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See HJ's Cashcow road test added today.
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er .......... added last week. Is it really the 30th?
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(1) You seem to get a lot more car and engine for your money with the Vectra 150 bhp diesel
true
thats why its there
(2) I'm sure I said this earlier but can't find it - the Octavia is the next best, but you ought to be able to get a 2.0 TDI hatch for a smiilar leasing cost as the 1.9 estate. Maybe that woudn't pass the Fifi test. (Is she Fifi or is is actually F1F1 - an alcoholic watching a motor race?)
Again true, having crawled over the octavia, the hatch is huge and passes fifi test. Estate not reuired, and the choice has now been upped to include elegance 5 door models models
(3) The Cashcow looks like a big car for a 1.6 engine - maybe trouble of the rice pudding skin nature.
Antoher trueism - this power to size thing bothers me with the squashy.
(4) It's a curious list in some ways - can't you have a Megane estate 1.9 dci for similar cost to a 2.0 petrol? Ditto for Mazda 6 diesel estate?
Its the vagaries of lease discounting. BIG BIG BIG discounts on the megane estate petrols, cos they dont sell, the diesels do so discounted less.
If you're happy to go for a petrol car, that Mazda has a lot to commend it.
It does thats why its there, but 2.0 litre petrol models have big big BiK/co2 penalties.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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The academy presents the nominations for TVM car.
MAZDA 6 EST 2.0TS2
NISSAN QASHQAI 1.6VISIA
NISSAN QASHQAI 1.5dVISIA
NISSAN QASHQAI 1.6ACENTA
NISSAN QASHQAI 1.5dACENTA
NISSAN QASHQAI 2.0VISIA
RENAULT MEGANE EST 2.0 DYNAMIQUE
SEAT ALTEA XL 5DR 1.9PD STYLANCE
SEAT LEON 5DR 1.9TDi STYLANCE
SKODA OCTAVIA 5DR 1.9PD ELEGANCE
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA 1.9D120 DESIGN
Some cars have been dumped for various reasons - and some have been changed (the skoda has been changed to a 5 door due to huge boot, and upgraded to elegance as a result). NOw for some long term (at leatsa day) testing of the chosen few. Will provide explanations for those that fell by the wayside on request.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I'm very close to buying the t180 auris for its amazing diesel engine but for a main family car it wont cut the mustard against something like the octavia. The boot even though its bigger than the astra and only just smaller than the golf isn't really sufficient. Even though i like the interior i can see how some wont.
Its a great second car, especially for me as the girlfriend has a big 4x4 - the octavia does everything right for a great family car it's a shame skodas are still frowned upon.
Good luck
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"it's a shame Skodas are still frowned upon"
Don't worry - not by people whose opinions are worth listening to.
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while clearly concieved from the VW parts bin, the interior of the skoda makes my VW seem second rate build and quality wise.
I am suprised at how individual the inside of the Seats are. It hides its VW parentage very well indeed and has a style that VW sadly lacks, Not sure about the quality of the plastics. Seat dealers tho! all seem very small, very few about and utterly useless salesmen.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Presumably you can;t have a 2.0 Octavia even with lower trim level?
I'd be interested to know why the Vectra 150 bhp bit the dust.
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I could have a 2.0litre skoda at lower trim level, but it needs the higer trim levels, specifically the front centre armrest/jumbo box. It seems a bit bare without.
Re the Vectra. The front looks ok, the rear (in my eyes) has always looked awful. The dash tho puts me off, it just makes me want to hate it. I know its not rational, Its not clever, its not funny, but there it is. I wont drive a vectra. I tried to overcome it, I went to look (again) but < shrug >
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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"it's a shame Skodas are still frowned upon" Don't worry - not by people whose opinions are worth listening to.
They never were frowned on by people whose opinions were worth listening to. Just smirking idiots who thought Jasper Carrott was an authority on the automobile, LOL.
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They were frowned upon because - quite frankly - they were cack. And dont try and pedal the "the estelle was just like a porsche" rubbish. They were poorly designed, badly made and drove accordingly. IN fact using the word cack is probably too mild.
All together tho now they should not really be called Skoda, more like VW-Eastern Europe Division, it is after all just a VW with a different dress. It looks like a VW in a different dress. Which to me is a worry, as I dont fancy another VW owning experience while recuperating from the last one.
