Thanks for those comments. The Renault was on my short-list but we are not that close to a dealer and I don't want to schelp back and forth for each service during the warranty period. Same problem for Suzuki only more so (i.e. the nearest dealer is not near at all).

I share the concerns over the Kia/Hyundai petrol engine and I am finding it impossible (in any practical sense) to test drive that version as no dealer seems to have them available as demonstrators. The models are a bit young to have much nearly new stock around (if anyone has bought them in the first place).

I like the look of the HRV and have had no complaints with the old FRV (plus the Honda dealer service has always been really good). The pricing is working against it and I fear that the performance would be very much like the 1.7 petrol engine in the FRV (not much fun). Again, not easy to find a petrol to test.

I see that both the Tiguan and the Kuga are due to be updated so there are some possible deals on the outgoing (definitly the Ford). Entirely my own choice but I have an issue with buying a new car which starts to look "old" after a month or two.

I quite like the look of the forthcoming SEAT Ateca (with the 1.4 tSI 150 BHP engine) but as that will be brand new in September I think it will be out of my budget for the next 9 - 12 months at least.

I made the mistake of test driving a Skoda Superb, with effectively the same 1.4 TSI ACT (150 BHP) engine. Considering the size of the car it moved it surprisingly well. With my head on straight I can't really justify something quite so big (and it hasn't quite got the same "look" that the other half is hankering after).

Think I will try and get a test in a Qashqai with the 1.6 DIG-T, see if it is worth the extra.

Shame you have no Suzuki dealer as you could look at the new Vitara.

A friend picked one up a few weeks ago and it is an excellent package for the money - IIRC she paid about £15k and its not the base spec.

Comments duly noted but any world where you think you have "built up equity" via a PCP deal simply means that you have overpaid during the 36 month/24 month lease period. It is a way of tying you into the cycle as the only way to release the equity is to roll the deal or buy the car.

My aim would be to pay under the PCP the actual depreciation of the car plus the finance cost and no more.

I want the manufacturer/dealer to take some risk on the used car value. If the GFMV is too low then any "equity" I might build up could be eliminated by a drop in the residual value of the car - I am carrying the risk.

If they guarantee a slightly higher GFMV and the residual values drop away, I just walk away from the car at the end of the 3 years - they carry the risk.

If they do their maths right then the residual value is exactly the same as the GFMV. I can choose to buy the car at its trade-in value or not.

If I have no intention at all of buying the car in 3 years time, I would probably be better off looking at finance leases as the total cost over 3 years tends to come in lower than the equivalent costs on a PCP deal. The difference betwen the finance lease cost and the PCP lease cost goes into a savings account et voila, I have my "equity" in a bank account and not in a 3 year old car.

Heading out tomorrow morning for a test drive so I will try and pop some comments on here following.

I consider the Mazda CX3 a bit too small but the Mazda CX5 would most likely be good. To be honest they are a little bit pricey and again, our nearest dealer isn't actually that nearby.

No surprises there, Bob. The Qashqai is fine for getting families from A to B - which is why it sells so well - but if you enjoy driving it comes over as a pudding, particularly in the handling department.

I hope you enjoy the Octavia: the three I had were all 2-litres, but the 1.4 TSI is a fine engine and easily man enough to pull the Octavia along briskly. The Octavia doesn't have the Qashqai's high driving position, but there's no lack of room for people and luggage. It's worth going for the estate which is no longer than the hatchback.

Edited by Avant on 21/06/2016 at 00:29