What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Machine watched

My SEAT Leon TD has now reached 241,000 miles and is still doing 50mpg and 1litre oil per 10,000 miles. However, although the engine remains terrific, the rest of the car is starting to disintegrate around it, so reluctantly I am now going to replace it this month to get the maximum tax advantage (I am a self employed Engineering Consultant). Having had two really good, reliable SEATs (and run each of them for 7 years), I am naturally inclined to get another and I have liked the Altea since it came out. It would be great for my double bass and stuff and it’s easier to get in and out of, as at 68 I don’t like scrunching myself up. I see I can get a May 08 diesel Altea Freetrack with 5,000 miles for £13,995. The all wheel drive would be an advantage to me as I live in the Pennine Hills West of Halifax and was snowbound for a couple of days in February. My Accountant says buy a Toyota Prius as this is far and away the most tax efficient car currently available, but I don’t like the total electronic drive, gears, accelerate, steer and brake by wire technology, but I do accept it’s a very roomy, quiet, fuel efficient car.

Asked on 4 April 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
The Altea Freetrack diesel is tested at www.honestjohn.co.uk , as
is the Prius several times (I had one for 6 months) and the new Honda Insight hybrid (more roomy than a Prius), from £15,500, is tested on video. Your accountant is right. Because they are both under 110g/km CO2 you can put the whole cost of a new Prius or Insight against one year's tax. You can't with the Freetrack.
Similar questions
Need new car to replace Peugeot 207SW 1.6 Sport Got two Volkswagen Golfs to choose from, a 100 mile pre-reg GT estate diesel (150) for £20k with 3 yrs free servicing OR a brand new GT estate with 150...
Everyone seems to offer 2.2 diesel engines. Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Ford. Should any of these engines be avoided? X-trail comes with 2.2 or 2.0 diesel engines, which is best? A friend recently needed a...
Is this car worth considering if I drive approx 8000 miles annually and are the usual servicing requirements needed? ie cam belt particulate filter and perhaps other expensive service items that come with...
Related models
Stylish design. Excellent road manners. Roomy and well-equipped cabin. An easy car to live with and enjoy. Superb value. FR models are the best.