The funny thing is how well SEAT manage to hide the VW parentage. It seems ot be a totally different make of car where they have stolen one or two VW bits.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Sorry TVM, the cack is what you're talking. But there's no arguing with a grinning idiot who thinks Jasper Carrott is an authority on the automobile.
If it makes you happy, think what you like. You are in the majority.
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So I am a grinning idiot because I have an opinion founded on intimate knowledge and not comedic punchlines?
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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To say they were not frowned upon pre vw days,you would have to be a skoda owner or no nothing of most people's opinions.
Jasper was funny and right about the ugly/loud things.
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Skoda is clever marketing, maintaining the defunkt image to a degree via self depricating adverts etc has enabled much higher customer satiisfaction ratings than for VW and Audi branded cars, even though they use basically the same compentry, because buyers have lower expectations of a Skoda.
I just cannot understand how you can consider tolerating a 1.9 PD, Altea, Leon or Octavia (all fine cars with other engines) when you can enjoy a Focus that compares well with the others in all respects and has a vastly superior engine and a higher level of trim.
On the otherhand I agree that the Mazda 6 and Megane are worthy contenders if you can afford the BiK, bear in mind the former will be an old model in 6 months or so.
The Zafira 120 may feel gutless at low revs after the Touran.
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Really not sure where you get this idea that PD engines are bags of nails. In the applications I have tried there is little difference in NVH between the 1.9 105pd in the Ran, and the ford and renault units. (when warm which it is most of the time) NOw this may be clever isolation in the ran - I dont know..
The 105 PD has a really nice flat torque band from really low down to really quite high up. It is a genuine load lugger, not phased by hills or headwinds and can pick up briskly from any gear at almost any speed. Ok its no rocket away form the lights on paper, but the relative lack of gear changing required suprises most people. It feels like it has more than 105 perfereder somethings
So based on my experience I would be happy with another 105PD.
It did however have a habit of shuddering quite badly between 1700 and 2000 revs sometimes. Never really worked out if it was an injection/electronics quirk or the DMF (I dont think the 1.9 105 has a DMF? could be wrong)
it would go away for weeks, and them come back briefly. tried different fuels.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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TVM
I agree with your comments re: Ran, my 100 (I just missed out on the 105) is fantastic cruiser, and quite honestly, if I try I can beat anyone at lights - it's not about acceleration, it's about technique. The service costs were not that steep ( £225 for longlife with Brake fluid change). The economy is something else though. I'm getting between 42-44mpg and I know it's the brick like Aerodynamics that do it. 2.5 years on and I still enjoy driving it, and like you I've had some niggles - Central locking/Alarm, and the smoke on set (exhaust port) problem, but all were fixed with no hassles from VW.
Sounds like you're liking the Altea. I'm thinking of changing my Bora (Family on the increase again), and the Altea looks like the best compromise on size/performance, but it has to be the TDI unit. The Touran was my first diesel and I'm hooked. Mind you, the one thing I really don't like is the backend, which is too ugly. However as my Wife pointed out, when do you ever see it except when loading it up.
I would vote for the Altea in the Blue. However did you look at the Honda FRV?
Charles
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VW Bora (51) 2.0 SE
VW Touran (54) 1.9 TDI
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Charles - if you want ugly back ends - look at the Seat Toledo. Now that is ugly.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Yep. I totally agree on that front. Toledo backend is uglier than the Altea's... I'll get my coat.
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VW Bora (51) 2.0 SE
VW Touran (54) 1.9 TDI
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Really not sure where you get this idea that PD engines are bags of nails. In the applications I have tried there is little difference in NVH between the 1.9 105pd in the Ran, and the Ford and renault units. (when warm which it is most of the time) NOw this may be clever isolation in the ran - I dont know..
Various friends and associates with Passat 130s, an Ibiza, A4s and A3s. The ongoing thrum is apparent accross all of them where as the Mondeo, the PSA / Ford units, Renault DCis, BMWs, Toyotas are smooth wafting diesels.
The 105 PD has a really nice flat torque band from really low down to really quite high up. It is a genuine load lugger, not phased by hills or headwinds and can pick up briskly from any gear at almost any speed. >>
Agreed hence why I said the Zafira 120 may feel gutless at low revs.
