Jamesemt

What do you reckon is the best drivers car out of:

Ibiza FR
Leon errr is this an FR too?
Skoda Fabia/New Octavia
Golf

I was all set to get a Golf GT TDI - but specced up it comes to £23k...and I aren't paying that for a Golf...

I think the Octavia is favorourite cos of the DSG - is this out yet??

We've got a Fabia vRS as a second car, if we could get leather I think we would get another...

What's the general opinion?

SPEN555

Wot do u expect! Car manufacturers load up diesels in this country and so u need o be do 15k+ a year to make it worthwhile.

Jamesemt

nah mate not bothered about breaking even - just want the torque...but it's a Golf...

dba

first you ask the best drivers car,then you ask the best value for money? totally different things

I test drove all those and went for the Golf purely on leg room in the rear,becuase of family,just make a list of criteria yourself and test drive would be my advice.For example,the seats in the Fabia are easily marked and not easily cleaned,so would be a no-no for me,the Leon was good but didn't have the exec toys (i do 40k a year and auto lights,mirrors and wipers are a god send) blah blah blah,all depends what you want from a car

The Ibiza is a bloody rocket,and tuned they are apparently awesome,but its also very small in the back

Steve Perriam

just looking for a new company car.

test driven the Saab 9-3 Vector Sport 150 last week. lovely car, quiet on the motorway, excellent power and most of the toys are standard incl part leather, parking sensors, cruise control.

this weeks its the Leon FR 150 and then Golf GT PD 140.

also looking at the Accord 2.2 cdti Executive.

dba

Accord is extremely low on emmissions and has a lot of toys,very hard to ignore if you want a big family car,i went for the Golf becuase of speed and handling,but the Accord is an excellent company car imo,particulalry the Sport with antracite wheels.I just didnt get on with the Leon inside,good car though

depends how much you are bothered about tax bills,there aren't many Euro 5 engines out there and at least the Golf comes in an 16%

Steve Perriam

accord is a bit out of left field.

was not even thinking honda when someone got a new sport tourer delivered.

emissions are very low and the executive is very well specced so i am interested to see how it drives.

leon is only euro 3 so not so good on car tax.

reckoning i'll like and go for the golf.

dba

same here,i only looked at the Accord when i saw it was 15% tax,Golf is much quicker though

Steve Perriam

oh well the leon fr 150 arrives tomorrow for 3 days so i'll give it a good thrashing

i'm assuming is still using the 'old' golf gt pd engine ? the 1.9 with the new golf now moved onto the 2.0 with 140bhp?

dba

not sure tbh,i never asked because i knew i didnt want the Leon after sitting in it for a nano-second

to be fair,these cars cen be tuned with a box thingy or a remap so easily its not worth bothering about the figures

Steve Perriam

well done about 170 miles today in the Leon FR. almost all motorway.

bl00min quick car ! pulls in almost any gear any situation.

another couple of drives tomorrow / wed.

ride is decent, although harder than the laguna / saab i've driven. kit levels seem good.

overall v impressed so far.

WRX-Mark

try a Volvo v50 or s50 2.0 diesel - you might be surprised SE model very well spec up just paid £18k for a 3 month old one

logiclee

The Octavia 2.0TDi 140 is available with DSG.

I must say I was totally blown away, I've owned manuals, auto's and SMG's but the DSG system is excellent.

It works well as an auto but in manual mode it's better than a manual IMO.

The DSG does limit your scope for remapping as it won't take the 300+lbft that Mr Jabba or Mr Revo will eventually give you.

IMO take the Ibiza or Fabia if you want a small car for fun but get the New Octavia or Golf if you want the space and comfort.

I wouldn't bother with the Leon the New Octy/Golf is a major step forward from the old Octy/Golf/Leon/A3 platform.

Cheers
Lee

dba

try and blag a GT TDi thats got at least 4k on it,they loosed up considerably

Steve Perriam

Volvo

Yeah Lee, a certain Tavia Diesel Boy keeps trying to sell me on a skoda !

Also my thoughts on the Leon - it tis a bit old now. But its a superb car. another 200 miles done today. still got it for another 36hrs to

DBA - golf gt pd 140 is coming next week for 72hrs

I've considering looking at the new A3 sportback........

dba

hmm,Sportback is a lovely car for a small family,but the Golf out handles it imo,the SB is also heavier and thus slower.Its a very well built car though and with the roof rails and body kit looks the dogs bollocks.Very easy to love it when you sit in it,but the Golf just out performs it and is much cheaper

shockingly,the only extra on the SBs list i would have liked in the Golf is the anti-reflective wing mirrors to match the internal mirror,but i'm too embarassed to admit that

also,i'n not sure what specced uo means as per james original post,23k is a hell of a lot,when the only extras you really need in the Golf is metallic,centre armrest with multi-changer and the 17s to look good when you go Scooby bashing.For 23k i assume that includes satnav and leather

Steve Perriam

yeah i thought 23k was a bit OTT !

i would not bother with a multi changer but would have to have cruise control.

Seat : giving me back ache after another 200 miles today ! still goes and stops fantastically.

Might have to pop to the local audi dealer at the weekend and checkout a A3 SB.

have you made any more decision James since your first post ?