

With all this in mind I want to tone it down a bit,  I have the golf and don't enjoy it, I need to make it so. (plus other non car related projects in my life deserve my money over a company car)

Would love to stay big but MQB Audi A3 is apparently bang on now in most of the area's it was lacking before.  My only available option is Sportback which is fine by me. If my list is of old stock, dilemma.

@ Chuff,  Yeah, I found them to be very economic when they weren't working. 

[bigun]

I was in the same dilemma as you with a similar list. I had a Mazda6 estate so agree they're superb (go well too) then with company changes have had a horribly unreliable Insignia on a temp basis for 6 months. Finally my new car is being delivered tomorrow and given tax changes etc I've gone 'green' and opted for the Volvo V40. I had one on test for 4 days and was seriously impressed with it. Decent amount of room, standard spec is excellent (I'm getting Nav and DVD player too), build quality is easily on a par with Audi/BMW, looks good, handles well and tax is low. The reduced costs over the Mazda/Insignia mean I can justify buying an R32 for the missus and not be out of pocket now. Good luck with it, it's a nice dilemma to have but a nightmare to choose!

[VW BUSH]

What exactly do you use it for?
Do you do long repping runs or just commute to work and back?
How is your company vehicle expensed, do you claim for business miles only and fuel private miles etc etc?
 
My current favourite is the Mondeo 1.6D eco bollox, not quick but is nice and comfortable and gets 60mpg on the long run form London to Llanberis.
Its a company car so who cares what it is so long as it costs the least out of your own wallet, leaving you more money to do fun things with.
A3 is a nice car but back breaking over 400 miles in comparison to the Mondeo imo.

Avoid French unless you like driving 1 litre courtesy cars every few months

Even if it was given to me as a company car i wouldn't have a new citreon. Would be in the dealer every week.

My company insist that I drive a car they are responsible for.  I work for a company that has sites all over the country and I go to them all, but the regular ones are only 100-200 mile daily round trips.

For years I started with cr@p handed down cars that were uncomfortable and not pleasurable to drive.  For this reason it has to offer more than just value.  I went all out when I got to choose my first car and the Mazda 6 was a no brainer at the time.  Like the Mondeo, I could drive it forever. It was high spec, comfortable, quick, handled VERY well, practical and most importantly, reliable.

I'm one of very few people left with a "full" fuel card so includes personal mileage. I'm taxed the same amount every month based on an over estimated usage figure, the cars engine size, MPG and CO2 output.  It's pricey. Next four years projections say it's only going to go up, a lot.
(decent spec Vauxhalls and Korean manufacturers fail here). 

I've been told my mileage will be going up considerably this year.

No matter how clever and "stylish" French cars get, they still haven't got the driving bit right, therefore I'm out.

With all this in mind I want to tone it down a bit,  I have the golf and don't enjoy it, I need to make it so. (plus other non car related projects in my life deserve my money over a company car)

Would love to stay big but MQB Audi A3 is apparently bang on now in most of the area's it was lacking before.  My only available option is Sportback which is fine by me. If my list is of old stock, dilemma.

@ Chuff,  Yeah, I found them to be very economic when they weren't working. 

A3 is a nice car to Drive and looks pretty good, one of my colleagues has a 6 month old 1.6TDI with the S pack.
Having sat in it all the way up to Newton Aycliffe I can say it is not a nice car for long journeys, but much much better than the equivalent golf which is crashy and hard.
End of the day I would recommend you go for Comfort, lowest emissions and tax as you never know what will come in the next budget.

[SoundillusioN]

I was in the same dilemma as you with a similar list. I had a Mazda6 estate so agree they're superb (go well too) then with company changes have had a horribly unreliable Insignia on a temp basis for 6 months. Finally my new car is being delivered tomorrow and given tax changes etc I've gone 'green' and opted for the Volvo V40. I had one on test for 4 days and was seriously impressed with it. Decent amount of room, standard spec is excellent (I'm getting Nav and DVD player too), build quality is easily on a par with Audi/BMW, looks good, handles well and tax is low. The reduced costs over the Mazda/Insignia mean I can justify buying an R32 for the missus and not be out of pocket now. Good luck with it, it's a nice dilemma to have but a nightmare to choose!

Interesting.

I went to an Audi and a Volvo dealership yesterday.  Nothing test driven yet as I arrived unannounced.  Got in the A3 and instantly felt at home, the Volvo also seemed very nice, a little bit over designed maybe, it seemed tight for space in places especially for rear passengers.  Spec is nice, have you gone for the R-Design as that's a contender for me?

A3 is a nice car to Drive and looks pretty good, one of my colleagues has a 6 month old 1.6TDI with the S pack.
Having sat in it all the way up to Newton Aycliffe I can say it is not a nice car for long journeys, but much much better than the equivalent golf which is crashy and hard.
End of the day I would recommend you go for Comfort, lowest emissions and tax as you never know what will come in the next budget.

When you refer to this Audi and comparable Golf, are you referring to the new MQB versions?  As far as your last comment goes, that's what I'm thinking too.

 

[VW BUSH]

The A3 is on a 62 plate took delivery in Sept 12 not sure if this makes it an MQB, the Mk6 Golf is a bit older but is pretty similar spec.
In the GTD you dont mind the firm sporty ride as it has the power and handling to make it fun, but in the lower spec model it just gets annoying.
Although I prefer the VW/Audi cars I must say there are some better non VAG ones out there for long journeys.
The nice comfortable VAG cars are a promotion or two away for me saying that the new Skoda octavia is out in March and starts at 14k might take a look at that or just keep taking the money and running a shed/boat to work