> So based on my experience I would be happy with another105PD.>>
CSFTTT though the Ford PSA 2.0 is light years ahead, doing everything that the 1.9PD does plus loads more power, more torque, just as economical and much, much more refined.
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I had a Passat 130. No noticable thrum.
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I had a Passat 130. No noticable thrum.
It is all relative.
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It is all relative.>>
What is less than "no noticable"?
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>> It is all relative.>> What is less than "no noticable"?
When I am given a lift is a Passat TDi 130 it seems very thrummy though perhaps if I had just driven 200 miles in a 30 year old Defender it would feel like a Maybach, as I say it is all relative.
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much, much more refined.
I dont agree with you on this one and i should say you keep harping on about fords has put tvm off ford for life.
He's said no to a ford but you keep going on about them.
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much, much more refined. I dont agree with you on this one >>
As is your wish.
say you keep harping on about fords has put tvm off ford for life.>>
He has more sense than that.
He's said no to a ford but you keep going on about them.
No, I said about Renault DCis, BMWs, Toyotas as well, also the Ford / PSA engine is fitted to Volvos, Mazdas, Peugeots and Citroens as well as Fords.
I stand by my view, however, that the Focus is head and shoulders above the others on TVM's list, had the Megane been a 2.0 DCi or the Mazda 6 been a diesel or the Octavia and Leon 2.0 TDis, or the Zafira a 150 or the Vectra better equipped, or the Merc an A200 or the Auris a 2.2 (though I would not rule out the Auris 2.0 D4D) it may have been different.
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So I am a grinning idiot because I have an opinion founded on intimate knowledge and not comedic punchlines?
>
You don't seem to be an idiot at all actually TVM, but can you really say hand on heart that you have intimate knowledge of Estelles?
I ask because although of course, being made where and when they were, the materials and ancillary components were not of the best, and the design was probably adapted to take that into account, the basic layout, engine and gearbox design were far from carp. One of the ones I had came with a porous carburettor that wouldn't work if correctly adjusted, and there were various weak points including the starter. How3ever properly sorted and looked after they were reliable, long-lasting and fun.
We've been through all this before. Do I think an Estelle a better car than my present early-90s Escort 1600 16v - another cackmobile to you probably? Of course not. I'm not an idiot either. But it was easier to maintain and cheaper to run.
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I had a GF who would have the strangest cars on earth. My job was to keep them running. One of them was a skoda estelle 120L. When I compare the build quality and dynamics of this car (a 76 model i seem to recall) against a 1968 Ford escort, cack is the word that springs to mind. To compare it to an early 90s escort would be really unfair. Yes they were easy to work on, Just as well really. Yes they were simple, but they couldnt even get the simple things right.
Relaible they were not, Fun there were not, and long lasting? nope 5 years max for most of them.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Relaible they were not, Fun there were not, and long lasting? nope 5 years max for most of them.
Oh well OK. But if you'd liked it a bit more it would have been more fun. Power output (especially with the 120 let alone 105) was so low the thing had to be in spot-on tune to be properly driveable. I used to enjoy keeping them like that, but it isn't everyone's cup of tea. Too impatient I guess.
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Today Quick 20 minute 10 mile test drive in a Seat Altea XL 1.9td Stylance.
Its of ample size and well balanced for interior space/boot space/ exterior dimensions. The boot has a slight well but the lip is not too high for Fifi. The car was tightly parked. Salesman wanted to extracate it for me, but I wanted to do it as part of the test drive. With the standard rear parking sensors (it needs it - more later) out she popped and onto the quick test drive.
Easy to get a comfortable driving postion, good firm supportive (straight from the VW parts bin withdiffrent material) seats. NIce grippy leather wheel (not from the VW parts bin) everything falls easily to hand, and legs and arms all in correct proportions.
