As always a treat to read common sense and balanced opinion - ta.

Very interesting.

I have read about the Lexus and your comments confirm exactly what the journos said which is not always the case if the journos have been given an expensive hotel and a free car for a week.

Peugeots do not interest me. Our local dealer was absolutely terrible when the Mrs place had a leased one some years ago and the lease company would not let them use a different dealer. At the time one of the owners was Pratt by name, think that sums it up.

Your comment about the Superb being bigger than you need is the reason we have not looked (not the PHEV) despite being amazed by the Fabia. Wife says too much space should not be a disadvantage which I agree with, its parking the thing (or finding somewhere to park it) that worries me. With regards to the Octavia I have read a couple of "first impressions" and whilst the estate seems to get top marks for most things it seems to get lower marks for refinement. They say road noise is far greater than in the Focus estate which is also better to drive.

As I said on another thread we have another test booked in the Corolla on Thursday to see if by adjusting the seat position we can both avoid the ankle pain. Should have the car for 1.5 hours and it will at the end of that stay on the short list or be off for ever.

Went to see the 3 series Touring yesterday and we both really liked it. No petrol Tourer demos available until September at the earliest but they do have a saloon if we want a drive now. Broker discounts and PCP contributions make it quite competitive on price (320i SE @ £30,500) but in all honesty the 330i is the one that really tempts me, probably my last chance to buy a properly quick motor, after discounts etc £34,500 ish. But after building one on-line it seems that there is no spare wheel option and having looked in the boot nowhere to fit one. The sales girl assured me she had specced one before but they would say that to keep you interested.

Having built a 330e on line (just to see how frightening it is) its cheaper than the 3008 GT you mentioned above but nothing in the way of discounts or contributions (at present).

For our use I cannot justify a PHEV. The car will be doing only about 6000 miles a year, the fuel saving over a gas guzzler would be about £400 a year. We would never recoup the premium price. We could justify the price of the Corolla if we could get to like it but that seems a bit doubtful in reality.

The Volvo XC40 and V60 are still on the list but as with BMW no petrol demo's until September. The petrol XC40 we had in February for 2 days was not the current mild hybrid engine so we need to drive the version we would buy before deciding. My main worry about Volvo is the China situation. I appreciate that the cars are not made there but some content will be and if the situation deteriorated what would happen to the residuals, who wants an expensive car from a defunct brand.

Enjoy your search, we aren't.

What size of boot are you looking for, BTW?

Additionally, quite a few makes seem to be gradually adding in hybrids and/or PHEV models, so there might be more later on this year/early next year.

I suppose it depends on whether you want to wait or you are keen on parting company with your Audi.

Although I work in the service department of a main dealer ..whos cars offer value for money and reliability , if not excitement.... I drive an 18 year old Volvo V40... no image , several dents, and 130k on the clock... unfortunately I see new cars of ALL makes.. and , to be frank , they are ALL pretty rubbish.... manufacturers concentrate on electronic entertainment/connectivity... whizz-bang hybrid drivetrains , and oversize wheels....all of which will be non-functioning/useless in a few years. Any manufacturer offering just THREE years warranty really needs to review their perspective , their cars will be valueless beyond that... who needs 200bhp when you can only go as fast as the old lady in the Micra in front of you?

That Superb didn't do too well in a recent 'Elk test'.

They are nice cars inside I have to agree.

"I loved my pre-facelift model, but I seem to recall you've tried a 2-series and weren't convinced, is that right?"

Well remembered, Craig. The 220i came a close second to the Q2: the main reasons why it lost were (a) the Q2 is more sure-footed round corners, and (b) as the Active Tourer apparently doesn't sell all that well, it didn't look like holding its value as well as a Q2.

Fiesta Owner's suggestion to hang on to the Audi is of course not to be disregarded. To be honest, one of the reasons for being semi- rather than fully-retired is that I have the extra income to finance PCP payments, and thus (hopefully) have a car less likely to break down or go wrong.

But it's a good point, and so far I haven't driven anything which has made me regret getting back into the Q2 after a test drive. That's got to be the ultimate judgement whatever you test-drive.

I think the reason for many makers sticking to the 3-year warranty is that most new car buyers don't mind, as they don't intend to keep the car longer than 3 years. And if they do, it only costs a few hundred pounds to extend the warranty. So effectively 1 or 2 extra years are an optional extra - seems fair enough.