What a week!

[monkeyhanger]

Not a bad week at all then is it? Polo GTI does look nice, it'll be nice to borrow it from your missus on occasions too :p

The plan is to share the 2 cars to keep the miles down on both as my commute will be doubling. That may not happen as one of my fellow gaffers lives a few miles from me, if he's up for a car share then it won't be a bother. Would still like the option of driving something nice rather than a 1.2 shopping trolley for the sake of £50 a month more. Nothing else out there seems to tick the boxes. A1 is spartan on equipment levels and a bit girly , mini Cooper a bit Fisher Price inside and a bit girly , Fiesta ST has a poor interior and not great on the residuals. Hope to see a Polo GTI in the flesh in Berlin's huge VAG showroom next week (and may even a Veyron).

Had another email. Yesterday it was on its way and 4 weeks away, today it is on its way and 3 weeks away (3 weeks mean it arrived at Emden and is waiting for a ship? It's been so long I forget the subtle differences within stage 5). Last full day in Mexico today, and it's going to rain.

[am1w]

Premium Mini is so much nicer than Polo and Fiesta. Audi is a contender possibly. You need to overcome this love for all things VAG. There is a whole world out there and it is not VAG.

[mcmaddy]

And it's not premium mini either 

[Booth11]

There is a whole world out there and it is not VAG.

Ooh that's a tough one, let me guess, Bavarian, 3 letters?   

[wigit]

Premium Mini is so much nicer than Polo and Fiesta. Audi is a contender possibly. You need to overcome this love for all things VAG. There is a whole world out there and it is not VAG.

Mini isn't really a practical car is it compared to an Olop, the rear doors on the new 5 door are comedic, Olop is a great utilitarian car and more in keeping with the Mk2 Golf in size and spirit

They are made a mile from my house and knowing some of the muppets who screw them together i tend to give a wide birth

[monkeyhanger]

Premium Mini? Premium vs a Fiat 500 or Citroën C2 perhaps, but still very obviously built to a cost, it's no BMW 535D.

When I was in one a few weeks ago for a look, it didn't seem any more premium than a current Polo and noticeably less so than the A1. Not keen on the big and simplistic instrumentation. One tactile piece felt very cheap, the plastic door opener on the inside door card. It flexed so much in use I was convinced it wouldn't last 100 pulls. Always put the money into the tactile stuff - quality perception rule #1.

What I look for in a car is something that looks fine, can be fun to drive and be refined when you want it to be. Good performance and fuel economy (relative to output), Reasonably priced, access to good levels of discount, well specced and with good residuals. Nothing else in my radar fits all that other than the Polo GTI/GT Blue.

A1 is stingy on equipment levels, levels of discount are low, the dealers are generally tossers, and residuals are about the same as the Polo (GFV about 50% for both). Mini is quite low on equipment, residuals  are lower than I'd expect, and it's a bit girly -I'd be wearing a balaclava to drive it. I can get £3700 off a Polo GTI if I take out finance then settle straight away to claim the deposit contribution. £20k RRP car (with a few options and DBP paint) becomes £16300, will be an easy £11500 after 3 years private sale. £133pm depreciation on a £20k car? Not even close on a Mini Cooper or upper end A1.

An extra £15pm will take care of the 3% interest you would've earnt leaving your £16300 in the bank. £148pm for a Polo GTI is looking the logical choice for me.

[mcmaddy]

The mini I got from the Mill Car clinic was the worst car i'd ever driven and the thirstiest. I wouldn't touch one with barge pole let alone buy one.

[p3asa]

A1 is spartan on equipment levels and a bit girly , mini Cooper a bit Fisher Price inside and a bit girly , Fiesta ST has a poor interior and not great on the residuals.

I think the 5 door A1 is less girly which seems to be a big thing for you Matt.

I liken it to guys wearing pink, Only real men can get away with it 

[monkeyhanger]

A1 is spartan on equipment levels and a bit girly , mini Cooper a bit Fisher Price inside and a bit girly , Fiesta ST has a poor interior and not great on the residuals.

I think the 5 door A1 is less girly which seems to be a big thing for you Matt.

I liken it to guys wearing pink, Only real men can get away with it 

I must admit, the choice does seem more me picking a second car that I would like to drive than the wife picking her own. Luckily enough she likes VW's,  especially the smaller ones. She used to have driving lessons in a Lupo GTI and loved that car. The Polo GTI will be a good fit for both of us. You seem to get a lot for your money on one right  now. If the free insurance is still on when we need to get an order in, that'll be even more in its favour.
The alternative would be to have the R be our "sensible" car and buy something seriously impractical. It's a pity Daihatsu pulled out of Europe, those Copens look a lot of fun.

[Exonian]

The free insurance on a new driver has got to be well worth it for that alone.
Make sure you tick park assist if it's an option (once can never believe the configurator!  :roll eyes: ) to keep those expensive to fix alloys pristine.