105 PD very noisy from cold (more than the ran) but quickly quietens down into a nice growl. Really nicely weighted steering with not many turns from lock to lock - really rather direct. In keeping with the sporty steering feel it has the typically firm Seat sportslike ride, you know potholes are there but it never gets uncomfortable but has the odd suspension crash, SUperb short quick gearchange with leather knob. All in all it feels quite involving and sporty. Handles really well with good brakes,
Adequate performance, engine more flexible in this than the ran, due in part to the 5 (rather than 6) gears. 70 MPh in 5th is 2500 revs (3000 in 6th in the ran) so relaxed and largely quiet motorway cruzin, speedo is an ergonomic mess tho with poor markings and no 70mph figures (has 60 and 80)
Getting back to parking bay (same one we left) the built in parking sensors are required as visibility behind is very poor although the deep door mirrors help. Visibility forwards is not brilliant either due to the rather large A posts with wide bottom supports.
IS absolutely loaded with toys (strangely tho no cd changer) and to my mind looks strikingly different.
All in all I would not mind this being on the driveway of Schloss TVM (it would of course be castillio or hacienda) so it remains firmly on the list. I like it.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Thanks for the highlights of your testdrive TVM. I just got the brochure last night (took SEAT 3 weeks to send it to me), and it does look pretty good. I like the sound of the Altea the more I read. I take it the XL was not much longer than the regular Altea.
However, I did notice that the only inclusive colours are Red or White..... you pay more for the other colours.
I just have to persuade the wife to take a testdrive also....Might be difficult at the moment (going on hols next week)
Charles
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VW Bora (51) 2.0 SE
VW Touran (54) 1.9 TDI
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'Tis a dog's life, eh TVM, isn't it? Every so often you get to go shopping with a wad of someone else's cash to buy any of a wide range of cars, which you manage to get multi day test drives in, and which will be fully paid for, in exchange for a little bit of your hard earned each month. Meanwhile the rest of us mere mortals just get to peer in through the showroom window looking at the shiny cars, before wandering off round a load of depressing used car yards looking at a succession of knackered cars described as 'mint'... then taking a deep breath each year as the man from the ministry gets his say.
And some folk still question if a company motor is worth it????
I'm not envious.
--
RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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Later this year I get to get a new car. Either opt out of company scheme and take the money or get another car. I will work out best option for me at the time.
Likely boring option could be the new Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Ghia or Titanium X - new Vectra not out until 2008. Depends on monthly cost and actual CO2 emissions. I already have a Euro IV car to keep costs down and this diesel is exempt from the 3% BIK charge.
BUT... doesn't mean I cannot try cars I COULD have but unlikely to want full time. So assuming I can get the usual 48 hours test drives, on my "try list" so far:
- Astra VXR
- Astra CC
- Focus CC
- Focus ST3
- Lexus IS 220d/250
- Maybe Vectra VXR if in price monthly budget - probably as I can pay upto 33% extra
- Some Volvo's
- Land Rover
- A few sporty Toyota's
Basically I can get a Vauxhall, Saab, Jaguar, Ford, Land Rover, Toyota or Lexus. Might have missed a few. Basically Ford, Toyota or Vauxhall group cars.
Ironically the scheme is via LeasePlan who is owned by VW. And no VW group cars.
Looking forward to the coupe cabriolets over the summer if that can be sorted ;-)
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TVM, found your review of the Altea XL very interesting. I will be looking to replace my Scenic in July and after having 3 Scenics the family consensus is that we want something else.
Definitely still want a "people carrier" type vehicle as we both prefer the high up seated positioning. Not sure if you have driven the latest shape of Scenic, if so how do you think it compares? I will be looking at the Altea XL and possibly the C4 Picasso as well though I am a bit wary about buying new model cars!
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Bobby - yes had a scenic 2 for a day so know how it feels.
The altea xl has just as much room inside as the scenic, probably a bit more, great interior space front rear and boot.. Not as flexible of course as the seats dont come out. Its got much lower seating than the scenic, and much less glass area so you may not like it in that respect. Its a likeable car tho none the less as its not run of the mill, boring and common,
you want scenic high feel? toddle down to your Nissan dealer and sit in the Squashy. You will feel instantly at home in there.......
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Love the look of the squashy, but its longer than the Scenic but the biggest diesel engine it has is a 1.5 which I feel is too low.
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There's a 2.0 diesel coming in June, which I look forward to trying - it'll be a good test of the Nissan dealer in Reading to see if they remember to let me know. Could be a good option, though as I've said before the back seats not folding flat is a stupid omission.
