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Post by swl on Nov 8, 2008 13:42:54 GMT
(hoping Patrick notices this)
OK. I've got to choose my new company car and I've been sent a list. The company's cutting back a bit, so it's not as good a list as I'd like. I've narrowed it down a bit, but I'd like help choosing. Bear in mind I'll spend more time in this car than I will at home and I'll be stuck with it for 3 years.
Comfort and power are important, but I'd also like to hook up my mp3 player.
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Post by Patrick on Nov 8, 2008 15:57:07 GMT
A Citroen C5 with a 1600 engine??? (Even if it is a diesel!) They're 'avin a larf innit! I know 1.8's are as good as a 2.0 was 15 odd years ago but a 1.6 in something that big - must be like a Cortina with a 1litre lump in! Hang on, I've got two pages open - must cut and paste.......... Citroen C5 Tourer 1.6 hdi Vtr That's a no. Actually, I don't know why a company is even considering getting those in - the depreciation is throat cutting! Ford Focus Est 1.8tdci Style S4 Getting lots of praise as a "Driver's Car" - the 1.8 petrol even pulls the (last model) Mondeo along well A good compact (in this day and age) load lugger probably. Nissan Qashqai 5dr 1.5 dci VisiaI'm not "up" on these at all - but I'd have thought that that's quite a heavy thing just to have a 1500 in. I have no idea whether it'd really have all the space you'd need (compared with the Focus) - Being as high as it is - you might like that driving style - but it can't do the motorway cruising/fuel economy much good. Renault Grand Scenic 5dr 7st 1.5dci Dynamique SOne thing I know about Renaults is they have fabulously comfortable seats! - Something which Ford haven't quite got the hang of yet - but it's a personal thing - Renault are also pretty good at gearboxes these days too. I like them, but you've still got the matter of size vs.space vs. fuel economy in something as tall as that. Seat Altea xl 5dr 1.9 Tdi pd stylanceSeat Leon 5dr 1.9 Tdi Stylance NavThe Altea is the people carrier version of the Leon (Thought they looked similar!) So the Leon would be the sportier/Less roomy seeming, I expect, Haven't a clue about those either! - Sorry! Vauxhall Astra Est 1.9 cdti 150 Design Lot's of people like 'em - Though the pundits say the Focus still has the edge over it. You might get more out of it with the bigger engine, It depends how inconspicuous you want to be! Not a lot of help I know - sorry! You could give yourself a fun weekend going round the garages to try 'em out!? I think the Leon might be the most fun - but it shouldn't be as big as the Focus. The Scenic, Quashqui and Altea are people carriers and some would say not proper cars - the Altea is supposed to be sporty though. Channel 4's website has some good "summaries" on, might be worth a look for ideas and background info
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Post by swl on Nov 8, 2008 18:51:36 GMT
Thanks for that Pat. I'm leaning towards the Astra at the moment. 148 Bhp and loads of toys
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Post by Patrick on Nov 9, 2008 15:20:59 GMT
There was a thread about the C5 elsewhere, and I mentioned my astonishment as to that small engine - someone replied thus - (I see it's that old devil called "TAX" again!) ;
"The 1.6 HDi has 110bhp and gives the car a 13.6s 0-60 and 117mph top whack (according to parkers). The reasoning behind it is very simple, the 1.6 HDi is a car tax band lower than the 2.0 HDi and three bands lower than the 1.8 petrol. The same reasoning has given us 1.3 CDTi astras which are "clean" but about as rapid as glacial flows."
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Post by swl on Nov 9, 2008 18:44:26 GMT
Well, I spent this afternoon in some car showrooms. Not as much fun as you'd think. There's supposed to be a recession on, but nobody's told the car salesmen. Take Renault - I went in and there wasn't a customer in sight. There were six salesmen sitting blethering and when I walked in they looked up, startled, like I'd caught them up to no good. One of them, the scruffiest, grudgingly came over and asked if I wanted something. I told him I wanted to look at the Grand Scenic and his shoulders fell as he said "Oh, I think there's one outside" ....."but it's pissing down with rain and I'll get wet" was what he didn't actually say but you could see he was thinking it. When I told him I wanted a test drive, he visibly cheered up and said that wouldn't be possible and I'd have to book an appointment. No, I couldn't book one now, I'd need to phone the office tomorrow. I sarcastically apologised for taking up his time as I could see how "busy" they were. That was Renault. Ford didn't have an estate to show me.When I asked about the Fusion, the salesman said "Oh, you wouldn't like that". Vauxhall didn't have an estate either. Citroen had one customer in being dealt with and four salesmen blethering who barely looked up when I asked about the C5, pointing me towards a display of brochures instead. Nissan was very busy. 5 salesmen, all busy with customers. I waited until one came over. A test-drive in a Qashqai would be no problem at all, but could I come back in 15 minutes. Unfortunately, he didn't have a 1.5 version, just a 2.0 top of the range job. I didn't think I'd learn much from that so I declined. SEAT were brilliant. The guy was friendly without being pushy and we took the exact model I wanted out for a test drive there and then. Some of these dealerships need a kick up the arse.
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