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IN effect the wait fo the 2 litre diesel is now of no consequence. Dealers can now take orders for the 2 litre, and you cant get any squashy from the factory before July anyway.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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TVM, after your comments on the Altea last night, I went onto the Seat website, filled out a brochure request for it. This morning at 9.33 am the local dealer phoned to let me know they had been emailed the request by Seat, just introducing himself, letting me know that the brochure will be sent and that he will give me a courtesy call in a week or two to see if I want to arrange a test drive.
I also requested brochures for Zafira, C&S Max, CRV (dreaming!) and C4 Picasso so will be interesting to see how quick a response from them!
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Ok
the final list is
Seat Altea Xl stylance 1.9d
Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.9d 5 door
Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.9d estate
Got a skoda arriving soon for a test, and I am going back to the seat dealer with fifi and family for another test.
All with be specified with metalic black, multifunction steering wheels and bluetooth.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Great minds are thinking alike here, TVM, as my shortlist may well end up with these two. I need to wait a bit longer to avoid negative equity in the current B-class, so I'll see what the forthcoming Golf estate looks like. The chances are that it will cost several £'000s more than these two but not offer a lot more.
I buy my own on PCPs, so list price isn't the only factor: a Golf may hold its value better than a Seat or Skoda so the difference in monthly payments may not be that great.
When I went for the B-class, the low interest rate had something to do with it, but wasn't the only reason why an Octavia (also 2-litre diesel auto) was going to be an extra £100 per month.
We'll wait and see - meanwhile your final decision between Seat and Skoda will be very interesting.
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Well I have had a Skoda 1.9PD 5 door for 24 hours now. Its actually a very handsome car in a descrete way (came in a wonderfull lustrus metalic blue sparkle) The interior is immensly well put together, seems to be so much better built than the Touran, although the VW parts bin is used extensively.
Excelent driving postion, acres of space, good first impression, door shut with a solid clunk, feels like real quality.
Turn of the key, and the familiar 1.9pd rattle, turns to a nice pleasant growl as the consistently available torque from a non overblown diesel.
It all qucikly goes horribly wrong.
Road noise. Shedloads of it. Something not right about this car and I would like to talk to the NVH engineers cos I think I know what it is. There is a cavity not filled or damped somewhere in this car acting like a sound chamber or bass box. Its all low frequency, and you can hear its echo in the suspension noise, even (now you think about it) when you shut the doors. The thunk has a distinct bass echo.
SO
I have today ordered a Seat Altea XL 1.9tdi Stylance, with optional Bluetooth pack and Black magic metalic. The sums (lease payment, p11d and tax) all add up and so does the car for me.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Ah, viaje a hombre de camioneta! O de otro modo Seat familia ?
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No Senior Queso. Mi Ego De Altea!
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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No Senior Queso. Mi Ego De Altea!
>>
Adivino que usted significa Senor queso, no queso grande o grande fromage cuando ellos dicen en Francia!
Considere su nombre debe ser "hombre de camioneta de visita" aunque !
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Congrats on the Seat. They are a very nice motor.
Do you think the Skoda problem was specific to your car or does it apply to all of that model? Could drive you mad after a few miles.
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Car specific? I really dont know- cant tell as I have not driven others. It was bad enough to have to twiddle witht he radio to adjust the speed volume. On the M25 concrete section J11 to 10 over the byfleet viaduct it was really noisy.
I never consdiered the seat up front. It entered the short list via an excel macro based on lease charge, Bik and "I hate" filter. I am happy with my choice. Little did I know when I saw my first Altea in Lisbon (before they came to the UK) and said - hey that looks funky.
I am sad about the cashcow. I wanted it to be the one, but hey - We just couldnt connect.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I have now narrowed my choice of replacement for the Scenic to between a used CR-V or a pre-reg Altea XL 2.0 tdi Stylance.
I so much wanted it to be the Honda, and went today to buy the one I had negotiated on. However on the way I passed the Seat garage, took a look at the XL and realy liked it.
However they will not have the car to test drive till Mon / Tues.
Went onto the Honda garage, test drove the CRV and although I knew upfront it needed a service, I wasn't overly impressed with the power of it and then to make matters worse, it went into "limp home" mode at 60 mph on the motorway. I know (well hope) that the service should be able to cure that but it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Anyway, cutting to the chase, I haven't done much research on the Altea XL but I assume you will have? Any info, experiences, knowledge etc that you can share. Anyone else got experience of it?
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Well Bobby,
what can I tell you. I have ordered the 1.9. Mostly tho becuase I like the very even torque curve it provides.
Compared to the scenic, the ride will feel much harder. Not uncomfortable but firmer. It will be a much more sporting drive than the scenic. The A posts are wide (they hide the wipers) but I have got used to them in the Touran so I know its not a problem (because you know they are there you look round them)
The boot and inside of the XL is HUUUUUUGE. DOnt get a factory order one tho, lead times are 12 to 14 weeks.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Oh and make sure it has the Noise reduction cover on the engine. They are leaving them off as a cost saving measure. Check and tell them - no cover no sale.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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i take it that the metamorphosis is now complete?
RF---->TVM------>SEAT ALTEA DIESEL MAN!
And i thought you were supposedly happy with your choice! ;-)
billy
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No its not complete - Car does not arrive till 8th July
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Phoned another dealer. Cut a long story short the deal they are doing is too pre-reg a car for me.
New price should be approx £17k inc metallic. They will give me it for £14988 and have a choice of colours and, the way they were talking, would get it in a couple of weeks.
Just need to get to drive one now! Re boot sizes, the "Motor Match" to the left would suggest that the difference between the normal Scenic and the Altea XL isn't as big as I thought it would be!
I just like the SEAT especially the dash. When I got the Fabia I thought the quality of the dash was so much better than what I had ever had before even though its not exactly over-run with gadgets. I get that same feeling in the Seat.
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Traitor. I will be the only Renault driver left here before long ;-)
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Dont worry, Junior TVM has a Mk1 facelift clio, and Nicole has a new Mk3 Clio.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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TVM, test drove a 3000 mile 2.0 tdi Stylance today - very impressed with it. Engine reminded me a lot of my Fabia vrS with its delivery as opposed to the Scenic's.
However, something I noticed straight away was the noise from the engine, an almost intrusion "hum" into the car. Now I read somewhere, (thought it was this thread but can't seem to find it again) that some models have covers on the engine to suppress noise. Looked under the bonnet and although the bonnet itself has sound proofing, the engine didn't have the "cover" on it. Salesman says that they can be ordered, and there was what basically looked ike screwholes for it to screw into. Have you any knowledge of this or have I read it somewhere else?
This model also comes with pre-fitted TomTom unit which looks quite neat, not sure of model but the sound comes through the car speakers and it also doubles up as handsfree with bluetooth. I thought that was standard on them now but the other dealer who wants to pre-reg one for me says that its not, its an option.
So to summarise, like it, like it a lot, but noiser than I expected.
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>Now I read somewhere, (thought it was this thread but can't seem to find it again) that some >models have covers on
you read it here - 6 posts up.
Any VAG group cover for that type of engine will do it, usually available on ebay
(ie golf, touran, audi, seat covers for the 2.0 tdi)
Or tell the dealer, "you order and fit, before I buy". They just clip on. The nosie will be reduced a bit, but its the typical VAG pdi "growl". Its actually not intrusive or wearing on a long journey.
The tom tom is "free" if you order the tom tom pre wired kit, again the salesman will give it away because, basically, all seat alteas come pre wired for tom tom even if you dont want it. (and for that reason my bluetooth integration was deleted - grrrrrrrrrrrr)
Its a tom tom 710 i think.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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TVM, When you refer to the engine cover is this the soundproofing material attached to the underside of the bonnet or as the name suggests a cover over the top of the engine.
I am thinking about a Golf estate diesel and would like to be sure I know what to look for.
Thanks,
Alan
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TVM, after reading this thread again found your note re the engine cover. Also on reading thread I see reference to the "thrum" noise and I feel that is what i experienced. Maybe it was only due to engine being cold, am trying to get a longer test drive tomorrow.
Your description of how the sound carried in the Skoda is similar to how I experienced the Seat today.
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A colleague has a new Toledo 2.0TDi and the engine noise was far more noiceable than in my A3 with the same lump - he doesn't have an engine cover (which gave me an insight into what was under it!), but I'm sure the bulkhead isn't as well soundproofed either.
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